Sheraton Grand London Park Lane remains a Jazz Age icon

Located opposite Green Park, a few minutes from Buckingham Palace and just down the road from Hyde Park, Harrods and the many other luxury boutiques, bars and restaurants of Mayfair, it’s tricky to find a London hotel with a more prestigious location than Sheraton Grand London Park Lane.  

 

Covent Garden, Piccadilly Circus and the British capital’s most famous theatres are just some of the many major attractions within walking distance, while King’s Cross St. Pancras train station (offering links to all London airports) is just 20 minutes by tube.  

 

History and heritage

 

Opened in 1927, almost a century ago and at the height of the ‘Roaring Twenties’, every inch of the hotel is rich in beautifully preserved Art Deco touches.

 

While the stone pillared facade feels very quintessential old-school British, the domed, stained glass-ceilinged Palm Court lobby lounge is widely regarded to be one of London’s finest surviving examples of Jazz Age architecture. 

 

Instantly impressing from the moment you walk through the retro revolving doors, everything from The Great Gatsby-themed afternoon teas (served in honour of the current musical at the London Coliseum) to the peacock feather-covered bathrooms and elegant dark-wood Sheraton Club Lounge is filled with nostalgia and romance. 

 

Rooms and Suites

 

Renovated in 2016, the 305 refined, old English-style rooms have been carefully updated in a way that preserves their history and authenticity, but still includes modern touches such as air conditioning and flat screen TVs.

 

The Art Deco Family Suite caters to those with young children, while furry guests weighing up to 25kg can also enjoy special packages that include a dog bed, bowl and even a complimentary ‘dogtail’ refreshment at the bar.

 

Summer rates range from roughly £260 a night for the 21 sqm Deluxe Queen Room, up to £2,000 for the ultra-luxurious, 95 sqm Grand Suite with separate living and dining areas, study, and views over Green Park. It’s not hard to see why the hotel has a reputation for attracting dignitaries, celebrities and royals.  

 

A well-equipped fitness suite is found on the basement level, while the lounge highlights include complimentary afternoon tea (including English scones, jam and cream) and pre-dinner cocktails.

 

Local Area 

 

Located in the dark blue squares of the Monopoly board, the Sheraton Grand Park Lane rub shoulders with many of London’s most glamorous hotels. The Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane, London Hilton on Park Lane, and the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park are just some of its local competitors, while the 1906-founded The Ritz London (famed for its legendary afternoon teas) is found just a leisurely seven-minute walk away.  

 

Buckingham Palace’s Changing of the Guard ceremony can be witnessed practically right outside the front door, and guests can also experience the best of British nature and wildlife at the equally close by St. James Park. Home to surreal flocks of pelicans (allegedly introduced to the park in 1664 after they were gifted to the royals by the Russian Ambassador), it’s a fabulous place for a stroll and an ice cream on one of the kitsch striped deck chairs.  

 

Dining  

 

Offering a refreshing change to the sprawling all-day-dining restaurants of the Gulf region, the breakfast buffet at Mercante manages to be an intimate affair, offering all the best morning specialties without being overly excessive. Also open for lunch and dinner with an Italian menu, Smith & Whistle then provides a lively evening setting with trendy bar bites, creative cocktails and a small terrace overlooking the bustling pavements of Mayfair.  

 

Meetings and Events   

 

Along with having an exclusive postcode adds instant prestige to any event, the hotel’s five impressive meeting rooms and venues include a Grade II listed, three-level ballroom, and the decadent panelled Oak Room, completed with a 13th-century carved ceiling.

 

A popular venue for high society weddings, anniversaries, product launches and business conferences, the event spaces cover a total of 919 sqm, with the largest space holding up to 760 people.

 

By Harriet Shephard