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A review of J Wellness Circle and House of Ming at Taj 51 Buckingham Gate Suites and Residences, London. All images courtesy of Taj 51 Buckingham Gate Suites and Residences.
Walking down the bustling streets of central London, I am pleasantly surprised when I arrive at Taj 51 Buckingham Gate Suites and Residences. Despite being in the heart of the city, you instantly feel an absolute world away as you walk past the opulent lobby into the tranquil leafy courtyard of this five-star hotel. A beautiful water fountain takes centre stage, surrounded by fairy lights, flowers and ornate historical buildings. As I make my way through the courtyard to the spa, I spot people relaxing in their seats as they sip on their drinks and enjoy the afternoon sun.
Upon entering the underground J Wellness Circle spa, I’m greeted by the friendly staff and shown to the changing rooms where I change into the softest robes and slippers, and spend time relaxing in the spa’s steam room and sauna, as well as the vitality pool with built-in underwater benches and massage jets. It’s quickly obviously that J Wellness Circle is not your typical spa – it cleverly blends ancient Indian wellness rituals with British luxury innovation. As the first of its kind in Europe, this exclusive space offers a rejuvenating spa experience that aims to heal the mind, body, and spirit. The treatments are also derived from ancient Indian wisdom, culture and royalty, including Indian aromatherapy, detox treatments, massages, facials and body scrubs which can last between 45 minutes to over three hours. After a few hours at the spa, I felt sufficiently relaxed and head next door to the hotel’s Chinese restaurant, House of Ming.
With several locations worldwide, House of Ming was originally established in India before opening in London serving up authentic Chinese food in a chic setting. Created by award-winning designer Atelier Wren, the elegant restaurant interior subtly weaves in elements of Chinese aesthetics with its rich red and gold lacquer, bespoke furniture, and antique brass accents.
The menu itself was extensive with a plethora of vegetarian and meat options to choose from. I kicked off my meal with a Cantonese staple – dim sum. The juicy prawn har gao and crab meat spinach dumpling were served alongside a variety of sauces to complement the meaty parcels ranging from your traditional chili sauce to a house made dim sum sauce. The dumplings had a thin, almost translucent slightly chewy skin and were packed with seafood, the sign of a good dumpling.
Next up, garlic butterfly prawns and crispy lamb tossed with chilli, garlic and sesame oil. The prawns were simple yet delicious – the tender pieces of prawn were well-seasoned and loaded with flavour from the garlic. I wasn’t sure what to expect for the lamb, but when they say it’s crispy lamb, they do really mean crispy. Each bite is a crackling, sweet and salty experience, and the addition of onions and bell peppers tie it all together.
For mains, I had to try the dover sole cooked Chinese style with a chili oyster sauce and the sweet and sour pork. The fish was cooked to perfection. The fish was delicate and flaky, coated in a salty sweet sauce that pairs well with rice. The sweet and sour pork tossed with onion and peppers is a childhood favourite, and House of Ming’s classic version certainly didn’t disappoint. Each piece of meat was crispy on the outside and juicy on the outside, balanced with the sweet and sour coating that elevated the umami of the meat.
To finish, the mango and pomelo sago dessert, another Cantonese classic with an added twist from the Alphonso mango syrup. The cold, creamy and sweet bowl of mango-y goodness was a wonderful treat for a hot summer day and a satisfying end to my journey at House of Ming.
After spending a day at this gorgeous heritage hotel, I eagerly anticipate my next visit to Taj 51 Buckingham Gate Suites and Residences.
Address: 51 Buckingham Gate, London SW1E 6AF, United Kingdom |
Website: Taj51buckinghamgate.co.uk | Phone: +44 20 7769 7766 | Instagram: @taj51bg | Facebook: @Sjctaj
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