Blink and you may just miss one of London's most exceptional addresses. At 60 Hyde Park Gate, with views overlooking Kensington Palace, resides a unique slice of Italian luxury 'boutique-dom': Baglioni Hotel London. Its discreet front-of-house belies its opulent, gilt-edged, luxuriant interiors that provide guests with scrumptious opulence and desirable discretion.
This petit-luxe gem is the preferred choice of many celebrities and those keen to indulge in an alternative to London's five-star grandioso. It's location, overlooking Kensington Gardens and a few minutes walk from the Albert Hall, makes it the best place to stay if you need to be in this part of town.
We have stayed in several suites, most recently in a quiet first floor Deluxe Junior Suite, but The Royal Suite is the ultimate retreat for a pampering and uplifting stay; a sort of grand finale for the world weary. I was fortunate enough to experience the 'babymoon' indulgence package and I chose to be preened in-suite, opting for a much needed pedicure and manicure. The Rejuvenation Spa will come to you and, with a suite such as this one; there are several reclining opportunities you simply can't afford to ignore.
Suite dreams
The Royal Suite felt more like a millionaire's apartment than a hotel suite. It's the sort of suite that one dreams about having at an address that most just can't afford. It is vast. A staggering 240 square metres, including three bedrooms, four bathrooms and two outstanding reception rooms, plus a terrace that overlooks glorious Kensington Palace and its emerald green grounds, where horse chestnut trees and immaculate lawns flourish under the London sunshine. This is a view to invite your friends and family to share, because it really is something to celebrate.
The sweeping suite benefits from floors of polished dark wood throughout, while the French windows open onto the expansive terrace. The sexy suite bar is well stocked with decanters of the finest spirits, while your personal butler is always on-hand to shake a cocktail or two. It is also perfect for a family of a few, or two plus a nanny.
If the Royal Suite is a little out of budget then you will be pleased to know that all the other 'mini-me' suites and rooms within the hotel offer the same complimentary services and amenities, including a personal Butler Service and 24-hour room service. Many of these smaller suites and rooms offer the same stunning views, while many have four-poster beds as well as an ever-so-cosy fireplace.
The Royal Suite is decorated with Olympian elegance: the immaculately polished dark wooden floors play the perfect host to the elegant furniture that sits in stylish cream silks and golden velvets atop its almost reflective surface, while a glorious Murano chandelier takes charge of the evening's light in the middle sitting room. All the lighting is atmospherically 'dimmer-controlled'.
Though sumptuous in its lavishly appointed details, the suite flows with a seductive subtlety; there really is not too much of anything – except Champagne, perhaps! You will want for nothing on the high-tech front either, with flat screen TVs in all the rooms, funky hidden sound systems and 'state-of-the-art' office-away-from-the-office necessities, while well stocked mini-bars are placed in each room. There are also original marble fireplaces that can be lit by your butler on request – the perfect antidote for cool nights. This suite is highly adaptable and can adjust, with ease, to any desired ambience, from the formal to the totally chilled, or both, all in one day as we discovered.
You can never have enough bathrooms, especially when they're as pleasingly pamper-prone as these four. Black marble is the dominant theme, while expert lighting, beaten silver basins and limestone walk-in showers set a supremel standard. My favourite bathroom treat was my double gift-set: two generous box sets of sculpting creams, safe essential oils, deep cleansers, toners, progressive 'crème parfait' for regressive results: all wrapped up respectively in shiny white Carita and Decléor boxes. Stunning.
Prime position
So with nails and feet preened like a princess, I had two options for the afternoon. Turn right and I would land up in Harvey Nichols or turn left and I could enjoy the best of British high street shopping. I chose Harvey Nicks, which was mere five-minute drive away by Maserati (this comes with the Royal Suite).
Having indulged in and around Sloane Street, I headed back for a deep soak in our capacious spa tub in bathroom number two, surrounded by soft scented candles, prior to enjoying dinner in the relaxed and informally groovy, Brunello Restaurant. The following morning, while the husband was holding a 'formal' meeting (it switched with seamless ease) in the second sitting room, I headed for Kensington High Street to hit the flagship stores in true hope and glory style.
Retail therapy aside, the hotel is superbly located for some of London's most sublime cultural experiences. Only minutes from the Baglioni Hotel is the Victorian architectural icon, the Albert Hall. One of England's most treasured and revered buildings, it is recognised the world over as a uniquely magnificent venue for a variety of live performances, from classical concerts to rock and ballet to opera, as well as hosting lavish banquets.
The Proms concerts have been hosted here since 1941, a highlight of the British summer and, for many, a lifetime ritual. If this is not enough, then just cross the road from the hotel's elegant front doors and enter the quintessentially perfect royal gardens of Kensington Palace. Besides, with a few purrs from the Maserati you could be anywhere in London that your heart desires.
Feast of Italian flavours
We thoroughly enjoyed our casual dinner by the window, choosing classic Italian dishes from the comprehensive though unfussy Brunello Restaurant menu. Grilled squid with polenta was followed by baked sea bass besides lashings of sweet baby tomatoes, seasonal vegetables and our own bottle of fabulous rich olive oil made for Mediterranean dreams.
The open-plan design of the lounge, bar and restaurant avoids formality and lends the entire experience a casually chic vibe, enhanced with charming Italian hospitality.
Why choose the Baglioni Hotel London? That's easy. If you need a suite to be west of Hyde Park, this is the place to be.
Sophie Marchant