InterContinental London Park Lane
Located in one of the busiest and most central areas of the city, on the corner of Piccadilly and Park Lane overlooking Hyde Park and Green Park, The InterContinental London Park Lane has completed a multi-million-pound makeover that has transformed it into a sleek and stylish enclave that will appeal to leisure and business travelers.
The new lobby is hung with delicate chandeliers and smattering of modern art. The scaled down reception area is on the small side for a hotel of this size, but the rambling public areas help to absorb crowds at peak times.
The neighboring lounge and bar beckon loiterers at all times of the night and day. They are decorated in stylish custom contemporary appointments in soothing earth tones and begin the day hosting those who prefer an informal setting for breakfast. A light menu is offered throughout the day, but its real purpose is after dark when revelers lounge under stylishly dim designer lighting. This is the real social center of the hotel. The selection of cocktails is excellent and the lounge hosts a lively tea in the afternoon.
Dining is varied in two venues that come with credentials. The Cookbook Cafe is off the lobby and overlooks Park Lane. It offers all-day dining, with a la carte and buffet options, and the standard of service is excellent. Apart from being adorned with herbs instead of flowers, the restaurant's other novel element is the launch of celebrity-chef books. A huge selection of celebrity cookbooks is for sale to give customers the inside story of specific cuisines. More notable is chef Theo Randell's Italian-inspired restaurant, also off the lobby. It offers creative takes on traditional Italian dishes. Its decor is updated too, featuring an ultra-contemporary atmosphere with an illuminated glass bar and a window showing the kitchen. The chairs are large and comfortable, and the restaurant is swathed in glass, dark wood and a leather floor. Part of the restaurant can be screened off for private dining.
Guests can use the Elemis May Fair spa off-site, but there is no charge for use of the small gym inside the hotel. There is no pool or whirlpool.
There is a small discreet shop selling handmade chocolates and cigarettes (smoking is no longer permitted in the hotel.) A florist service is also available on-site.
The hotel provides a comprehensive business center, which is staffed 9 am to 5 pm, although computers and general facilities are accessible round-the-clock. Mobile phones are available for rent.
New security measures include 24-hour security staff and external and internal CCTV monitoring, and all downstairs windows are bomb-proof. Elevators go to all floors, and the hallways are spacious and well-lit.
Unlike the public areas, the room decor is more English traditional than the contemporary, but the amenities are up-to-the-minute, offering built-in flat-screen Bang and Olufsen TVs, Bose CD players and comfortable armchairs. MP3 players are missing, but rooms have wired and wireless Internet access for a fee. Rooms also provide ample closet space, minibars, safes, coffeemakers and umbrellas. The beds are fabulous cloudlike refuges with piles of pillows. Irons and ironing boards are available on request. The best views are from the Royal Park Executive rooms, which face west over Hyde Park. Baths are average size, with most boasting shower-tub combinations. These revamped marble chambers have added wood and chrome accents and Elemis toiletries and robes.
The Club-level rooms enjoy access to the seventh-floor lounge, where one finds all of the expected perks, as well as great views over looking Piccadilly.
Pets are not allowed, although guide dogs are welcome.
Room service is round-the-clock, the staffers are multilingual, and the concierge staff is very knowledgeable about getting the most out of a London visit.
InterContinental London Park Lane is a member of exclusive Virtuoso travel network. Book online or contact our Virtuoso Travel Advisor [email protected] for more details.
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