It’s London Fashion Week and Park Lane is its own kind of runway
Paparazzi swarm outside hotels, lenses clicking at impossibly well-dressed people teetering in stilettos while simultaneously swapping them for comfier trainers in the street. Fashionistas power walk with purpose, glued to their phones, dodging tourists and taxis with a precision that suggests this isn’t their first rodeo. In the midst of the madness, I arrive at 45 Park Lane, a hotel that feels both contemporary and quietly exclusive.
A Brief History
The building itself has had quite the glow-up. Originally designed as an office block by none other than Bauhaus legend Walter Gropius, it later transformed into the infamous Playboy Club, a hotspot for the rich and famous in the swinging ‘60s, lovingly nicknamed “the hutch on the park.” These days, it’s a sleek, Art Deco-inspired hideaway, part of the Dorchester Collection, exuding an air of modern luxury without the pomp.
The Lobby & Silver Screen Icons
Step inside, and it’s less hotel lobby, more exclusive gallery space. The current exhibition, Icons of the Silver Screen, pays tribute to Hollywood’s golden era with stunning portraits of stars like Frank Sinatra, Audrey Hepburn, and Faye Dunaway lounging at The Beverly Hills Hotel the morning after her Oscar win. The whole space is a love letter to the glamour and storytelling of cinema, setting the tone for the hotel’s chic, art-driven personality.
Inside the Hotel
45 Park Lane is boutique in size, with just 46 rooms and suites, all overlooking Hyde Park. The design by Thierry Despont makes it feel like a swanky private residence; dark woods, buttery-soft fabrics, and gleaming Art Deco details that look expensive but still inviting. The hotel is also home to CUT, Wolfgang Puck’s first European restaurant; BAR 45, a lively cocktail spot; and a spa that boasts the biggest indoor swimming pool in any London hotel. Small but mighty, this place has serious credentials.
The Park Lane Suite
Then there’s the Park Lane Suite, my home for the night. This isn’t just a room; it’s a statement. Views of Hyde Park? Check. A dining table for six? Check. Art collection worthy of a Mayfair gallery? Double check. The butler greets me with a bottle of fizz, already earning bonus points. The space is both stylish and supremely comfortable, with an interactive touchscreen by the bed controlling everything from the curtains to the lighting. It’s the kind of suite that makes you wish you had a dinner party to host, though for now, watching life go by in Hyde Park from the window will do just fine.
Drinks at BAR 45
Downstairs, BAR 45 is buzzing. The Negroni menu is legendary, featuring vintage variations of the classic cocktail, each smoother than the last. The decor is moody and stylish, the service is sharp, and the crowd is the perfect mix of hotel guests, locals, and those who just know where to drink well in London.
Dinner at CUT
Dinner is at CUT, and if you know anything about Wolfgang Puck, you’ll know this place takes its steak seriously. To start, seared scallops are plump and sweet, while prawn spring rolls with honey dip are crisp perfection. Then comes the main event: New York strip and Irish ribeye, cooked to absolute perfection with that deep, smoky char that only a great steakhouse delivers. The interiors are slick, the crowd well-heeled, and every table is packed—there’s a distinct buzz in the air. The grand finale? A dark chocolate soufflé, made tableside with all the theatre you’d expect from a place like this.
Morning Rituals
Waking up in the Park Lane Suite, the first order of business is tapping the screen beside the bed to raise the blinds. The morning light floods in, casting a golden glow over Hyde Park. It’s the kind of view that makes you want to linger. But there’s a spa downstairs calling my name.
Dressing gown on, I head to The Spa at 45 Park Lane, a vast, 65ft indoor pool, sauna, steam room, and jacuzzi all to myself. It’s rare to have a London hotel spa feel this peaceful, and I make the most of it before heading back up for breakfast.
And what a breakfast it is. A full English, an acai bowl, a mountain of pastries, and endless coffee spread across the dining table for six. If there’s a better way to start the day, I haven’t found it.
Final Thoughts
The best part of a stay like this? Slowing down. Sitting by the window, watching the world go by over Hyde Park, and taking it all in at your own pace. 45 Park Lane is a hotel that knows exactly what it is; effortlessly stylish, supremely comfortable, and perfectly placed. Nestled on Park Lane, the most expensive street on the Monopoly board, let’s hope you passed “GO” before checking in. If you’re looking for a special stay in London, this is it.
45 Park Lane, London W1K 1PN
dorchestercollection
