Honestly, when I first walked into The Peninsula London, I wasn’t expecting to be blown away – I mean, how many luxury hotels can really surprise you anymore? But this place actually got under my skin in the best way possible. It’s right there on Grosvenor Place, basically staring down Buckingham Palace (you can literally see the palace gardens from some rooms), and the building itself has this sort of understated grandeur that feels very… well, very Peninsula. They’ve got that whole thing down to an art form.
What really struck me was how they’ve managed to feel both incredibly polished and genuinely warm at the same time. The staff – and I’m talking everyone from the doormen to housekeeping – seem to actually remember you after day one, which is rare in London hotels this size. The check-in was smooth as butter, no standing around awkwardly while they “find your reservation.” And you know what’s brilliant? The location puts you right in the sweet spot where you can walk to Victoria Station in about eight minutes (I timed it), but you’re also just a quick stroll through Wellington Arch to get into Hyde Park. If you’re jet-lagged and need to reset your clock, that corner of the park is perfect for an early morning walk – much quieter than you’d expect.
The rooms themselves are something else entirely. I stayed in one of the corner suites and honestly, the marble bathroom alone could be someone’s flat. Everything feels substantial – the doors have that satisfying weight when they close, the curtains actually block out London’s weirdly persistent streetlights, and the beds are the kind where you sink in just enough without feeling like you’re being swallowed. The afternoon tea service (which happens in the lobby lounge) is genuinely spectacular, though fair warning – it gets pretty busy around 3 PM on weekends. The breakfast situation is solid too, though it’ll cost you – this is Belgravia, after all. Parking’s handled by valet, which you’ll want because finding a spot around there on your own is basically impossible. The whole area gets quite lively during rush hour, but once you’re inside, the soundproofing is excellent. I mean, I could barely hear the buses rumbling down Grosvenor Place, and that’s saying something. If you’re here during summer, try to snag some time on the terrace – the views toward the palace and the general buzz of that corner of London make it worth the splurge.