Sheraton Grand London Park Lane – Review

With a prime address overlooking Green Park and onto Buckingham Palace, the Sheraton Grand London Park Lane has been a hospitality icon ever since it first opened in Mayfair in the 1920s. Evoking the golden age of travel, upstairs, rooms and suites subtly echo the era with curved furnishings and mirrored panelling, while downstairs, the newly refurbished Palm Court brings contemporary energy and elegance to this historic social hub. Pair this with their Italian-inspired Mercante restaurant and the playful spirit of their Smith & Whistle bar, and you have the ideal base for a glamorous stay in the capital. Ross from The Luxury Editor recently checked in, so read on to find out more.

Originally opened in 1927 as The Park Lane Hotel, the building is one of London’s finest examples of original Art Deco architecture. Designed by Adie, Button & Partners, expanding on an earlier concept by C. W. Stephens, the architect behind Harrods. Clad in Portland stone and shaped in a U-formation, the structure exudes the confidence and symmetry of its era. Marble columns flank the central entrance, and on either side, curved porticos shelter the twin entrances to Mercante and Smith & Whistle, while the symmetrical façade, bold lines, and grand proportions make a powerful first impression and lasting legacy of 1920s architectural ambition.

Step inside and you’re immediately struck by the newly reopened Palm Court’s luminous calm (in preparation for the hotel’s centenary in 2027). Look up, and you will see the restored stained‑glass skylights which stretch across the vaulted ceiling, bathing the room in natural light. Clusters of curved sofas and contemporary tub chairs create inviting pockets for conversation and social moments, while green marble tables and brushed chrome in the lounge/bar combine organic richness with industrial sheen. Keep your eye out for the sculpted botanical friezes, which add a new tactile elegance to the side walls. The redesign also takes inspiration from the rhythmic abstractions of Marion Dorn, a textile artist of the early 20th century, with layered patterns in the carpets and textured upholstered stools, which help bridge the hotel’s past to its present.

Palm Court images by Matthew Shaw

To celebrate the reopening of Palm Court, Head Pastry Chef Biju Joshwa has introduced a new Art Deco-inspired Afternoon Tea menu. In addition, hotel guests can also enjoy live piano performances on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings and a curated cocktail list that pays homage to Mayfair’s golden era. 

Lobby

Tucked behind Palm Court is the hotel’s lobby and vehicle entrance, where a plethora of attentive door and reception staff make checking in a breeze. A series of lifts are dotted about, taking you to the upper floors, while a wall of monochrome prints conceals the entrance to the hotel’s original Art Deco brass staircase, which is worth a look – but don’t look down if you suffer from vertigo.

Location

Despite the name Park Lane, the hotel does, infact, sit directly on Picadilly in the very heart of Mayfair, which, in my opinion, is more convenient than Park Lane itself. It’s a short stroll to Green Park Station in one direction, then along to Picadilly Circus. In the other direction, Hyde Park Corner is minutes away, which leads onto Knightsbridge. walk behind the hotel to the luxury shops of Bond Street and make sure to walk through Burlington Arcade en-route.

Rooms & Suites

Each of the 305 rooms and suites is designed as a calming sanctuary away from the buzz of Mayfair. Deluxe Rooms come with either a queen or king bed, city views, and offer sleek built-in storage. Superior Rooms offer additional square footage and the option of Green Park views. For extra indulgences, 43 of the rooms are Club Rooms, which grant exclusive access to the Sheraton Club Lounge offering complimentary refreshments throughout the day and evening. Bathrooms are fitted with combined tub-showers and stocked with Sheraton-branded Le Grand Bain amenities, while all rooms include a Sheraton Signature Sleep Experience Bed.

For those looking to spread out a little more, the hotel’s collection of 21 suites includes Junior Suites with defined seating areas and upgraded toiletries, as well as the Park View Suites, which overlook Green Park and feature an additional living room and marble bathrooms with separate soaking tubs and walk-in showers. At the top of the range is the Grand Suite, the hotel’s most prestigious accommodation. This multi-room residence includes a lounge, dining space, study, and marble bathroom, with the option to interconnect and form a three-bedroom private apartment.

Art Deco Suite

During my stay, I was hosted in an Art Deco Suite, offering a very generous 40sqm of living space. At its centre proudly sits a king-size Sheraton Signature Sleep Experience bed, which delivers on its promise of restorative comfort, and above it a geometric mirrored deco headboard. Dark wood furnishings are softened by a muted neutral palette, with further deco accents in the two-tier coffee table, velvet-upholstered bench at the foot of the bed, complete with square cushions and contrast piping, and a stylised face on the table by the window, an inviting tribute to 1920s design.

To the right of the bed, what initially appeared to be a standard wardrobe revealed itself as a surprisingly spacious walk-in dressing area, complete with a full-length mirror and ample storage space to hide away luggage.

Across from the bed, the space opens into a living area with a coffee table and a further gold-accented pedestal table. Integrated into the cabinetry, the minibar is stocked with premium snacks and drinks, and above a Nespresso machine and kettle sit alongside a coffee and tea selection. The flat screen TV is set flush within a dark wood panel, and below a pair of ceramic dalmatian dogs and orange lighting creates a focal point, almost like that of a fireplace.

In the bathroom, white metro tiles are laid horizontally and broken up with a dark mosaic tile band. A walk-in rainfall shower sits alongside a full-sized bath, and the vanity comes with twin sinks.

Sheraton Club

Guests staying in a club room or suite enjoy access to the Sheraton Club Lounge on the ground floor. Residential in feel and open daily, the lounge offers a dedicated check-in service, along with plenty of seating and quiet nooks at which to work.

Throughout the afternoon, guests can enjoy light refreshments, soft drinks and snacks, while evenings include a spread of canapés, cheeses, and desserts (make sure you try the pies!), accompanied by a selection of wines, beers, and spirits.

In the morning, breakfast is served, with freshly baked pastries, seasonal fruit, and hot à la carte items available alongside barista-style coffee. 

Mercante

Located just off Palm Court, the hotel’s main restaurant, Mercante, offers a relaxed Italian dining experience that contrasts with that of the surrounding Art Deco grandeur. Interiors take cues from Italy’s vibrant food markets, with warm timber textures and vintage-style illustrations. A hand-drawn map of Italy stretches across one wall.

The menu champions Mediterranean flavours, and we instantly bonded with our server over a shared love of Sardinia, her home region. We began with the charcuterie board, which arrived piled with prosciutto, aged cheese, grilled focaccia, and plump green olives, while the polenta fries with truffle mayo added a crispy, earthy contrast.

There’s a touch of tableside theatre at Mercante, the Dover Sole was filleted in front of me and served simply pan-fried with a caramelised half lemon. A neighbouring table gave me food envy with their carbonara, dramatically tossed and flamed in a giant wheel of cheese. While the sirloin, served pre-sliced, revealed its perfectly pink centre.

For dessert, a silky tiramisu arrived shaped like a cocoa-dusted coffee bean, and two cannoli were piped to order with pistachio and citrus ricotta fillings.

Breakfast

Next morning and purely in the name of journalism… I managed to squeeze in a breakfast at Mercante as well. This large-format buffet offers a wide selection of hot and cold foods along with an omelette station.

Smith & Whistle

Time didn’t allow for a visit, but the hotel’s Smith & Whistle takes inspiration from the fictional story of Detective Inspector Smith and his pursuit of legendary high-class criminal Mr William Whistle. Serving modern food inspired by the classics and seasonal ingredients that have been specially sourced by the chefs from a range of regions in the British Isles.

Fitness

Like many of my hotel stays, good intentions to hit the gym often fall victim to indulgent pursuits, but for those with more resolve, the Sheraton Grand’s 24-hour fitness centre awaits on the lower ground floor and is open 24 hours a day.

Final Thoughts

With views across Green Park, a walkable Mayfair location, club-level comforts and deep Art Deco roots, along with a newly refurbished Palm Court, the Sheraton Grand London Park Lane continues to maintain its place as one of the capital’s classic addresses.