The Peninsula Hotel - London
- Nick, Editor
- Jul 25
- 4 min read
Updated: Oct 23
The Peninsula London: A Modern Masterpiece of British Luxury
Article summary
In this article, you will get our unbiased, independent review and thoughts on
First impressions
The look
Rooms & suites
Editors notes
Spa & amenities
Food & drink
Service & vibe
Location
Price
Verdict
Itinerary ideas
Pros & Cons
Tours & activities
Nestled at Hyde Park Corner, adjacent to Wellington Arch and Buckingham Palace Garden, The Peninsula Hotel London labours under no illusion of modesty: it's a deliberate triumph, conceived to become a new icon of Belgravia and a global reference in luxury hospitality. Opened in September 2023, this 190-room, €1-billion project reflects nearly three decades of pursuit for an ideal site and a commitment to British craftsmanship, architectural elegance, and next-level service.
Architectural Identity & Design:
Designed by Hopkins Architects, the hotel seamlessly harmonises with the district’s heritage façades. Its patinated brass-framed windows and bronze-hued canopies impart subtle grandeur while respecting the stately streetscape. The entrance courtyard, landscaped by Enzo Enea, brings lush greenery into the city: a cobbled courtyard draped in wisteria, jasmine, and aged Japanese maples offers serene privacy amid the bustle. Peter Marino’s interiors evoke the tranquillity of private British homes with soft natural light, onyx-framed bathrooms, mahogany-panelled dressing rooms, and custom textiles commissioned from Tai Ping Carpets and glass artisans from Turkey. Whether it’s the triple-height lobby or the elegant suites, the hotel's design prioritises comfort, refinement, and connection to nature.
British Craftsmanship:
The Peninsula London celebrates British artistic talent at every turn. From Jenny Packham’s bespoke attire for staff, coupling 1960s-inspired elegance with Asian aesthetic influences, to Timothy Han’s signature in-room fragrance, craftsmanship is woven into the identity of the hotel. Over 40 works by alumni and students of The Royal Drawing School, commissioned to illustrate British landscapes, adorn the public spaces and guest rooms.
Rooms & Suites at The Peninsula Hotel London
The property offers 190 spacious guest rooms, from 51 to 59 sqm, many with sweeping views of Wellington Arch and Buckingham Gardens. Every room features bespoke British fittings, valet boxes, onyx bathrooms, and floor-to-ceiling windows that bathe interiors in natural light, connecting occupants with the serene surroundings. Flagship suites include the Peninsula Suite, which can interlink with up to six other rooms to form a near‑1,490 sqm (16,000 sq ft) private residence, arguably one of London’s most expansive suite configurations. For more information, offers, and bookings, click here
Culinary Excellence:
Dining at The Peninsula London is thoughtful and refined:- The Lobby serves all‑day fare and Peninsula's renowned Afternoon Tea beneath soaring ceilings and hand-painted de Gournay panels. Canton Blue merges British and Chinese traditions, imagine truffled tofu, Cornish lobster, dim sum of exceptional precision, and tableside Peking duck. Brooklands, the rooftop signature restaurant launched in late 2023, is helmed by Michelin-starred Claude Bosi. It serves contemporary British cuisine in an aviation- and motorsport-inspired setting. Check availability and start planning your trip here.
Wellness & Leisure:
Opening in November 2023, the hotel’s wellness centre includes a 25‑metre indoor pool with mosaic detailing and underwater speakers, steam rooms, saunas, and relaxation lounges. A digital Wellness Portal offers guided meditation, fitness, and aromatherapy programmes. Additional amenities include a private cinema, a luxury fitness suite, and the column-free St. George Ballroom, which can accommodate up to 450 guests and even allows motorcars to be driven in via elevator.
Sustainability & Innovation:
Demonstrating a commitment to responsible luxury, The Peninsula partners with Zero Carbon Farms to grow greens and herbs in a subterranean farm in Clapham, feeding the hotel with hyper-local produce. The chauffeured fleet is impressively eco-conscious, including hybrid Bentleys and an electrified 1960 Austin taxi alongside vintage Rolls-Royces.
Service & Experience:
True to its heritage, The Peninsula brand upholds meticulous service standards. From the thoughtful room controls to in-room chargers and valet systems, every element reflects engineering precision. Their proprietary services, Peninsula Time (flexible check-in/out) and PenChat (24-hour digital concierge), ensure frictionless stays. Independent reviews consistently praise its service ethos: “impeccable service … ever‑present, helpful staff”.
Positioning & Pricing:
Among London's newest luxury arrivals, The Peninsula firmly cements itself at the top tier: room rates typically start at £935 and can exceed £1,300 per night, figures aligned with a broader market trend of rising hotel rates in the capital. Yet, the price reflects what many critics hail as an “undeniably superior” fusion of artful design, hospitality, and practicality.
Conclusion:
The Peninsula London is not just a hotel, it’s a manifesto of modern luxury, meticulously realised over decades. It champions British artistry, sustainability, service technology, and polished design at every scale. Whether occupying its grand suites, savouring food on the rooftop terrace, or getting pampered in its wellness escape, guests find themselves within a carefully curated world of calm, cultural resonance, and uncompromising hospitality. It is more than a destination: it is a standard for what luxury hospitality can be in contemporary London, a truly wonderful place to stay.
Quick Highlights:
Location -
Belgravia, Hyde Park Corner - moments from Wellington Arch & Buckingham Palace.
Rooms & Suites -
190 rooms, Peninsula Suite expandable to 16,000 sq ft
Design Partners -
Hopkins Architects, Peter Marino, Enzo Enea, Jenny Packham, Tai Ping
Dining -
Afternoon Tea & Global menu, Canton Blue (Chinese), Brooklands (modern British)
Wellness & Leisure -
25-meter pool, spa, cinema, ballroom, fitness portal
Sustainability -
Zero Carbon Farm produces, hybrid luxury fleet
Service Philosophy -
Peninsula time, PenChat, meticulously engineered guest experience
Price -
From £935/night - peak rates exceed £1300
In sum, The Peninsula London heralds a new era for urban luxury, rooted in heritage, alive with art, wrapped in subtle innovation, and sustained by impeccable hospitality. A wonderful stay in the heart of London. For more information and bookings, click here.
All hotels & resorts on The Five Star Edit are independently selected by our editors. However, we may receive a small commission from advertisers when using our affiliate links.
The Peninsula Hotel (London) Review 2025
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