 Reviewed By Ellie Burns
However, an icon on Park Lane still stands offering London’s visitors a luxury retreat which surrounds you with a timeless charm from the moment you arrive; Grosvenor House, A JW Marriott Hotel.
Icon of Park Lane
An icon in the true sense of the word, the origins of Grosvenor House date back to the 1700’s on land owned by the Grosvenor family, a family who soon became the richest urban landlords in England. In 1808 Lord Grosvenor purchased the property from the Duke of Gloucester, brother of King George III, and transformed Gloucester House into Grosvenor House. The surrounding area still possesses echoes of the Grosvenor Family’s prominence in an abundance of street names, roads and squares. In 1929 Albert Octavius Edwards obtained the lease and began to transform the grand house into a luxury hotel with the aid of employing architects L. Rome Guthrie and Sir Edwin Lutyens. Inspired by the ample proportions of the New York hotels and built to ‘catch every available sun ray’, the hotel was opened in May 1929 featuring 472 rooms. Interestingly, the famed ‘Great Room’ was originally an ice rink, the only rink in London to feature in a hotel and the very rink in which Queen Elizabeth II learnt to skate in 1933.
The hotel saw a four-year, multi-million pound restoration programme in 2008 and was rebranded as a JW Marriott Hotel. The hotel’s rich history has seen royalty, ice skating, government occupation during WW1 and extensive restoration, and compare o other hotels, this rich history makes the surroundings that little extra special as you wonder about the tales which could be told if only the walls could speak.
The Hotel
The subtle grandeur of the hotel strikes you as soon as you are ushered inside by the well-appointed door man. Light, golden marble contrasts with rich coloured furnishings making the entrance welcoming and warm, whilst exuding elegance and charm. This classic decor continues through to the room. A range of rooms and suites are available, all impressively spacious with original art deco marble bathrooms. For the location, Park Lane overlooking Hyde Park, the rooms surpassed expectations regarding size and all have the same muted elegant decor. The suites are especially impressive in size featuring separate lounge area and bedroom.
The Park View suite in which I was appointed, gave me a luxury retreat which I did not want to leave. Opening the door to the 979sqft suite, I was welcomed by a bright and colourful corridor which led to the vast lounge and dining area, both of which overlooked Hyde Park. Off the corridor was the well-appointed, large bedroom and next to this was another of the original art deco bathrooms. For London, and especially Mayfair, the size of the suite was astounding; however the size was not as overwhelming as the decor of rich colours contrasting with crisp creams, coupled with original features and elegant artwork made the suite warm and welcoming; falling in line with the ambiance the rest of the hotel exudes. Sleeping was easy what with the luxury bedding and vast bed and every room amenity was accounted for from air conditioning to umbrellas- for those quintessential rainy London days.
Services
For those who have exhausted themselves through business or tourism in the capital, you need not look far when staying at Grosvenor House as this well-appointed hotel has so much to offer. The hotel boasts five bar and four dining options, treating visitors to a variety of culinary treats to choose from. The classic English afternoon tea can be taken in the elegant Park Room, whiskey drinkers can sip aged bourbon at the Bourbon Bar or you can sample imaginative cooking from Chef Richard Corrigan at Corrigan’s Mayfair. I was treated to the JW Steakhouse, a place which I will forever remember as the place in which I tasted one of the best cheesecakes- and I consider myself a cheesecake connoisseur of sorts. But before dessert came exceptional food delivered by helpful, attentive staff. The crab cake starter was light and delicious, whilst the filet steak was cooked to perfection. The cheesecake was delivered not as a slice, but as a whole mini cheesecake. I say mini, one was shared between two and there was still some to spare. This cheesecake is a must- light, full flavoured, yet not sickly.
Whilst the culinary offering at Grosvenor House is exceptional, the hotel also provides a number of other services including a gym, hair salon and florist, but for those on business this hotel really does go the extra mile. An executive lounge is offered on the 7th floor for all visitors staying in Executive rooms and suites. The executive lounge afford private check in/out, boardroom, Wi-Fi, complimentary refreshments throughout the day and a dedicated Executive Club Team. This service would be perfect for those on business who need extras for their business responsibilities and to ensure their stay goes smoothly. The Wi-Fi is a plus point for the Executive lounge as in-room Wi-Fi does have to be paid for on a daily basis. Further to this, Grosvenor House also offers a 24 hour business centre, complete with all the modern trappings of an office.
In short, this hotel deserves its reputation and from my experience this reputation for elegance and timeless charm will just keep on going. A business traveller has every need catered for whilst the tourist finds a comfortable charming retreat in Grosvenor House. One might forgive you as you exit the grandiose building of thinking of yourself in the same vein as famous guests such as Jacqueline Onassis, but that’s the thing about Grosvenor House- the way you are treated and the surroundings in which you stay, does make you feel a little bit like a star.
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