Lanesborough House, Hyde Park Corner

The Lanesborough, on Hyde Park Corner, has perhaps London’s most prestigious address and consistently appears near the top of any sensible list of that city’s finest luxury hotels, with its double Michelin Starred Céleste Restaurant being an added bonus.

A Grade II listed, Neoclassical building, it was built in 1827 during the reign of George IV to replace the previous mansion built by the 2nd Viscount Lanesborough in 1719, when the first King George; George I, was on the throne.

The present day hotel is a stunning place, lavishly furnished in late Georgian/Regency style, it offers a level of luxury and class that few hotels in London, or anywhere else in the world for that matter, can match. For all its opulence though what also makes the Lanesborough stand out is its surprisingly down to earth, friendly ambience.

THE ACCOMMODATION:

The Lanesborough has 93 rooms and 43 suites to choose from, with la crème de la crème being the incredibly opulent, 363 m² – 3900 square feet, Lanesborough Suite. All the rooms and suites are doubles though an extra bed can also be provided if needed.

The interior design at the Lanesborough, both in the accommodation and throughout the hotel generally, are really quite stunning; great efforts have been made to preserve the original Regency era look and feel of the place and the results are impeccable.

Each room has individual hand stitched bed canopies and soft fabrics, and the marble slab bathrooms are stocked with bespoke products from world famous British perfumer Roja Dove.

Managing to offer the latest in modern facilities without spoiling the Georgian ambience was undoubtedly also a challenge but the Lanesborough has pulled it off; TVs are hidden behind classical paintings ready to reveal themselves at the touch of a button for example, and antique writing desks are subtly stocked with media hubs, fax machines and printers. Temperature, curtains, and lights are all controlled electronically via in-room tablets.

International calls to the U.S., Europe and Russia are complimentary, all accommodation choices come with a 24 hour personal butler service and a fleet of 14 luxury chauffeured cars, including Rolls Royce Phantoms, are available to move guests around London in fitting style.

PRICES:

Check out all the details – prices, reviews and more photos – on the booking page here.

FACILITIES & THINGS TO DO:

The Lanesborough experience is something akin to a sojourn at a grand country mansion and for many guests it is something of a second home. The Library Bar adds to that feeling, a warm and hospitable place, it has the atmosphere of a jovial private member’s club, and offers a great array of classic drinks including a line of vintage cognacs dating all the way back to the 1770s, some of which, we must warn you, cost into the thousands per serving!

The ‘Garden Room’ shares the same ambience, it is a classy, old style cigar & cocktail bar with a menu of classic cigars and even its own expert team of cigar sommeliers. And finally, for top class fine dining in immaculately elegant surrounds you have the double Michelin Starred Céleste Restaurant, which also does some lavish afternoon teas.

There is a spa and fitness centre at the hotel too, one which won the title of England’s Best Hotel Spa at the World Spa Awards in 2018. It is a beautiful venue and offers a huge range of health and beauty treatments, fitness classes and more. Bespoke treatments and personal training etc. are also available upon request. There is a club lounge at the centre too with health drinks and supplements, a vegetarian restaurant and a Daniel Galvin Jr hair salon.

The Lanesborough has a dedicated team of concierges, all are members of the elite concierge group, Les Clefs d’Or, and are considered to be among London’s very best.

Children will be well taken care of at The Lanesborough with lots of games, kid’s movies and daily treats from your personal butler to be enjoyed, and babysitting/child-minding services are available too. Pets are also very welcome and will be equally indulged.

THE LOCATION:

The imposing Lanesborough House stands proud on what is among London’s most prestigious addresses; Hyde Park Corner, at the edge of the iconic central London park and right next to the tube station.

As mentioned above you have a fleet of luxury cars to take you around the town but there is also a huge amount to see and do within walking distance. Harrods is less than 10 minutes’ away for example, as is Buckingham Palace, with the Victoria & Albert, Natural History and Science Museums being less than 20.

The concierge service will have plenty of advice for you and can plan itineraries, excursions etc. plus organise entry to some of London’s most exclusive events.

 A LITTLE HISTORY:

The original Lanesborough House was built by the 2nd Viscount Lanesborough in 1719 during the reign of King George I, the first of the Hanoverian line of the Royal Family which lasted until the death of Queen Victoria in 1901.

It passed hands to the Marquess of Westminster who leased it to the State, and in 1733 it became The St George’s Hospital. The facility would in time fall into disrepair which lead to it being demolished in 1827 and replaced with the very grand building we see today. A few years later the building was bought outright by the State and continued to serve as St. George’s right up until the 1970s when the hospital contract was moved to South London.

Lanesborough was thus left vacant until 1980 when the Duke of Westminster of the time (also heir to the Marquess of Westminster title), a man with an already very extensive property empire, unearthed the remarkably short sighted legal contract made by the Government in the early 19th century.

Keeping in mind that its value in 1980 was around £60 million, the contract stated that Lanesborough House could be bought back by the seller, or his future heirs, at any point in time for a flat fee of £6,000, its early 19th century valuation. The House was thus bought by the Duke of Westminster for this bargain price and extensively refurbished, opening as a hotel for the first time in 1991.

REVIEWS:

“Best service I’ve ever had!! Amazing 24-hour butler will do anything you ask!! Already booked my next stay at the hotel, before checking out. Incredible location and fabulous food…”

“Wow. The most beautiful hotel I have been in my life. The decoration is breathless and the service is just perfect. Food is so good and the spa & fitness are just insane!..”

>> CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO CHOOSE YOUR ROOM OR SUITE AT LANESBOROUGH HOUSE:

Location Category:

UK

England

S.E. England

London