The Lanesborough

Situated in a prominent position between London’s prestigious Knightsbridge and Mayfair is The Lanesborough, a five-star luxury hotel by the Oetker Collection. The buildings impressive white exterior exudes the grandeur of the regency period and has undergone many changes since it was built back in 1719. After opening up its doors on 30th December 1991 The Lanesborough hotel has welcomed an array of distinguished individuals which has contributed to the hotel’s renowned reputation. After frequenting the hotel on numerous occasions to enjoy their restaurant, bar and garden room, I recently re-visited to experience an overnight stay in what has recently been dubbed Londons number 1 hotel.

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As soon as you walk through The Lanesborough’s elegant wooden doors the hustle and bustle of Hyde Park Corner swiftly dissipates. The exceptional service immediately commences with the welcoming nature and friendly smiles of the smartly dressed doormen. Before you know it, your luggage is transported to your room and you are being guided down the impressive marble-clad lobby. It is here where you may catch a glimpse of Lilibet, The Lanesborough’s endearing cat that impresses guests from far and wide.

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No matter where you cast your eyes you are greeted with the most impressive interiors. The lobby is beautifully embellished with fresh flowers, artwork and striking occasional seating. Even the foyer exudes a distinguished aesthetic, backed by a stunning antique glass cabinet filled with elegant china. The service continues with a prompt and perfectly executed check-in which included a complimentary coffee which was much needed after my journey from Edinburgh.

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The Executive Junior Suite

The Lanesborough has impressive 93 individually designed rooms, 47 of which are suites. With several room categories to choose from, I was fortunate to be staying in one of the Executive Junior Suites located on the second floor. Whilst walking to your suite you can’t help but admire the stylish details that adorn its wooden-clad hallways. These ornate touches and panelled walls are subtly enhanced by the sumptuous blue carpet that elegantly weaves its way towards your suite. As you enter, the suite is surprisingly spacious and you instantly notice that trademark Lanesborough finesse that makes this hotel so special.

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Although each suite has its unique characteristics, all exude a luxurious quintessentially British design, with the addition of subtle modern touches. On entering the suite, a long hallway leads you into a high-ceilinged lounge and bedroom area adorned with a crystal chandelier. Large sash windows lavishly draped in plush patterned curtains flood the room with natural light. The warm tones of the soft furnishings and dark antique furniture stand sophisticatedly against the yellow hue of the walls.

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The lounge area has elaborately patterned seating around a small coffee table along with an adjacent dining table, perfect for a relaxing drink or if you later choose to dine within your suite. I was especially enamoured with the intriguing artwork above the fireplace which on the touch of a button, raises to reveal a hidden television beneath. This suite also includes a separate writing desk with charging points, stationery and telephone which came in handy for business.

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The sumptuously appointed king bed is nestled in a cosy alcove backed by intricately painted wooden panels. Its enveloping position creates the most tranquil space where you can be cocooned in your very own sanctuary. What appears to be a bookshelf at the foot of the bed opens to reveal an additional TV allowing you to lay back and enjoy a range of complimentary movies. If that’s not enough, bedside tablets allow you to experience a multitude of services at your fingertips without having to move a muscle. The most noteworthy is the 24 hours dedicated butler service which The Lanesborough boasts to be the only hotel in London to offer this round-the-clock facility. In addition to this, you can also control aspects such as room lighting, wakeup calls and even use it to open and close the curtains. As you slip into the opulently soft sheets and sink into the decadent pillows you can rest assured to experience one of the best nights sleep. I find it particularly difficult to sleep well whilst travelling, however, I found myself drifting off into a deep slumber until late morning.

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The underfloor heated bathroom is yet another impressive space that includes both a spacious shower and bathtub. The sink area cleverly includes a hidden TV behind its mirror so you will never miss your favourite programme. For that extra luxurious touch, the bathroom is adorned with numerous products from one of my favourite renowned perfumers, Roja Dove. This includes items such as royal jelly bath essence, talcum powder and moisturiser to name but a few.

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Although breakfast is available in the hotel’s restaurant, I opted to enjoy it in the comfort of my suite. An additional tablet located on the writing desk allows you to conveniently pre-order breakfast the night before and pick the desired time for when you would like the food to be delivered. I chose a selection of summer fruit, a full English breakfast and a basket of pastries along with coffee and fresh pineapple juice. The breakfast was exquisite and is one of the best in-room breakfasts I have experienced in a long while.

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Restaurants & Bars

If you are longing for a marvellous evening of food and drink you don’t have to travel very far to experience this as the hotel has everything you could desire. Wandering through the expansive lobby, there are numerous areas where you can relax, enjoy a selection of culinary delights and experience a delicious cocktail. The hotel is a renowned premier London food and drink destination and a great place to begin an evening is at their Michelin starred restaurant Céleste. Its interior is simply breathtaking and although the space is expansive it still has the feel of an intimate restaurant. Head to my previous blog post to find out more about this exquisite dining experience.

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The Library Bar is warm, intimate and welcoming, exuding the ambience of a refined private club. Offering an abundance of cosy corners to relax in, the room is furnished with dark wooden shelves filled to the brim with a multitude of books. I found the relaxed space perfect to catch up with friends and enjoy one of the many drinks created by the award-winning team of mixologists. I opted for a classic vodka martini with a twist that was perfectly crisp, clean and strong.

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The world-renowned Garden Room is an outdoor covered terrace located in a secluded position. Here you can escape the hustle and bustle of city life and enjoy a range of exceptional drinks, food and an impressive selection of Cuban and pre-Castro cigars. This is my favourite place to visit in the evening to enjoy a delicious cocktail, especially in front of their central flickering fireplace.

The Withdrawing Room was one of my favourites due to its classic and elegant style and it’s here you can experience a light lunch, afternoon tea or a relaxed drink. The room is decorated with hand-painted trompe l’oeil marbling and enhanced with a tonal palette of greys, greens, golds and yellows. The swathes of fabric on the window, the highly patterned flooring and the coloured scattered seating come together to create the most tranquil space that was simply a joy to sit in.

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The Lanesborough Club & Spa 

After an ambitious 18 month renovation, the hotel’s gym and spa area reopened in 2017, offering truly luxurious space for members and guests of the hotel to experience. The expansive reception alone gives a glimpse of what you can expect with every detail thoroughly thought of. The spa boasts a separate thermal suite for ladies and gentlemen which includes saunas, steam rooms, dressing rooms and a hydro pool. The hydro pool room was extremely generous, adorned with chic lighting, comfortable loungers and of course the impressive hydro pool. I could have laid here for an eternity due to the relaxing and tranquil space. The changing room alone was equally impressive, embellished with a central changing room, comfortable robes and an abidance of grooming products you may require.

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I can only sum up my stay in The Lanesborough as being nothing short of spectacular. Although several aspects contributed to this, the most prominent was the exceptionally high standard of customer service. Even though the industry has been through a tempestuous time, it was so admirable to see the staff soldier-on to uphold the level of prestige that The Lanesborough is known for. The service was impeccable, carried out with smooth precision from start to finish, almost emulating a well-executed ballet. The luxuriant traditional style of the Lanesborough adds a sense of history, character and charm, something which more contemporary hotels can sometimes lack. It’s these endearing and soulful qualities that entice guests back time and time again. I am certainly can’t wait to be walking through its doors once more.

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Blu Blazer Guy Rating:

Location – 5/5
Customer Service – 5/5
Accommodation – 5/5
Cleanliness – 5/5
Food and Drink – 5/5