The Landmark London

NW1 6JQ

London

222 Marylebone Road

If you’re a guest at The Landmark London in Marylebone, the chances are that you will naturally set foot in the stunning atrium for breakfast during your stay. But if you’re a Londoner, chances are you’ve walked past the hotel entrance once or twice, but never set foot inside. There’s something terribly indulgent about eating out at breakfast time, and that’s just what we did at this five star hotel.

The breakfast menu at The Landmark London has been carefully thought out to offer a generous choice of varied dishes, but that’s not the first thing you notice. The first meal of the day is served in the hotel’s Winter Garden, a space which used to be an open courtyard for turning horse-drawn carriages around, back in the day. The courtyard space has since been capped with a sky-scraping glass roof, and the atrium is full of lofty palm trees. Team the quite beautiful surroundings with a very comprehensive breakfast menu and it’s difficult to go wrong at The Landmark London. For any lads out there, considering how to sweep a girl off her feet – breakfast here would be a good starting point.

We were fairly reserved with our orders of eggs on toast, and Scottish salmon with scrambled eggs, but it was just what we fancied. We were also asked how we’d like our eggs done, which was an unusual but welcome touch. For anyone who can’t abide runny eggs, no need to panic here. Both dishes were spot on, and the sleek, non-invasive service made for a relaxing way to ease into the morning. Other highlights from the menu included French toast, served with apple & sultana compote and marscapone and the American pancakes, complete with caramelised banana, strawberries and maple syrup. For savoury palettes, the leek and Portobello mushroom frittata would certainly have filled a gap, whilst soft-boiled duck eggs with ciabatta soldiers offered a lighter alternative.

The Landmark London also offers a full English fry-up of course, and continental breakfast (which includes a selection of moreish pastries). So, whether it’s toast, bagels, waffles or black pudding that wakes your taste buds up in the morning, the chances are you can order it here. It’s worth noting that for non-residents of the hotel, there is a minimum spend of £20 per person for breakfast. Not an unreasonable amount in a five star hotel, but not difficult to achieve either, when a glass of orange juice is priced at £5.25. The drinks list would be our only grumble – whilst waffles with honey, yoghurt and blackberry compote will set you back by a reasonable £11.50, mineral water priced at £4.25 for 330ml is always going to be hard to swallow.

Grumbling aside, if you want to go for all-out luxury first thing in the morning, then 222 Marylebone Road is not to be passed unnoticed. Afternoon tea has enjoyed a definite resurgence in 2008, so let’s hope that 2009 is the year of the breakfast. The Landmark London wouldn’t be a bad place to start.

(Prices: there is a minimum charge of £20 for non-residents, Monday – Saturday. Full English: £28 per person, Continental breakfast: £20.00).

The Landmark London: 222 Marylebone Road, London NW1 6JQ. Tel: 020 7631 8000.