1920s jewel where Meryl’s opera diva took centre stage
Continuing our series on the world’s hippest hotels and the stars who frequent them, Sarah Turner checks out London’s Sheraton Grand Park Lane…
STAR QUALITY:
The Queen, Eddie Redmayne, Meryl Streep and Amber Heard.
VITAL STATISTICS:
Straddling Park Lane and Piccadilly, London’s most selfeffacing Grand Hotel opened in 1927 when Bracewell Smith set out to create a dizzyingly luxurious retreat.
The Palm Court is still the heart of the hotel, where cocktails are fashioned with help from a drinks historian, and afternoon tea is a fully tiered extravaganza with British Chapel Down fizz. However, it is the ballroom that is the jewel in the hotel’s crown – a perfectly preserved Art Deco masterpiece which features regularly in films. Eddie Redmayne and Amber Heard were in situ for The
Danish Girl, while Meryl Streep, right, starred here as would-be opera singer Florence Foster Jenkins. During World War II, the ballroom, with its doubleheight ceiling, became perhaps London’s most glamorous bomb shelter.
The main restaurant, Mercante, has an Italian-inspired menu: expect antipasti, lamb ragu and pigeon risotto. A two-course set lunch costs £15.
There are 303 rooms and suites which retain their 1920s glamour but also come with plenty of modern gadgetry. All of the suites have views of Green Park.
LOCATION REPORT:
It’s in one of the choicest areas of London, with two of its finest parks – Hyde Park and Green Park – on the doorstep. All the rooms feature statues of dalmatians, in tribute to Dodie Smith’s novel 101 Dalmatians which was set nearby. The hotel has two of its own dogs.
KEY ATTRACTION:
There is plenty of history inside. The restaurant’s wood panelling was once in banker JP Morgan’s country house. The Queen, who grew up at 145 Piccadilly, had dance classes in the Tudor Rose room.
IN THE NEWS:
Following a makeover last year, the most recent addition is the Smith & Whistle bar, serving ales and a strong selection of British wines. Prices are down-toearth for this part of the world – a pint will cost about £4.50. Come early for one of the outdoor tables; Jack Whitehall and Mr Selfridge actress Sai Bennett have been guests.
GOOD ENOUGH FOR THE REST OF US?
Afternoon teas start at £37pp.
BOTTOM LINE:
Rooms start at £220. Visit sheratonparklane.com or call 0044 20 7499 6321.