The Lanesborough

We had a truly wonderful stay at The Lanesborough and left feeling that this is not only one of the finest hotels in London, but very much in the top league of European luxury hotels. What impressed us from the beginning was how personal and professional everything felt. Communication with the reservations and concierge teams before our arrival was excellent: informative, efficient and genuinely helpful. Ed from the concierge team deserves a special mention here. He was consistently helpful and made the preparations before our stay very easy. Our transfer from Biggin Hill Airport was also perfectly organised by the hotel, so the stay started in a very relaxed way. The arrival itself was equally pleasant. Daniel from the Front Office team looked after our check-in, and later also our departure, in a very calm, friendly and professional manner. Nothing felt rushed or overly formal. We were shown around the hotel and then accompanied to Suite 318, where our butler arrived shortly afterwards and explained the various facilities and functions in the room. We had sent some of our luggage and clothing to the hotel in advance, and everything had already been unpacked and neatly arranged before our arrival. This was very well done and immediately gave the feeling that the hotel had really prepared for us personally. There was also a generous savoury welcome amenity waiting in the suite. The only small mistake was that, despite having advised the hotel in advance that we eat pescatarian, the plate included quite a large amount of ham. This was certainly not a serious issue, but given the otherwise impressive attention to detail, it was something that probably should have been noticed. The suite itself was beautiful. Both the bedroom and bathroom were exquisitely designed and felt elegant, comfortable and luxurious without being overdone. The interior throughout the hotel is very much to our taste. The only technical issue we encountered was the small television integrated into the bathroom mirror, which we could not get to work. Perhaps this is something that should be checked. The butler service throughout our stay was excellent. Someone was always available when needed, but the service never felt intrusive. Every interaction was professional, discreet and efficient. One thing we might personally appreciate in the future would be the option of communicating with the hotel or butler team via WhatsApp. We have experienced this at some other luxury hotels and find it particularly convenient when out in the city or away from the room. Housekeeping was also consistently very good. Both the daytime and evening teams did an excellent job, and we especially appreciated the flexibility regarding timing. They worked around our schedule very well, which made the stay particularly easy and comfortable. One of those small details that we also remember fondly was the lovely lady who was so often there when we arrived back at the hotel and would greet us warmly and press the lift button for us. It sounds like such a small thing, but it is exactly these little personal touches that create a sense of genuine hospitality and make a hotel stay memorable. We also spent time in the Library Bar, which is a beautiful and very comfortable space. The atmosphere is elegant but relaxed, and the food we had there was very good. In fact, the ambience throughout the entire hotel is exceptional: traditional, refined and full of character, without feeling stiff. In-room dining was always delivered very efficiently and quickly. Most of what we ordered was very good, although we felt the Caesar salad was the one exception. Considering the price and the overall standard of the hotel, it seemed rather basic: mainly very large green leaves with some Parmesan and dressing. This did not quite match our expectations or the otherwise very high standard of the house. Breakfast at The Lanesborough Grill was another enjoyable part of the stay. The restaurant itself is beautifully designed and has a wonderful atmosphere in the morning. Breakfast is served à la carte and is certainly very expensive, even by London luxury hotel standards, but the quality was very good and the service team did an excellent job. What ultimately stood out most, however, was the service culture. Everyone we encountered was friendly, polished and genuinely attentive. There is a noticeable emphasis on addressing guests correctly by name and remembering personal details, which we appreciated very much. Our dog was also made extremely welcome. The team were consistently kind and accommodating towards him, and we never had the feeling that travelling with a dog was considered inconvenient. For us, that makes a real difference. The location is, of course, fantastic. Being directly opposite Hyde Park means that you can combine central London with immediate access to green space. Many of the main sights are within easy reach, while the park offers a wonderful contrast to the busy city. Overall, we were extremely happy with our stay. The Lanesborough combines beautiful interiors, a superb location, excellent service and, most importantly, a very personal style of hospitality. There were a few very minor points that could be improved, but they did not change our overall impression in the slightest. For us, The Lanesborough is firmly among the very best hotels in London and certainly belongs in the Champions League of European luxury hospitality. We will definitely return and are already looking forward to discovering another of the hotel's beautiful suites on our next visit.

Our recent stay at the Lanesborough was simply a dream. The elegance and beauty of the hotel go without saying. But this visit my husband and I were under the weather for several days, and we were deeply touched by the solicitousness of the entire staff. Just one small example: I don't know if it was a housekeeper or the butler who noticed throat lozenges on the bed table or whether somebody noticed us sneezing, but we found two additional boxes of tissues in our room. It felt a bit like having a fairy godmother. There are too many people to name individually, but we thank everyone for another memorable stay––we can't wait to be back!

The Lanesborough was spectacular. The attention to detail was incredible. The friendliness of the staff was incredible and genuine. I’ve never been so sad leaving a hotel …it was like leaving family. And Lilibet is the star of the show!!