The Modern Family visits the Royal Lancaster Hotel

Fabulous Views

In one of life’s weird juxtapositions, I’m enjoying a quiet moment. Just an hour earlier we were fighting the Oxford Street crowds, enjoying every minute of the pre-Christmas hustle and bustle. But now I’m high on the 15th floor of the 5* Royal Lancaster London Hotel, ensconced in a suite with sweeping views over Hyde Park and Marble Arch.  I’m here on a press stay checking out what the hotel has to offer. My husband is stretched out on one of the sofas reading a Times newspaper and I’m doing “research” for this article, a glass of Syrah in hand. Our teens have gone back out into the crowds to check out Carnaby Street. Apparently there’s a Bohemian Rhapsody display.

We’re in a Spires Suite, known for the sweeping views of London and the 10 Spires you can spot in the horizon.  It’s like a game of “I Spy”. I’ve only actually managed to spot 7 of them, but TBH I haven’t been trying too hard. My time has been taken up figuring out the best Thai restaurant for dinner.

Newly rennovated

Our suite is in a corner of the hotel. Because it is so high up, the cars and iconic red buses below look like children’s toys. It’s late afternoon and the people rushing around below look like ants.

The girls room is next door, in a connecting Studio Suite. The have loads of space for all their things and most importantly to go through their Oxford Street shopping hauls!

The Royal Lancaster Hotel opened in 1968 and was designed by Richard Siefert (1910 – 2001) whose stark, sleek designs can be spotted throughout London. Siefert designed more London buildings than Sir Christopher Wren!

The hotel has just undergone a £85 million renovation and has a fresh, luxurious feel. Its 60s heritage is incorporated in clever ways. In our room there is a cute paper mache dog covered in Beano comics and a miniature red Mini (the Italian Job was filmed here). There are also lots of the Finnish Toikka glass birds, as a reminder that Hyde Park is just across the road.

Convenient location

The Royal Lancaster London is just a 6-minute walk from Paddington Station. I have passed by this hotel several times (on the way to Lancaster Gate station to catch the Central Line) and also been to work conferences here. I had no idea that above were luxury hotel rooms with top views over London’s famous skyline!

A short stroll West is Notting Hill/Holland Park. Go East and you hit Marble Arch/Oxford Street/Marylebone. Venture South through Hyde Park to Kensington/Knightsbridge. The hotel makes a great base to discover West London, with a major train station and several tube connections within minutes.

The Rooms

But more about our room and our panoramic views over London.  The views are wonderful during the day, but even more spectacular at night!  Our room is bright, partly because of all the windows but also due to the light wood decor and sunny yellow soft furnishings.  The views are really the big feature of the Royal Lancaster and they’ve made the most of it with windows integrated in the design.

Our room had a very comfortable king-sized bed with quality linens, the type that feel really nice against your feet. There’s a marble bathroom with a large bath and walk in shower with both a hand-held and rain shower head and full-sized White Company amenities. I love the jasmine, rose and neroli – it’s one of my favourites. I also made full use of the Nespresso Machine and the luxury Island Bakery biscuits (the tangy Lemon Melts are my favourite).

To my husband’s delight, through the suite there is lots of quality reading materials including London Guide Books, PJ Wodehouse, Dickens’ Great Expectations, Eccentric Homes, and Bedtime Stories. Obviously it’s been well thought out – there is something for everyone.

Best Thai Restaurant

It turns out the best Thai restaurant in the area is right in the hotel! Nipa Thai is known as one of the best traditional Thai restaurants outside of Bangkok and was awarded the Thai Select Award from the Thai Government. The all-women kitchen is led by Head Chef Sanguan Parr who has been with the restaurant for 20 years. Like the rest of the hotel, Nipa Thai has fabulous views over Hyde Park and it really feels special when you walk in. It also smells really good – like fresh lemongrass. We really liked the restaurant. There’s a good menu and it’s not over priced (by London standards). I’m definitely coming back.

Breakfast at the Park Restaurant

Breakfast is always a favourite part of any stay for us. It can really make your stay. Ours was served in the Park Restaurant which is all windows and looks onto Hyde Park. It was a step up from the usual breakfast buffet with lemon polenta cake, fresh fruit including lots and lots of berries, lemon Madeleine’s, home-made granola bars, parma and honey roast ham, kimchi, fig compote, and a selection of salads including a super food salad and winter salad with roast acorn squash. There was also a chef’s selection of breads. I don’t usually mention bread, but there was a truly amazing soft, slightly chewy bread with poppy seeds that was I really liked. You could also order a la carte breakfast items. We had to wait a while to get the order (and I had to remind them), but it came cooked to perfection. We picked crispy waffles with maple syrup and fresh berries, a full English with Lincolnshire sausage, smoked back bacon, Strornaway black pudding and a poached organic egg, buckwheat and avocado bowl.

I love all the tie ins with the local area. Kids get their Paddington Bear with their stay, which they get to take home. There are also other amenities for children including kid-sized robes and slippers, kids afternoon tea menu at Island Grill, kids toiletries and everything you need for a baby (high chairs, bottle warmers and sterilisers, baby bath tubs). Just ask!

Classic Double rooms at the Royal Lancaster London are 20 square meters and priced from £259 per night. 

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IF YOU GO

Royal Lancaster London Lancaster Terrace, London W2 2TY +44 020 7551 6000 https://www.royallancaster.com

Disclosure: Our stay was complimentary for the purpose of this review. All opinions are my own.