Fun with Fireworks

Guy Fawkes Night draws ever nearer and a selection of London... Fireworks Displays are taking place throughout the capital to mark the occasion in traditional style. Only one place to go and admire all the fireworks in and around London on 5th and 6th of November - Rafayel Hotel - the best vantage point.

A little bit of history…

*Guy Fawkes Night, also known as Bonfire Night (more casually in recent times as Fireworks Night), is an annual celebration held on the evening of 5 November to mark the failure of the Gunpowder Plot of 5 November 1605, in which a number of Catholic conspirators, including Guy Fawkes, attempted to destroy the Houses of Parliament in London.

The occasion is primarily celebrated in Great Britain where, by an Act of Parliament called The Thanksgiving Act, it was compulsory until 1859, to celebrate the deliverance of the King of England, Scotland, and Ireland.

The Gunpowder Plot of 1605, organised by Robert Catesby, Thomas Wintour, Robert Wintour, Guy Fawkes, John Wright, Christopher Wright, Robert Keyes, Thomas Percy, John Grant, Ambrose Rookwood, Sir Everard Digby, Francis Tresham, and Thomas Bates was plot to assassinate James I of England and restore Catholicism to England.

The 13 conspirators planned to place a hoard of gunpowder in an undercroft directly underneath the House of Lords. The plotters believed it to be the perfect place to hide explosives, as the undercroft had gone unused for some time. As October came and the plot was finalised, concerns arose that there may be Catholics present in Parliament when the device was to explode.  On Saturday 26 October William Parker, 4th Baron Monteagle, Francis Tresham's brother-in-law, received an anonymous letter warning him not to attend Parliament. On Friday 1 November the King was shown the letter, and it was later decided that a search of the Houses of Parliament would be undertaken on Monday.

According to the King's account, searchers discovered a servant nearby a large pile of firewood in the undercroft on Monday 4 November. He informed the searchers that the firewood belonged to his master, Thomas Percy. The servant's true identity was Guy Fawkes. As the searches had so far failed to locate anything untoward the King demanded that a more thorough search must commence. Shortly after midnight a search party under the command of Thomas Knyvet discovered Fawkes in the undercroft. Fawkes, who identified himself as John Johnson, was placed under arrest, and his possessions searched. He was discovered to be carrying a pocket watch, matches, and torchwood. The search team then unearthed barrels of gunpowder hidden beneath the pile of firewood.

Fawkes, still using the alias John Johnson, claimed when interrogated that he had acted alone. "Johnson" was relocated to the Tower of London on 6 November, where he was to be tortured, after the King gave his consent for the torture to take place. On 7 November Fawkes confessed that he had not acted alone, and the full extent of the plot was unearthed. The plotters were all executed, aside from Catesby and Percy, who had already been killed amidst their refusal to surrender, however the bodies were exhumed and their heads placed on spikes outside the Houses of Lords.(*Source: Wiki)

Spectacular shows

If you can’t make it out for a fireworks display during bonfire night weekend, rest assured. A number of displays will be held before and after the weekend, giving you the chance to enjoy a spectacular show at your convenience.

Friday 5th November
Barkingside Fireworks Display
Displays at 19:00 and 20:00
Bishops Park Fireworks Display
From 18:00, displays at 19:30 and 20:00
Clapham Fireworks Display
Display at 19:30
Crystal Palace Fireworks Display
From 18:00, displays at 19:00 and 20:30
Kingston Fireworks Display
From 18:30, display at 20:00
Southwark Fireworks Display
From 18:00, display at 19:00
Totteridge Fireworks Display
From 17:30, display at 19:15
Walthamstow Fireworks Display
From 18:00, display at 20:00
Wanstead Fireworks Display
From 18:30
Westway Fireworks Display
From 18:15, display at 19:00
Wimbledon Fireworks Display
From 18:30, displays at 18:45 and 20:30
Saturday 6th November
Barking Park Fireworks Display
From 17:30, display at 20:00
Barnes Fireworks Display
From 18:30, display at 19:55
Battersea Park Fireworks Display
From 18:00, display at 20:00
Beckenham Fireworks Display
From 18:00, display at 20:00
Blackheath Fireworks Display
Display at 20:00
Carshalton Park Fireworks Display
From 18:00, display at 19:00
Chislehurst Fireworks Display
From 18:00, display at 19:30
Danson Park Fireworks Display
From 18:00, display at 20:00
Ealing Fireworks Display
From 18:00, display at 19:30
Enfield Fireworks Display
From 18:00, display at 19:30
Epsom Fireworks Display
From 17:30, display at 19:30
Kempton Park Fireworks Display
From 18:00, display at 19:45
Morden Fireworks Display
From 18:30, displays at 18:45 and 20:30
Norman Park Fireworks Display
From 17:00, display at 20:00
Ravenscourt Park Fireworks Display
From 18:00, display at 20:00
Roundwood Park Fireworks Display
From 18:45, displays at 19:30 and 20:00
Southgate Fireworks Display
From 17:00, display at 20:00
Sunday 7th November
Richmond Fireworks Display
From 17:00, display at 19:00
Victoria Park Fireworks Display
Display at 19:30
Saturday 13th November
Lord Mayors Show Fireworks Display
Display at 17:00

Good begets good...

Hotel Rafayel must be making some kind of record! It seems to enjoy a good review every day in one place or another, be it the hotel rooms or the restaurant or the spa facilities, a claim not many hotels can make.

Nothing like a happy customer... read some of our latest guest reviews. 

Stunner!
Great hotel, v clean, convenient location.

Reviewer: JT (Gastronaut)

"The food at Banyan on Thames is simply SUPERB, the TT offer makes it even more appealing, the lamb dish is devine and I will be going back as soon as I possible can."

• overall: 9.0
• food: 9
• value: 9
• service: 9
• toilets: 9
• ambience: 9 
• recommend: 9

birthday treat next to the Thames.
"We stayed for a special birthday visit to London. We found the location fine and enjoyed walking along the Thames and across to Chelsea. The free pick up service from Clapham Common ( we arrived from Euston) was on time and very useful. We used the 170 bus which stops outside the hotel and goes to Victoria. It runs every 12 minutes and until 12.50 am, so absolutely fine.
Hotel staff very efficient, the "Mississippi" bedroom was very spacious and beautifully appointed and offered far better quality and value than any central london hotels of a similar price. The restaurant was equally excellent, staff were polite and not overbearing and the food was lovely - the real bonus being a 50% reduction on the food bill for hotel guests. We would definitely stay here again."

 Reviewer: (Anonymous)

"This restaurant never disappoints, 1st class food 1st class service. I have been 3 times this month and plan to go back again next month i love it that much. I have recommended to family and friend and they all share my opinion on Banyan on the Thames. This is my favourite restaurant of the year. Even if they didnt have the 50% offer on I would still pay full price for the food."

• overall: 10.0
• food: 10
• value: 10
• service: 10
• toilets: 10
• ambience: 10
• recommend: 10

Great Hotel!
Staff were very friendly, pickup & drop off at Clapham Junction Station was a great little bonus as included in the price paid. Reception is quite colourful but the room itself was very tastefully decorated, everything was in perfect working order. The room was very very spacious, had lovely decor & nothing was too much effort. Would recommend and would definetely visit again.

Modern and Well Presented
"Hotel Rafayel is easy to find and nicely located in Battersea which was ideal for me. Check-in took a little while as there didn't appear to be many people manning the reception desk but the staff were extremely friendly. The lobby is fairly small and cosy and has a pleasantly modern feel without coming across as cold.  The room I had was very nicely presented. It was a 'Yangtze' river view room, spacious and very modern. The bed was comfortable, the bathroom was very large and well specced with a fantastic shower - in fact the rooms really were very good indeed."

"We went to the hotel spa for a quick afternoon relaxation and to have a facial and it was pretty much as expected. The spa was not big, only sauna steam room and a small jacuzzi, but ok for a hotel spa. After relaxing at the sauna and pool, we had our facials and then tea and cubcakes in the relaxation room which was cozy, but a bit cold I thought. We left the Rafayel feeling relaxed and clensed, and feeling we got what we had paid for. However, all in all, a good experience."

would definately go again
brill. stunning rooms, good customer service. Had a few probs with complimentry transport..were left waiting an hour but everthing else was A1

"Fantastic hotel."

Reviewer: (Anonymous)

Banyan on thames in battersea was a delightful experience. The food was exceptional standard and very tasty. I would recommend this restaurant to anyone. The 50% food discount made it very affordable as well. 9/10

• overall: 9.0
• food: 9
• value: 9
• service: 9
• toilets: 9
• ambience: 9
• recommend: 9

"Very friendly staff, willing to help. When we requested a new room due to a party taking place above us, they gave us the option of a new room whilst giving us useful information on the event. Valet parking in a secure car park. Restaurant was expensive but we did get 50% off as hotel guests. Good views over the river"

New York Times reviews Hotel Rafayel!

Rafayel on the Left Bank may sound Parisian, but the hotel actually occupies several floors in a large apartment complex in Battersea, a former industrial area in the West End of London. The neighborhood has enjoyed a real estate boom, along with the rest of the city, in the last few years, and the Rafayel, which opened in April, has an enviable location on the Thames. There’s LED lighting in the rooms, little paper at checkout and no plastic bottles or heated towel racks anywhere. The Rafayel advertises itself as “one of the world’s first environmentally-conscious luxury hotels.” Its mission, according to the developer, Iqbal Latif, is to reduce the carbon footprint of the average night’s stay by 25 percent without inconveniencing guests.

LOCATION
The Rafayel is mere yards from the London Heliport, and while that’s certainly executive-friendly, it also seems eco-hostile. The closest transit station is Clapham Junction, probably best known from the classic “Up the Junction” by Squeeze (“I never thought it would happen with me and the girl from Clapham”). You may have plenty of time to hum all the verses during a 15-minute slog from the train. (The hotel runs a free shuttle, but it ends at 8:30 p.m.)

ROOMS
The hotel rents rooms by square footage. I booked the 270-square-foot Yangtze Room (£330, with tax, about $518 at $1.56 to the pound, but available for £150 on the Rafayel Web site), which seemed palatial by the standards of London hotels. I was promised a view of the Thames — technically true, but only if I peeked between buildings. Inside, the look is modern, with dark wood and warm neutral paint, and there is so much gadgetry — including a digital readout of your carbon consumption — that unless you’re traveling with Bill Gates, you might need to call the front desk for help, as I did. The extremely comfortable beds are made by Hypnos, the British manufacturer said to supply the Queen, and there are enough pillows to build a scale model of Windsor Castle. 


BATHROOM
The bathroom is epic, with a long mirrored wall, and a bidet. And the water pressure in the glass-walled shower (no tub) is glorious, like a rain forest waterfall, and probably the surest bet to raise your carbon footprint from that of eco-traveler to that of BP.

AMENITIES

Breakfast, continental (£10) or traditional British (£15), is served in Banyan on the Thames, a purple-lighted bar/restaurant/nightclub across a small courtyard. This being an English hotel, afternoon tea is served in the lobby daily and, this being an executive hotel, there’s a cigar bar and hookah lounge.

ROOM SERVICE
Room service is apparently still a difficult concept at the Rafayel. I arrived late — around 10:30 p.m. — to find that the restaurant had already closed. The front desk told me room service was available until midnight, but the kitchen disagreed. At that point, the minibar’s bag of chips or crisps or whatever they’re called started to look awfully good.

BOTTOM LINE
The Rafayel is designed as a kind of hotel version of an Apple Store, all minimalist, efficient and self-regarding. Right now, it is closer to Windows 95, with lots of bugs and the occasional blue screen. If you need to be in this part of London and are in the kind of business where you come and go by helicopter (say, real estate developer or paid assassin), the Rafayel is a sleek, pleasing choice. If you’ve come to see the sights, you may want to spend your money closer to the city center and plant a tree instead.
Rafayel on the Left Bank, 34 Lombard Road, Battersea; (44-20) 7801-3610 or 3603; hotelrafayel.com.

And Rafayel continues to wow its guests...

“More value for your money”

Rafayel on the Left Bank

jollynomad   22 contributions

philippines

Oct 19, 2010 | Trip type: Friends getaway

Twas our first time to travel to London (and UK), and Hotel Rafayel was the 3rd of 4 hotels we stayed in. But it was the best one we've booked so far. Checking in was fast; reception was friendly. Room was very very spacious -- we took the Niles suite (partial view of the Thames, but with the jacuzzi). The bathroom was huge, more like bigger than other bedrooms of other hotels. There were laminated instructions for the use of the jacuzzi and the shower. Shampoo and conditioner was lovely and unlimited. There's a tv facing the jacuzzi, on the dining room and in the bedroom. So much space for the luggage. A soft comfortable sofa. The bed was really comfy and pillows very very soft. There's free wi-fi in the room!

Distance or location was not really a problem, contrary to what others say. There's a bus 170 that stops a few meters from the hotel entrance. This bus heads to Victoria, passing by Chelsea (and the famous Chelsea Physic Garden). Or, you can cross the street and take the same 170 bus to Clapham Junction, where the tube as well as the Southern trains are (we took the train to visit Hever Castle). For those not comfortable with the bus, one can book/reserve a seat in the free shuttle that goes to Clapham Junction -- but you have to wait 30 minutes.
We only had in-room breakfast in the hotel, and they start serving at 630am. Bakery basket was generous. Coffee was not bad.