Wonderland took a trip to the Intercontinental Park Lane Hotel and found it more than lived up to the hype.
As the flagship property of what is one of the world’s largest hotel chains, Intercontinental London Park Lane sets the bar high. Situated in the heart of Mayfair and overlooking Hyde Park, the hotel’s location is about as central and luxurious as it comes. Mere moments away from Oxford Street, a short walk to Knightsbridge, and surrounded by some of London’s best tourist attractions, you can’t really go wrong staying here, especially with such world-renowned service. Greeted at the door by a smiling concierge, attentive staff make checking in a breeze (anyone who stays in hotels with any regularity will know the pain of waiting hours to just get into your room) and have mastered the art of a friendly but never over bearing demeanour. Despite the site’s size – it houses 447 rooms in total – there’s a palpable sense of calm in the Intercontinental Park Lane thanks to airy corridors that avoid that cramped feeling of many larger hotels.
Richly clad interiors are to be expected in a hotel of this stature, but the Intercontinental Park Lane really has got that modern English luxe look down pat. Individually chosen prints, a warm colour palette and rustic oak furnishings ensure that no two rooms are identical. Mine had ample space but retained a homely familiarity thanks to cosy fabrics and the warm glow of its lamps and soft lighting. Less familiar was the incredible city view: Hyde Park directly across, Buckingham Palace few steps away, and from my window the bustling scenes of London life outside.
The hotel’s in house restaurant is run by Theo Randall and, fittingly, named after him. You’ve probably read one of Randall’s books (or even tried out those famous pasta recipes at home, we all have), but the evening A La Carte menu he’s created is a pretty special selection of sophisticated yet rustic Italian. I plumped for fresh pasta stuffed with oh so tender, slow cooked pigeon and followed it up with a beautifully rich loin of venison wrapped in coppa di Parma. And to drink? A hearty 2011 Veneto from Valpolicella Classico recommended by the knowledgeable sommelier. Oh, and you can even learn to cook like the master with one of the weekly classes taught by Radnall himself at the hotel. As if you needed another reason to stay here though, right?
