London Hilton on Park Lane has begun a multimillion pound top-to-bottom renovation, coinciding with its 60th anniversary.
The Mayfair hotel opened in 1963, marking the largest hotel in Europe at the time at 328 feet high, and has since hosted more than 11 million guests, including the late Queen Elizabeth II, Princess Diana and The Beatles. Every year the hotel sees more than 200,000 guests staying in its 453 rooms.
The refurbishment by G.A. Design International will be completed in stages, starting with the top floor suites and lobby area, and the hotel will remain open throughout the renovation.
Set to complete by September 2023, the renovation will celebrate the hotel’s 1960s heritage with the addition of modern design elements.
The redesigned lobby will be “open, bright and welcoming” with a brand-new lobby bar with design celebrating “modern London living, artistry and craft” and featuring artwork by Giles Miller.
The rooms and suites, meanwhile, will feature panoramic views over London and Hyde Park with natural materials and colour schemes, nodding to the 1960s era with low-slung furniture, soft edges and cutting-edge design.
The ground floor restaurant (formerly known as Podium) will be renovated and relaunched with a new concept, offering modern British food and drinks with a “local, seasonal and responsible approach to dining”. Interiors here will be inspired by the natural world, featuring travertine and bronze materials alongside a green colour scheme. A new bar will also be unveiled on the ground floor.
Matthew Mullan, general manager at London Hilton on Park Lane said:
“With a 60-year heritage, London Hilton on Park Lane is one of the capital’s most iconic hotels and as we celebrate our anniversary, we can’t wait to showcase this exceptional transformation to our guests. Envisioned by Conrad Hilton as the epitome of modern hospitality back in 1963, this new design pays homage to the hotel’s roots, adding a modern twist and celebrating its location on the edge of one of London’s finest parks.”
Back in 2009, Business Traveller’s online editor Mark Caswell took part in the Mayfair Park and Tower Race, aimed at raising money for Hilton’s charity Galvin’s Chance, which involved a “sprint” up the 28 floors of the Hilton on Park Lane.
For more information on the hotel outlook in London, see our recent feature:
