The Luxury Serviced Apartments Taking City Stays To A Lavish New Level / By Melanie Kruger

Located in the heart of London’s prestigious Mayfair, the lavish Athenaeum Hotel and Residences needs no introduction.

An esteemed hotel renowned for its luxury accommodation and exceptional service, it enjoys a coveted address that is nestled between iconic Green Park and Hyde Park, and affords guests easy access to a range of famous landmarks – including Buckingham Palace, which is just a short stroll away.

There’s no denying that this is one of the best places to stay in the capital – but while the hotel’s opulent range of rooms and suites are perfect for a weekend city break, those visiting for longer stays can enjoy a home-from-home feel in its exclusive ‘Residences’ –  an exclusive selection of luxury serviced apartments set in red-brick townhouses and sprawling over 550ft2 of floorspace that offer the utmost in elegance and comfort and a level of privacy that is unmatched.

I was recently invited to find out just what it is that makes them so special, and found a luxurious home-from-home-experience that left me feeling thoroughly impressed.

The Residences are set in 18 red-brick townhouses, each with its own front door

The Residences: A home from home feel

Guests staying in the Residences are treated to a spacious and elegantly appointed space comprising a living room, bedroom and bathroom, as well as a small kitchenette that has everything you need to enjoy a comfortable stay.

One of my favourite things about the Residences is the fact that access is via your own front door, which makes staying in one of them an excellent choice if you value privacy and discretion highly. Rather than having to go through the hotel, you can simply stroll up the side street to its left and

head straight in – although the hotel’s extremely helpful bellhop is always on hand to help you out should you need it, ensuring that your luggage reaches your apartment before you do and offering helpful tips and recommendations to help you get the most out of your stay. 

We were given an excellent recommendation for a nearby tapas bar, and he even managed to magic us up a table despite the fact that the whole place was full; if you’re coming to stay at The Athenaeum Hotel and Residences then I’d highly recommend booking yourself in for an evening of El Pirata of Mayfair for a buzzy atmosphere, mouth-watering food and a tempting selection of cocktails.

That’s if you can tear yourself away from the hotel’s own impressive culinary offerings (but more on that later).

We were welcomed to our Residence with a spectacular platter of sweet treats, including freshly made macarons, chocolate-dipped strawberries, chocolate truffles and gold-dusted blackberries, all beautifully presented and a thoroughly indulgent way to kick off our stay.

Each Residence is designed with its own unique character, combining timeless elegance with contemporary flair

The decor inside the apartments is simply stunning; think classic English design, but with a contemporary twist. Everything feels of exceptional quality, from the heavy dark wood desk and drawers in the living room to the marble dining table and chairs. Plush carpets and crystal chandeliers add an extra touch of opulence, with every tiny detail meticulously crafted to offer an elevated experience that is the true definition of luxury.

The California king-size bed in the rather palatial master bedroom deserves a particularly special mention; I can honestly say that I have never had such a restful and restorative night’s sleep. The Hypnos mattress was utterly sumptuous, and the pillows were cloud-like.

 I couldn’t stop extolling their virtues to my husband, over and over, I was so impressed with the level of comfort, and the solid eight hours I spent asleep on them. That reminds me, I must find out where they got them from, because I’ve truly never experienced anything like them

The bedroom also featured a large flat-screen TV, mirrored dressing table and a roomy wardrobe with plenty of space to hang your clothes up – which is a godsend for longer stays.

In the bathroom, things become even more impressive, with underfloor heating and a smart toilet really taking things to the next level.

Bedrooms in The Residences are full of opulent touches

The separate living area felt spacious and sophisticated, but cosy too. Think neutral-toned walls, curtains and carpets, a beautiful marble fireplace and a heavy wooden desk with a leather office chair, with two small sofas (in plum with soft terracotta cushions) arranged around a glass coffee table at its centre.

The adjoining kitchenette, in clean white and a purplish taupe, boasted a (well-stocked) fridge, oven with hob, washing machine and Nespresso coffee maker. 

The Residences are available for short-term rental, which means if you’re planning on relocating to London for business, study or leisure, you could move right in.

It’s not always easy to find properties that offer the level of luxury you’re looking for for short stints, so the Residences provide the perfect solution – and living here, you will feel like royalty every day. Adjoining Residences can also be interconnected on request, so for those travelling with family, friends or colleagues, the perfect set-up can be easily arranged.

And of course, you can enjoy access to all of the hotel’s facilities throughout your stay, including several dining options, The View executive lounge, a fully-equipped fitness centre and a world-class spa.

Guests who book directly enjoy exclusive access to The View, which can be found on the 10th floor and offers breath-taking views of London’s skyline, as well as complimentary canapés and beverages. The perfect place to sit back and relax, away from the hustle and bustle of the city below.

The hotel: History meets contemporary sophistication

The View Lounge offers complimentary canapés and drinks, with spectacular views over the city skyline

The Athenaeum Hotel overlooks Green Park, and is steeped in rich history. Once owned and resided in by MP Henry Hope – back in 1850, to be precise – at the time, it was known as Hope House, and thanks to Mr Hope’s passion for art it became home to one of the finest collections in all of Europe.

Today, the hotel continues to pay homage to its history, with an eye-catching array of artwork still showcased throughout it and extending into the Residences.

The hotel’s sophisticated aesthetic is the work of award-winning designer Martin Hulbert, and like the Residences, features a harmonious blend of classic elegance and modern flair. Think rich textures, bespoke furnishings and quality British craftsmanship, all coming together to create a sense of refined elegance.

World class amenities

The REN Spa is the perfect place to escape the stresses of city life and fully relax

There are a variety of high-end amenities to take advantage of, but the REN Spa is a particular highlight. Boasting a large hot tub, sauna and steam room as well as serene relaxation areas, it’s the perfect place to escape to for some much-needed R&R and escape the fast pace of city life for a moment of calm.

You can also opt to enjoy a range of indulgent treatments, including the signature Moroccan rose ritual, which is designed to soothe the mind and uplift the spirit and promises to have you leaving feeling thoroughly rebalanced.

The 24-hour gym, meanwhile, is kitted out with high-quality Technogym and Peloton equipment. We sadly didn’t have time to try it out during our flying visit, but for those enjoying extended stays at the Residences it makes keeping up with your fitness routine easy.

Exquisite dining at 116 at The Athenaeum

116 at The Athenaeum is a contemporary British restaurant headed up by executive chef Kevin Fawkes

116 at The Athenaeum is the hotel’s restaurant, and with executive chef Kevin Fawkes at the helm, offers an exquisite menu of contemporary British cuisine centred around the finest fresh, seasonal and locally sourced ingredients. Chic yet relaxed interiors and warm and attentive service male dining here a flawless experience.

You can eat here for breakfast, or take advantage of the all-day menu later on. The tasting menu is a must-try come the evening, and there is a specially curated vegan alternative to ensure you can still enjoy it if you don’t consume animal products, with no compromises when it comes to taste of flavour.

The all-day menu features brunch options for late risers, including eggs royale and poached eggs with avocado, as well as a variety of open sandwiches and burgers.

The three-course set menu – which is also available throughout the day – includes mouthwatering starters like the watermelon tataki with coconut emulsion, rhubarb ponzu and roasted miso peanuts, and the chestnut mushroom soup with sherry and thyme and Montebourg Crème Fraiche.

Then, it’s onto mains, where choices include (but are not limited to) the Cornish whiting with crab risotto, Penang shellfish bisque and fennel carrot salad, and the taglioni with burrata, green sauce and parmesan.

To round things off, sumptuous sweet treats such as the sticky date pudding with miso caramel glaze, caramelised popcorn and vanilla ice cream, or the caramel mousse with apple cinnamon centre, chocolate soil honeycomb and calvados ice cream are suitably decadent and utterly divine.

You’ll find several of these dishes on the £60-per-person five-course tasting menu, too – alongside additions like the Hayman’s gin cured salmon with pea hummus and gin and tonic gel, and to finish, Cornish Yarg cheese with Braeburn Apple, apple cider brandy chutney and sourdough crackers. Each course has also been expertly matched with a wine pairing designed to compliment and bring out its flavours; the wine flight is available for an additional £55 per person.

The ultimate afternoon tea

Afternoon tea at The Athenaeum is truly exquisite

As someone who follows a strictly gluten free diet for health reasons, I was half expecting not to be able to indulge in The Athenaeum’s afternoon tea – but I couldn’t have been more wrong. While some establishments make a poor effort when it comes to offering up alternatives, the chefs here pulled out all the stops to ensure that my afternoon tea was as exceptional as its standard offering, and suffice it to say, it did not disappoint.

Beautifully presented on a multi-tiered cake stand, it included an array of tasty finger sandwiches (Maldon cured smoked salmon with horseradish crème fraiche and coronation chicken with fresh coriander were favourites), scones with jam and clotted cream and sweet treats such as the coconut mousse and mango brunoise, the apple crumble cake and the mint fragment matcha macaron.

My husband enjoyed the regular afternoon tea, which was similar but featured alternatives such as the mimosa cake, matcha yuzu and forest rose tart.

Both scored very highly when it came to aesthetic appeal, and with texture and flavour to match, made for the ultimate afternoon treat. We enjoyed ours washed down with a selection of loose-leaf teas from the extensive tea menu, but you can also opt for Champagne, English sparkling wine or prosecco should you feel in the mood.

Exceptional service

Service at The Athenaeum is impeccable

Of course, what really makes a stay special is the level of service you receive, and at The Athenaeum Hotel and Residences, it’s highly personalised and nothing short of exceptional. Just like the hotel itself, the staff are all perfectly polished and can’t do enough to ensure your experience is a memorable one for all the right reasons.

I’ve already mentioned the bellhop, who deserves particular note for going above and beyond – but it’s an ethos that is reflected across the entire team. Nothing is too much trouble, and your wish is quite simply their command.

In a nutshell

The Athenaeum Hotel has a long-held reputation for excellence, and its exclusive Residences reflect the same commitment to quality in every possible sense. Whether you’re seeking the perfect accommodation for a longer stay in London or a more private and discreet option for your next weekend in the city, The Residences tick every box and more, offering lavish living in the capital that I can’t recommend highly enough.

Factbox

Address: 116 Piccadilly, Mayfair, London W1J 7BJ
Phone: +44 (0)20 7499 3464
Website: athenaeumhotel.com

All imagery credit: The Athenaeum Hotel and Residences

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