| The Lanesborough
It's easy to understand why many discerning travellers remain faithful to The Lanesborough.
The Lanesborough is classically traditional, while the luxuries are sensational; it adheres to refined British sensibilities and many luxe-trotters... when in London... yes, they want the real deal. We were thoroughly, even indulgently pampered, while its gracious adherence to its sense of place was undoubtedly a breath of fresh air.
The grand locale
It occupies a prime location on Hyde Park corner with views across to the magnificent grounds of Hyde Park and Wellington's Arch (Constitution Arch), originally the grand entrance into London. In addition to the Arch there is the Monument to the Cavalry of the Empire, a statue of Byron, the Royal Artillery Memorial, and an Australian and New Zealand War Memorial. To the north of the roundabout sits the grandest house in London, Apsley House, which was the home of the first Duke of Wellington. Not only is the hotel surrounded by a catalogue of cultural and historical achievements it is also only a 7-minute stroll to Harrods and Harvey Nichols, situated in the shopping Nirvana of Knightsbridge, as well as a 10-minute stroll into Mayfair central. For lovers of the outdoors, Hyde Park brags one of the finest landscapes in England with over 350 acres of meadows, a meandering lake, thousands of magnificent trees and horseback riding. Really, this location has it all.
Upon arrival...
The service at The Lanesborough is second to none. I knew it had a reputation for making guests feel über-special and that the butler service was one to be revered by all other like-minded hotels, but I never expected it all to be true, exceed expectations even. My sister and I are familiar with 5 star accoutrements and dislike the obsequious manner that often mars attentive service. But here they manage to do everything for you with the utmost respect for your 'personal space'. It's just done, no invasion, few questions, while many of your prerequisite desires have been covered prior to arrival i.e. food allergy, pillow choice, dinner times, theatre choices, spa treatments and so forth. However, when we were taken to our richly decorated Buckingham Suite, it was rather difficult to know what more we could possibly ask for and we even agreed to the unpacking of our small cases. Well, why not? Most of us don't get this at home.
Butler service with silver spoon treatment
While we ogled the fine Regency antique furniture and golden silk fabrics within our becoming wood panelled sitting room, the platinum service from our polished butler had only just begun. After sorting out the bags, and selecting a frock for the press (I packed in a hurry) he dropped down the side of our Georgian drinks bureau to reveal a row of aged spirits with silver breast plates in crystal decanters. Maybe we looked like big drinkers but this is optional of course. He then pointed us to the chilling bottle of Verve Clicquot, beside the scarlet roses and cornucopia of late summer fruit that cascaded alongside the silver platter of lightly dusted homespun chocolates truffles. The 21st Century was miraculously hidden beneath flawless surfaces, revealed instantly at the press of a button, while all the usual and for me unique additional services (including the 24-hour butler service) were on tap and complimentary. These included, extraordinarily so, landline calls to the USA and EU countries, wireless internet, personalised stationery and business cards, mobile phones for use throughout the hotel, an extensive film library, it goes on...
Before our butler left he asked what time we would like our champagne and canapés to be served. Looking across to the Arch and the Park, with a filtered autumnal sun shedding its mellow haze across this awesome luxe-city landscape, we suggested 5.30pm. Bang on time our fastidious butler arrived with yet another silver platter offering an array of spectacular canapés, from foie gras to smoked salmon to rare beef (how were we going to fit in our designated dinner)? Once he had filled our golden-rimmed flutes and talked us through the delectable morsels, he was gone. Though with one lift of the receiver he would return ... in less than a minute. Outstanding service.
A few minutes into our vintage champagne and the doorbell sounded. My delighted niece arrived hungry and bursting with fresh engagement excitement. This is a fabulous venue in which to celebrate, either in-suite or in one of the many glorious public spaces such as the Withdrawing Room and Library Bar or, for larger events, in one of the glamorous private banqueting rooms. Our oval mahogany dining table with regency chairs seats six comfortably while the entire room accommodates at least eight for cocktails. We were totally spoilt being only three. The Lanesborough is also extremely sensitive to guest's privacy requirements; discretion here is paramount. What's more, for a hotel of fair stature, 95 rooms and suites, there is a remarkably intimate aura about the place. I suspect this is due to its world-renowned exclusivity, a bespoke blend that renders it a 'one off' private, elegant, residential 'home' in the finest part of London.
Premium dusting powder comes in silver shakers...
For many, our luxury suite would be a desirable and mostly unobtainable London apartment, minus a kitchen. The bathroom has twin vanities, encased in off-white Carrera marble with mahogany surrounds, enhancing lighting and mist-free mirrors, plus a large mahogany encased spa bath and a vast walk in shower. The piece de resistance for me was an abundance of the most sensational bathroom products I have yet smothered myself in. These exclusive, silky, perfectly perfumed, dusting powders along with lusciously absorbing creams are produced by Lady Primrose (Dallas based) and can only be enjoyed at The Lanesborough. I have since asked friends in America to locate some for me while I have been, lucklessly, searching out a source on the internet (Fortnum and Mason have a different range I believe) so my next step is a return to The Lanesborough. The dozens of creamy soap bars were from Nina Campbell. Bathroom bliss!
Lapping it up at Apsleys
Apsleys restaurant at The Lanesborough has been recently overhauled into a bedazzling space dedicated to dining in chic conservatory style; tubular shaped crystal chandeliers glow beneath the great glass dome while classical trademarks greet the walls and luxurious seating in a sea of muted aqua. The fresh re-design was created by Tihany Design, a firm dedicated to the integration of bold contemporary designs while maintaining the nuances of time, soul and place, with a list of achievements including Le Cirque and Per Se in New York. The menu flows with an excellent selection of contemporary Italian cuisine and the service, to which you have now become accustomed, is sensational. It's not only on the button; it is genuinely hospitable with a la dolce vita charm that leaves you smiling. From the well-priced menu I chose the octopus salad with capers and lemon followed by John Dory on a bed of sautéed potatoes and green olives. It was packed with Italian overtones and the distinctive flavours needed no further attention. The comprehensive wine list is world-class while the most exciting element for me was that you could choose exceptional wines by the glass.
A quintessential sleep
The boudoir in butterscotch and deep plum had a bed that I will yearn for forever more. It is a 'bedmark' for beds and I would recommend a sleep here, for both luxe-trotters and hoteliers alike. The only other bed that has come close was in Switzerland. Not being a techno-buff I can find myself playing around with the complicated media/lighting mechanisms housed high-tech in many a hotel suite but here, in a sliding shelf beside your bed, is a fool proof and quite genuinely masterminded gizmo: pictures with buttons and voila! 11/10
The following morning we were served the full English with shafts of light streaming through our glorious Regency period windows revealing a proud and majestic Wellington Arch. Feeling almost completely spoilt I had just one more indulgence to endure... a La Prairie facial in the Spa Studio downstairs. I am converted (again). After an expert pair of hands primed, prepped and preened my face in no less than eleven, restorative, hydrating products I glowed for several days. This was perhaps the best facial I have had in London.
Well, the rack rates are a little higher than most of The Lanesborough's counterparts, but if you were to price the complementary services alongside the exemplary attention to guest satisfaction then I think the package would be hard to beat.
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