The Lanesborough London – The Luxury Editor

Overview

The Lanesborough is one of the masterpiece properties in the prestigious Oetker Collection, that has long been considered one of the world’s most luxurious hotels, and certainly one of the very finest properties in London. The Lanesborough’s legacy lies with it having been built on the former home of Viscount Lanesborough and remains one of London’s most revered Regency landmarks. Following an extensive 18-month renovation project, The Lanesborough reopened to great acclaim in 2015.  Having closed its doors on 20th December 2013, the Grade II* listed building was taken back to its shell and was totally transformed from top to toe by Cabinet Alberto Pinto.  The renovation honoured the building’s architectural heritage and today, the hotel comprises 93 rooms and suites including The Royal Suite – the largest suite in London – which extends to seven bedrooms.  The Lanesborough emulates the style and impeccable service of its French sister, Le Bristol Paris, while staying true to its strong British roots.

Location

The ultimate London address, The Lanesborough straddles a prestigious location right on the doorstep of Hyde Park next to Wellington Arch. It offers views of some of the grounds of Buckingham Palace and sits at the crossroads of Belgravia, Knightsbridge, St James’s and Mayfair.

Ideal For

Guests who seek the absolute height of luxury and unparalleled service. The Lanesborough is the only hotel in London to offer round-the-clock, dedicated butler service in every single room and suite. In addition, it offers guests a fleet of 14 luxury cars including a Rolls Royce Phantom to chauffeur them around London in impeccable style.

The Lanesborough is also perfect for those wanting to celebrate the ‘Best of British’. It has the most a fascinating history as, when the luxury hotel opened on Hyde Park Corner on New Year’s Eve 1991, the occasion signified the rebirth of a treasured London landmark – the old St George’s Hospital building formerly known as ‘Lanesborough House’.  The quintessentially British pastime of ‘taking tea’ is also executed to perfection here, as The Lanesborough serves the most delicious afternoon tea – with seasonally changing menus and innovative themes and pastry partners – in the grand surrounds of Michelin starred Céleste restaurant or the Withdrawing Room.

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Style

The Lanesborough is widely recognised as a building of special architectural and historic interest with a Grade II* listed status.  During its extensive renovation project between 2013 and 2015, Cabinet Alberto Pinto was tasked to reflect the signature style of the hotel, honour the building’s architectural heritage as one of London’s most revered Regency landmarks, while incorporating the latest in contemporary luxury and technological innovations.  The project marked one of Alberto’s final ventures, before he passed away at the end of 2012, and sees his legacy live on at The Lanesborough.  The leading design philosophy for The Lanesborough was based on treating the hotel as a private residence and reinforced by the implementation of new designs of all public areas and guestrooms with new bathrooms. 

A team of artisans using age-old techniques, known to be used in decorating Palaces, was entrusted to deliver a distinctive form of luxury perfectly befitting The Lanesborough.  The craftsmen are all specialists in their fields and included embroiderers, crystal specialists, cabinetmakers, bronzers, lacquerers, gilders, mirror specialists, and makers of decorative trimmings.  Over 300 people were involved in the day-to-day transformation of the hotel’s 93 rooms, allowing for exceptional time and care to be taken into each detail.  Particular focus was paid to the ceilings and restoring original detailing such as ceiling roses, coffering, cornicing and fresco painting.  Award-winning British artisans in plaster, Locker & Riley’s skilled team of artists, model makers and master craftsmen, produced a unique plasterwork design for each room upon Cabinet Alberto Pinto’s request and control.  2,100 books of 23 1⁄4 carat gold leaf were used to elaborately dress the ceilings of public areas and guest rooms, reimagining the Regency period and reflecting the heritage of the building. 

Rooms and Suites

The Lanesborough comprises 93 luxuriously appointed rooms and suites, including the Royal Suite, the largest suite in London extending across 4,800ft2, with seven bedrooms and bathrooms, two living rooms and a dining room. Cabinet Alberto Pinto imagined guest rooms being grouped into five design schemes to reflect the Regency period, with each group consisting of three rich jewel colour ways to create warmth, harmony and comfort. 14 different types of bed canopies hang within the rooms, with over three million hand stitches and bespoke tailoring using the highest quality fabrics.  Each marble block for the all-marble bathrooms was individually chosen and acute attention was given to ensure that each slab was set out for perfect book-matching.

The Lanesborough was also the first and only hotel in London to introduce 24-hour personal butlers for every room category.  Offering round-the-clock, dedicated butler service in each room and suite, guests are assured their every need is well-served with thought, surprise and charm.  Butlers are on hand for every guests’ whim; be it pouring The Lanesborough’s famous complimentary pre-dinner G&Ts over ice in the privacy of their room, alongside freshly popped popcorn; showering the suite with flower petals ahead of a special celebration; drawing a bath at just the right time and temperature; or taking their dog for a walk around Hyde Park should they be so inclined.  On special dates such as Easter, butlers even dress up as the Easter Bunny and take children on an Easter egg hunt around the hotel and Hyde Park. They even have their own Instagram account: @lanesbutlers.  Guests however most frequently turn to their trusted butler to help with unpacking and repacking, setting up and serving bespoke in-room afternoon teas, and running their baths.  Another unique selling point at The Lanesborough is that the Head Butler is female – Bettina Eggenschwiler, born and raised in Switzerland from a long line of Swiss hoteliers, and passionate about delivering butler service at the highest level. 

Food and Drink

The Lanesborough is home to Michelin-starred restaurant Céleste, under the guidance of Head Chef Darcio Henriques.  Céleste was awarded a Michelin star in 2016 with the cuisine drawing on traditional French ‘savoir faire’, while also championing the authenticity of the finest British organic produce.  Céleste is also a very special spot to savour a traditional Afternoon Tea.  Most recently, The Lanesborough partnered with world-famous bakery Peggy Porschen.  Combining one of London’s most beautiful afternoon tea settings under the naturally illuminated domed glass roof of Céleste, with the fairytale pink aesthetics of Peggy Porschen, guests can expect a beautiful immersion into a celebration of gorgeous floral features, pastel-hues and exquisite tastes.  Founder and life-long baker Peggy returned to The Lanesborough, where she held her first prestigious pastry chef position in 1999 after graduating from Le Cordon Bleu’s ‘The Grand Diploma of Cuisine & Patisserie’. This time Peggy, alongside her skilled pastry chef team, designed a beautifully unique afternoon tea experience in collaboration with The Lanesborough’s Head Pastry Chef Kevin Miller. 

The Withdrawing Room meanwhile offers a light and elegant setting for an informal meeting, leisurely lunch, afternoon tea or an opportunity to relax over a drink with friends. Sumptuously decorated with hand-painted trompe l’oeil marbling and chandeliers, it offers a luxurious, yet relaxing ambience, complemented by a sumptuous tea collection, premium coffees and light bites.

There is also The Library Bar, which offers a sanctuary away from the hustle and bustle of the capital, coming alive in the evenings with relaxed DJ sessions.  Dimmed lighting, grand surrounds, and the UK’s finest and oldest cognac collection with bottles dating back to 1770, helps the Library Bar exude old-world charm and treats guests to a truly unique evening experience.  

Finally, one of The Lanesborough’s most coveted hide-out spots is The Garden Room; an indoor/outdoor heated cigar terrace, with an expert team of Cigar Sommeliers ready to cater to guests’ every whim.  Guests are invited to make their choice from the extensive collection of Cuban and pre-Castro cigars in The Garden Room’s celebrated walk-in humidor.

Other Facilities

The Lanesborough opened The Lanesborough Club & Spa in 2017 – an exclusive lifestyle members’ club for the modern Londoner, offering hotel guests and club members access to internationally recognised experts in the fields of fitness, beauty and wellness, with outstanding facilities.  Spread across 18,000ft2 (1,672m2), it offers a 360° integrated approach to wellbeing in collaboration with resident experts and pop-up partners who are leaders in their respective fields: Bodhimaya, Anastasia Achilleos, Tata Harper, Suzanne Martin, Mikiko Hayano and La Prairie. Tailored programmes incorporating fitness, nutrition and specialised therapies can be created for members, while group classes, grooming, treatments, spa treatments, social spaces and varied dining options cater for every day and overnight guests’ need.  Understanding that members will be juggling high pressure, busy lives, the Club also provides guidance on wellbeing and lifestyle.

Nearby Attractions

With panoramic views of Hyde Park, The Lanesborough is ideally located for visiting a number of London’s top attractions such as Buckingham Palace and Wellington Arch, as well as popular shopping destinations including perhaps the city’s most famous store, Harrods.  It is also just a stroll away from Belgravia’s newly pedestrianised Motcomb Street, home to an intimate yet modern clutch of boutiques, framed in heritage Regency buildings that invite you to linger.

The Lanesborough’s team of dedicated Concierges, each a member of Les Clefs d’Or, is on hand to provide guests with the best information to ensure their stay in the ‘World’s Greatest City’ is as enjoyable as possible.

Prices From

Rates at The Lanesborough start from £615 per room per night, including VAT.

Transport Links

The Lanesborough is located directly opposite one of the entrances to Hyde Park underground which is on the Piccadilly line, barely a 2-minute walk away. The hotel is also approximately a 25-minute drive or 8-minute tube (Piccadilly Line) from King’s Cross St Pancras, and a 45-minute drive or tube (also Piccadilly Line) from London Heathrow Airport.

Contact Info

Website: oetkercollection.com/hotels/the-lanesborough

Address: Hyde Park Corner, London SW1X 7TA

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