Claridge's Hotel in Mayfair, long regarded as the crown jewel of London's luxury hotel scene, has welcomed royalty and celebrities since 1856. The Mayfair institution secured third place on Robb Report's '50 Greatest Luxury Hotels on Earth' list last year, with judges praising its 'divine' spa, 'chic' penthouse suites, and sumptuous dining options.
However, when two TikTok food reviewers sampled one of its most iconic menu items, their experience fell short of expectations. The hotel's £40 club sandwich left critics Gerry and Paul, known as @bitetwice on TikTok, unimpressed, describing the cost as 'absolutely criminal.'
A Mediocre Sandwich at a Premium Price
In their candid review posted last month, the sandwich was described as 'mediocre at best,' with a distinct lack of flavour. Paul remarked: 'It tastes like a few meal deal sandwiches stacked on top of each other then toasted.' Gerry added: 'For most of our followers, stuff like this is a bucket list thing, and if you came here and got served this, I'd feel hard done by it.'
The pair started by reviewing the accompanying chips. Jerry said: 'It's like a really good McDonald's chip. Is it life-changing? No, it's not.' They also sampled the chicken mayo, which Jerry praised for its 'glorious crunch from the chicken skin,' but concluded: 'Is it worth £40? Not really.'
Jerry then turned to the sandwich itself: 'It's not worth £40, I can tell you in the first bite. The club sandwich—chicken, lettuce, bacon, egg, tomatoes, light sauce—the sum of the parts need to be perfect, and this isn't perfect.' He added: 'There's no real flavour in the tomatoes. The eggs feel a little bit school packed lunch. It tastes no better than an M&S or a Waitrose one. At £40, it's absolutely criminal.'
With a final bill of £46 including service, the overall experience didn't match the price tag, according to Paul and Gerry.
Contrast with the Savoy's £34 Club Sandwich
The disappointing review stands in stark contrast to their assessment of the Savoy Hotel's £34 club sandwich, which they hailed as a 'work of art.' The pair described it as 'moist, crunchy' and 'exactly what a great sandwich is supposed to be,' concluding it was worth it as a 'one-off treat' and perfect for 'something a little bit special.'
Claridge's: A Historic Luxury Icon
Claridge's counts itself among London's most famous hotels, having hosted Queen Victoria, Prince Albert, Audrey Hepburn, Cary Grant, and Mick Jagger over the decades. During World War II, exiled heads of state sought refuge in its grand suites, while Queen Elizabeth II held state banquets there.
In their guide, Robb Report described the hotel as 'a beloved, determinedly British institution that's been part of English life for decades, yet retains a youthful vigour.' With 269 rooms, a tranquil spa and gym, a wine shop, and two highly regarded restaurants, rooms at Claridge's typically include a chilled bottle of champagne, high-end snacks, and a personal butler—all for upwards of £1,000 a night.
