Farewell to the Basil
 

I just received word that the Basil Street Hotel (Knightsbridge) has been sold and is closing its doors on September 11, 2005. I have no information on the new owners or their plans. Does anybody else ?

Don't have any info, but sorry to hear the news. Have always heard good things about The Basil and hoped to stay there some day.

I don't know anything about the new owners or their plans, but when I stayed at the Basil Street last month, I overheard one of the staff telling someone who was staying there that the staff were all anxiously waiting to find out what was going to happen to the place. He (the staff member) said it would be a shame if the hotel were changed because "she's a grand old dame."

It would be nice if the new owners felt the same way, but I'm afraid that's probably a pipe dream.

I could never see the name of that hotel without thinking of Basil in Faulty Towers.

The father of two of my children's friends is called Basil, and I have such trouble NOT calling his wife Sybil, because I never can remember her name!!

Seriously, I have heard great reviews for this hotel, but maybe it will reopen better than ever..

Too bad... It was one of the few hotels that offered an affordable Afternoon Tea. ((c))

And about time too. It's dated, not particularly cheap, and there are many superior hotels a moment's walk away.

meow

I'm trying to picture m_kingdom ever setting foot in the place. Why did he? Or else how could he possibly have a valid opinion on the place?

What a shame! We stayed there several times and liked it quite a lot. I always wanted to try the ladies' Parrot Club in the basement, open to visitors without a membership fee.

I stayed there many years ago in the smallest room I've ever seen with one window facing another wall so there was no air circulation. No A/C and they couldn't provide me with a fan to relieve the heat. For my future trips I have stayed in much better places!

Hey julia_t, I know what you mean!

My husband has a friend named (really and truly) Fred Mertz. EVERYBODY calls his poor wife Ethel.
Her real name is..... uh.... er.....

Had once considered staying at Basil Street, never did, but it looked like it had loads of that British Charm.

On my countless trips between Harrods and Harvey Nichols I will always pass The Basil Hotel, and once I decided to venture inside, it's old, not particularly charming, and living in an age that no longer exists. Its location is pretty much perfect, shame about the rest of it.

But I like the age in which the Basil exists! Taking tea in the living room is like entering an Agatha Christie novel.

Gee, I don't know about the hotel specifically, but staying in a London hotel that is "living in an age that no longer exists" sounds wonderful compared to staying in a stark and modern monstrosity at several hundred pounds per night. But then, clearly we don't all look for the same things or have the same taste.

Underhill, your image sounds perfect.

I'm with Patrick and Underhill. Not everyone likes the cold, sterile contemporary hotels. I'll take crown mouldings over modern starkness and clean lines any day. :)

I too adore hotels that hark back to an age that no longer exists. However, I walked past there today, the entrance hall is carpeted with some shabby 1970s effort, the paintwork is peeling in places. It really isn't up to scratch.

I too hate modern, sterile hotels, they're bland. The Basil needs a lot of care, attention, and refurbishment, but that all costs more money than the family owning it can afford.

If you'd care to visit it, you'd see what I mean. The age it's living in is seaside boarding house shabby which most certainly isn't chic.

It sounds as though the family that owned the Basil just ran out of resources.

Thank heavens it's only a hotel! I thought when I read the title it was an end to pesto as we know it. :-D

Maybe the new owners will put some money into restoring it rather than replacing it. :)