Infinity pools, show-stopping suppers, and staff who greet you like an old friend; Jonathan Newman checks in at the Pan Pacific London and wonders why he ever bothered with a gym membership…
“Sometimes you wanna go where everybody knows your name, and they’re always glad you came…” So goes the iconic theme of the beloved 1980s sitcom Cheers, a sentiment that perfectly encapsulates my experience at the Pan Pacific — a towering architectural marvel, perfectly positioned overlooking Liverpool Street.
From the moment I arrived, it was as if the entire staff had been expecting me. The front desk, the concierge, the restaurant team — each greeted me with the warmth of an old friend, addressing me by name before I had even uttered it. And that, in essence, is what elevates the Pan Pacific to its well-deserved five-star status. True luxury isn’t just about opulence; it’s about the seamless, intuitive service that makes a guest feel not only welcome but truly valued.
For seasoned travellers — those who have experienced the spectrum from budget stays to boutique retreats to grand five-star establishments — the question often arises: What truly distinguishes a five-star hotel? The Pan Pacific gives a masterclass in the answer.
It’s all in the little things — the subtle, thoughtful touches that transform a stay from pleasant to extraordinary.
A tub of magnesium salts for a restorative soak. Bespoke Jo Loves toiletries. A neatly arranged box with both Mac and Android charging cables for the absent-minded guest. A dedicated space to sit and remove your shoes upon entry. A sleek vanity table, discreetly concealing a folding mirror and Dyson hairdryer. The list goes on, but you see my point: every aspect of the room has been meticulously curated to enhance the guest experience in ways that are both practical and indulgent.
I’ll admit, I didn’t know what to expect from perusing glossy online photos. Yet, upon arrival, I found the hotel’s aesthetic far exceeded what any image could. The design harmoniously fuses minimalist Asian influences with contemporary five-star luxury, resulting in an atmosphere that is both serene and sophisticated.
Too often, hotel rooms feel like carbon copies — repetitive, space-maximizing boxes with little regard for originality. Not so at the Pan Pacific. My room felt expansive, not necessarily due to square footage alone, but because two of its walls were composed entirely of glass, creating an airy, boundless ambiance. It’s a triumph of design and intention — an environment crafted with the guest’s comfort and delight at its heart.
As the Pan Pacific eloquently states on its website: ‘True luxury is unspoken’. And, indeed, that sentiment is tangible the moment you step inside. My journey began with an exquisite afternoon tea, an indulgent fusion of rare teas, delicately crafted sandwiches, and scones served in a lush botanical setting on the second floor.
After a brief respite, I ventured to the spa and infinity pool. Gliding across the pristine 18.5m pool – currently reimagined for the Italian Riviera in a symphony of orange and white stripes – I could have easily imagined myself shoreside in Lake Como, peach mimosa in hand, but the gym was calling. And what a set-up, too. Often an understocked afterthought in a dingy airless room, this was anything but. Spacious and impressively stocked, with kit I might have needed an engineering degree for, I momentarily thought about giving up my David Lloyd membership.
The afternoon having swept me up with a suitably Olympic standard work-out to burn off that tea, dinner felt like an earned indulgence with the curated Experience Menu in the hotel’s Straits Kitchen restaurant. Pan Pacific by name, it’s pan-Pacific by nature, with a fusion of Western techniques and South Asian flavours. The first course — a delicate house-smoked salmon in a light miso glaze with wasabi and green peas — set the tone for the evening.
This was followed by a sublime chicken satay infused with toasted coconut and sesame, then a beautifully crafted prawn and chive dumpling. The pièce de résistance was a Hereford beef short rib, slow-cooked to perfection in a sweet soy reduction — so tender it would have fallen off the bone, had there been one. And the grand finale? A Gula Melaka crème brûlée which, for those not fluent in Malay, translates to coconut palm sugar (I had to Google it), accompanied by a vibrant mango lime compote.
As I drifted off to sleep, way up on the 14th floor, with the electronic curtains purposefully left open to a breathtaking dual-aspect view of London, I felt like a character in an ‘80s film — perhaps Wall Street’s Gordon Gekko, preparing to seize the financial world at dawn.
And perhaps that’s the essence of a true five-star hotel — the way it makes you feel. For a night, or perhaps two, it doesn’t just offer you luxury. It offers you a momentary illusion — an invitation to step into a world where everything is effortless, where your presence is anticipated.
Because, after all, “You wanna go where everybody knows your name…”
For more information about Pan Pacific London, including details of the ‘Summer Stays, Italian Style’ offer, please visit www.panpacific.com.
