Set to reopen in September, the Royal Lancaster London is undergoing an £80 million (approximately $99 million) renovation that refreshes the landmark hotel on the edge of Hyde Park. Marking its 50th anniversary, the property has received a comprehensive redesign covering its public areas and all 411 guestrooms and suites, with a new reception lobby featuring a dramatic curved marble staircase and an updated entrance façade that modernizes the hotel’s street presence.
Interior design studio Studio PROOF led the project, introducing a refined palette of gold, polished brass and bronze accents that lend a luxurious warmth throughout. The lobby has been reconfigured into a collection of defined areas, including a new bar and calm seating zones that pair white marble with subtle metalwork details to create a welcoming, sophisticated arrival experience.
Guestrooms have been reimagined with careful material choices—bronze and glass detailing, bespoke lighting and rich fabrics—that enhance the sense of comfort while framing attractive views over Hyde Park. Suites recall the hotel’s heritage with 1960s-inspired touches, blending mid-century lines with distinctive English character for a lived-in but elegant feel.
Dining at the Royal Lancaster London has also been refreshed. Island Grill serves modern European cuisine with contemporary plating and seasonal ingredients, while Nipa Thai offers authentic Thai flavors complemented by an interior that celebrates Thai art and artifacts. The hotel’s signature afternoon tea at Lounge Bar and Teas is overseen by executive chef Ben Purton and features inventive pastries and petits fours—examples include chocolate and raspberry lollipops, seasonal fruit tarts and homemade macarons.
For a more theatrical option, the ARTea experience presents tea and treats arranged as miniature edible artworks delivered in a painter’s box; clotted cream and jam are playfully presented in tubes reminiscent of paint, making the ritual both delicious and visually engaging.
