London is in the midst of what the local Evening Standard is calling a “gold rush” of luxury hotel openings, with 13 new properties set to open by 2025. With so many new options, and lots of multimillion-pound refurbs to existing luxury hotels, we take a look at the best suites to book in London for every type of luxury traveler.
For the Celeb, Tech Bro or Hedge Funder
It took 30 years and £1.1 billion to create the new Peninsula London, so it comes as no surprise that the hotel now boasts the city’s largest suite. Of the 190 guestrooms and suites designed by Peter Marino—fashion’s most celebrated architect who has created flagships and boutiques for Louis Vuitton, Armani and Zegna to name a few—the most palatial accommodation is the sixth-floor Peninsula Suite. This suite offers a private terrace and floor-to-ceiling windows, with panoramic views of Hyde Park Corner and Wellington Arch. With a formal dining room, and a living room with a fireplace and baby grand piano, a private gym and a 13-seat screening room, and a dedicated VIP lift, this is the only suite to book for those who want the biggest. When connected with up to seven adjoining rooms, the suite can encompass over 13,000 square feet. For bookings, contact Susan Wheatley (susanwheatley@peninsula.com), director of sales & marketing.
Another option is the Roosevelt Suite at the newly refreshed The Beaumont in Mayfair, part of Preferred Hotels & Resorts. The Beaumont embodies the spirit of the grand hotels of the 1920s, but on a more intimate scale. In 2021, the hotel had a sensitive refurb led by designer Thierry Despont of all the public spaces, adding Le Magritte bar, a chic cocktail spot that draws from the nearby private equity and hedge fund offices. Over the last year the hotel has been working with Despont again to add 30 guestrooms in a new extension behind the property, and refresh the existing 50 rooms and 22 suites. Set for full completion in early 2024, we had a preview of the revamped 1,820-square-foot one-bedroom Roosevelt Suite. It has a massive terrace overlooking Brown Hart Gardens, while the interiors ooze charm with a fireplace and large living room, separate dining room for eight, and a chic marble bathroom. Good to know: The Roosevelt Suite is available for bookings starting in December and can connect with adjacent rooms for a 6,525-square-foot five-bedroom configuration. For VIPs, contact Samantha Rieu (samantha.rieu@thebeaumont.com), hotel manager.
Fun Fact: Previously, the largest suite in London was the Sterling Suite at The Langham, London, which has up to six bedrooms and comes in at 4,844 square feet. With a large living room with grand piano, art deco furnishings, a dining room that can seat up to eight, plus a private media lounge, marble fireplace, bespoke furnishings and a personal butler. While not the newest in town, certainly not a second choice by any means. Also, Lady Gaga stayed here! For bookings contact Sarah Wainwright (sarah.wainwright@langhamhotels.com), director of sales.
For the History Buff
The new Raffles London is located in what was the Old War Office building, known today as The OWO, one of the city’s foremost luxury hotels with 120 guestrooms and suites, Michelin-star restaurants and a glam spa. The building was once the stomping grounds to legends such as Sir Winston Churchill and Lord Haldane, and Ian Fleming, creator of James Bond, was a regular visitor and many scenes from the "007" movies have been filmed on location here.
What to book: The Haldane Suite at The OWO is one of the grandest, and originally was used by the Secretary of State for War. Lord Haldane first occupied the iconic space, as did Earl Kitchener, and later it became Churchill’s office during WWII. This glorious two-bedroom suite enjoys some of the best views in London directly over Whitehall, the official entrance to Buckingham Palace and Horse Guards Parade. The suite is rich in architectural detail and history with wood-paneled oak with a stunning neo-baroque plaster ceiling. Historically important fireplaces adorn each end of the sitting room, which were originally in a grand residence on Pall Mall used by the army in the 18th century. The suite is named after Lord Haldane, who reformed and modernized the pre-1914 army and was instrumental in establishing the Royal Flying Corps, and espionage institutions of MI5 and MI6. This suite is a generous 2691 square feet. For suite bookings, contact Jill O’Hare (jill.ohare@raffles.com), director of sales.
For Classic London
Timeless elegance is the only way to describe The Dorchester, and now even more so, with the complete refurb by renowned design firm Pierre-Yves Rochon that included the entire ground floor, restaurants and bars, spa and florist, and all 250 guestrooms and suites. Basically the whole property has been re-envisioned and the new guestroom interiors seamlessly blend 1930s glamour with a contemporary edge. The suites are a definite highlight with their English country garden aesthetic, cheerful colors and incredible views over Hyde Park. The Belgravia Suite, with a terrace overlooking Park Lane, is generous with 1,087 square feet and a lovely sitting room with chintz accents and a stunning yet subtle floral screen in the bedroom. Contact Mamoon Rahman (Mamoon.Rahman@dorchestercollection.com), senior sales manager.
For the Discrete Dilettante
Staying at the intimate and exclusive 31-room Twenty Two hotel in Mayfair affords guests access to the hotel’s private club that regularly sees bold faced names and celebrities. The club is a draw for a discrete dilettante, offering a range of interesting talks and experiences, from masterclasses in mixology to yoga and wellness, and access to a private restaurant and two bars with DJs and dancing Wednesday through Saturday.
What to book: The Ginkgo Suite feels grand—more than 1,000 square feet spread over two floors with peaceful views of a beautiful Ginkgo tree and beyond to Grosvenor Square. It is perfect for entertaining, with a gracious sitting room area and powder room for guests. With a large dressing room area and bathroom equipped with a Dyson hairdryer, the suite is ideal for getting ready in comfort and offers plenty of storage for purchases on nearby Bond Street. For VIPs, contact Michelle Walder (michelle@the22.london), managing director.
For the Eco-Conscious
The BoTree, part of Preferred Hotels & Resorts, brought “conscious luxury” to the Marylebone neighborhood this fall in a brand new top BREEAM-rated building with 199 guestrooms, including 30 suites. Already buzzing with restaurants and bars operated by the Tao Hospitality Group, the place radiates good energy, with lots of plants and bold colors balanced with natural materials.
What to book: The BoTree Suite, which has a private entrance on the seventh floor and a curved wall of floor-to-ceiling glass windows, plus a terrace with views towards Mayfair. A sexy mohair-covered wall mirrors the curved shape, with a matching curved sofa. No detail is overlooked: Flowers woven into the ceiling, a gold cocktail station, a dining room with a high bar table for six. The bathroom has a reflective mosaic wall, dual sinks, walk-in shower and a freestanding bath offering Marylebone Lane views; plus, there’s a dressing room with walk-in-wardrobes.
For those with an entourage, this suite is designed to interconnect with nine other rooms to form a private 3,770-square-foot oasis.
For VIP booking requests, travel advisors should contact Jeroen Suijker (jeroen@shiva.co.uk), director of sales.
For the Astute Aesthete
We love the recent refresh of suites at the 41-room COMO The Halkin, located just behind the new Peninsula London off Hyde Park Corner. COMO The Halkin is a stealth option for design lovers looking for something luxe and intimate. Pairing Italian elegance and contemporary simplicity, the Halkin’s Belgravia Suites feel larger than their 624 square feet. Originally designed by Laboratorio Associati Italy, and reimagined by Linzi Coppick of Forme UK in 2022, each features a king-size bed, spacious sitting area and sofa, large dormer windows, and high ceilings. Room No. 202 has a private balcony overlooking a quiet garden equipped with tables and chairs, perfect for escaping the bustling capital. For art lovers: The hotel has a partnership with the V&A for monthly “meet the curator COMO Conversations.” Contact Hotel Manager Alain Martzolff (alain.martzolff@comohotels.com).
For the Theatre Lover
Three hotels in the West End—London’s theater district — have suites that bring daring drama: The Londoner, The NoMad London and One Aldwych.
Opened in 2021, The Londoner, located right on Leicester Square, is a 16-story “urban resort,” designed by Yabu Pushelberg with 350 guestrooms including 35 suites, numerous restaurants, bars and a large spa and gym. The Tower Penthouse is the suite to book, with over 2,000 square feet spread over two floors with two bedrooms. The floor-to-ceiling views over the bright lights of Leicester Square are the big draw, a perfect backdrop for sipping cocktails in the suite’s private bar. Contact VP of Sales Becky Casey (becky.casey@edwardian.com).
The 91-room NoMad London is the one for opera buffs as it literally sits across the street from the historic Royal Opera House in Covent Garden. Also opened in 2021, the hotel is a reimagination of the former Bow Street Magistrates’ Court. The courtroom has been converted into a green-accented atrium restaurant that is the focal point of the property. What to book: The Royal Opera Suites, with views of the glass conservatory of the famed Royal Opera House, spacious living rooms plus large bedrooms with super king beds, marble bathrooms with walk-in shower and double vanities, across 800 square feet of space. Good to know: NoMad’s subterranean speakeasy-style bar Common Decency is a celeb haunt. For VIP bookings, contact John Sutherland (jsutherland@thenomad.com), director of sales.
The 105-room One Aldwych completed a refurb in 2020, and The Terrace Suite on the fifth floor offers rooftop and chimney views right out of Mary Poppins. We love the light, modern interior design of the two bedroom 1,185-square-foot suite by Robert Angell. Think: Curved sofas and Art Deco chairs in creams and blues. Good to know: The hotel has a VIP partnership with the famed Donmar theater for exclusive tickets and experiences. For suite bookings, reach out to General Manager Janine Marshall (janinemarshall@onealdwych.com).
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