ARRIVAL/CHECK-IN: Arriving in London early can mean waiting for your room, but at The Peninsula London our arrival was seamless. Paul met us at Heathrow and drove us to the hotel in a comfortable, well-appointed car where we relaxed and chatted. Entering the hotel’s iconic courtyard and spotting the collection of refined cars made a memorable first impression. Check-in was warm and efficient; staff offered water and escorted us straight to our room.
© The Peninsula London
GUEST QUARTERS: We were upgraded to a Grand Premier Park Suite, a generous, tastefully furnished space with sweeping views of Hyde Park. The suite featured separate living and work areas, a large walk-in closet, a separate bedroom, and a bathroom with dual vanities and a soaking tub equipped with its own television. Two deep-set living room windows had cushioned seats that looked out over the park and street below.
As with other Peninsula properties, the suite’s systems are controlled by iPads placed throughout, allowing easy adjustment of curtains, lighting and temperature, and enabling reservations for hotel services. The dedicated workspace was a highlight, backed by a dark wood bookshelf stocked with classic titles. Practical touches included a Valet Box service that had a shirt pressed in time for dinner, and thoughtful turndown service offering water, chocolates and slippers each night. Small, considerate details—like finding a glasses cloth placed next to my sunglasses—added to the sense of attentive service.
© The Peninsula London
SERVICES/AMENITIES: Breakfast each morning was served in the opulent lobby, which offers a broad all-day menu. The avocado toast with poached eggs paired with a latte stood out. For evening drinks, Brooklands Bar is exceptional: accessed by an elevator designed to evoke a hot-air balloon ascent, the bar blends aviation and automotive artifacts with sweeping views across Belgravia. The cocktail menu features inventive options; the Napier-Railton and Sunbeam Blue Bird were particular favorites.
The hotel also includes Canton Blue, where we enjoyed an excellent dinner. Dishes such as wagyu ribeye, kung pao chicken, baked barbecue pork buns and fried noodles delivered bold flavors and authentic textures. The spa, pool and gym provide a relaxing retreat—my companion swam while classical music played underwater and light panels simulated changing daylight—while other on-site options include a café, Little Blue Noodle Bar, and flexible meeting and event spaces.
TOP TAKEAWAYS:
- Classic London luxury in Belgravia, with quiet, spacious suites and rooms that offer large windows and attentive Peninsula service.
- Brooklands Bar is a unique venue combining aviation and automotive history with refined cocktails and panoramic views.
- Canton Blue delivers flavorful, authentic dishes suited to an intimate evening out.
THE PENINSULA LONDON
1 Grosvenor Place
London SW1X 7HJ
United Kingdom
tel 44 20 3959 2888