DAVID LEVIN started his professional life at 16 years old as a commis waiter in the Central hotel in Glagsow. On his first day at work he wore the jacket his father had worn to his wedding. Not for good luck, but because the jacket was the only one the family owned.
28 Basil Street, London (020 7589 6286, www.thelevinhotel.co.ukLevin went on to become one of the most successful hoteliers of his generation, and for more than 30 years has run the
Capital Group – of which the Levin is part.
His is a story of determination, hard work and ultimately achievement, and one that is worth mentioning because it so thoroughly reflects everything that is right about a stay at the Levin. The hotel is a success because the people who run it work extremely hard to make it that way, and we are already looking forward to a return visit.
How do I get there? Knightsbridge Underground station is just a short walk away, allowing easy, fast and direct access to Heathrow airport and St Pancras International railway station. It's also a great link to the rest of London. We took the tube into Soho one night for dinner for a fraction of the price a taxi would have cost, and arrived in record time too.
What's the food like? The cosy and reasonably priced Le Metro Bar & Brasserie is one of the hidden secrets of Knightsbridge and is treasured by locals and visitors alike.
This sub-pavement eaterie, in the hotel's basement, offers an impressive choice of deceptively simple, traditional British dishes and a carefully considered selection of wines by the glass.
Open for lunch, afternoon tea and dinner, Le Metro has a friendly and efficient staff who are more than willing to cater to your whims. Okay, so I only asked whether my dessert might have nuts in it, but when it could make the difference between a night in A&E or enjoying a couple more cocktails, the superior service is worth its weight in gold.
Home comforts Beyond the stylish pistachio-coloured lobby, the Levin's 12 bedrooms share the same inoffensive neutral shades and all the luxury toiletries and fluffy towels you would expect of a five-star hotel. Some rooms even have a flat-screen television and a docking stations for your iPod.
It was the mini-bar that really took us aback, though. Stocked with everything you would need to make a champagne cocktail – in fact, it caters for just about any alcoholic preference you might have – we decided to have pre-dinner drinks in our room.
Which is why it became necessary to order the continental breakfast in bed the next morning. Equally welcome, and even more delicious.
Bed test There is ample room in the king-sized beds for even the most expansive of individuals. My partner is 6ft 5in and was very comfortable. The only trouble you might have is removing yourself from the mattress in the morning.
Out and about The Levin is situated on the surprisingly quiet Basil Street. Surprising, because it is just a few paces from Harrods and the hustle and bustle of Knightsbridge. Who would have thought London could be so peaceful?
For those interested in art and culture, the Victoria and Albert Museum, the Natural History Museum and the Royal Academy of Arts are also a short walk or taxi ride away, as is the world-famous Royal Albert Hall.
The bottom line Prices start at £275 a night for a double room, but the hotel is currently running a special offer that includes a two-night stay in an executive room, a continental breakfast on both mornings and two tickets for the Original London Sightseeing Tour Bus and City Cruises, all for £459. This rate is exclusive of VAT (at 15%) and is valid until the end of the year.
This article was first published in the Scotland on Sunday on November 1, 2009
