The Lanesborough

Styled after an early 19th-century luxury residence, the Lanesborough, an Oetker Collection hotel, is a lavish tribute to the classic Regency period. Following extensive renovation under the guidance of interior designer Alberto Pinto, the hotel reopened its doors in July 2015, so despite the classic and sometimes frilly look, everything is fresh. Interiors are elegant and stately, with much of the original period architecture preserved: majestic high ceilings, sculpted woodwork, and rich window dressings evoke a past era rich in English history. Common areas such as the Library Bar and Withdrawing Room provide intimate, richly cloaked surroundings for distinguished lounging. This hotel provides the ultimate in luxury hospitality, with bountiful free amenities ranging from 24/7 butler service to daily fresh fruits and sweets. All of this comes at a price, however, as rates for everything are at premium levels -- but with the exclusive Hyde Park location, courteous staff, and full luxury experience, it’s perhaps worth digging into your pockets.

The hotel occupies a coveted location overlooking Hyde Park -- the Hyde Park Corner Underground station is right outside of the hotel. The property neighbors Belgravia, a wealthy residential district south of Knightsbridge with a good number of embassies, as well as prestigious Mayfair, also a bustling, upscale neighborhood with plenty of dining options. Travel times to top London attractions and other destinations are as follows: - Two-minute walk to Hyde Park and Hyde Park Corner Underground station

• Five-minute walk to Green Park
• 12-minute walk to Buckingham Palace
• 12-minute walk to Knightsbridge for shopping, including Harrod’s
• Seven-minute tube ride or 20-minute walk to Piccadilly Circus and theatres
• 10-minute tube ride to Covent Garden
• About a 15-minute tube ride to Big Ben or British Museum
• 20-minute tube ride to London Eye or St. Paul's Cathedral
• 45 minutes by train or 35-minute drive to Heathrow Airport
• 45 minutes by train or about an hour's drive to Gatwick Airport
• 70 minutes by train to Luton and Stansted Airports

The hotel offers rooms and suites, all lavishly decorated with stately Regency-era decor, including fine fabrics, handsome wooden furnishings, and opulent touches like flat-screen TVs mounted in gilded frames. An emphasis is placed on luxurious details and free services, including 24/7 butlers (services include packing and unpacking), free high speed Wi-Fi, fresh fruit, mineral water, and luxury bathrobes and slippers. Room controls and entertainment systems are operated by Sony tablets, and free unlimited movies and music are available on demand. Tea or coffee is served upon arrival, as well as with daily wake-up calls. Business services include personalized stationery and business cards, as well as calls to U.K., European, and North American numbers. Bathrooms feature hand-cut Italian marble and shower/tub combos with rainfall showerheads in most rooms, as well as bidets, double sink vanities, and high-end toiletries. Most suites have separate walk-in showers and tubs.Rooms are spacious, ranging between 270 square feet (25 square meters) to 430 square feet (40 square meters), while suites offer even more space and most have separate living rooms. The Buckingham Suite adds a separate dining room, while the four-bedroom Lanesborough Suite has two living rooms, a dining room, and a galley kitchen -- plus guests get the added perk of a chauffeur-driven car. The largest and most luxurious option is the seven-bedroom Royal Suite, which measures 4,800 square feet (446 square meters) and includes two living rooms, a dining room, and a study. Guests booking the entire suite can enjoy the hotel's chauffeur-driven Rolls-Royce Phantom.

One of the highlights here is the hotel's fine-dining option, Celeste Restaurant, which serves spectacular fare in a distinguished setting. Run under the guidance of three-Michelin star chef Eric Frechon, the dishes mix French and English flavors. The restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, and dinner, and is a popular spot with both guests and locals. The intimate and atmospheric Library Bar offers a collection of vintage cognacs, as well as bespoke cocktails, while the Garden Room is the hotel's elegant cigar lounge. Guests can also gather in the Withdrawing Room, a charming space for a drink, lunch, or an informal meeting. Afternoon tea is -- of course -- also served at the hotel.In 2017, The Lanesborough opened its 18,000-square-foot spa, which includes a hydrotherapy pool, a steam room, five treatment rooms, (one is a VIP treatment room), and a 24-hour fitness studio equipped with Technogym equipment (treadmills, a stationary bicycle, and an elliptical). Other on-site amenities include private rooms available for meetings or other functions, and Wi-Fi is free throughout the property. The hotel's exceptional level of service and attention to detail is also worth noting; besides 24-hour butler service, there's an excellent concierge team, as well as a fleet of chauffeur-driven cars (included in Lanesborough Suite and Royal Suite rates). Kids are well catered for here, with an array of perks like welcome gifts, daily treats, books and games, and child-size bathrobes and slippers.