From incredible interiors, to modern spas and fresh from the oven scones served over exquisite Afternoon Tea, we have found 6 hotels that are sure to leave your Mum feeling a million dollars this Mother’s Day.
We asked Suze from The Luxury Columnist for her take on the most luxurious hotels in London.
The recently opened Mondrian London is perfect for those who like modern design. Part of the Morgans group, it occupies a prime spot overlooking the river Thames in the former Sea Containers House. The entire hotel has a maritime feel, with a huge copper check-in desk, a wall mimicking the hull of a ship and a submarine hanging from the ceiling of the restaurant.
Famous British designer Tom Dixon created the interiors with his team and attention has really been paid to every detail. Make sure to check out The Rumpus Room, a fantastic rooftop bar and outdoor terrace.
Quintessentially British, St James’s Hotel and Club occupies a wonderful location, tucked away on a quiet street right next to Green Park. It’s a luxurious private member’s club and hotel with 60 rooms and suites, and has seen its fair share of celebrities and diplomats. Sir Winston Churchill visited the Club frequently during the 1930s and it was briefly the home of Ian Fleming, the creator of James Bond, during the Second World War.
We had an amazing lunch at Michelin starred William Drabble at Seven Park Place, the hotel’s comfy restaurant. All around the hotel there are stunning artworks on display – make sure to check out the two mysterious portraits of twin brothers in the hallway (though some say it’s the same man painted twice).The staff are so friendly and this place is such a hidden gem that you may never want to leave.
If you prefer your hotels to have an air of mystery, with secret rooms and alcoves just waiting to be discovered, then this is the perfect hotel for you and your mum. Batty Langleys takes its name from an influential Georgian designer and architect, with many of the interiors inspired from Batty’s handbooks. It feels like a private member’s club – guests must ring a doorbell to gain entry, after which they are greeted to a hotel filled with antique furniture and a lush interior.
One of the hotel’s luxurious suites even has a secret bathroom – found hidden behind a bookshelf – this little oasis provides the ideal retreat for any tired tourists in need of some TLC. Whilst there are still mod cons such as flatscreen TVs, they’re just carefully disguised behind ornate bespoke cabinets. Three of the suites also have rooftop terraces with fantastic views over nearby Spitalfields.
The Beaumount’s opening in 2014 was one of the most hotly-anticipated hotel launches for years. Handily located a stone’s throw from Oxford Street, it’s the first hotel from renowned restaurateurs Corbin & King, the men behind The Wolseley and The Delaunay. Featuring an Art Deco vibe with some modern touches thrown into the mix, The Beaumont boasts a stunning restaurant, the Colony Grill Room, together with a glamorous American bar.
There’s also a giant artwork figure incorporated into the façade, created by Turner prize winning sculptor Anthony Gormley. You can actually sleep inside this sculpture, named ROOM – it’s surprisingly spacious inside and beautifully decorated with oak and marble.
One of my favourite London hotels is the Corinthia London, the group’s flagship property. A perfect place to enjoy a spa weekend with your mum or a fantastic meal in the hotel’s renowned restaurant. Dating from 1885 and formerly used as government offices, it has been sympathetically restored to retain and enhance its original features. The lobby has the most amazing Baccarat crystal sculpture with a single red heart at the centre.
The Musician’s Penthouse definitely has the wow factor – spread over two floors, the suite boasts a Steinway piano in the lounge and a panoramic roof terrace with views of the London Eye, the Thames and St Paul’s Cathedral. All guestrooms are 45 square metres on average, and the impressive ESPA Life spa covers four floors.
The Rosewood London is located in a beautiful Edwardian building on High Holborn. The Grade II façade houses 262 comfortable rooms and 44 suites. Arriving at the hotel, you’ll notice quirky flourishes, like a bike propped outside, as well as a regular Slow Food and Living Market in the courtyard at weekends.
The design successfully marries the old with the new, featuring impressive interiors designed by Tony Chi. My husband surprised me with a visit here on Valentine’s Day for their rose-themed afternoon tea and it was a real delight! If you’re a whiskey fan you’ll enjoy the 200 single malt whiskeys on offer in the clubby ambiance of Scarfes Bar.