The InterContinental London Park Lane
Photos, design, history, review of the five-star hotel at Hyde Park Corner
Article added on March 8, 2012 at 15:57

History and design

The InterContinental London Park Lane was opened by His Grace, The Duke of Wellington on September 23, 1975. Situated on Number One Park Lane / 1 Hamilton Place on Hyde Park Corner, the hotel combines a great location with five-star comfort, a fabulous top floor lounge, Club InterContinental, as well as an excellent restaurant, Theo Randall at the InterContinental.

The hotel stands on the site of the former residence of Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Margaret from 1927 until the succession to the throne of King George VI in 1936, when the Royal family moved to Buckingham Palace.

The founder and owner of the InterContinental brand in the 1970s was the American airline Pan Am (history of the InterContinental Hotels, IHC). At the time already in a difficult financial situation, Pan Am was forced into a fifty-fifty percent cooperation with the McAlpine organization, who owned the nearby Dorchester Hotel and other properties, to build their London hotel.

The InterContinental London Park Lane was designed by Sir Frederick Gibberd, a British architect specialized in town planning and formal garden projects. In 2006/07, the hotel underwent a multi-million pound refurbishment by J Design for the public areas and interior designer Ilana Feingold for the rooms.

The 60 suites have been created by KCA, who designed the Burj Al Arab and Madinat Jumeirah hotels in Dubai. The leading themes are neo-classical, interpreted in a contemporary way with the help of oak, burl wood, walnut and warm fabrics.

The InterContinental London Park Lane reopened its doors in May 2007 in an understated design described as “urban chic”.

A hotel is a work in progress and, therefore, the Cinema Suite with its fully functioning private cinema where I stayed a few years ago and from where I could see Apsley House, the Wellington Museum, just under my window, is no longer. Ahead of the London Olympic Games 2012, the 6th floor has been refreshed with London Deluxe and London Executive Rooms.

Great brands at the InterContinental Park Lane and a club lounge to discover

The InterContinental London Park Lane features British brands throughout the hotel, from the excellent Elemis bathroom amenities over organic cookies from Duchy Originals by the Prince of Wales to the Tea Palace teas at the top floor Club InterContinental.

Among the great discoveries I made at the hotel was the Sharp Shower Body Wash by Elemis. The brand was so convincing, later I tried the Ice Cool Foaming Shave Gel by Elemis and have been traveling with this fantastic product ever since! Elemis is also the brand used in the InterConti Spa.

Together with Theo Randall's restaurant, the 223 square meter Club InterContinental with its floor-to-ceiling, double-glazed bay windows is my favorite part of the hotel. The club lounge with its mahogany square tables offers a stunning view over Green Park, Buckingham Palace Gardens, Wellington Arch and many touristic sites. You can dine at Club InterContinental while enjoying the city views. Club InterContinental offers a selection of some 20 Tea Palace teas, including my favorite silver needle White Tea.
Tea, coffee, soft drinks, afternoon tea with scones, clotted cream and jam as well as the buffet breakfast are all complimentary. Located on the seventh floor, access to Club InterContinental is complimentary for guests staying in London Executive Rooms and above categories.

The Arch's Bar offers seasonal cocktails, a Gin Hour as well as a Gin & Jazz entertainment in the evenings, combining golden age jazz with classic cocktails and a tribute menu.

A word about some special rooms at the InterContinental London Park Lane: 15 rooms out of 447 rooms and 60 suites enjoy private balconies: 756, 760, 762, 768, 770, 776, 778, 84, 856, 862, 864, 870, 872, 876, 884; make sure the room numbers have not changed when you reserve your room.



Historic sites just next door

In addition to Green Park and the Buckingham Palace Gardens, several historic sites are just next door.

“Number One London” aka Apsley House was the home to the Duke of Wellington after his victory over Napoleon at Waterloo. It is just opposite the street. A look around the English Heritage property will reveal to you that not much has changed in the house since the times of the Iron Duke. You can admire Canova's statue of Napoleon, the Waterloo Gallery and the gilt Portuguese service awarded to Wellington.

At the north-east corner of Hyde Park aka Speakers' corner, you can listen to all kinds of speakers telling you their truth about the world. You could even relieve yourself from stress and give a speech yourself!

In front of the hotel, the Quadriga at Wellington Arch is Europe's largest bronze sculpture, depicting the female Angel of Peace descending on the Quadriga of War, with the Chariot of Fire  pulled by four horses.

The InterContinental Park Lane is a contemporary hotel in a 1970s building with a great location and a series of points that make it attractive to the business as well as the leisure guest. From Sir Elton John to Sir Paul McCartney and U2, many celebrities and royals have already stayed at the five-star hotel. The staff from over 40 countries is fluent in some 50 languages. A truly inter-continental affair!

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View of a small part of the Club InterContinental with the Wellington Arch on the left. Photos © The InterContinental London Park Lane.


The Wellington Suite Bedroom. Photos © The InterContinental London Park Lane.

Exterior with Wellington Arch and Horse Guard. Photos © The InterContinental London Park Lane.




A One Bedroom Suite. The contemporary neo-classical design features soft furnishings of leather, rich embroidered silk and satin fabrics. The spacious ensuite bathrooms enjoy walk-in rain showers and a separate bathtub. As in all suites, Bang & Olufsen flat screen TVs and Bose sound systems guarantee excellent entertainment. Photos © The InterContinental London Park Lane.


The two-floor London Suite Bedroom enjoys views over Buckingham Palace and Wellington Arch. The apartment style with a floating staircase and the concept of transparency between the spaces creates a loft feeling. Walls and floors are clad in Wenge wood and Makassar ebony. Photos © The InterContinental London Park Lane.


View of the Wellington Lounge. Photos © The InterContinental London Park Lane.


View of the restaurant Theo Randall at the InterContinental.
Photos © The InterContinental London Park Lane.


The lounge at the Presidential Suite. Photos © The InterContinental London Park Lane.