A Review of 45 Park Lane in Mayfair, London | Hotels Above Par

"A 46-key Mayfair hotel occupying a striking curved building accented by distinctive horizontal fins, it sits a short stroll from Hyde Park and within easy reach of Buckingham Palace, Bond Street and London’s major museums. The building—originally designed by Walter Gropius and later home to the 1960s Playboy Club and a private residence in the 1990s—was reborn in 2011 and now feels more like a private home than a commercial hotel thanks to Thierry Despont’s Art Deco–tinged interiors and a rotating collection of contemporary British art, including works by Damien Hirst and Sir Peter Blake. Accommodation is intentionally limited (35 rooms and 11 suites) so each space is generously proportioned: the smallest rooms start at just over 380 sq ft while the Penthouse exceeds 1,800 sq ft and offers a wraparound terrace with panoramic city views; rooms feature plush king beds, glass-enclosed multi-head showers, soaking tubs and sweeping vistas of Hyde Park, plus a dedicated personal host for each guest. Dining is a major draw: Wolfgang Puck’s first European restaurant offers a refined, rotating take on the American steakhouse under Executive Chef Elliott Grover; a hidden, nine-seat omakase led by Shinji Kanesaka earned a Michelin star within months of opening; and a sultry bar serves handcrafted cocktails, the chef’s signature ‘Rough CUTs’ and must-order vintage Negronis. The spa, by Jouin Manku, pairs Venetian textiles with treatments from Dr. Uliana Gout and ishga and includes a subterranean 65-foot indoor pool, hydro pool, sauna, steam room, gym and a calm relaxation lounge. Overall, the property blends contemporary chic with classic luxury, delivering highly personalized service and a polished, sexy atmosphere—part of the Dorchester Collection—with rates beginning around $1,200 per night."