Corinthia Hotel London review: ‘If it’s good enough for Clooney…’

Does President Trump have taste?

Your answer to that question might inform how you view The Corinthia London, one of the British capital’s swankiest hotels. The Trump family reportedly booked an entire floor of suites at the hotel, for the president’s first official state visit to the UK.

But don’t let that get you down; Trump & Co. followed in the footsteps of the likes of George Clooney and Rihanna – two people we are reliably informed do have taste. And despite being originally built in the 19th century (previously, it was the Ministry of Defense building), the Corinthia has become one of the most impressive five-star properties in the city.

London has thousands of hotels – it is the third-most visited city in the world – so what is it exactly that draws some of the world’s biggest celebrities (and Trump) to the Corinthia Hotel?

Corinthia Hotel London: What’s the vibe?

Most hotels with this level of heritage tend to lean on the side of history – walking into the lobby is like walking on to a set of Downton Abbey. Not so at the Corinthia.

The hotel went through one of the most lavish makeovers London’s history, completely gutting the 19th-century building and replacing it with modern – but not overly so – décor. It’s contemporary for sure, but very palatial – right down to the lobby’s grand piano (which doubles as a functional bar) and huge crystal orb chandelier.

When the contemporary and classic meet, they will often produce quite vanilla results – fortunately, the Corinthia somehow gets around this particular design snafu.

Corinthia Hotel London: How’s the stay?

Rooms share the general aesthetic and are quite spacious considering the average hotel room size in London just 350-square-feet.

The refurbishment brought with it all the mod-cons, including room-wide Bluetooth speaker connectivity, plus light and air-conditioning controls handled via touchscreen tablet. Bathrooms are a real highlight, covered in white marble with elegant silver fittings, and it gets bonus points for having a TV installed at the end of the bath.

Elsewhere, the hotel features an underground spa that looks like something straight out of a James Bond flick. Spread out over two floors – and clad in all black onyx marble – the spa features a Jacuzzi pool and resting room separated by a wall of flames. Even if you don’t plan on taking a dip, it’s worth a look in just to take in the sheer spectacle of it all.

Corinthia Hotel London: Food and drink?

The Corinthia is located bang in the middle of London, so it should come as no surprise that there are a few top-notch eateries inside.

The grand Crystal Moon Lounge serves a fantastic afternoon tea (it is London, after all) while Tom Kerridge’s Bar & Grill features typical British food elevated to molecular levels.

Corinthian Hotel London: The verdict

Indeed, the Corinthia has a reputation as being one of the finest hotels in the city of London – a reputation that is well deserved. It boasts a stellar location, excellent rooms and some good restaurants and – the politics of previous guests not withstanding – the Corinthia Hotel London is well worth a visit.

Corinthia Hotel London: Where is it?

The Corinthia Hotel London is opposite the Playhouse Theatre, next to Embankment Tube Station. It is a few seconds walk from the river Thames.