It’s hard not to develop a personal relationship with London. Whether you are a native, regular, or first-time visitor, the city means different things to different people. History; prestige; literature; pageantry; theatre; innovation; niche; mainstream; architecture; service; big-city cosmopolitanism; hidden gems; quiet luxury; manners; edge; wit — there are few cities that offers so much of so much, and the Corinthia London is a place that, remarkably, embodies all of it.
With its location on the north bank of the River Thames in the heart of the city’s historical Westminster area, its hallowed walls (which used to house the Ministry of Defense) discreetly hold the tales—and secrets—of many illustrious residents and guests, from politicians to spies, real and imagined. Today, the hotel pulses with the rhythm of the world’s most diverse city, offering classical character just a short walk from the capital’s rich cultural treasures.
Make no mistake about it, the Corinthia London is not an Everyman hotel, it is a five-star property that comes with a five-star price tag, and offers an undeniable sense of luxury—a
chandelier, gold leaf and pianist-in-the-lobby kind of luxury. But while it offers traditional
afternoon teas and bowler hat wearing doormen, it also home to the sprawling four-storey ESPA spa —the biggest in London—which is rigged with the latest innovations in well-being, including an ice fountain, heated marble loungers, nutritionists, acupuncturists, physiotherapists, and massage therapists at your beck and call.
Refreshingly, for those more used to GCC-sized hotel rooms, even the smallest of the Corinthia’s 283 rooms offers plenty of space—and the 51 suites and seven penthouses range up to positively palatial. Muted tones of grey, green, and dusky blue keep things elevated and elegant, while the punctuation of artworks offering traditional and contemporary show a balance between heritage and hype. The higher the floor, the better the city view with the Royal Penthouse offering a terrace that sweeps over the London Eye, while interior courtyard rooms have the consolation of dinky Juliette balconies.
Communally, the Corinthia London is proactive, rather than reactive. Its boasts an on-site florist, two well-established restaurants manned by notable chefs Tom Kerridge and André Garrett, and even a more-relaxed semi-al fresco lounge, The Garden, complete with outside fireplaces and cosy blankets to keep you warm in the cooler months. The heart of the hotel revolves around the David Collins-designed Crystal Moon Lounge—the place to go for that aforementioned afternoon tea—which features one of the largest crystal Baccarat chandeliers that side of Riyadh.
Should they have missed anything, a quick word with the hotel’s all-knowing concierge and/or doormen will more than likely point you in the right direction, or book you a car, to whatever it is you’re hoping London will deliver.