Artist Residence London. Credit: Artist Residence London
When the occasion calls for extra special accommodations in London, look no further than this collection of some of the largest, highest and downright decadent spots in the city. Home suite home, indeed.
The Berkeley: Grand Pavilion Suite
Occupying roughly 2,300 square feet of rooftop space at this stylish Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star Belgravia stay, this is one of London’s largest (and newest) hotel suites.
The other charm of the contemporary Grand Pavilion Suite is the seamless way the outside melds with the interior, with glass walls on three sides, sliding away to reveal a private terrace, a particularly romantic spot at night when the fire pit is alight.
The two-bedroom suite, created by heralded interior designer Andre Fu, also comes with his-and-hers walk-in closets (complete with Burberry trench coats to use during your stay), bespoke welcome and departure gifts, complimentary airport transfers and the opportunity to book celebrity chef Marcus Wareing to prepare a restaurant-quality meal to enjoy at the eight-seater dining table.
Shangri-La Hotel, At The Shard, London. Credit: Shangri-La Hotel
Shangri-La Hotel, At The Shard, London: Shangri-La Suite
Inhabiting level 39 of the striking London Shard, the Shangri-La Suite is the city’s highest luxury accommodation. Accessed via a private lift in the towering Four-Star hotel, the space is a sumptuous display of silk wallpaper and custom-made furniture in neutral tones. You’ll enjoy 180-degree views through its enormous windows.
Among the other unique highlights in this room is the signature Shangri-La Bed, featuring patented body-contouring technology and incredibly soft 1,000-thread-count Frette linens.
On the tech front, there are integrated televisions in the bathroom, an iPad with augmented reality, a Bose SoundDock and a 55-inch LED TV.
Among the amenities, you’ll find a Chinese tea set, a cocktail-making kit, a well-equipped pantry and a telescope to navigate the sights in more detail. Should you require anything else, you have a 24-hour private butler and a chauffeur at your service.
The London Edition: Penthouse
The pièce de résistance of this Forbes Travel Guide Recommended hotel’s Penthouse is the landscaped terrace that wraps around it, providing a 360-degree view of Soho, Oxford Street and Fitzrovia.
Inside, the 2,098-square-foot abode channels its seafaring side with floor-to-ceiling walnut wood paneling, akin to the interior of a super yacht. A separate living and dining area, a walk-in closet, and a spacious master bathroom with an enclosed rainforest shower and a soaking tub stocked with Le Labo amenities complete the scene.
Budding mixologists will enjoy the complimentary H.O.T.E.L (Hendrick’s Ocular Tool for Extraordinary Libations), which is a fun twist on a traditional minibar experience. It provides the ingredients, tools and video tutorials to whip up Hendrick’s-fueled Inspector Gimlet and Caught by the Fizz cocktails.
Other treats for Penthouse guests include a fresh fruit platter, cheese plate, and coffee and tea station laid out in your very own private pantry.
Hotel 41. Credit: Hotel 41
Hotel 41: Conservatory Suite
If it’s a night beneath the stars you’re after, then a stay in the Conservatory Suite at this Five-Star boutique property is just the ticket. Featuring a vaulted glass ceiling above the bed, this unique accommodation beckons you to count the twinkling lights to your heart’s delight. But if you prefer darkness when you sleep, simply close the electric blinds with the push of a button when you’re ready to drift off.
The split-level suite, which overlooks the Buckingham Palace Royal Mews, also delivers luxury in the form of a double Jacuzzi bath, a second bathroom, a dining area and a handcrafted king-size Savoir bed.
To make your stay even more memorable, book the A Night Under the Stars offer and take advantage of a telescope for a closer look at the sky, a personalized “Name a Star” certificate, an astronomy book, a flight of champagne to sip while you stargaze and unlimited access to Plunder the Pantry, the hotel’s 24-hour snack and honor bar.
Artist Residence London: Grand Suite
What began as a savvy way of decorating a hotel on a tight budget — Artist Residence had a call for artists to contribute in exchange for board — has evolved into a charming quartet of U.K. outposts, each brimming with personality and Instagrammable design touches. The London location’s Grand Suite is particularly special, and a homely alternative to some of the city’s more over-the-top offerings.
Dotted on and around the space’s rich pine parquet floors, exposed brick walls and ornate plasterwork is an eclectic mix of antique furniture, a polished cast-iron freestanding tub, Harris Tweed fabrics and limited-edition artwork.
Other tony touches come in the form of a four-poster super-king size bed, walk-in rainfall shower, a mini-fridge stocked with local products and a generous selection of tea and coffee — everything you need for your city-center pied-à-terre.
The Ned. Credit: The Ned
The Ned: Lutyens Suite
With nine restaurants, five beauty and grooming spaces, 252 guest rooms, a members’ club and meeting spaces, The Ned sounds more like a resort than a hotel. Formerly a bank, this historic Grade-I listed behemoth, owned by Soho House & Co, retains original details from the 100-year-old design roots of architect Sir Edwin “Ned” Lutyens, after whom the hotel takes its name.
The top-category Lutyens Suite on the seventh floor is an opulent showcase of rich fabrics and facilities. There are two bedrooms (one with a roll-top bath, the other with a rainfall shower), a spacious lounge dominated by an eight-seater green velvet couch made for sinking into with a good book, plus a bar and dining area. We particularly like the fact that there’s private access to the rooftop, where a pool, bar and restaurant reside.
