The glorious deco-inspired exterior of 45 Park Lane
With London’s Olympic games just a few short months away, it should come as no surprise that the city’s luxury hotel sector is bringing it’s A game to the always competitive 5 star hotel scene.
On my last trip to London, I was lucky enough to get to stay at 45 Park Lane, a 5 star property in Mayfair overlooking Hyde Park, which just opened for business in fall of 2011.
45 Park Lane Park Suite, Complete With Starlet
45 Park Lane is part of the Dorchester Collection, which has some seriously swanky classic properties in its portfolio (The Beverly Hills Hotel here in California, Hôtel Plaza Athénée in Paris among others). While I’m very comfortable at the restaurants and bars in those properties, I wasn’t sure I’d be comfortable staying a Dorchester Collection property, as super-classic is something I find a bit intimidating and sometimes stuffy.
Fortunately, 45 Park Lane oozes modern luxury in a sexy and sophisticated way. As soon as I walked into the lobby the red leather sofas and classic rock (specifically Fleetwood Mac circa Rumors) put me at ease. The building itself is an instant classic: It’s gleaming and deco-inspired overlooks Hyde Park, which gives each of the 45 rooms at the property a park view, and bathed in golden light at night. It’s right next door to it’s sister property, The Dorchester, which allows guests of 45 Park Lane to use their spa facilities by conveniently popping next door.
One of the first things I noticed was the incredible art in the hotel. I’m a photographer and when I notice not one, but a series of works by Damian Hirst, I know I’m someplace special. Someplace that values art.
45 Park Lane entry
45 Park Lane not also has a strong artistic bent (both established and emerging British artists have works here), it brings Hollywood glamour to London. Hanging above each bed is a glamorous portrait of a British starlet in Hollywood. They range from easy to identify Vivian Leigh, Deborah Kerr, to lesser knows like Merle Oberon… you really don’t know which one you’ll wind up sharing the night with. Confession: I’ve never had the chance to sleep with a Starlet before. And I’ll admit it… I liked it!
My room at 45 Park Lane, and the British Starlet I spent the night with (but didn’t recognize). Let me know if you know who is in the comments section.
The hotel is seriously sophisticated without trying to hard to be cool. It’s filled with darling details like purple custom painted Brompton bicycles you can borrow to explore neighboring Hyde Park, purple 45 Park Lane rubber ducks in the bathroom, and not only a purple yoga mat, but dedicated yoga programming on the television so your warrior pose doesn’t have to suffer just because you’re on the road. These touches all felt like pure Hollywood and I appreciated them.
Interior of a Park View Suite, 45 Park Lane. The suites come in a few color palettes – this suite was aqua.
45 Park Lane mini-bar
45 Park Lane Park Suite Sitting Area
Details in an executive one bedroom
Comfy robes in the spa-like bathroom, a calendar and a rubber ducky that features fine art are just more of the special touches at this property.
45 Park Lane is about contemporary modern, refined luxury and great service with a fun vibe. If you can’t afford the room rate, it’s worth visiting 45 Park Lane to have a drink in cozy/chic watering hole Bar 45 or a meal at Wolfgang Puck’s CUT.
Rooms start at £ 395.
Chic leather club chairs add to the cozy chic at 45 Park Lane Bar, and the menu features
Bar 45 is one of the hottest bars in Mayfair, and cozy too.
Set in an intimate and glamorous space. Photos of Kelly Brock and Gwen Stefani line the walls and all the drinks are serious infusions poured by expert mixologists. I tried a A Show Me Love, a signature Wolfgang Puck cocktail, made with Belvedere Vodka, Saint Germain, lychee juice and lime. Yumgasm!
Sexy contemporary art by British artists and romantic cocktails, like the popular Forbidden Kiss (Henderick’s Gin, fresh raspberries, rose elixir and lemon juice). What’s not to like about 45 Park Lane.