Very little beats Regent’s Park at sunset. Or sunrise. Or any other time for that matter.
This sumptuous central London park - one of the city's ‘Royal Parks’ - spans nearly 400 acres and is surrounded by some of the most desirable areas of England’s capital, where nature replenishes, culture reigns, and luxury is everywhere. No wonder so many visitors flock here when visiting London, and no wonder the locality - St John’s Wood to the west, Primrose Hill and Camden to the north and east, and Marylebone to the south - is blessed with outstanding hotels. Here is our pick of the best within reach of Regent’s Park.
DORSET SQUARE HOTEL
Oozing with character, Dorset Square Hotel is a delightful boutique hotel amid the grander behemoths of Marylebone. This beautiful Regency townhouse is perfectly located in a peaceful residential area and has 38 individually designed bedrooms and suites, many of which look out over the private garden of Dorset Square (which was originally the site of Thomas Lord's first ever ground; so, in effect, it was the precursor to the legendary Lord's). The hotel has been refurbished in the eclectic and bold signature style of celebrated English interior designer Kit Kemp, characterised by unique artworks and decadent furnishings. The Potting Shed - the hotel's restaurant - serves modern British cuisine in a stylish setting, and hotel staff are known for their keen attention to detail. Regent’s Park - along with Madame Tussauds and the Sherlock Holmes Museum (Baker Street) - are nearby attractions.
THE LANDMARK
Originally opened in 1899 as The Great Central Hotel, The Landmark was a leading light in the railway hotel boom of the age. Designed by one of the foremost architects of the day, Robert William Edis, it is now a primary example of Victorian Gothic architecture. While it is steeped in historic charm, The Landmark is also ultra-modern and dripping with comfort: it underwent extensive renovations in the 1990s, and has been evolving ever since to become an oasis of serenity and indulgence. The Winter Garden is one of the most iconic features - an eight-story glass-roofed atrium flooded with natural light and filled with palm trees. The Landmark proudly points out that it has been “perfecting and refining the art of traditional Afternoon Tea for over a century”. It’s a big hotel, but quality is never compromised: there are 300 spacious, eye-catching rooms and suites, and in addition to the Winter Garden restaurant, the hotel has other dining options, including The Mirror Bar and The Garden Terrace. The elegant and imposing Grand Ballroom can also accommodate 750 guests, and there is a spa and wellness centre with a 15-metre swimming pool, a brilliantly equipped gym, and multiple relaxation rooms.
THE LANGHAM
A leisurely five-minute walk south of Regent’s Park tube station will lead you to a couple of iconic London landmarks: New Broadcasting House, home of the BBC [the British Broadcasting Corporation], and The Langham Hotel. Synonymous with exceptional service, it’s a long-celebrated classic: it opened way back in 1865, billed as Europe's first “Grand Hotel”, a reputation it has worked exceptionally hard to maintain to this day. Rooms and Suites blend traditional touches with contemporary style - marble bathrooms with high-tech entertainment systems, as an example. The height of luxury is reserved for guests staying in ‘club’ rooms and suites: they gain access to The Langham Club, which offers personalised services such as private check-in, complimentary breakfast, afternoon tea, and evening cocktails. The Langham’s ‘Artesian’ bar is always buzzing with life and characters - it’s been awarded “World’s Best Bar” multiple times, and seems to capture London nightlife at its chicest. For dining, Chez Roux is superb: much-celebrated ‘celebrity’ chef Michel Roux and his team conjure up the finest British cuisine, inspired by Michel’s early years growing up in rural Kent in the 1960s. Should you wish to venture beyond the comforting confines of the hotel and all its delights, the hustle and bustle of Regent Street - something of a shopper’s paradise - is right on the doorstep.
THE MARYLEBONE
The Marylebone Suite at the Marylebone Hotel is one of the best places to stay anywhere in the capital: an ultra-luxurious private space with expansive views of the famous London skyline, along with your own terrace and a spacious, elegantly designed living area. This wonderfully contemporary hotel is right in the heart of the Marylebone neighbourhood, and mere minutes from the vast green haven of Regent’s Park. The Marylebone has got it all: just the right amount of cutting-edge design (but not overkill), modern amenities galore, a prime location, and amazing options for dining and relaxation. For the latter, The Third Space sets standards when it comes to wellbeing: it’s a state-of-the-art health club connected to the hotel with a fully equipped gym, an 18-metre swimming pool, a sauna, steam room, and expert PT sessions and spa treatments. When it comes to food, 108 Brasserie boasts a gorgeous menu - modern British cuisine with a real focus on fresh, seasonal ingredients - and 108 Pantry, adjacent to the brasserie, is a more casual space for afternoon tea, light bites, and healthy options. For drinks, The Cocktail Bar is sophisticated: perfect for pre-dinner conversation or an evening out.
ST PANCRAS RENAISSANCE
While not quite on the doorstep of Regent’s Park, the stunning St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel is well worth going the extra mile for - literally and metaphorically. What’s more, this five-star beauty is located in one of London's most iconic buildings. Because it’s part of London’s deeply historic St. Pancras International railway station, the location is both highly convenient and completely spectacular: step on a Eurostar train within minutes of leaving the hotel, and you can be in Paris in two hours. The St. Pancras Renaissance, however, will be a hard place to depart from: after being closed for many years, the building underwent a major restoration and reopened as the hotel in 2011. It now offers 245 rooms and suites, with The Chambers Suites, located in the original building, delivering the ultimate in luxury: period details everywhere you look, super-high ceilings, and access to exclusive services such as your very own personal butler. Out of many unique features around the vast hotel, the Grand Staircase is perhaps the most iconic of all: this exquisite masterpiece of Victorian design has been used for numerous scenes in a host of popular feature films, and is a well-trodden hotspot for amateur photographs and selfies. For splendid fine dining, celebrity chef Marcus Wareing is at the helm of The Gilbert Scott.
If you can’t live near Regent’s Park - one of London’s most desirable and prestigious areas - then somewhere between a flying visit and an extended stay should satisfy your cravings. And with an excellent range of hotels in the area - all of them masters of elegance and luxury - return visits might well be on the cards.
