London Marriott Park Lane

Emerging from a multimillion-pound renovation, the hotel is aiming for five-star luxury

BACKGROUND The London Marriott Park Lane is one of several Marriotts in the area, including the JW Marriott Grosvenor House, the Marriott Grosvenor Square and 47 Park Street Marriott Residences. Emerging from a multimillion-pound renovation under RPW Design, the hotel is aiming for five-star luxury, not withstanding the usual Marriott branding.

WHAT’S IT LIKE? Despite its busy location on a transport intersection at Marble Arch, the hotel’s Portland stone façade with Beaux Arts detailing and Greek motifs is a beautiful sight.

The building was designed as flats during the First World War by Francis Verity, who specialised in theatres such as the Empire in Leicester Square, and cinemas such as the Pavilion, Shepherd’s Bush, now a Dorsett hotel (visit businesstraveller.com/tried-andtested for a review). The property also occupies the ground floor of a block nearby on North Row, where the entrance and lobby is (the upper floors are flats).

The lobby is on two levels, with stairs to the reception and concierge desk. The look is subtle (shades of white, pale grey and lavender) without being minimalist, with leather, silk, wood and marble finishes. It has a residential feel, with a doorman.

Check-in was at a low desk in a comfy armchair, but it wasn’t quick and gave me time to watch people queue for the lifts, which are too slow to service 152 rooms. Outside the entrance to the restaurant is a shoe-shine station, open 12pm-7pm on weekdays.

WHERE IS IT? On the corner of Park Lane and Marble Arch, a two-minute walk from Marble Arch underground station (Central line). The entrance is on North Row, which runs east-west from Park Lane.

ROOM FACILITIES All 152 rooms and suites (up to 66 sqm) over floors one to five have been renovated, as have all the public areas. There’s lots of British artwork on display, and the thick carpets help to muffle noise, as does the outstanding secondary glazing. (There aren’t many roads in London that are busier than Park Lane but noise was minimal and I slept well.)

All rooms, including entry-level Deluxe (29 sqm), are comfortable with modern, restrained design. Deluxe rooms have views of the internal courtyard, Bluetooth LCD-screen TVs, slippers, bathrobes, a good-size workdesk, and marble bathrooms with Floris toiletries. Wifi is £10 for 24 hours, free for Marriott Rewards members, or £50 a day for high speed. Superior rooms are the same size but have views of Mayfair, while those staying in Executive rooms (same size) and Junior suites (40 sqm) have access to the executive lounge on the lobby level, which is open all day for food and drinks.

RESTAURANTS AND BARS The hotel’s restaurant, Lanes of London, was the first part of the hotel to be renovated, in 2014. It has a very short menu but the food is well presented and delicious. The wine list is similarly brief – a dozen whites and reds each. It was quiet and service was friendly, if a little uncertain. Breakfast was served à la carte, but too slow for my liking.

MEETING FACILITIES There are three meeting rooms in the lower basement, each with natural light. The largest is the Oxford Suite, which seats 40 delegates banquet-style.

LEISURE FACILITIES As well as a small fitness room in the basement, there is a 12.5-metre pool, with plans to renovate it at a future date. Tom Otley

VERDICT The revamp has made this a five-star hotel – prices have risen to match. Service needs to be tweaked to compete with the Lanesborough and the Dorchester nearby.

PRICE Internet rates for a midweek stay in March started from £319 for a Deluxe room.

CONTACT 140 Park Lane, Mayfair; tel +44 (0)20 7493 7000; marriott.co.uk