Business Traveller has had an exclusive preview of the forthcoming Grosvenor House Apartments on London's Park Lane. The first apartment is now finished, with the rest due for completion in Spring 2009.
Grosvenor House Apartments, aimed squarely at the "super luxury market", are situated on Park Lane in London, next to the Grosvenor House Hotel, a JW Marriott.
According to David Dove, development director at SPARC Group, the development management company behind the project, “Best of British” is the theme behind the design of the new apartments, with dark oak timber flooring, English Royal Doulton tableware and dark grey pinstripe bedspreads inspired by Saville Row. The theme continues with the services, with a dedicated butler service planned for each floor.
“We wanted to record the experience of what life was like back then [in the early 20th century]. The quality of life, and the importance of etiquette,” commented Dove.
“The vision is to create a super deluxe apart-hotel that befits its setting, offering the very best in terms of service, quality and design. Britain’s history has always been a window to the world in terms of luxury and exceptional service. The Grosvenor House Apartments will see a return to this heritage and tradition, but with an eye to the future.”
The 133 apartments will range from studios to five bedroom penthouses, with the smallest measuring 450 sq ft and the largest 5,500 sq ft. It will also be possible to connect adjoining apartments, in some cases possibly taking over an entire floor.
There will be no minimum or maximum stay, so the property may be competing on short stays with five-star hotel suites in central London, although Dove explained that the apartments will be set up with the long-term guest in mind. A washing machine, dishwasher and fully-fitted kitchen will come as standard.
The show-apartment also features a full home-automation system, which allows guests to control the temperature of the room, the lighting and the curtains through the TV (a 42-inch plasma screen), as well as answer the door or call the butler. You can pre-programme room mood settings, such as a wake-up setting which will open the blinds, turn up the central heating, switch on the lights and play your favourite music.
Report by Sara Turner