FX Excursions

FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.

The Lanesborough London

Dec 1, 2012
2012 / December 2012

Arrival/Check-In: As soon as I walked through the Lanesborough’s stately entrance at Hyde Park Corner, I knew I was in for an exceptional hotel experience. I arrived a bit early and my room was not quite ready, so reception took my information and I was ushered into the Withdrawing Room and offered tea and a snack. My Buckingham Suite was soon ready, and check-in was efficient and speedy. I was enjoying myself so much in the Withdrawing Room with its classic Regency great house décor, I did not mind the delay for a second.

Guest Quarters: My fifth-floor suite was beautifully furnished with what could pass for antiques but were very good reproductions in the Regency style. It had the feel of an apartment rather than your garden-variety hotel suite. Along with the dining table and chairs, the sofa and two overstuffed chairs and a flat-screen TV was a large, high-tech workstation masquerading as an antique desk. It included a Sony Vaio laptop, a fax machine, an EOS iPod docking station and, best of all, a selection of international outlets including one for American gadgets. There was no need to use my adapters.

The bedroom included a queen-sized bed and a bedside control panel for adjusting the temperature and lights and calling the butler. The bedroom also included a roomy wardrobe, an easy chair and a vanity plus a TV in a desk-like piece that also housed the minibar. The bathroom included two vanities, a tub with a Jacuzzi and a separate shower with a large rain showerhead. All the windows were triple-glazed, which made for a quiet environment and allowed a good sleep.

Services/Amenities: All guestrooms and suites in the Lanesborough include 24-hour butler service. And a nice touch: The Lanesborough provides each guest with personalized Lanesborough stationery and personalized Lanesborough business cards.

The hotel’s restaurant, Apsley, was created by Heinz Beck and has a Michelin star. I had dinner there with a colleague, and I can say without exaggeration it was one of the best meals either one of us had — truly superb. The hotel’s bar is the Library Bar, which as its name suggests is a library complete with fireplace. This is where one can try the cognac bottled in the 1770s for £4,000 per shot. The Garden Room is a cigar bar, albeit an extremely elegant one. It’s more like a men’s club, which is known for its Cuban cigars, some of which are pre-Castro; so you can sip your 1770s cognac while you smoke a cigar from before the Cuban Revolution. I doubt there are many places that can make that boast.

The Experience: The Lanesborough is opposite Hyde Park Corner and Constitution Hill, and its neighbors are Apsley House and Buckingham Palace, so you cannot find a more prestigious location in London. Although the hotel is one of a kind concerning the building itself, it is the staff that made my stay so memorable. They are all friendly and efficient and quick with a greeting and help. It is a quintessentially English experience. You feel as though you are staying in a stately home rather than a hotel. I will recommend the Lanesborough to my friends and would happily stay here again.

GT Checklist

  • Doorman/valet
  • Less than 10 minutes for check-in
  • Separate tub/shower
  • Large vanity
  • High-quality towels
  • Powerful, unattached hair dryer
  • High-quality bed linens
  • Large, flat-screen TV
  • Large desk with convenient outlets
  • Large, complimentary laptop safe
  • Complimentary in-room WiFi
  • Complimentary bottled water
  • Stocked minibar
  • Ample lighting
  • In-room coffeemaker
  • On-site restaurant and bar
  • 24-hour room service
  • State-of-the-art fitness center

The Lanesborough London

Hyde Park Corner
London, SW1X 7TA
United Kingdom
tel 44 20 7259 5599
lanesborough.com

Introducing

FX Excursions

FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.

Explore Excursions

#globility

Insta Feed
March 2025
Mar 15, 2025

Norwegian Debuts Late Disembarkation Option

Norwegian Cruise Line just launched a new late check-out service on select ships and European sailings, allowing passengers to remain on board the ship until 12:30–1 p.m. to enjoy a few more hours of relaxation, lunch and other amenities before going home. The new service still requires passengers to check out of their staterooms by 8:30 a.m., but guests can now store their luggage at the cruise terminal for the remaining hours.

Madrid: The Charm of an Authentic City

They say Madrid is in vogue for many reasons: its lifestyle, its heritage, its cuisine and all of its new attractions. And it’s true, because Madrid is on the radar of travelers looking for a cutting-edge destination that still holds onto its essence. Join us as we explore its charms.

Daily
Mar 14, 2025

Glamorous Flamingo Las Vegas Gets Pool Makeover

Chances are you already know the name, but what you may not have heard about the iconic Flamingo Hotel in Las Vegas is the celebrated pool is undergoing a $20 million transformation of its GO Pool.

Airlines
Mar 14, 2025

Don’t Miss Out on All Nippon Airways’ Sweepstakes to Explore Japan

All Nippon Airways, Japan’s largest 5-star airline, launched a contest to give travelers a chance to win a trip to go beyond Tokyo and experience Japan’s under-the-radar destinations. One winner will receive two round-trip economy-class tickets from a U.S. ANA gateway city to a unique destination within ANA’s extensive domestic network, such as Komatsu (KMQ), Odate (ONJ), Okinawa (OKA), Oita (OIT), Sapporo (CTS) and Tottori (TTJ).

Royal Air Maroc Marks Five Years with oneworld: Strengthening Connectivity Between USA and Africa and Expanding Global Reach

Royal Air Maroc proudly enters its fifth year as a member of the prestigious oneworld alliance. Since joining in April 2020, RAM has demonstrated resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic, emerging as a dynamic airline that enhanced its digital services and expanded its network. The airline plans to grow its fleet to 200 aircraft by 2037, reinforcing its global presence.

Daily
Mar 14, 2025

Hotel Zeppelin Launches Dead-icated Stay in Honor of Grateful Dead’s 60th Anniversary

Hotel Zeppelin in San Francisco is celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Grateful Dead with an exclusive Dead-icated Stay offer. Hotel Zeppelin is all about celebrating its city’s countercultural tradition, and this offer helps them honor the band’s legacy and its roots in the Bay Area.

eFlyer News
Mar 12, 2025

Air India Partners with Lufthansa Group, Virgin Australia

India’s leading global airline recently announced its expansion of codeshare partnerships with both Lufthansa Group and Virgin Australia. Through these new partnerships, travelers can enjoy access to more than 100 routes combined across the Indian subcontinent, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and the Americas.

A Summer Sojourn Along Europe’s Rivers with AmaWaterways

This summer, elevate your vacation experience with award-winning AmaWaterways. Offering a seamless blend of unparalleled luxury, authentic cultural experiences and unrivaled service, AmaWaterways cruises are the perfect way to uncover the heart of Europe during the sunniest season with itineraries that glide along the continent’s most iconic rivers, including the Danube, the Rhine, the Seine and the Douro.

eFlyer News
Mar 12, 2025

SH Hotels & Resorts Rebrands to Starwood Hotels

SH Hotels & Resorts, parent company of 1 Hotels, Baccarat Hotels and Treehouse Hotels, celebrates its 10th anniversary by officially rebranding as Starwood Hotels, reviving the iconic brand created by Barry Sternlicht nearly 30 years ago.