Hospital stays and visits may not be the most pleasant of reasons to come to London, but the burden of receiving treatment can be eased by enjoyment of the surroundings of the city's luxury hotels, as well as their fine-dining experiences.
Many of London’s top-rated hotels can be found clustered in the Park Lane area of the city's West End, along the thoroughfare that runs adjacent to Hyde Park. Among the most famous of these is The Dorchester. One of London’s most famous hotels, this landmark of glamour and sophistication has been a fixture on Park Lane since 1931.
Classically English in its style, its rooms continue to possess a traditional, opulent feel, with deep marble baths and stylish mirrored cabinets. Dining options include Cantonese restaurant China Tang, Alain Ducasse (the UK’s only hotel restaurant to possess three Michelin stars) and The Grill, serving modern British cuisine.
Those looking for a more flamboyant experience with a more modern feel will appreciate The Dorchester’s sister hotel, 45 Park Lane. The art deco-themed establishment combines 1930s fl air with modern trappings, such as tablet-controlled lighting and electric blinds. Adding to the hotel’s flair, the lobby, restaurant and other public areas are lined with contemporary British art.
Situated on Old Park Lane, COMO Metropolitan London also offers a clean and modern approach. In common with 45 Park Lane, the surroundings are adorned with artwork, including bespoke works in the white-walled rooms, and touchscreens to control lighting. For dining, the hotel hosts Nobu, which serves Japanese and Peruvian cuisine, and also the recently unveiled Gridiron, a new “live-fire” grill that offers an experience combining flames with high-end cooking as diners look in on an open-fronted kitchen.
Boasting impressive city views, the Four Seasons London Hotel at Park Lane offers luxury with an Eastern feel. Recently refurbished suites include balconies that overlook the busy city outside, while visitors to the hotel’s luxury spa can enjoy views over London’s greenery while they sample a range of relaxing treatments.
Well-known in the capital for hosting high-profile events in its Great Room, the city’s largest ballroom, the grand surroundings of the Grosvenor House include a mix of traditional and contemporary-style rooms. Dining options include chef Richard Corrigan’s Mayfair and the JW steakhouse.
Only a short distance from Park Lane, but still in the Mayfair district, the globally renowned Claridge’s dates back to the mid-1800s, when William and Marianne Claridge opened their luxury hotel. During the 1950s, the hotel welcomed numerous Hollywood stars and retains the same glamour to this day. For food and drink, the Foyer and Reading Room offer classic and contemporary cuisine in art deco surroundings, accompanied by music from a grand piano.
Among the newest and most spectacular hotel experiences to grace London in recent years is the Shangri-La at The Shard – Western Europe’s tallest building, which rises like a spire above the city. Close to London Bridge, this luxurious hotel occupies floors 34 to 52 of the glass-clad skyscraper, presenting its residents with stunning views over the metropolis through the floor-to-ceiling windows that can be found in every room.
In total, the Shangri-La features 202 uniquely designed rooms and suites, decorated in an Asian style. The hotel’s top floor houses a bar, fitness room and even a swimming pool – also the highest in Western Europe. Dining includes the Ting restaurant, which presents a modern British menu with Asian influences.
For patients receiving treatment within the Harley Street Medical Area, there is a wealth of luxury hotels to choose from – each only a short distance away from the many hospitals and clinics. The elegant Marylebone area is also close to the best of London’s shops and theatres, and well connected to the city’s numerous tourist attractions, providing an ideal location for patients and their families.
Situated close to the shopper’s paradise of Oxford Street and Bond Street, the Langham also sits a short distance from the BBC’s New Broadcasting House and is a popular choice for celebrities visiting the studios to take part in television and radio broadcasts. Aside from the opportunity to spot famous faces, this stylish hotel, which has been established more than 150 years, features elegant rooms decorated with dark woods, marble and luxurious fabrics.
Dining experiences at the Langham Hotel include Roux at the Landau, a partnership between internationally famous father-and-son chefs Albert and Michel Roux Jr. Their menus provide a contemporary take on European dishes, accompanied by a diverse wine list, all presented in one of London’s most beautiful dining spaces. The hotel also features cocktail bar Artesian, which was voted the world’s best bar for four consecutive years.
There is a further opportunity to spot celebrities at another of Marylebone’s hotels, the Chiltern Firehouse, which occupies a Grade II-listed former fire station building that dates back to 1887. The hotel is a popular haunt of the rich and famous, attracted by the smart, retro-style rooms and highly regarded restaurant overseen by head chef Nuno Mendes.
Irish-owned The Marylebone lies at the heart of the village that gives the hotel its name. Modern and stylish, it features 257 rooms including 44 suites, three of which have terraces that over an outdoor area to relax during the summer months. Three restaurants over a variety of dining, including a British-based menu. Children are also well catered for with special menus and, at night, “tepee beds” that can be provided on request, with cookies and a flask of milk!
