In a nutshell: A near-perfect stay in London’s first billion-pound hotel where every detail matters. The buzzphrase ‘quiet luxury’ feels fitting for the city’s first offering from this international group.
The neighbourhood
With its lobby looking out on Wellington Arch and Hyde Park Corner, The Peninsula hotel is at the heart of London’s wealthy Belgravia. The terrace of the top-floor restaurant has enchanting views stretching further across the city. Although, this was the hotel’s second choice of position for the terrace – the first choice would have overlooked Buckingham Palace.
Hyde Park is on your doorstep, and it’s a great spot to explore whatever the time of year, whether full of families in the sunmmer or strung with lights for Christmas. Harrods and Harvey Nichols are also a short walk away, with boutique shops and chic cafes to stumble upon in the smaller streets that branch out through Knightsbridge.
The look
The design is considered and pared back
(The Peninsula London)
The 12th hotel in the Peninsula group, London’s offering opened on 12 September, following the advice of a feng shui master. Flanking the doors both to the lobby and the central courtyard are great stone lions, which were blindfolded until opening, keeping their power at full force, to protect the hotel and its visitors.
From the art choices in the intimate, East Asian-themed Little Blue cocktail bar to the homage paid to British aviation in the eighth-floor Brooklands restaurant, there are plenty of design gems to uncover. Plus, there are lots of little touches that go the extra mile – even the butter served at breakfast is moulded to mimic the shape of the white hats worn by hotel staff.
The corridors to the bedrooms are brooding – think walls lined with dark wood, tasteful black and white landscape photography and the whispers of staff quietly greeting guests. The grand Lobby, which is where breakfast, afternoon tea and the all-day dining menu is served, is wallpapered with murals of flora and fauna reminiscent of the rolling English countryside.
The vibe
Attention to detail is not solely reserved for interior design here, as hotel staff are meticulous in creating a seamless experience, from check in to recommending dishes in the restaurant, bringing extra milk for tea and replacing dropped napkins. Providing outstanding care and…
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