9 December 2005

The Italian Job

Brown’s Hotel Opens

 So Italians do it better?

Michelangelo wasn’t bad. Neither was Visconti. And Sophia Loren positively rocked.

And then there’s Sir Rocco Forte; how this Italian keeps it up is a mystery. His latest conquest, Brown’s Hotel, opens on Monday. Thanks to Forte, the famous site has had a complete revamp with the help of another impressive compatriot — his sister, Olga Polizzi.

Originally built as a guest house for nobility in 1837 by Lord Byron’s valet, James Brown, this historical hang-out has since been graced by Rudyard Kipling (he wrote The Jungle Book here), Alexander Graham Bell, Queen Victoria and many a Roosevelt.

Stay in one of the 117 rooms, all with individual, quirky interiors, relax in the  spa or book yourself into one of the eateries: The Grill, offering sublime roasts; The Donovan Bar — as in Terence — lined with his super-sexy photographs; or the English Tea Room, for fresh scones and cream.

As for whether the Italians do tea better than the Brits — we leave that for you to decide.

But it’s clear they’ve found their Forte.

Brown’s Hotel, 33 Albemarle Street, W1 (020 7493 6020 or roccofortehotels.com).