The 'Last' Word - Charlotte's October Edition
Updated: 4 hours ago
It’s been another busy few months, with plenty to keep me out and about – from enjoying tequila and tacos at W London and discovering the newly transformed Imperial Bloomsbury to celebrating the WHERE Golden Keys Concierge Awards 2026.
It was a fun night from start to finish at the WHERE Golden Keys Concierge Awards 2026
🗝️ It's A Wrap!🗝️
After months of planning and plenty of organisation behind the scenes, the WHERE Golden Keys Concierge Awards 2026 finally arrived on Friday – and what a night it was!
More than 300 guests from across the hospitality, tourism, theatre and retail industries came together at Pan Pacific London for an evening of great food, flowing drinks, plenty of catching up and, of course, the all-important awards.
There was a brilliant atmosphere from the moment everyone arrived, with lots of laughter, familiar faces and some very well-deserved celebrations. A huge thank you to everyone who helped make the evening such a memorable one – it was certainly worth all the hard work!
You can read all about it here and have a gander at a few pics from the night (even some fun selfies) here.
Tequila, Tacos & Tunes 🍹
I had such a fun evening at W London recently, celebrating the launch of its new ‘Soho’s Home of Agave’ concept at the hotel’s Perception Bar & W Lounge. The evening was all about tequila, cocktails and delicious Mexican-inspired canapés– and there was plenty to enjoy!
Lovely company, great food and inspiring cocktails made for a memorable evening at W London
I worked my way through an impressive selection of cocktails before trying my hand at a cocktail masterclass, which was great fun. The food was just as good, with South American-inspired dishes and, quite possibly, the star of the evening for me: the birria tacos. With music, tastings and plenty of agave-fuelled fun, it was a brilliant night from start to finish. Overlooking Leicester Square, the West End and Chinatown, it's in a great location, too!
An Amazing Transformation
I was delighted to be invited to the reopening of The Imperial Bloomsbury in Russell Square, following its incredible, once-in-a-generation transformation.
There’s so much history behind this hotel, so it was fascinating to see its new chapter – and what a space Arcus is! We were whisked up to the 10th floor for an evening of flowing champagne, cocktails and delicious canapés, with DJs Lou Hayter and Joe Goddard providing the soundtrack.
There were also tarot card readings, complete with a goodie bag matched to your fortune, and even mini Polaroids to take home. With its huge rooftop space accommodating around 325 guests, Arcus is certainly a fantastic new asset for the area.
A few shots from the reopening of The Imperial Bloomsbury
Something a little different
I do love finding something a bit unusual for an autumn theatre trip, and this certainly caught my eye.
Dracula was thought to have been lost for more than 125 years, after a disastrous preview at the Savoy Theatre in 1898. Then, rather wonderfully, a surviving copy of the script and score turned up among the effects of antiquarian book expert Sir Hubert Myar.
Promoted as "restored, recreated and completely made up by Mitch Benn", this sounds like a fun night out!
Now it’s back on stage at the Circle & Star Theatre – and with just 55 seats, you’re guaranteed to be right up close to the action.
Showing for a limited time only on 24 & 25 October - you can find out more here.
MOVERS & SHAKERS
Emiel Danneels, Concierge at Raffles London at The OWO has been accepted as an Active Member of The Society of The Golden Keys. He was sponsored by Alex Collins and Daniel Hennessey and supported by his wife Anna Sebastian as well as Alison Vernon, Rooms Division Manager and Amandine Breteau, Front Office Manager at Raffles London.
Michal Papay has been promoted to Senior Concierge at Raffles London at the OWO.
Jean-Francois Flori has been promoted to Head Concierge at Sofitel St James London Hotel.
Alan McDougall has moved from Mar Hall Hotel to The Scotsman Hotel as Head Concierge.
Marco Russo has moved from Kimpton Fitzroy Hotel to The London Edition as Assistant Head Concierge.
Gary Rutherford has moved from The Baileys Hotel to Chelsea Harbour Hotel.
Istvan Halasz has started at 1 Hotel Mayfair as Head Concierge.
Joe Rodrigues has moved from Sofitel St James London Hotel to The Savoy Hotel as Head Concierge.
Emiliano Del Pizzo is moving from The Kensington Hotel to Waldorf Astoria Admiralty Arch.
Luca Sannino is moving from The Ned to Cafe Royal Hotel as Head Concierge.
Karim Bernichi is moving from Cafe Royal Hotel to Cambridge House as Head Concierge.
Peter Wharmby is moving to Cambridge House as Assistant Head Concierge.
Muchi Gubwe is moving from Mount Nelson Hotel to Cape Town Edition hotel as Chief Concierge.
Patrick O’Donoghue starting at Ham Yard Hotel as Asst Head Concierge and has rejoined the Society.
Vacancies: Mount Nelson Hotel Cape Town are recruiting for Head Concierge; Taj Hotel Cape Town are recruiting for Head Concierge.
