45 Park Lane

Opened in 2011, 45 Park Lane is a 5-star hotel and one of the Dorchester Collection of global luxury hotels. In a different style from her iconic big sister, The Dorchester, the 45 holds the same cachet in an area of high-end properties.

Moreover, Park Lane, Mayfair is today one of the most prestigious addresses in the heart of London, Britain's capital city, synonymous with wealth and the deluxe style.

Location

Park Lane sits between Marble Arch and Hyde Park Corner. This wide carriageway is known for its many underground private parking facilities, luxury hotels, and brutalist 1950s architecture.

The 45 lies close to the entrance to the extensive London subway network and other public transport. Famous landmarks nearby are Buckingham Palace and Speaker's Corner in the park. There are also the Houses of Parliament, London Eye on the Thames River, and Westminster Cathedral.

Additionally, you can easily reach the West End shopping district and high-end stores at Knightsbridge from the hotel.

History

As the name implies, Park Lane was once little more than a path along Hyde Park's boundaries. As the area improved, the access to the park and the centrality of the location led to several influential people acquiring prestigious properties there.

The Dukes of Wellington, Somerset and Westminster, and Prime Minister Disraeli are all associated with Park Lane. By the 19th century, the hotel had achieved a fashionable status. This continued into the 20th, attracting Hollywood glitterati, writers, artists, and global celebrities.

Luxury hotels sprung up to accommodate this new cultural hub in the capital. Mayfair remained costly and fashionable with the massively successful Playboy club and casino opening in 1965.

The club took over the building designed by renowned architect Walter Gropius in 1960 and re-appointed by US designer Thierry Despont. The new hotel evidences no traces of the club, but the US influence continues in the 45's American style.

First Impressions

The hotel's approach is eye-catching, with a bronze paneled art installation shimmering along one side of an impressive art deco-style building. Metal fins encase the façade, while inside, the lobby continues to stun with varnished wood walls. Besides, there is a huge cylindrical lighting centerpiece and rich cognac-colored leather seating.

The feel is an exclusive but deeply comfortable private club in an opulent art deco setting with flashbacks to 1920s glamor and style. Contemporary touches, a splendid 1960s black lacquered staircase, and alfresco art combine with 21st century ultra-luxurious amenities in this chic boutique hotel.

The resort has a relaxed atmosphere. It is also famous for its welcoming, superbly efficient, and helpful reception and concierge staff and impeccable housekeeping services.

Butler Service

Guests at this luxury hotel get personal hosts who provide butler and concierge services for each visitor or family. Knowledgeable and super-smartly dressed staff are on hand throughout the booking to provide everything to make guests feel comfortable in a private home.

The Rooms: Deluxe, Park View, and Executive

This is a bijou-style hotel with only 45 rooms and suites. However, each is spacious with generous in-room amenities, deluxe wall-to-wall Italian marble bathrooms, with luxury toiletries. There are also fine furnishings and lovely parkland or dramatic skyline views.

Features include more gleaming golden-brown varnished wood, cognac-color leather and pastel plush seating, celadon green velvet walls, and fawn carpeting. Some studio rooms benefit from restful dove-gray fabrics and Juliet balconies with views of Hyde Park.

Bang and Olafsen technology provides state-of-the-art entertainment systems in all rooms. Moreover, there are perfectly laundered soft fine fabrics covering large comfortable beds. You will also get a Negroni cocktail 'on the house' as a welcome drink.

The Suites: London Balcony, Curzon, and Park Lane

With a choice of 2 or 3 bedrooms, suites have all the rooms' luxury features with additional space and balconies with magnificent views. Plush seating for relaxing and glamorous marble bathrooms with tubs and showers feature in all suites.

Park Lane has soft-toned décor, a sybaritic 'bath menu,' and a corner location for stunning views across Hyde Park and the Lane. Curzon suites have sparkling mirrored effects and rich color schemes.

Signature Suites. Hyde Park and Penthouse

Ultra-luxe capacious suites showing fabulous views, super-stylish décor, and large marble bathrooms with underfloor heating, TV, and many additional features.

The curvaceous Penthouse covers the whole top floor, features dark marble, sumptuous materials, and an extra bathroom. Moreover, it has a private entrance lift and wrap-around balcony to enjoy panoramic views.

Gourmet Dining in Style

'Cut' is 45 Park Lane's outstanding American-style steak restaurant in Europe. Prime cuts of Wagyu beef, char-grilled to perfection, and pan-fried lobster. Besides, other culinary wonders are on offer in this sumptuous dining room.

Diners can enjoy meals while viewing Damian Hirst's wall art or beautiful parkland greenery. A new terrace has been added recently for summer dining where gorgeous sweets and ices or British farm cheeses can finish off a terrific menu. For a private dinner, the Media room is offering the perfect ambiance.

Cocktails and Tea

Bar 45 offers champagne, spirits, and imaginatively-named cocktails in a sophisticated but deeply comfortable setting with more cognac leather and the famed 'Negroni trolley.'

An expert mixologist will provide specialist Negronis of choice to seated drinkers. Teatime at the hotel is nothing like a dainty English tea but rather an American-style tea banquet with wagyu sliders or mac and cheese savories. Scrumptious sweets include signature crème Brulee doughnuts and key lime pie.

Spa Facilities

The hotel is compact with superb bathrooms. Moreover, while it does not have a full spa, there is gym equipment available in-room and on-site. Instead, guests are offered access to the swish spa and fitness facilities at The Dorchester hotel a few moments away.

Children

The 45 Park Lane Hotel does not have a specific children's program, but children are made very welcome by the caring staff. With Hyde Park on the doorstep, plenty of family activities can be enjoyed in fine weather. The Serpentine recreational lake has boating in summer, and horseback riding or tennis can also be enjoyed in the park.

Takeaway

45 Park Lane Dorchester Collection is an impressive addition to the luxury hotel scene in the Capital. Its central location, friendly and efficient staff, and superb accommodation make it an attractive alternative to the bigger hotels in the area.