Arrival/Check-In: From the moment I stepped through The Lanesborough’s grand entrance at Hyde Park Corner, I sensed I was in for an exceptional stay. I arrived slightly early and my suite was not yet ready, but reception took my details and invited me into the Withdrawing Room for tea and a light snack. The room was ready shortly thereafter, and check-in was handled efficiently. The Withdrawing Room’s elegant Regency decor made the brief wait entirely pleasant.
Guest Quarters: My suite on the fifth floor was furnished in Regency style with high-quality reproductions that felt antique. The space had the air of a private apartment rather than a typical hotel room. In addition to a dining table, sofa and two comfortable armchairs, the suite featured a large flat-screen TV and a discreet, well-equipped workstation styled like an antique desk. The desk housed a laptop, a fax machine and an iPod docking station, and included international power outlets, including those for American devices, so I didn’t need adapters.
The bedroom offered a queen-sized bed, a bedside control panel for adjusting lights and temperature, and a butler call function. There was a roomy wardrobe, an easy chair and a vanity, plus a second TV integrated into a desk unit that also contained the minibar. The bathroom was generous, with two vanities, a Jacuzzi tub and a separate shower with a large rain showerhead. Triple-glazed windows kept the suite peaceful, ensuring a good night’s sleep.
Services/Amenities: Every guestroom and suite at The Lanesborough includes 24-hour butler service, a signature touch that enhances the personalized experience. The hotel also provides guests with custom Lanesborough stationery and personalized business cards, which adds a refined and thoughtful detail to the stay.
The hotel’s restaurant, Apsley, designed by Heinz Beck, holds a Michelin star. I dined there with a colleague and can say it was among the finest meals we have enjoyed—meticulous and superb. The Library Bar, true to its name, is a cozy, book-filled room with a fireplace and an extensive cognac selection, including rare bottles that reflect the establishment’s luxurious character. The Garden Room serves as an elegant cigar lounge with a club-like atmosphere and a remarkable selection of Cuban cigars, some dating from before the Revolution, making for a distinctive pairing of fine spirits and cigars.
The Experience: Located opposite Hyde Park Corner and Constitution Hill and adjacent to Apsley House and Buckingham Palace, The Lanesborough occupies one of London’s most prestigious addresses. While the historic building is impressive, it was the staff who made the stay truly memorable—the team was consistently friendly, efficient and attentive. The atmosphere is unmistakably English: you feel as if you are a guest in a stately home rather than simply staying at a hotel. I would gladly recommend The Lanesborough to friends and would return without hesitation.
GT Checklist
- Doorman/valet
- Less than 10 minutes for check-in
- Separate tub/shower
- Large vanity
- High-quality towels
- Powerful, unattached hair dryer
- High-quality bed linens
- Large, flat-screen TV
- Large desk with convenient outlets
- Large, complimentary laptop safe
- Complimentary in-room WiFi
- Complimentary bottled water
- Stocked minibar
- Ample lighting
- In-room coffeemaker
- On-site restaurant and bar
- 24-hour room service
- State-of-the-art fitness center
The Lanesborough London
Hyde Park Corner
London, SW1X 7TA
United Kingdom
tel 44 20 7259 5599
lanesborough.com