Could this hotel be Mayfair's best-kept secret?
Sitting on a coveted corner of Mayfair, 45 Park Lane is the younger, more intimate sibling of The Dorchester. With only 45 rooms and suites, the property feels boutique in scale yet carries the pedigree and polish of its storied elder.
The hotel's sleek, curved façade wraps around Curzon Street, flags flying smartly above, making a modernist statement amid the grand architecture of Hyde Park Corner. From the moment you step inside, the atmosphere is one of quiet confidence: luxurious yet understated, contemporary yet respectful of tradition.
The interiors bear the unmistakable touch of Thierry Despont, an architect, curator, artist and designer. Despont envisioned the hotel as a profoundly personal living environment, where every detail reflects the character of those who inhabit it. At 45 Park Lane, this manifests as an Art Deco space conceived as if it were a private residence, serving as a canvas for a rotating collection of works by leading contemporary British artists.
Accommodation
Our London Balcony Suite's floor‑to‑ceiling windows overlooked a canopy of green, with Hyde Park's plane trees framing far‑reaching views across London. On a clear day, you can pick out landmarks from Battersea Power Station and Big Ben to the London Eye and The Shard. The spectacle is especially memorable at dusk, when the city's lights flicker into life, reminding us that, despite the hotel's cocooning ambience, this is still very much a place for urban explorers.
Inside, the design is a sophisticated interplay of warm tones and textures. Soft, honey‑coloured carpets segue into dark wood walls, while burnt‑orange cushions add a dash of vibrancy. The suite feels more like a chic city apartment than a hotel room, with a spacious bedroom featuring a plush king-size bed layered with crisp linens, and a living area furnished with a small dining table, a sofa, and armchairs around a neat fireplace. There's even a discreet study area for those blending work and pleasure. Lighting is thoughtfully orchestrated, with dimmable sconces and concealed strips that highlight the art on the walls from leading contemporary British artists such as Damien Hirst, Joe Tilson, and Sir Peter Blake.
Bathrooms continue the residential feel with marble vanities, rain showers and deep soaking tubs. Amenities are generous and locally inspired, and there's ample storage so the room never feels cluttered. Thoughtful touches, such as a selection of books on London, a handwritten card, and the option to purchase Derek Rose nightwear, create a sense of being genuinely looked after.
Service
Service at 45 Park Lane is where its Dorchester heritage truly shines. Each suite is assigned a private butler, available around the clock to assist with everything from unpacking luggage to arranging last-minute theatre tickets. The broader team strikes a delicate balance between attentiveness and unobtrusiveness, and staff remember names and preferences without ever seeming overbearing.
Despite its smaller size, the hotel has an infectious energy thanks to its buzzy public spaces. The lobby is compact but welcoming, inviting guests to linger before heading to the restaurants. Celebrity sightings are common (we spotted Alfred Enoch of Harry Potter and How To Get Away With Murder fame), but the staff never make a fuss.
Culinary highlights
Dining is a highlight at 45 Park Lane. On the first floor, Sushi Kanesaka offers an entirely different experience. The 13-seat omakase restaurant, helmed by Chef Shinji Kanesaka, earned a Michelin star within seven months of its opening. Diners enter through a Japanese granite‑lined walkway before taking a seat at a cedar‑wood counter hewn from a single tree.
On the ground floor sits CUT at 45 Park Lane, Wolfgang Puck's first European restaurant. Well known to Middle Eastern diners for his eateries in Bahrain and Riyadh, the London version combines the chef's signature American steakhouse concept with Mediterranean influences. Prime steaks are the star, grilled to perfection and served with sides like macaroni and cheese. The menu also ventures into decadent fare, and the Spicy Tuna Tartare Cones and Banana Cream Pie are not to be missed. Service here is slick yet approachable, and the room's warm wood and red leather banquettes create a comfortable setting.
CUT may be famed for its Mayfair dining room, but its ultra-luxury private service, CUT at Home, brings the same sophistication into your own space. Executive Chef Elliott Grover creates a bespoke three- to four-course menu, featuring canapés, paired wines, and a personal consultation ahead of the evening, which is further elevated with tablescaping, floral design, and a photographer.
For guests seeking something less formal, room service caters to every craving at any hour.
Facilities
Wellness is not overlooked. The hotel's subterranean spa features a well-equipped gym, a sauna, and a lap pool bathed in soft, ambient lighting. Treatments use high‑end products and can be customised to relieve jet lag or prepare skin for London's sometimes harsh climate. The indoor pool is a rarity for a central London property of this size, giving the spa a resort-like feel.
Outside, Mayfair's streets beckon. Bond Street's luxury boutiques and Savile Row's tailors are a short stroll away, while the restaurants of Berkeley Square and the surrounding area provide an abundance of dining options, from MiMi Mei Fair to Shanghai Me and Gaia. Hyde Park is your backyard, ideal for morning jogs or afternoon picnics.
The Verdict
45 Park Lane blends the intimacy of a boutique hotel with the gravitas of one of London's most respected hospitality brands. Its service is personal yet professional, and the rooms offer a chic city escape, while the variety of dining options ensures that guests don't need to leave the building unless they wish to explore. With a prime position opposite Hyde Park, 45 Park Lane stands out by offering a refined oasis that still hums with the energy of London.
GO: Visit www.dorchestercollection.com for more information.