Welcoming guests to the heart of London since 1909, leading independent hotel Strand Palace presents ‘Summer in Bloom’ – a series of floral-inspired activities that give a nod to Strand Palace’s Covent Garden location – an iconic destination formerly home to the capital’s first flower market. ‘Summer in Bloom’ at Strand Palace includes a floral-themed city walking tour, Gin Palace’s in Bloom craft cocktail menu, an interactive floristry workshop, an afternoon tea in partnership with Love Cocoa, as well as an in-room gift (per room) of the London Poppy perfume from British fragrance brand, Floral Street, and a 2-night stay in the heart of London.

Guests of Strand Palace can enjoy a vibrant floral walking tour inspired by Strand Palace’s location right next to Covent Garden, which developed from countryside fields in the 1200s to London’s largest flower, fruit and vegetable market in the 1600s. Expertly curated with renowned Blue Badge Tour Guide, Mark Conroy, this bespoke tour will take guests on a journey through Central London’s beautiful green spaces and squares past and present, exploring the city’s charming oasis gardens and history from sprawling rural parks to iconic monuments. The tour will run for approx. 2hrs and will begin on the Strand, taking in Aldwych Street’s new garden space, followed by a visit to Somerset House, Embankment’s flower gardens and St James’ Park, then onto Trafalgar Square which pays homage to former fields, Leicester Square, and then London’s former flower market, Covent Garden, ending back at Strand Palace.

Following the floral-themed tour, guests can treat themselves to an exquisite afternoon tea in collaboration with premium British chocolate brand, Love Cocoa in Strand Palace’s art deco-inspired Tearoom. Love Cocoa, founded by James Cadbury, the great-great-great grandson of John Cadbury, together with Strand Palace, have drawn on their British heritage to deliver a modern take on the traditional afternoon tea. Guests are treated to a generous selection of sandwiches and a sumptuous choice of sweet delights, with one tree planted for every tea enjoyed at Strand Palace in partnership with Eden Reforestation Projects.
Following the floral tour, a bespoke floristry workshop will be available with local Covent Garden florists, Bloomsbury Flowers, as an optional exclusive experience, held in Strand Palace’s refined Private Dining Room. Bloomsbury Flowers was founded in 1994 in the heart of Covent Garden by two former ballet dancers, establishing itself as one of London’s premier florists and is now run by creative entrepreneur Anoma Radkevitch. Anoma and her team will guide Strand Palace guests through a beautiful creative floristry workshop to learn how to make summer bouquets and wreaths for the summer season.

After a floral journey with Bloomsbury Flowers, guests can sip on fabulous floral craft cocktails at Gin Palace bar, inspired by Covent Garden’s heritage. The new cocktail menu includes a selection of craft cocktails themed under “fruit garden”, “vegetable garden”, “flower garden” and “savoury garden”, featuring the likes of ‘Strand Palace Bouquet’, a gin-based cocktail with Everleaf Mountain, hedgerow & rose shrub, jasmine, apple, lime, lemonade, topped with edible flowers, as well as non-alcoholic options like the ‘Camouflage’ cocktail, created with Seedlip Spice non-alcoholic gin, lavender, and rhubarb lemonade. Guests will be treated to a complimentary ‘Strand Palace Bouquet’ cocktail on their arrival day and access to a 2-4-1 offer on all cocktails from the ‘Gin Palace in Bloom’ floral menu throughout their stay.

Guests will also be treated to an in-room gift (per room) of Floral Street’s London Poppy perfume, powered by flowers and inspired by the original Victorian flower market in Covent Garden – this fresh, citrus floral scent is the ultimate urban mood lifter.

Strand Palace is located just steps from Covent Garden and the River Thames, making it the perfect location for those looking to explore the hidden blooms of London. Guests can stay at Strand Palace in a choice of single, twin and double rooms and will enjoy a changing floral lobby display on arrival throughout the summer season.
BOOK IT
The ‘Summer in Bloom’ Package is £599 for a 2-night stay for two guests, and includes:

• 2-night stay at Strand Palace hotel in a Superior Double
  Buffet Breakfast at Haxells Restaurant & Bar for two guests, for two mornings during the stay
• Strand Palace Bouquet complimentary cocktail per person at Gin Palace, one per person during the stay
• 2-4-1 cocktails from Gin Palace in Bloom craft cocktail menu throughout the stay
• Afternoon Tea for two with a glass of bubbles each, worth £49 per person, enjoyed once during the stay
• In-room welcome gift on arrival from Floral Street: bottle of London Poppy perfume (per room) worth £68.

Optional Extras:
Optional 2hr floral-inspired walking tour – £62.50 per person (based on a group of 4).
Optional 1hr floral workshop led by Bloomsbury Flowers – £125 per person (based on a group of 4).
Available throughout July – September. Book here.