Lockdown has begun to lift in the UK, coinciding with the arrival of spring’s warmer climes and longer daylight hours.
While hotels are not permitted to reopen their indoor facilities until May 17, many are making the most of their outdoor spaces by opening them up to the public ahead of the third stage of lockdown easing. As of April 12, groups of six will be able to take advantage of the (fingers crossed) good weather for a spot of al fresco dining.
We round-up the various spaces on offer – from rooftop terraces to staycation-inspired pop ups and cobbled courtyards.
11 Cadogan Gardens
The Chelsea hotel’s all-day restaurant Hans’ Bar and Grill is opening its al fresco terrace on the pedestrianised Pavilion Road.
What’s on offer?
The menu will feature breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner options, with dishes such as pan-fried hake with chorizo, samphire, Jersey royals and cherry tomatoes, a variety of burgers and salads.
When does it open?
April 12. Open daily 10am-9pm.
The Berkeley
The Knightsbridge-based hotel is unveiling a Beach Huts pop-up, inspired by Britain’s seafronts such as Whitstable, Southwold and Padstow. Five rainbow coloured beach huts will each seat parties of up to six people, and there will also be countertop and terrace dining areas.
What’s on offer?
The menu will feature “seafood front and centre” with highlights including crab on sourdough, brioche lobster rolls and seafood platters, followed by ‘make your own’ Eton mess and ‘Gourmet 99’ ice cream cones.
When does it open?
April 12. Open Monday-Sunday 12pm-9.30pm.
Note that bookings in the Beach Huts require a minimum spend of £500 on food and beverage excluding service charge.
The Biltmore
The Mayfair-based hotel is launching Café Biltmore by Jason Atherton later this month, with an extended terrace surrounded by foliage-covered walls, cushioned seating and heaters.
What’s on offer?
The menu will feature seasonal salads, fresh fish and meats from the Japanese charcoal grill, and wood-fired pizzas and handmade pasta dishes.
When does it open?
April 21. Open Wednesday-Sunday 12pm-10pm.
The Bloomsbury Hotel
The Doyle Collection hotel housed in the namesake area will reopen its Dalloway Terrace restaurant this month with a spring installation by Master Florists McQueens and Belvedere Vodka. The decor is inspired by “the rolling hills of the British countryside”, featuring dried wheat, corn flowers, daisies and pampas grass. The terrace will have heaters and a retractable roof and canopy, allowing guests to enjoy the restaurant when the weather takes a turn.
What’s on offer?
The menu features seasonal cuisine, with dishes such as grilled organic Scottish salmon, tiger prawns with green mango and chilli, and pasta alla norma.
When does it open?
April 12. Open Monday-Wednesday 12pm-9pm; Thursday-Sunday 10am-9pm.
Claridge's
The luxury Mayfair hotel and sister property to The Berkeley, is taking bookings for Claridge’s Bar Terrace on Brook Street ahead of the bar’s full reopening in May.
What’s on offer?
The terrace will offer champagnes and cocktails “to complement David Collins’ art deco-influenced interior”, along with an all-day dining menu inspired by the Mediterranean – dishes include beef carpaccio with rocket, white truffle pizza, and citrusy spaghettini.
When does it open?
April 12. Open daily 12pm-11pm.
The Connaught
The third London member of the Maybourne Hotel Group (see Claridge’s and The Berkeley) will open the terrace attached to the Jean-Georges at the Connaught restaurant.
What’s on offer?
The Mediterranean-inspired menu will feature “market-free salads and truffle-topped pizzas”, as well as breakfast and brunch dishes.
When does it open?
April 12. Open Monday-Saturday 8am-9.45pm; Sunday 9am-8.45pm.
Corinthia London
The hotel’s Kerridge’s Bar and Grill will open the pop-up Kerridge’s Garden Grill for a limited time only in the hotel’s mezzanine garden, a “never-before seen space” surrounding the glass dome atop the hotel’s Baccarat chandelier.
The hotel’s mosaiced garden will also be open for a Mediterranean dining experience, with tables set beside lemon trees.
What’s on offer?
Head chef Nick Beardshaw will serve seasonal dishes from an open grill at Kerridge’s Garden Grill, with Laurent-Perrier champagne and Rebellion Lager from the Marlow brewery.
The Garden will feature André Garrett’s menu of seafood, salads and woodfired pizzas
When does it open?
Kerridge’s Garden Grill: April 12-May 15. Open daily 12pm-9pm.
The Garden: April 12. Open daily 7am-11am and 12pm-midnight.
The Dorchester
The hotel has four al fresco spaces on offer, including its first ever rooftop bar and restaurant. The property is also reopening its terrace and garden on the forecourt, which hosts seven tables of two, and its Spring Garden nestled under the hotel’s Plane Tree – the latter includes two private garden globes that can each seat up to five guests.
Additionally, the Wolfgang Puck-led restaurant Cut Out at 45 Park Lane will open its terrace, which includes an outdoor Negroni Bar.
What’s on offer?
The rooftop will host a series of pop-ups overseen by executive chef Mario Perera, with British, French and Mediterranean cuisine. This will begin with a British summertime menu from April 12-25 led by Tom Booton, head chef at The Grill at The Dorchester, followed by a pop-up from April 26-May 9 by Jean-Philippe Blondet, the executive chef of Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester.
The walk-in only Dorchester Terrace and Garden will provide a new cocktail menu by Giuliano Morandin and classic Italian bites such as truffle arancini and calamari frittura.
The Spring Garden will offer a three-course private dining menu by executive chef Mario Perera in partnership with Veuve Clicquot.
When do they open?
April 12. Open daily 12pm-11pm.
Note that bookings at The Dorchester Rooftop require a minimum spend of £60 per person, and The Spring Garden requires a minimum spend of £450 per garden globe.
Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane
The Park Lane hotel is opening up its recently redesigned On The Terrace restaurant in partnership with Dom Pérignon.
What’s on offer?
The terrace will offer a three course pairing menu with Dom Pérignon, alongside a summer menu by executive chef Henry Brosi with dishes including langoustine tempura and asparagus lemon risotto. Guests can also order Dom Pérignon by the glass, or choose from the cocktail list created by bar manager Ivan Arena.
When does it open?
May 17.
The Hari
This hotel in Belgravia is transforming its inner courtyard into ‘Amalfi comes to The Hari’, with decor inspired by La Dolce Vita. The garden terrace features a retractable roof, allowing it to be open year-round.
What’s on offer?
The garden terrace will offer a new menu of Italian plates from the Campania region, with dishes including anchovies and sea bass in an Amalfi lemon ceviche, and Panuozzo (a pizza-panini hybrid) with Neapolitan sausage, wild turnip tops and smoked provolone cheese. The bar will also provide Amalfi-inspired cocktails and spritzes.
When does it open?
April 12. Open daily 12pm-10.45pm.
Holmes Hotel
The Sherlock Holmes-themed hotel on Baker Street is reopening its restaurant Kitchen at Holmes this month, with two terraces – a heated ground floor terrace and a hidden rooftop space.
What’s on offer?
The seasonal menu by head chef Stefano Motta will feature a fusion of modern European and Mediterranean cuisine, with dishes including beef carpaccio with foie gras and black truffle, and smoked burrata with Belgium endive, Braeburn apple and walnuts. The restaurant will also offer a selection of new cocktails to reflect the Mediterranean flavours on the menu.
The reopening will also see the launch of a new set lunch menu, priced at £23.50 for two courses.
When does it open?
April 12. Open daily 12pm-9pm.
Hyatt Regency London - The Churchill
The hotel’s Montagu Kitchen restaurant will launch The Montagu Summer Terrace this spring, following the success of the alpine-themed winter terrace last year. The terrace will become a permanent feature overlooking Portman Square Gardens in Marylebone Village, with seasonally changing design – spring 2021 will include a nautical theme with a blue and white colour scheme, light wooden decking, soft furnishings and shell-filled jar centrepieces.
What’s on offer?
The menu will feature ingredients predominantly sourced from the English coast, with dishes such as Whitstable oysters, squid ink linguine, and English Burrata served with Isle of Wight tomatoes.
When does it open?
April 12. Open daily 12pm-10pm.
JW Marriott Grosvenor House London
The Park Lane hotel is transforming its forecourt area into a British courtyard garden in partnership with Gusbourne English Sparkling Wine, adorned with a lawn and fresh flower boxes.
What’s on offer?
The Forecourt will serve sparkling wines alongside a seasonal menu with classics from the hotel’s JW Steakhouse and Park Room restaurants.
When does it open?
April 12. Open daily 12pm-10pm.
The Lanesborough
The Oetker Collection property in Knightsbridge will reopen its Garden Room this month. The heated terrace serves drinks, weekend brunch and light dinners, alongside a selection of limited edition, special edition and vintage cigars.
What’s on offer?
The menu features a selection of Cuban and pre-Castro cigars in the walk-in humidor, and a collection of some of the rarest and finest Cognacs and Armagnacs – some of which date back to the 18th century.
When does it open?
April 12. Open Monday-Friday 6pm-2am; Saturday 12pm-2am; Sunday 12pm-midnight.
Note that a minimum spend of £50 per person applies after 7.30pm.
The Langham London
The luxury hotel on Regent Street will reopen its modern British pub The Wigmore, led by Michel Roux Jr, with food and drink served at its outdoor terrace and garden.
What’s on offer?
The Wigmore Terrace and Garden will feature the popular Masala spiced scotch egg alongside new dishes such as buttered lobster roll with buttermilk onion rings.
When does it open?
April 12. Open Wednesday- Sunday 12pm-10pm.
Mama Shelter London – Shoreditch
The East London hotel is opening its al fresco Garden Bar area, with an open roof and terrace-style seating.
What’s on offer?
The terrace offers weekend brunches, small plates such as steak tartare and confit duck poutine, and mains including burgers, mac n’ cheese, and salt baked celeriac with rose bourguignon.
When does it open?
April 12. Open Monday-Thursday 4pm-10pm; Friday-Saturday 11am-12am; Sunday 11am-6pm.
Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park
The hotel’s Heston Blumenthal restaurant will be opening Dinner on the Terrace, with imaginative cuisine served amid views of Hyde Park.
What’s on offer?
The terrace will feature an “inventive, historically inspired menu” with dishes including the popular meat fruit and tipsy cake.
When does it open?
April 12. Open daily 12pm-7pm.
Me London
The West End hotel’s Radio Rooftop bar will reopen this month with panoramic views of London, live music and DJ sets. This spring will also see the return of the bar’s three bubbles, each featuring a different theme thanks to a partnership with Chateau Léoube and Grey Goose x Bombay Bramble.
What’s on offer?
The ‘Radio Bubbles’ offer drinks with light bites and dining for brunch or dinner.
When does it open?
April 12-May 31. Open Monday-Tuesday 5pm-11pm; Wednesday and Sunday 12pm-11pm; Thursday-Saturday 12pm-midnight.
Note that a minimum spend of applies to reservations for the bubbles. For more information, see the website.
The Montague on the Gardens
The Georgian townhouse hotel in Bloomsbury is opening its award-winning Beach Bar complete with real sand, palm trees, BBQ cuisine and a thatched roof.
What’s on offer?
The menu will feature barbecue cuisine with meat, fish and vegetarian options, alongside cocktails served in coconuts. There is also a £29 offer for a Montague burger and chips with three drinks (selection of house wine, beer or beach cocktails).
When does it open?
April 16. Open Friday-Sunday 1pm-5pm.
Nobu London Portman Square
The brand-new hotel will open its Nobu Bar and Terrace this month in London’s Marylebone neighbourhood.
What’s on offer?
The menu will feature cocktails with a local twist alongside Nobu classic dishes including seafood ceviche, yellowtail jalapeño, and black cod miso.
When does it open?
April 12.
The Pilgrm
The hotel next to Paddington Station has opened up its terrace for dining.
What’s on offer?
The hotel restaurant is offering brunch, coffee and afternoon drinks.
When does it open?
April 12. Open Wednesday-Sunday 9am-3.30pm.
Rosewood London
The hotel is re-launching its terrace in partnership with whisky brand The Macallan. The Macallan Manor House terrace is inspired by summers in Scotland, and will feature grass, wildflowers and Scottish heathers, with menus provided by the Holborn Dining Room.
What’s on offer?
The menu will feature whisky cocktails and dishes including lamb rump with Cornish new potatoes and spring vegetables, and griddled prawns with lemon and garlic butter.
When does it open?
April 12. Open Monday-Saturday 12pm-10pm; Sunday 12pm-9.30pm.
The Savoy
The iconic hotel is launching a pop-up drinking and dining experience at its entrance courtyard. Solas, meaning “light, joy and comfort” in Gaelic, will be in partnership with Bowmore Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky.
What’s on offer?
The menu will feature cocktails and a seafood bar, along with three oyster selections service in a Bowmore oyster luge.
When does it open?
April 21.
Note that there’s a minimum spend of £50 per person for any bookings made at or after 6pm.
Sea Containers London
The Tom Dixon-designed hotel on the South Bank will reopen its eponymous Thames-side restaurant on the ground floor of the property this month.
What’s on offer?
The menu focuses on sharing-style food, with light snacks, small and larger plates, and flatbreads alongside a drinks menu of cocktails and beers. There’s also a weekend brunch and roasts menu.
When does it open?
April 16. Open Friday-Saturday 12pm-4pm and 5.30pm-10pm; Sunday 12pm-5pm.
Sofitel London St James
The hotel will open up its terrace for summery drinks and dining, with seating located directly outside the hotel.
What’s on offer?
The menu will feature dishes such as burrata, heritage tomato, shallots and herbs, and black olive crumble, or lemon sole with capers and herb tomatoes.
When does it open?
April 12. Open daily 12pm-10pm.
South Place Hotel
The hotel is taking bookings for the rooftop terrace at its Michelin-starred Angler restaurant and at its outdoor terraces at South Place Chop House and the Secret Garden. Plus, there’s a retractable roof, heaters, and blankets included.
What’s on offer?
The menu features the likes of hand-rolled farfalle with new season morels, wild garlic and parmesan, and barbecued Angus beef bavette with glazed shallot, wild garlic pesto and red wine.
When does it open?
April 14. Open Wednesday-Saturday 12pm-9.30pm.
The Stafford London
Customers will be able to enjoy the American Bar on the hotel’s cobbled courtyard, a space surrounded by former 18th century stables and hanging flower baskets.
The hotel is also launching a series of barbecue pop-ups, with the Stafford Collection’s culinary director Ben Tish and the hotel’s executive chef Jozef Rogulski collaborating with guest chefs to create feasts in the outdoor grilling area.
What’s on offer?
Hawksmoor’s executive chef Matt Brown will lead a pop-up on April 24, with a menu featuring dishes such as old spot belly ribs and vinegar slaw, and barbecued dry-aged porterhouse steaks with triple-cooked beef dripping chips.
Executive chef at The Stafford’s sister property Northcote, Lisa Goodwin-Allen, will hold a pop-up on May 1 with a menu of cauliflower cheese croquettes, chargrilled hanger steak with blue cheese and scorched baby gem, and barbecued lobster Thermidor with romantic tomatoes and basil.
When does it open?
April 12. Open Tuesday-Saturday 12pm-11pm.
The Hawksmoor pop-up takes place on April 24 from 12pm-8pm.
Lisa Goodwin-Allen’s pop-up takes place on May 1 from 12pm-8pm.
The Standard
The Kings Cross hotel will reopen the terrace at its street-facing Double Standard restaurant this month. See our review of the hotel here.
What’s on offer?
The terrace will serve “hearty fare accompanied by draft beers and classic cocktails”.
When does it open?
April 12. Open Thursday-Sunday 12pm-5pm; Monday-Sunday 5pm-11pm.
The Trafalgar St James
This Curio Collection by Hilton hotel in the heart of St James is reopening The Rooftop, its Asian restaurant overlooking Trafalgar Square.
What’s on offer?
The rooftop serves brunch, lunch, dinner and drinks, with dishes including gyoza, bao buns and wagyu beef burgers.
When does it open?
April 12. Opening times vary – see website for more information.
Note there is a minimum spend of £35 from Monday to Wednesday, and £50 from Thursday to Sunday.
Treehouse Hotel
The nature-inspired hotel has created a brand new outdoor space for all-day dining called The Courtyard, located at the front of the hotel’s entrance. The pop-up is an extension of the hotel’s ground floor coffee shop and is inspired by the “quintessential British summer garden”, featuring lawn areas, rustic raised decking, trough planters and plant pots. There will also be giant games and seasonal events during the residency.
Meanwhile, the hotel’s rooftop bar The Nest is also open to visitors, with 360-degree skyline views and crafted cocktails.
What’s on offer?
The Courtyard serves grab-and-go breakfast and an all-day menu of seasonal small plates and drinks.
When does it open?
April 12. The Courtyard is open daily 8am-10pm.
The Nest is open Monday-Saturday: 12pm-1am; Sunday 12pm-11pm
Note that there is a minimum spend at The Nest – see the website for more details.
The Wellesley Knightsbridge, a Luxury Collection Hotel
Marriott’s Knightsbridge-based hotel is opening up its private alfresco cigar terraces to the public. The terraces are located on either side of the hotel’s entrance and feature plush leather chairs, open fireplaces, and a bespoke sculptural glass screen to “create a private hideaway from the bustling city”.
What’s on offer?
The terraces offer Europe’s largest collection of cigars, valued at over £1.5 million, and a selection of rare whiskies, cognacs and Armagnacs.
When does it open?
April 12.
