The Lanesborough
Hyde Park Corner, London, Greater London, SW1X 7TA, England
Why We Like It
Despite being one of the most prestigious London hotels, there isn’t a whiff of stuffiness in the air. Many employees have served here for decades, and when a hotel treats its staff as family, guests are the matriarch. Expect the full royal treatment no matter what category of room is afforded.
Fodor's Expert Review
The Lanesborough is like a beautiful, luxurious cocoon for the seriously well-off, exuding Regency opulence from the swagged perfection of the bedrooms (some with views over Hyde Park) to the magnificent 19th-century antiques. Each room comes with a 24/7 dedicated butler (available for performing tasks like walking your dog) and daily fresh fruit, while children are provided for with in-room treasure hunts, a media library with popcorn, special pool hours, and a welcome gift. The building dates back to 1733, and even the drinks list in the Library Bar is redolent of history, notably the collection of cognacs going back to 1770 (a mere snip at £5,000 a shot). The Lanesborough Grill features inventive modern takes on traditional British cuisine like Dover sole or beef Wellington using seasonal and regional ingredients. Befitting the Regency setting, there's a Bridgerton-themed afternoon tea. You can also relax at the state-of-the-art spa, open until late.
Tip The concierge team are exceptionally experienced and seriously have the best contacts in town. Ask for help before you completely give up on snagging a last-minute ticket to Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. They might be able to pull some strings.
PROS
- Beautiful and historic
- Great service, including a team of personal butlers
- Everything—rooms, food, spa—is top-notch
CONS
- Prices are eye-watering
- Might be too fancy for some
- Hyde Park Corner is often clogged with heavy traffic
Recommended Fodor’s Video
Room
Designed by the late, great interior designer, Alberto Pinto, each room is lavished with canopied beds and furnishings so plush you’d think they were pinched from the neighbors at Buckingham Palace. Smart TVs are cleverly concealed behind framed paintings, and a tablet operates key room functions. Note that there are no tea or coffee-making facilities since butlers hand-make each brew fresh on demand. Yes, every guest, whether a deluxe room or top suite resident, is assigned a butler.
Bathroom
All room categories feature a bathtub, with salts, soaps, and potions made especially for the hotel. They also have rain showers, heated rails, and underfloor heating so you never step out onto cold marble.
Lobby
Guests enter a grand pillared portico onto a marble hallway, and it’s here the check-in desks reside. There are fine art paintings and sculptures at every turn, paced like a museum. The people who appreciate them are a nice mix of suited bodies, discerning VIPs, and first-timers who have made an effort for afternoon tea. They’re respectful and sophisticated, not like the influencers at the W. This is something far more special.
Pool
The pool is situated in the subterranean spa, a little bit of a mansion maze to reach without a member of the team to escort. There, you have changing rooms connected to a hydrotherapy pool. It’s small, but a cap on day guests means you’ll always find corners of quiet in the facility. Saunas and steam rooms are also available for hotel guest use.
You Should Know The small pool is more of a space to relax in, rather than do laps. Burn your calories in the gym, and then use these bubbly waters the way they are intended.
Spa
The hotel’s spa is an underground sanctuary and by London standards, pretty expansive. Changing rooms come with a slew of plush amenities, and a large relaxation room is open for all guests to enjoy. The treatment menu has the classic massage and bodywork and there’s a reflexologist, plant-based nail bar, and healthy spa restaurant on-site. You could hide out all day…and longer.
Gym
The large, mirror-lined gym has literally everything including custom-designed free weights, boxing equipment, a TRX zone, spin bikes, and a Skillmill. There are around 40 classes a week, available free of charge for hotel guests.
Dining
The Lanesborough Grill is their breathtakingly beautiful flagship restaurant, naturally illuminated by the domed glass roof in the day or the centerpiece chandelier come dusk. Its modern British menu champions regional artisans and seasonal produce, but don’t miss the show stopper, the beef wellington. This same room is also where afternoon tea is served including a themed Bridgerton offering.
Drinking
The Library Bar’s a bit like a private members club without the pretension. There are cognacs here dating back 1770s, but no matter what your poison you’re in good hands. The long-time mixologists have been scooping cocktail awards for decades. Sit and watch them at the bar, or get comfy on a sofa and admire the sunset over the historic Wellington Arch.
The Resident Cat
Since 2019, the hotel’s resident feline, Lilibet, has made headlines as the world’s most pampered cat. You’ll find her moseying around the main social spaces or observing guests on her favorite chair in The Withdrawing Room. Don’t worry, this Siberian kitty is hypoallergenic, so allergy sufferers can leave their tissues back in the room.
What's Nearby
Getting Around
Hyde Park Corner is within walking distance of Knightsbridge and Mayfair, key spots for upscale dining, drinking, and shopping. The Lanesborough has Hyde Park Corner tube station right in front of it, which zooms straight to London Heathrow Airport via the Piccadilly Line.
Restaurants
Two of Gordon Ramsey’s Michelin-starred restaurants are close by: Petrus and Restaurant Gordon Ramsey. There aren’t many affordable options in the area—you’ll need to head into Soho for quality casual dining.
Photos
Quick Facts
HOTEL INFO
HOTEL DETAILS
Rate Includes: Free Breakfast
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