From Tudor times, this was a private hunting ground for royals and nobility. But a century later, Charles I made the decision to open Hyde park for public use. The park itself is famed for its Speakers’ Corner and Serpentine Lake. However, its beauty extends to the perimeter area and the Grade II listed townhouses (some of which have been home to famous residents including Winston Churchill, Keira Knightley, Stella McCartney, Alexander Fleming and JM Barrie). This affluent part of London is a marvellous place to make your base when in town and offers some of the capital’s most glamorous hotel rooms.
The Lanesborough
Awarded the No. 1 Hotel in London by the Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards, the Lanesborough is part of the Oetker Collection. Found in the centre of Knightsbridge the hotel is comprised of 93 suites and bedrooms, an opulent spa, dynamic bars, a ‘Withdrawing’ room and its Michelin-starred restaurant, Céleste. Here you receive dedicated butler service 24/7 – no matter what grade of the room you choose. Following a major refurbishment in 2015, the interiors have been aligned with Regency and Georgian style by renowned design agency Albert Pinto. Lying just a short stroll from Harrods, this hotel is ideal for an upmarket combined shopping and spa stay in an ambience of timeless classic elegance. The hotel is known as the most expensive in London, and with one of the finest suites setting you back a cool £20,000 per night, it doesn’t get much more special than this.
The Wellesley Knightsbridge
One of our favourite luxury properties in London, the Wellesley Knightsbridge. Positioned in one of the best addresses in London 11 Knightsbridge, Belgravia, overlooking Hyde Park, The Wellesley Knightsbridge is a luxury hotel unlike most others in the capital. Petite in size at just 36 rooms, which means attention to detail is flawless and service is personal. Art Deco features adorn the walls, it feels like stepping back in time to an age of 1920’s elegance, while finishing touches like a butler and a chauffeur services for guests further elevate the luxury experience.
Mandarin Oriental
Originally built in 1889 as an exclusive gentleman’s club, the building was opened as a grand hotel in 1902 and extensively refurbished in 2000. The Mandarin Group has hotel across the globe and their London residence is situated in fashionable Knightsbridge, overlooking Hyde Park. The hotel has 141 rooms, 40 suites and 3 restaurants and over the years has played host to a number of events involving royalty and celebrity guests. Many stay here to enjoy the oasis of calm at the spa. Chinese medicine treatments, Bastien Gonzalez manis and pedis, the Rasul Water Temple and anti-ageing Nescens facials are all popular items from the wellness menu, while the 17-metre stainless steel pool provides a truly urban luxury style dip. Heston Blumenthal’s restaurant is also a big draw and meals can be taken in the dining room, at the chef’s table or in a private room.
Bulgari Hotel
Housed in a relatively new building for this Knightsbridge neighbourhood, designer Antonio Citterio was able to bring the famed jewellery brand’s signature style to this landmark hotel. There’s a mid-century feel, with lots of dark colours oozing sophistication. As Bulgari began life as a silversmith, it’s fitting that you’ll find touches of the precious metals throughout. But it’s by no means gauche or overbearing, rather erring on the side of sophistication. Five of its levels lie beneath the ground, including a sensual spa complete with hammam, 47 seat cinema, Nolita Social the funky bar and a huge ballroom. The 85 rooms are all fairly uniform in soothing neutrals, upgrade to a suite and you’ll get the benefit of butler service and your own steam shower. Italian cuisine is the fare here, at Sette, the on-site restaurant. Fans of Bulgari are sure to love this place and wit plenty of family rooms, it’s kid-friendly too.
JW Marriott Grosvenor House London
The first JW Marriott branded hotel in the UK, this elegant townhouse overlooking Hyde Park, was once home to the Grosvenor family/Dukes of Westminster. While its heritage stems back to the roaring twenties, the interiors display a classic contemporary panache. Bedrooms boast king-sized beds, fully stocked minibars, marble bathrooms and Aromatherapy Associates toiletries. It has an American style steakhouse on the ground floor and a fine dining restaurant by chef Richard Corrigan, as well as two additional eateries and bars. Do stop by The Great Room – now a meeting hall, it was once an ice rink, where none other than our monarch, Queen Elizabeth, learned to skate.
The Dorchester
A hotel that needs little introduction. Since opening in 1931, it’s had its own TV docu-series, hosted the Foyles Literary Luncheons as well as the inaugural Pride of Britain Awards, and was declared to be one of the safest buildings in the city, during the WWII bombings. Stars such as Barbra Streisand, Edith Sitwell and Alfred Hitchcock have dined here. The Dorchester has five restaurants in total, The Grill, The Spatisserie, The Promenade, China Tang and Alain Ducasse – the latter being one of the few eateries to hold three Michelin stars. And its famed two-course silver-service afternoon tea is unmissable (the hotel went as far as creating its own Dorchester Blend cuppa). Its opulent spa is another highlight, as are the amazing displays by florist-in-residence Philip Hammond.
45 Park Lane
A member of the Dorchester Collection, 45 Park Lane has somewhat of a more boutique feel than some of its neighbours. It may have just 45 rooms but doesn’t skimp on size or style; the stunning penthouse suite, accessed by private lift, presents breathtaking panoramic views from its wrap-around balcony, whilst all other rooms and suites are as equally as glamorous with their own unique features. The recently launched Spa offers guests a haven of tranquility where they can indulge in some quiet time by the pool, sauna or steam room or enjoy a well-deserved spa treatment. The building is art deco in design, a theme that continues on within the interiors of the hotel. Dinner here is an event. Think juicy Wagyu steaks savoured while surrounded by Damien Hirst artworks; this is Wolfgang Puck’s esteemed CUT restaurant – his first venture in Europe.
London Hilton on Park Lane
For award-winning Michelin starred haute-cuisine with an epic view, choose Galvin at Windows, on this hotel’s 28th (top) floor. From here you can peruse the lights of the West End and peer over Buckingham Palace. Then after dinner, head to the unusual Polynesian themed Trader Vic’s, or the champagne bar for some decadent signature cocktails. Displaying mid-century features (the building was opened in 1963), the interiors here have a retro glamour. And if you’re in need of some personal styling, fashion director Rachel Anthony (who has dressed stars including Sienna Miller, Lisa Snowden and Kate Moss) offers in-suite one to one sessions.
Como Metropolitan
This hotel first opened in 1997, bringing the brand’s Nobu Japanese-Peruvian dining experience, popular with the A-list, to London. Rooms here are all about space and light. The Como Metropolitan is clutter-free and deeply calming, contrasting the bustle of the streets below. Everything is activated via the touch of the button – from climate control to the smart media system, lit rainfall showers and the thick silk blackout drapes. This serene ambience extends into The Como Shambhala spa, renowned the world over for its acupuncture and shiatsu. Alongside more traditional treatments, top visiting therapists also offer osteopathy and energy healing.
Four Seasons Park Lane
Slick service, glittering chandeliers and the tinkle of a coral red grand piano await, at the Four Seasons Park Lane. Many of the rooms have their own balconies, reached via glamorous warming corridors lined with photo portraits of Golden Age Hollywood stars. Lauded interior designer Pierre-Yves Rochon is responsible for much of the art deco meets modern styling. Climb to the 10th floor where glass-walled treatment rooms offering curated wellness journeys and a vitality pool are located. Its rooftop relaxation pods are divine and a trip to the sauna affords views over Hyde Park.