Review of The Lanesborough, Oetker Collection 5*

London can boast around 100 5-star hotels, of these, a dozen or so including The Dorchester, The Savoy, The Ritz, Claridge’s and The Lanesborough fall into the category of ‘Grande Dame’ hotel. Nowhere other than perhaps Paris does ‘Grand Dame’ as well as London. Deciding which of them is best really comes down to personal taste; they are all first-rate hotels and people will have their personal favourites for a variety of reasons. Mine is the 93 room Lanesborough. The second Viscount Lanesborough built Lanesborough House in 1719 in what was then open countryside to the west of London. In 1733 the building was rented to a group of hospital governors who noted that the clean fresh air of Knightsbridge would benefit their patients. Built on the same site, the current building dates back to 1827 and was designed by architect William Wilkins, who also designed the National Gallery. It remained St George's Hospital until the 1980s. The original 19th century deal stipulated that the owner’s family could buy back the property at the original price should it ever cease to be a hospital, thus allowing the the sixth Duke of Westminster to buy it back for just £6, 000. Opened as a hotel in 1991, The Lanesborough hasn’t been around as long as many of the Grand Dames and perhaps because of this, while being every bit as luxurious, seems more welcoming than some of the others. Guests and staff all become part of the ‘Lanesborough family’ and staying there really can feel like visiting old friends in their very grand London residence; friends that just happen to be the best hosts in town, friends that helped write the book on legendary customer service, friends that can call on the culinary skills of a three Michelin-starred Chef Patron and the contents of one of the world’s best wine cellars. Following a recent refit, the hotel is now part of the wonderful Oetker Collection. Food, wine, cocktails, service, accommodation are all exquisite, the whole experience is flawless. Once you have visited a few times, don’t be surprised if you are greeted on arrival with the simple phrase “welcome home”.