First look inside The Peninsula London

From New York to Paris, Beijing to Istanbul, The Peninsula Hotels never do things by half measure, with its properties often setting the gold standard wherever they debut. Soon, it will be London’s turn to experience ‘The Peninsula effect’, with the city’s first outpost poised to open in Belgravia early this year.

Though details have been scarce since The Peninsula London was announced in 2015, a flood of new information has now given us a tantalising first taste of what to expect – and, yes, there will be a Rolls Royce Phantom parked in the drive.

The classically-inspired hotel is right at home in the city's grand Belgravia district.

Designed by Hopkins Architects, the same team behind the striking 25 Hours Hotel Dubai, the new-build occupies a prime position at Hyde Park Corner. Wellington Arch is directly across the road, while King Charles III is practically the hotel’s neighbour, with Buckingham Palace just down the road.

A cobble-paved central forecourt will allow guests to arrive in style – and make use of the hotel’s fleet of luxury vehicles, which includes four bespoke hybrid Bentley Bentayga, an electrified 1960 vintage Austin taxi, and a painstakingly-restored 1935 Rolls Royce Phantom.

The courtyard is designed in the style of an English garden, with cascading ivy and wisteria.

Inside the classically-inspired building are 190 light-filled guest rooms and suites, each one ranging from 51-59 sqm, in addition to 25 luxury residences, multiple retail spaces and an array of decadent bars and restaurants (more on those later).

Decor will be instantly familiar to anyone who has stayed at a Peninsula in the past. Each highly-textural room is adorned in bespoke furnishings and exquisite artworks, alongside mahogany-panelled dressing rooms and spacious honey onyx bathrooms.

Rooms feature a subtle palette of cream and mahogany, accented by gold detailing.

Four signature suites elevate the grandeur even further, adding in sweeping private balconies and terraces, while The Peninsula Suite – the hotel’s most exclusive offering – is also home to a private screening room and fitness centre.

If that suite isn’t large enough for your needs, it can also be combined with six other rooms to create a 1,490 sqm apartment-like residence – making it one of the largest hotel rooms in London.

Bathrooms are adorned in beautiful honey onyx marble.

Overseen by Michelin-starred chef Claude Bosi, the hotel’s rooftop restaurant, Brooklands, will plate up contemporary European cuisine surrounded by British aviation and motorsport memorabilia. The star piece? A scale model of the Concorde soaring above diner’s heads on the outdoor terrace.

In addition, there’s also an automotive-themed bar which incorporates racing memorabilia and a rotating display of original classic race cars, along with a cigar tasting lounge with a walk-in humidor.

The Peninsula London occupies a stellar location on Hyde Park Corner.

Down on the ground floor, Canton Blue Chinese restaurant will “celebrate the spice-trade union of Asian and British cultures” with menus of creative dishes by Chef Dicky To, along with cocktails and artisanal teas.

Speaking of tea. As with every Peninsula Hotel, a signature afternoon tea will be served in The Lobby restaurant, together with all-day dishes and live music throughout the day.

Those looking to stay fit on their travels will be drawn to the dramatically-lit 25-metre indoor swimming pool and modern fitness centre, while travellers in need for some rest and relaxation can enjoy massages, body treatments and balancing rituals in The Peninsula Spa.

The ground floor will feature multiple retail and dining outlets.

Though an opening date is yet to be announced, The Peninsula London won’t be the only hotel from the group opening this year, with The Peninsula Istanbul – spanning four buildings on the Bosphorus – throwing open its gilded doors on Valentine’s Day.