Comfortably nestled in the heart of vivacious London, the Corinthia Hotel London is a model of splendor and style. Since its opening in 2011, the Corinthia Hotel has earned its place at the top of the list of luxury stays in London. Gorgeous architecture, above-and-beyond facilities, and an impressive relationship with Hollywood have all contributed to its resounding success.

The glorious interiors seen today are more reminiscent of the building’s original function as a prestigious hotel in 1885, and the architects were inspired by Parisian apartments. As the Hotel Métropole, it was known a social center for high society to host balls, parties, and performances. In 1936, its size and proximity to Whitehall caught the attention of the government and it became the administrative offices for the Ministry of Defence. It wasn’t until 2007 that the building was put up for sale, and by 2008, its fate as the Corinthia London became final. While the Corinthia Hotel is a paragon of class and luxury, one of its defining details is its character: as a government building, many prisoner of war escapees were organized within its walls, and it is rumored that room 801 held records of UFO sightings. Today, it offers views of iconic landmarks such as the London Eye and the River Thames.

As I walked through the lobby, I had to remember to pick my jaw off the floor! A giant dazzling chandelier caused many to pause in awe upon first glance, dazzled by 1,001 shining crystal baubles of the Full Moon. Designed by Parisian designer Chafik Asmi and produced by Baccarat, the Full Moon is the focal point of the Lobby Lounge. Not only does the lobby offer a graceful and tranquil space that contrasts with the bustling streets just outside its doors, guests can partake in everyone’s favorite British tradition: afternoon tea! Whether you’re in the mood for delicious cakes or savory snacks, you can take your pick from delightful tarts and finger sandwiches.

The Garden Lounge, a summer favorite, is the best place to gather with friends or colleagues for a bite or late-night drink. Stylishly designed by David Collins Studio, this outdoor lounge is complete with fire-places, tables, umbrellas, and a plethora of cozy seating arrangements. And it’s open all week, meaning it’s the ideal place for a brunch, a sit-down with your pick of 62 different whisky varieties, or a laid-back puff of a cigar from the Lounge’s Humidor.

You will also find nestled in the lobby, Harrods only boutique concession store. Filled with an enticing array of Harrods own products, including delicious chocolate truffles, traditional shortbread biscuits, a selection of the store’s world-renowned teas and delight bath and body products.  There’s something for everyone!

Accommodations 

There are 294 rooms at the Corinthia Hotel London, including 36 suites and 7 penthouses. Inspired by the different personalities found in London’s bustling streets, the Seven Penthouses each have a distinct style that mix classic Victorian architecture with modern luxury.  Each penthouse is set with outside terraces and indescribable views of the city. The Royal Penthouse holds the title of the largest two-bedroom luxury hotel residence in London, complete with a fire pit and in-room ESPA Life treatment room. It is truly remarkable, and it should be for $18,000/night!

I had the pleasure of staying in an Executive King room.  The massive bed has to be the most comfortable I have ever slept in, and that includes my own at home! You even have the ability to control all of the room lighting from your bedside table. The decor of the room was wonderful, right down to the smallest detail; they even put an umbrella in the wardrobe which is always handy in London! The wardrobe space (yes, I said wardrobe), is bigger than most people’s closest space at home. There are plenty of drawers, shelves, and rods for organizing your belongings. It was also nice to be able to leave our luggage in this space and out of the actual living area. The room came with a mini bar filled with snacks and beverages, and a Nespresso coffee machine.

Sliding glass doors opened up to the marble bathroom with double sinks and a fantastic shower, including a TV set in the wall to watch whilst relaxing in the bath. One of my favorite features of the bathroom was the under-floor heating.  The other was the tropical rain shower with an array of ESPA bathing products.

Dining Experience

At the Corinthia Hotel London, you have your pick of two world-class restaurants, The Northall and Massimo Restaurant & Bar, and a musically-inspired bar, The Bassoon. The Northall offers British fine-dining and an incredible wine selection while Massimo serves superb modern Italian cuisine. The Bassoon Bar, known for its musical theme and quality spirits, is also celebrated for its musical guests that play live music on any given night. This includes artists such as Lana del Ray and the Scissor Sisters!

We dined the first night at Massimo Restaurant & Bar.  Massimo’s stylish and elegant decor is breathtaking. The menu is wonderfully Italian and we happily feasted on pasta with truffle and linguini with lobster. It was fabulous!

For breakfast, The Northall offers a full a la carte menu or breakfast buffet for those in a hurry.  The dining room itself is spectacular.  You’ll find extremely tall ceilings with beautiful ornate moldings, huge vases of orchids, oversized windows all around.  But what really sets it apart is the food and the service.

Spa and Leisure Time

The ESPA Life is the perfect sanctuary to achieve that sense of tranquility you’re looking for.  It spans an impressive four floors and has multiple rooms designated to guests’ wellness. Treatments are designed for both men and women using natural products, and both modern and indigenous techniques to create a truly unique and effective spa experience. Guests can also enjoy the vitality pool and regular swimming pool, steam room, glass amphitheater sauna, and heated marble loungers. For your grooming and beauty needs, manicure and pedicure stations can be found at The Nail Studio, where guests can enjoy a glass of freshly-squeezed juice or champagne during beauty treatments. The gym at ESPA Life includes fitness equipment and trainers dedicated to building your strength and cardio, and there is even a lounge for delicious and healthy cuisine. It’s no wonder that The ESPA Life was voted ‘England’s Best Hotel Spa’ at the presitigous World Spa Awards in 2016!

From celebrities to any luxury travel lover, The Corinthia offers comfort and elegance to everyone.  From the moment you arrive, the hardworking staff are dedicated to making your stay in London a memorable one, and because of that, I cannot wait to return!

Note: I was kindly given a media rate during my stay, but as always, opinions are entirely my own!

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Pin This!