Throughout the centuries London has been a hub for high profile celebrities, the best of society, heads of state, and royalty. The city had built up an impressive line up of world-renowned hotels to house such guests and has long set the standard in hotel glamour and elegance. Many of the hotels are now icons in their own right and stand proudly as shaping London’s history—as well as providing dam good rooms and suites to stay in. Marie Teather looks at just five of them.
The Landmark
The magnificent five-star deluxe Landmark London in fashionable Marylebone is renowned as one of the UK’s truly stunning luxury hotels.
Built in 1899 as the last of the great railway hotels during the golden age of steam, The Landmark boasts a fascinating history. The hotel is renowned for its towering eight-storey, glass-roofed central atrium with The Winter Garden Restaurant at its base. Even if you don’t stay at this hotel, taking afternoon tea in the atrium where horse and cart were once brought into the firmer courtyard to be turned around should be on every visitor’s list of must-does.
With 300 luxurious guest rooms including some of the largest in the capital, many of the bedrooms overlook the beautiful atrium, providing stunning views at all levels. Friendly personal service and first class facilities make The Landmark London one of the world’s most prestigious hotels.
222 Marylebone Road, London, NW1 6JQ
020 7631 8000
The Mandarin Oriental
With bustling Knightsbridge on its doorstep and leafy Hyde Park at its rear, Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park is one of London’s most prestigious addresses. Blending sumptuous guestrooms with a world-leading spa and a stylish bar, it is the definitive destination for a luxury escape.
The Royal Suite in The Mandarin Oriental London, available for £5,287 per night, has a stunning balcony that runs the length of the entire suite, giving guests an unrivalled view of Hyde Park. The bed is, aptly, a king and the sitting room has a wonderful marble fireplace. The suite is often frequented by royalty, movie stars, models as well as other celebrities, including as Madonna and Baroness Margaret Thatcher.
And forget room service, celebrity chef Heston Blumenthal has also just opened his first London restaurant here too.
66 Knightsbridge, London, SW1X 7LA
020 7235 2000
www.mandarinoriental.com/london/
The Dorchester
Hotels don’t really come more iconic to London than The Dorchester. Situated at the heart of London’s Mayfair on Park Lane, classically English designed rooms and suites offer expansive views of Hyde Park. Celebrities have long booked into the hotels famous rooms that throughout the hotel’s almost 80-year-history have included Elizabeth Taylor, Tom Cruise, Johnny Depp, Michael Jackson and Lady GaGa.
A wide range of dining is available to guests in The Promenade, The Bar and The Grill. China Tang offers traditional Cantonese cuisine, while three Michelin star Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester is London’s finest contemporary French dining experiences.
Park Lane, London, W1K 1QA
020 7629 8888
The Cadogan
The Cadogan Hotel, built in 1887 in London’s SW1, is located in a beautiful townhouse halfway between Knightsbridge and Sloane Square. The Hotel’s 65 guestrooms and suites have been elegantly refurbished to recall their flirtations with some of society’s most pivotal figures. It was here that the future King Edward would liaise with close fried Lillie Langtry, the famous British actress.
As well, the hotel houses Lantry’s restaurant and bar, the Drawing Room for afternoon tea, a gym, access to tennis courts and to the Cadogan Place Gardens. Celebrating its 120-year anniversary, the Cadogan Hotel is a member of The Stein Group, Luxury Lifestyle Hotels and Leading Small Hotels of the World.
75 Sloane Street, London, SW1X
020 7235 7141
Claridges
A London classic, Claridge’s is a key part of the city’s history with celebrities, socialites and the crowned heads of Europe who have been booking into this 5 star hotel for over 100 years. Some of the world’s greatest designers have left their mark on Claridge’s.
The stunning—and the most expensive room in London—Brook Penthouse Suite has been restored in the Art Deco style with an elegant, gentle lilac décor, light oak floors and original fittings from the 1930s. At ₤5,430 a night the bedrooms in the suite are large and luxurious, each with their own dressing rooms while the marble bathrooms are equally splendid with extra deep baths and separate showers. A beautiful sitting room with full-length windows looks out onto a stunning private roof terrace. In addition, there is an elegant dining room with a cocktail bar and cloakroom and your own personal butler.
49 Brook Street, London, W1K 4HR
020 7629 8860
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