The 5-star Athenaeum Hotel & Residences is located in the heart of Mayfair, opposite Green Park and moments from Shepherd’s Market and Buckingham Palace. The hotel is delightfully English in all the right ways: playful, glamorous and relaxed, yet professional.
Recently renovated under the direction of award-winning designer Martin Hulbert, the Athenaeum Hotel & Residences contains 135 bedrooms, 11 suites and the Townhouse Residences at The Athenaeum offering guests a five-star home from home in the heart of London’s Mayfair. Situated in Victorian redbrick apartments adjacent to the hotel, the 14 new residences effortlessly bring together period charm and contemporary style.
Known affectionately as the Grande Dame of Piccadilly, The Athenaeum is home to The View – a members-style club accessible to hotel guests only in what was once the Penthouse Suite. The View takes the concept of a ‘high-end’ guest experience quite literally. A constantly evolving space of surprising and inspirational experiences, The View (as the name would suggest) offers one of the most spectacular skyline panoramas in London. Previously reserved for privileged Penthouse Suite guests, The Athenaeum has opened up the top floor and rededicated it to hotel guests. A private members club – where your membership is your room key – to relax, socialise and connect with London.
Inspired by the metaphorical ‘rabbit hole’, The View allows guests to enter a new space, immersing themselves into a world of unexpected spectacles, all with compliments of the hotel. Residents can enjoy surprise masterclasses such as how to mix the perfect G&T, mindfulness sessions overlooking Green Park, or simply be able to enjoy a complimentary tipple and nibbles from the Galvin brothers’ eponymous restaurant at the Athenaeum whilst overlooking the unique and uninterrupted view of the capital.
In true grandiose style, guests at the hotel can consider themselves amongst the likes of Elizabeth Taylor, Christian Bale, Harry Styles, Samuel L Jackson, Natalie Portman and Kim and Kanye, and countless world-leaders. Residents may be surprised to know that it is within the four walls of The Athenaeum that many London legends have been made: Take-That announced their split and Spielberg edited E.T., Close Encounters and Raiders of the Lost Ark from The Athenaeum’s suites and Russell Crowe was famously made to tidy his bedroom. With thanks to the creative vision of Martin Hulbert, the Athenaeum’s beautiful bedrooms pay a definite nod to its Mayfair heritage, inspired by its Art Deco loveliness, whilst keeping the contemporary, discerning traveller in mind.
Each of the Superior, Deluxe, Park View bedrooms and Suites at the Athenaeum benefit from the hotel’s extraordinary aspect across the historic Green Park. Floor to ceiling windows effortlessly open up the outlook and flood guest rooms with natural light (a rare commodity in central London), whilst clever design, innovative lighting and tailored use of colour enhance the interior space. Attention is paid to every last detail with carefully sourced textiles from classic Herringbone weaves and linen-lined wardrobes to silk-clad furniture, plush velvet cushions and bespoke carpets showcasing the very best of British craftsmanship.
Accessible from a discrete entrance on Down Street, The Bar is a spectacular hideaway where guests can relax in Kinnersley Kent Design jewel toned chairs whilst sipping on signature cocktails crafted by award-winning barmen. Whisky lovers can take their pick from more than 100 bottlings, ranging from the produce of exciting new whisky distilleries, to old and rare varieties.
The Living Wall backdrop in each intimate alcove of The Bar is a gorgeous feature that encases the stunning space. Designed and built in London in 2009 by award-winning artist and research scientist Patrick Blanc, the Living Wall is a vertical garden, created to echo the magnificent royal park opposite the hotel.
Renowned for their collection of family-run restaurants founded in 2005 including Galvin at Windows, Galvin La Chapelle, Galvin HOP, chef brothers Chris & Jeff Galvin provide their fayre and expertise at Galvin at The Athenaeum, the hotel’s main restaurant. Click here to read the full review of Galvin at The Athenaeum.
In a first ever partnership of its kind for the Galvin brothers, Chris & Jeff are at the helm of the entire food and beverage service throughout the hotel – from breakfast through to dinner, Afternoon Tea, private dining and 24/7 In Room dining.
Encouraging guests to #LookAtLondonDifferently, The Athenaeum reimagines local landmarks through a series of exclusive artworks. These specially commissioned whimsical pieces harness the Athenaeum’s English design ethic, eccentric spirit and artistic DNA. Based on the concept of old theatre sets, the eclectic multimedia collages replicate nearby Buckingham Palace, Burlington Arcade, Fortnum & Mason and the Royal Academy of the Arts and insert quintessentially British characters in sometimes surprising scenarios, from David Attenborough riding an elephant and the Queen with her Corgis, to representations of Grayson Perry, the Rolling Stones, Einstein, Alice in Wonderland and even the hotel’s owners.
A stay at The Athenaeum is available to book now. Prices start from £330 including VAT per room per night.
The Athenaeum Hotel & Residences
16 Piccadilly, Mayfair, London W1J 7BJ
+44 (0)20 7499 3464
www.athenaeumhotel.com
@TheAthenaeum