London is a city for art lovers. Whether you’re taking in history at The Tate Britain, whetting your more current cravings at The Tate Modern, checking out the symbiotic worlds of art and design at the Victoria & Albert museum and so on (literally, the list just keeps going), it would be harder to avoid art in England’s capital city than not. And to make indulging in your favorite pastime even easier, what if you didn’t even have to leave your hotel?

That is the case with the iconic 5-star Oetker Collection property The Lanesborough, which features a 2,000 piece collection in the hallowed halls. Thanks to VISTO Images, a bespoke art consultancy firm specializing in luxury hospitality, this Hyde Park Corner locale has been transformed into an English gentleman’s home from the 1890’s, which works that predate the 1830s (the time when the building, previously a hospital, was constructed).

In Celeste, the hotel’s restaurant, VISTO selected a rare series of 18th-century hand-colored engravings representing Raphael’s wall paintings in the Vatican.

For the Belgravia Room, VISTO developed a cycle of ceiling paintings representing three traditional English hunts. These four-part stories are surrounded by paintings portraits of regal horses and cloud studies.

Throughout the hotel, guests will find Italian landscapes, English portraiture, military and hunting scenes, and Northern European still-lifes.

Highlights include two portraits of Captain John Smith and his wife in the entry by Sir Joshua Reynolds, one of England’s greatest 18th-century artists.They are not enclosed in glass. This is not a museum. And it only gets better. You’ll find out how below.

STAY

In terms of artwork, guests will find paintings and pieces liberally splashed throughout each of the rooms, suites and signature suites. In The Lanesborough suite, in fact, you’ll find that your TVs are even hidden behind works of art, which, with the flick of your remote control, slowly, and with great fanfare, present your television.The two most luxurious places to stay on site include The Presidential Suite and The Royal Suite. The latter is a staggering seven-bedroom suite that’s fit for a king (or queen, or head of state). As one might expect of a seven-bedroom suite, this 4,845 square foot space offers the best views of Buckingham Palace Gardens, seven bathrooms, two living rooms and large dining room, as well as the services of a dedicated Clefs d’Or butler, who is at guests’ disposal around the clock. For guests booking all seven bedrooms, the hotel’s chauffeur-driven Rolls-Royce Phantom is available as a complimentary service.

The Presidential Suite is just as magnificent, extending across a living room and five bedrooms. The master bedroom has a four-poster bed, walk-in closet and a grand, lavish bathroom with a steam shower, bathtub, bidet, double sinks and underfloor heating. A dedicated kitchen area provides separate entrance for the butler, who is available around the clock. The Presidential Suite can be reserved as a one, two, three or five-bedroomed residence. For guests booking the entire suite, one of the hotel’s fleet of chauffeur-driven cars is available as a complimentary service. There’s also complimentary clothing pressing, complimentary water and fresh fruit and international newspapers on offer so guests will feel at home during their stay.

DINING

There are a plethora of dining options to enjoy here, including a meal in the stunning, Michelin-starred Céleste restaurant; light bites in The Withdrawing Room; and a cigar lover’s paradise in The Garden Room. Relax and escape the chilly U.K. weather in a heated outdoor terrace while an expert team of cigar sommeliers (yes, it’s a thing) offer you a selection of Cuban and pre-Castro cigars from the walk-in humidor, paired with a cognac from the hotel’s one-of-a-kind collection… that includes bottles dating back to 1770.

Also make sure not to miss the innovative and inventive cocktails at The Library Bar, a hot spot in Knightsbridge and Belgravia alike for an affluent after-work crowd thanks to its “liquid museum” menu of libation and its private club-like ambiance. Indulge in those very same rare cognancs, whiskies and champagnes that the hotel prides itself on making available.

We saved the best for last, of course: afternoon tea. This elegant service is served in Céleste with its Wedgewood blue walls, softly-lit chandeliers and domed glass roof. You’ll be served freshly-baked scones with lemon curd and clotted Devonshire cream, thick, velvety clotted cream and home-made fruit preserves, hand-made pastries and traditional British heritage cake. Inventive sweets made of spun sugar pay homage to England’s leading ladies (such as Queen Elizabeth II). The affair is rendered even more elegant thanks to the soft sounds of a live pianist in the background.

The hotel also now offers its Alexander Hamilton Afternoon Tea, which was created after the opening of musical smash hit Hamilton at Victoria Palace Theater. This special afternoon tea was inspired by the characters and events brought to life by the Broadway phenomenon, created by Céleste’s Head Pastry Chef Gabriel Le Quang. Served alongside scones with clotted cream and jam and a selection of finger sandwiches, the new pastry creations include: Exotic Lace Cupcake, Blackberry Cheesecake, Grapefruit Religieuse, Pecan Pie and a Caribs Chocolate Star.

FITNESS FORWARD

The Lanesborough Club & Spa is one of the most sought-after private memberships in London, and it’s available—for free—to guests. An expansive, mirror-lined gym filled with the latest gym technology and high-performance equipment, including custom-designed free weight; a rig zone with benches; boxing equipment; Woodway treadmills; Kieser indoor bicycles; an Ultraslide station; Bodyism sliders; and K2 Rowing machines. There are, of course, private trainers at your disposal and an award-winning spa (with mud baths!) on site as well.

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW


: Rolls-Royce

The Lanesborough is just a flat-out exceptional hotel, thanks to its beautiful, art-filled corridors, stellar fitness center and spa, fantastic restaurants with rare spirits and its overall ambiance. But it’s often the little things that make all the difference, which is why we’re here to fill you in.

A dedicated butler service for each and every one of the hotel’s guests, 24 hours a day.
A dedicated team of Les Clefs d’Or members on hand to advise on and arrange a wide variety of activities.
Chauffeur service”The Lanesborough’s impeccable chauffeur-driven car service has a fleet of luxury vehicles, including a Rolls-Royce.
There’s an in-house florist, famed for creating exceptional floral arrangements throughout the hotel.
The hotel offers an inspirational style consultation with Harvey Nichols.
Renowned London hairdresser Daniel Galvin Jr offers his services located on the Upper Ground floor of the hotel in a bespoke salon.
Children are welcomed by our butlers with VIP gifts and special treats.
The Lanesborough is fully licensed to host marriages and civil partnership ceremonies.
Pets are welcome.