IF YOU really want to dive intoLondonlife by walking the historic streets of this unique city, basing yourself at a hotel like the Como Metropolitanis a smart move.
Located in Mayfair’s famous Park Lane (which many have tried to ‘buy’ when playing the board game Monopoly), rooms at the “Met,” as it’s affectionately known, have views over the extensive fields of Hyde Park, one of London’s Royal Parks established by King Henry V111 in 1536 for use as a hunting ground. The parklands now form a majestic chain of over 700 acres, where you can stroll, run, cycle, horse ride or even, if you’re lucky, catch a concert — and there have been many held by the likes ofThe Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney, Bob Geldorf, Pink Floyd, Elton John and Eric Clapton, to name a few).
Buckingham Palace, the lively Soho, the crowds of Piccadilly and the high-end shops and restaurants of Mayfair are all within walking distance of the Met hotel, while the shops of Oxford Street and the debaters of the renowned Hyde Park Corner are on your doorstep.
While historically well-placed, Como Metropolitan is anything but old fashioned. With its décor tagged as ‘hip’ and minimalist, Como’s rooms are über cool, tech-savvy and bright, aesthetically telling you it’s a new-age hotel experience, while delivering what would be expected of high-end accommodation.
Shopping addicts will love the nearby fashionable shops of Mayfair, Bond Street, Belgravia and Knightsbridge, while the ubiquitous corner pubs are great to frequent when a glass of bubbles or a cool pint break is needed before heading back to Como’s in-house Japanese-Peruvian restaurantNobu. Nobu is an “in” place for food in London — but best to book in advance if you want to experience the cuisine and ambience of this top-notch eatery and nightspot. Although, Met guests do get priority bookings, just if you need anymore reasons to stay there!
And there are Asian touches from a hotel that had its birthplace in Singapore (Como hotels were founded by Mrs Christina Ong) so the bright white zen-like lobby, the rock garden in the penthouse suite, shiatsu and Thai massages are hardly surprising. A further addition for good food lovers is the healthy in-room dining that includes Shambhala cuisine, which focuses on a menu of raw and cooked ingredients, all inspired by Mrs Ong’s passion for nutritionally-balanced food.
The Met houses 144 rooms, suites and 19 private residences. Click herefor more information and booking.
Maureen Jordan holds a Bachelor of Arts (Economics) and a Law Degree (Honours) and has carved a niche in the media to balance her world of work and family.
Her company, the Switzer Group, owns divisions in media and publishing and financial services.
During her 25 year involvement in media and publishing, Maureen has held Editor in Chief roles for esteemed publications such as Charter Magazine for the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia and has authored several books including Women Entrepreneurs, which she wrote for the Federal Office of Women, Small Business Start Up Guide published by Allen & Unwin and Finding And Managing Your Mortgage, Wiley Publishing.
As group publisher of Switzer Media & Publishing, Maureen has initiated and managed the publication of specialty books, magazines and content for some of the country's leading organisations. Clients include Optus, the Mortgage & Finance Industry Association, IBM, Hewlett Packard, the Commonwealth Bank, Telstra, AMP, IP Australia, Yahoo 7, the University of NSW and law firm Griffith Hack.
Switzer Media & Publishing holds the Australian & New Zealand licence for Harper’s Bazaar and Maureen is the Publisher of both the monthly magazine and the Harper’s Bazaar website.
Such is Maureen's commitment to business that in 1996 she was inducted into the Australian Business Women's Hall of Fame in Melbourne, as well as being a finalist in the Sydney Business Review's Business Women of the Year 2003.
Early in her career, Maureen taught in both the secondary school system - public and private - as well as teaching at the University of New South Wales.
Maureen's knowledge of small business and the economy, combined with her legal skills as a solicitor, has enabled her to not only put a firm footing under her own long-established business, but has also given her the credibility to assist others.
