London hotels that have featured in films

LONDON HOTELS DO HOLLYWOOD

As one of the most recognisable cityscapes in the world, and with the British film industry going from strength the strength, London has unquestionably been a favourite filming location amongst directors. As well as the streets and iconic landmarks, London’s finest hotels have also played a major role in providing authenticity and bringing certain scenes and stories to life.

HOTEL: THE RITZ
FILM: NOTTING HILL (1999)

Room: The Trafalgar Suite

When William Thacker (played by Hugh Grant) is invited by his famous love interest, Anna Scott (Julia Roberts) to her suite at The Ritz, he thinks he has lucked out. Much to his bemusement, she is hosting an interview session with the press and he amusingly pretends to be a reporter from ‘Horse & Hound’.

Each time Miss Scott checks into arguably London’s most famous hotel, she uses a fake name of a cartoon character. You can imagine how often this happens in real life with The Ritz being a favourite among the rich and famous. And as a quintessentially British icon, the filmmakers knew that the use of the hotel would be an immediately recognisable to international audiences and aid in the upscaling of the reach.

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HOTEL: THE LANGHAM
FILM: GOLDENEYE (1995)

Room: Hotel Exterior

When James Bond (played by Pierce Brosnan) is tasked with retrieving a stolen and dangerous Russian satellite system called GoldenEye, he is dispatched to The Grand Hotel Europe in St. Petersburg.

However, much to the convenience of the crew, luxury 5* hotel The Langham on Regent Street was used as a stand-in for filming. Displaying the same exterior splendour as the imitated hotel, hanging a Russian flag off the front of the building was all that was needed to complete the illusion.

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HOTEL: HILTON LONDON ON PARK LANE
FILM: HITCHCOCK’S ‘FRENZY’ (1972)

Room: Suite 508/509

When Richard Blaney (played by Jon Finch) loses his job, he visits his ex-wife seeking advice. She is shortly thereafter found raped and murdered, and his current girlfriend is the next to fall victim. Although innocent, Blaney is arrested for the crimes.

On the run and seeking advice, he visits The London Hilton on Park Lane where his friend is occupying a suite. He is sent packing by the mate’s wife and she watched them disappear from a 2nd floor balcony. The hotel itself has a very recognisable façade amongst the Mayfair hotels and this is believed to have been the reason behind the location choice.

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HOTEL: LANCASTER LONDON HOTEL
FILM: THE ITALIAN JOB (1969)

Room: Suite 602

When Charlie Croker (played by Michael Caine) is released from prison, what more suitable way to celebrate than to spend the day with some scantily-clad young ladies in a fabulously hip London suite. Upon check-out, he is summoned up to a different room to be met with a proposal from the widow, Beckerman. From here, The Italian Job is born.

The hotel was used as it had just the right mix of mystery and elegance to make any meeting a special one. Since filming, the 1960’s interior has been replaced with a much more modern and luxurious style of décor, with fabulous views over Hyde Park.

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HOTEL: THE CORINTHIA
FILM: SKYFALL (2012)

Room: Rooftop

Towards the later stages on the film after some heroic action James Bond (played by Daniel Craig) takes an idyllic moment to gather this thoughts (and presumably to dry his pants) whilst peering over the London Rooftops. Whilst scene itself is actually filmed next-door to The Corinthia, at the Department of Energy and Climate Change, certain Penthouse Suites share the same rooftop and do have their own private terraces offering the same captivating views.

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HOTEL: THE LANESBOROUGH
FILM: EYES WIDE SHUT (1999)

Room: The Royal Suite

When Dr. Bill Harford (played by Tom Cruise) and his wife Alice (Nicole Kidman) attend a party and flirt with other guests, they discuss and admit to having fantasises about strangers. Bill becomes progressively obsessed with the idea, and with many dodgy encounters along the way including a meeting in the impressive pool room at the iconic Lanesborough Hotel, he ultimately ends up with a stranger in The Royal Suite.

The room was used in filming as a representation of where the wealthy and powerful would reside. True to this, in real life the suite costs around £8000 per night and is so exclusive that it is positioned in a secret location within the hotel that reportedly isn't even disclosed to some of the hotel staff.

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HOTEL: THE DORCHESTER
FILM: WIMBLEDON (2004)

Washed up tennis pro Peter Colt (played by Paul Bettany), competing at the Wimbledon tennis tournament for the final time, has the privilege of staying at arguably London's most famous hotel, The Dorchester. It is here where Peter meets an up-and-coming tennis star by the name of Lizzie Bradbury (played by Kirsten Dunst) for the first time during the Championships. Some say it was this romantic encounter that led to Peter's upturn in form to win the championship, we have our doubts though and reckon it was more down to the rejuvenating qualities of the hotels tremendous spa.

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HOTEL: THE MAY FAIR
FILM: HEREAFTER (2010)

London's prestigious May fair hotel often finds itself hosting celebrities, but in 2010 if found itself part of the show when executive producer Stephen Spielberg chose it to host the 3rd act of his action thriller Hereafter. Stars Matt Damon and Cécile de France rendezvous outside the hotel, were the later is staying.

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Europe’s Best Spa & Wellness Resorts

Europe’s Best Spa & Wellness Resorts

Lefay Resort

Lake Garda, Italy

Located above the village of Gargnano, this eco-resort with award-winning spa was constructed using stone pillars and wooden beams, taking inspiration from Lake Garda’s lemon houses. Rooms feature local walnut and olive floors, and the restaurants serve Mediterranean dishes using local ingredients. 

The resort’s award-winning spa comprises indoor and outdoor heated salt-water pools, infinity pool, hammam, five saunas, a salt lake and 21 massage rooms. The spa combines classical Chinese medicine with traditional Western science, resulting in holistic personalised treatments. There’s a fitness area with glass-fronted windows overlooking the pool area and lake. There’s a running circuit and fitness path with five meditation areas. There are two meeting rooms, and a cigar lounge offering a selection of cigars and spirits. Service is friendly and efficient.

• Thalassotherapy - Thalago

• Therapeutic Massages and Massotherapy

• Natural Treatments

• Traditional Chinese Medicine and specialised treatments

• Facial Treatments

• Baths and Wraps

• Osteo-Physiotherapy

http://www.lefayresorts.com/eng/resort-spa-garda-lake/

SHA Wellness Spa

Alicante, Spain

The ultra-chic Shah Wellness Clinic, is one of the most renowned on the continent. Perched on the cliffs of the Villa de Althea Mountains the resort offers outstanding views overlooking the Mediterranean coastline from its series of gleaming white ultra-modern buildings. 

Located within the complex are a number of pools and waterfalls, treatment and hydrotherapy areas, Zen zones and tropical gardens. However where the resort really takes it to another level is with its pioneering treatments that combine age old eastern traditions with the latest western technology. Upon arrival each guest receives an initial consultation with an agenda coordinator and doctor creating a personalized program. Alongside massages, colonics, gentle yoga and reflexology, the resort offers laser treatments for face and body, dentistry, cosmetic procedures, acupuncture and sleep therapies.

• Hydrotherapies
• Therapeutic Massages and Massotherapy
• SHA Rituals
• Natural Treatments
• Traditional Chinese Medicine and specialised treatments
• Facial Treatments
• Baths and Wraps
• Fitness area plus Tai Chi, Yoga and Pilates

https://shawellnessclinic.com/

Capri Palace Hotel & Spa
Ana Capri, Italy

Without a doubt, Capri Palace Hotel & Spa is one of the finest in Europe. Situated on the high cliffs of Ana Capri, overlooking the sapphire-blue bay of Naples, the hotel has everything a discerning guest could hope for; Michelin Starred Cuisine, a world famous Beauty Farm Spa, as well as an intricate history, exquisite pieces of art and countless boutique shops in the charming traditional villages that surround. 

Indeed the first of its kind in the world, the Beauty Farm Spa delivers ground-breaking medical treatments, thanks to a highly qualified team of 30 people including doctors, therapists, beauticians, dieticians, chefs and hospitality managers. The concepts are designed to bring the body into the best physical and mental wellbeing, thanks to the application of techniques of Western medicine. Naturally, a host of supermodels and sports stars, have splashed through the icy pools and endured cold-mud treatments to keep in top shape.

Medical Approach
• Diagnostics
• Cardiology
• Nutrition
• The Leg School Therapy
• Aesthetic Medicine
• Posturology
• Hi-Tech Contouring
• Signature Collection
• Body Treatments and massages
• Beauty Treatments
• Fitness and Day Spa

http://www.capripalace.com/en/

Europe Hotel & Resort
Killarney, Ireland

Located in rural county Kerry, the Europe Hotel Killarney hosts a spa with possibly one of the most beautiful views in the world.  Overlooking Lough Lein, the largest of the Killarney lakes, to the backdrop of the emerald green McGillycuddy's Reeks Mountains, the hotel is completely immersed in this most enchanting corner of Ireland.

ESPA therapies fuse the benefits of modern health, beauty and relaxation with the proven wisdom of ancient therapies from around the world, and this space has been designed to be in perfect balance with the nature of its environment, each relaxation space created to take advantage of the landscape, a peaceful haven in which to awaken the senses and relax the mind. Guests can even watch the landscape change colours throughout the day from the comfort of the hydrotherapy pool or relaxation areas.

• Signature ESPA therapies
• Ayurvedic inspired rituals
• Ultimate body envelopments
• ESPA body experiences
• Facials and aromatherapy massages
• Beauty treatments
• Fitness and Day Spa

http://www.theeurope.com/

Grand Resort Bad Ragaz
Bad Ragaz, Switzerland

Located in a spectacular mountainous valley just one hour from Zurich, the Grand Resort Bad Ragaz consists of two hotels, both with ultra-luxurious spa facilities. 

The resort is at the forefront of sports injury rehabilitation and it is not uncommon to see whole sports teams turn up for treatment. With their extensive facilities, there are plenty of other treatments too; including detox, weight and stress management programs and anti-ageing therapies alongside the usual massages, scrubs and wraps. In fact you can find almost any treatment known to man on their menus, and broken down into the following categories:

• Energy & Earthing

• Rhythm & Flow

• Cleanliness & Clarity 

• Relaxation & Balance

• Inspiration & Vitality

• Beauty & Care

• Fitness & Training

The rooms and suites are spectacular too, with enormous levels of detail. For instance all the water in the Spa Suites, including the bathwater, comes from natural springs, whilst each bathroom has its own sauna, steam room and colour-therapy baths. Guests can even change their mattresses from soft to firm at the flip of a switch.

http://www.resortragaz.ch/en.html

Castel Monastero
Sienna, Italy

The idyllic Castel Monastero occupies an 11th century walled hamlet in the stunning Tuscan hills surrounding Sienna, creating essentially a hotel-come-village feel. Within the grounds is everything a discerning traveller could want, including two restaurants with menus designed by Gordon Ramsay, a gourmet spa, plus two indoor and three outdoor swimming pools. The rooms surround a lovely Piazza that acts as a focal point for the resort, especially in the evening when there is al fresco dining on offer. 

The spa itself specialises in extraordinary 3 or 7 day Slimming, Detox and Anti Age programs designed by Prof. Giorgio Calabrese, the renowned Italian nutrition expert and international promoter of the Mediterranean diet. Complementing this is the amazing "Aquae Monasterii" course with its high saline density sea oil pool, working to enhance the effects of the treatments. An internationally recognised medical centre also provides plastic and aesthetic surgery, for post-op convalescence after reshaping and rejuvenating operations. 

• Weightloss
• Detox
• Anti-ageing
• Massages and treatments
• Gourmet Spa menus from Calabrese and Ramsey
• Fitness centre, day spa and yoga

http://www.castelmonastero.com/en/home

Schloss Elmau
Oberbayern, Germany

Seemingly located a world away from anywhere, the Schloss Elmau in the Bavarain Alps hopes to focus on the mind as much as the body to seduce guests into a state of deep relaxation. This is a self-sufficient retreat, where guests can spend a prolonged period of time within the beautiful confines of the resort; from hiking, biking, golf and yoga to concerts, lectures, reading and beauty, not to mention the four spas (including one for families), two libraries, six restaurants and the largest hotel bookshop in the world. 

The list of spa treatments is just as extensive. The Schloss experience is to do everything, but not having to do anything and the dedicated team certainly work to make your spa stay an extraordinary one; A Thai massage in the meadow? A Private Spa session at midnight? Partner treatments in the Oriental hamam? Floating massages in the saltwater pool? A personal yoga lesson at six in the morning? That is just the beginning, the possibilities are endless.

• Badheus, Family, Oriental Hamman, Nature and Lady Spas
• Private rooftop Spa and Hammam
• Extensive list of international speciality massages
• Signature skincare and facials
• Fitness centre, yoga and pilates

http://www.schloss-elmau.de/experience/

Gleneagles
Perthshire, Scotland

Guests could be easily forgiven for overlooking the Gleneagles Hotel spa, after all, the hotel occupies a castle surrounded by 850 acres of Scottish countryside including three of the world’s most famous golf courses and a single malt distillery. Never the less, it is a spa which can legitimately claim to be the most glamorous in the UK. 

Juxtaposing the classically country manor style of the rest of the hotel, the spa is a dramatic sea of aubergine and dark chocolate hues, velvet lounges and deep sofas with bronze trimmings and open fireplaces. With 60 different therapies available from the ESPA Life menu and award-winning facilities, this resort really delivers a full spa experience at a world-leading level.

• Signature treatments
• ESPA facials, body treatments and massages
• Ayurvedic inspired treatments
• Oriental inflluences, including yoga
• ESPA maternity packages
• Fitness centre and day spa facilities

http://www.gleneagles.com/

Grand Hotel Tremezzo
Lake Como Italy

Grand Hotel Tremezzo is situated on a prominent position of the legendary lake Como in Italy, and is considered one of Europe’s original luxury spa hotels. From its unique lakeside position, the Art Deco gem has 92 rooms all with unparalleled vistas over the cystal clear water, of Bellagio and the stunning Grigne mountains.

In the sanctum of the T Spa, the views are no less impressive. The indoor pool is a strip of azure with two parallel baths linked by a beautiful arched passage, giving a double infinity effect and offering a sumptuous selection of hydrotherapies. Coupled with the lakefront pools and a wide range of ESPA treatments on offer, this really is a truely enchantining oasis.

• T Spa signature treatments
• ESPA facials, body treatments and massages
• Private spa suite
• Extensive hydrotherapy facilities
• Indoor and outdoor infinity pools

http://www.grandhoteltremezzo.com/en/home/

La Reserve Ramatuelle
French Riviera

La Reserve accomplished the impossible in making their long established spa retreat in Geneva even better. They did this by setting up a sister retreat in Ramatuelle, one of the prettiest villages on the French Riviera, between St Tropez and Port Grimaud. Here it offers jaw dropping views over the Mediterranean. 

Each and every guest receives an individual lifestyle assessment, a personalized program of health and recommended bespoke fitness and beauty treatments. It was the first spa to offer products from Crème de la Mer and the extensive treatment menu features the brands award-winning spa’s anti-aging therapies (the non-invasive variety).

• Nescens better-aging programs
• Signature treatments
• Figure Shaping treatments
• Nescens anti-aging cosmeceutical treatments
• Crème de la Mer beauty treatments
• Osteopathy
• Balneotherapy / Body scrubs / Body wraps
• Hydrotherapy & beauty rituals
• Indoor and outdoor pools, Hammam and gym

http://www.lareserve-ramatuelle.com/en/

Clinique La Prairie
Montreux, Switzerland

Clinique la Prairie, Clarens-Montreux is Switzerland's most famous spa. Specialising in 'scientific rejuvenation' You can expect medicine and wellbeing treatments on the highest level with up to date technology providing long-term answers for nearly any imaginable need. Centers of expertise in “Quality Aging” include aesthetic medicine and surgery, mental wellness, weight management, sleep improvement, the muscoloskeletal system and many more. Total discretion goes without saying. 

• Quality Aging
• Surgery: general, orthopaedic, gynaecological, cervicofacial, aesthetic, reconstructive and neurosurgery
• Figure Shaping treatments
• Muscoloskeletal 
• Weight Management
• Osteopathy
• Balneotherapy / Body scrubs / Body wraps
• Mental Wellness
• Indoor and outdoor pools, Hammam and gym

http://laprairie.ch/

Brenners Park Hotel & Spa
Baden Baden, Germany

"Old-world charm, great service—they miss nothing." The 140-year-old grande dame in a valley in the Black Forest Mountains, overlooking the tree-lined Lichtentaler Allée, has rooms done in classic country house style. Some accommodations have iron balconies and large windows. "One of the most relaxing and exciting places," it’s near the historic Baden-Baden thermal baths and springs. The hotel’s Medical Spa offers preventive health care, two-day comprehensive examinations, and aesthetic dentistry and dermatology services.

• Preventative care
• Naturopathic Diagnostics Therapy
• Weight Management
• Aesthetic Medicine & Dentistry
• Weight Management
• Osteopathy
• Specialist Ophthalmologist
• Gynaecology and Obstetrics
• Indoor and outdoor pools, Hammam and gym

http://www.brenners.com/eng/home/

For more guides take a look at our website www.bluebirdtravel.com

The World’s Worst Hotel?

 

Just like at the top end of the market, the bottom end is also crowded with many hotels, but one hotel that stands out more than any other would have to be Latvia Karosta Prison Hotel. Originally constructed in 1906 as military hospital at the base of the Soviet Baltic Fleet, the dilapidated building actually spent most of the last century as a Nazi and Soviet Prison. Many Latvian deserters where sent to the camp for solitary confinement and/or eventual death.

 

Today, despite years of being obsolete, the prison has reopened (and rebranded?) as a boutique hotel where courageous tourists can enrol for an authentic jail experience. On arrival visitors can either ask for a quick tour or the full Karosta experience – including a prisoner garb, interrogation, harassment and being locked into a cold dank dark prison cell for a night. That’s not all, either, prisoners are warned before that any disobedience could result in insults, or physical punishment in the way of forced exercise or cleaning. The guard’s regularly patrol the corridors during the night, clanking on the wrought iron cell doors and looking for any signs of mischief – adding to the thrill.

Alternative Restaurant Experiences in London

Looking to escape the formal dining scene amongst London’s best hotels? Not to worry London boasts a vibrant and eclectic dining scene offering patrons a host of differing experiences. Below are some of our favourite unusual restaurants in the city.

Lima

31 Rathbone Pl, London W1T 1JH

Lima is extraordinary in the fact that it is London’s first Peruvian restaurant to win a Michelin Star. The menu is quite unlike any other in the city, with thoroughly original dishes crafted by one of Heston Blumenthal’s understudies - Bunmi Okolosi. From sea bream ceviche to Peruvian scallops, roast guinea pig to slow cooked suckling pig, each dish dances with colour and bewilders with taste.

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Dans Le Noir

30-31 Clerkenwell Green, London EC1R 0DU

Diners in Dans Le Noir (In the Night) enjoy their meals in complete darkness. Escorted to your table and served by blind people, the unique experience was created in order to enhancing visitor’s sense of smell and taste – by making them rely on them. The obscurity also helps to aid social interaction too according to the owner by ‘killing shyness and bringing an open minded conviviality.’

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Archipelago

53 Cleveland St, London W1T 4JJ

Bored of the usual steaks, fish and chicken? Archipelago is an exotic and mysterious restaurant serving unfamiliar meat from all over the World. Expect to find crocodile, wildebeest, garlic crickets and seared zebra. The decorations are just as wacky as the menu with a maze of funky Buddha’s, fertility idols and peacock feathers creating a strangely intimate space.

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Inamo

134-136 Wardour St, London W1F 8ZP

Probably the most technologically advanced restaurant in London, Inamo aims to put diners in firm control of their entire experience by letting them order from illustrated menus projected on their table surface. The interactive system allows guests to set mood, browse the local area and even order a taxi home. Cuisine wise a host of Pan-Asian dishes are on offer.

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Sarastro

126 Drury Ln, London, Greater London WC2B 5SU

Sarastro brings theatre to the dinner table, quite literally – the inside is flamboyantly decorated with ten individually styled opera boxes complete with velvet drapes, rainbow colours and all the other theatrical quirks. It is highly recommended to book a table on either Monday evenings or Sunday when a live opera and string quartet preform.

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Circus

27-29 Endell St, London WC2H 9BA

Having dinner in here is like having dinner in a washing machine, in a good way. Superb pan-Asian cuisine is served whilst fire eating dances bring wine to your table and acrobats swing from hoops on the ceiling – quite an experience that has guests dancing on their own tables by the end of the evening.

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La Bodega Negra

16 Moor St, London W1D 5NH

Visitors to La Bodega Negra will arise plenty of suspicion as they enter – the outside of the restaurant is decorated loudly with Neon Lights advertising a sex shop containing ‘Adult Video’ & a ‘Peep Show’. Upon entry guests are escorted down some dingy narrow stairs by an eccentric character, adding to the confusion, before entering an excellent Mexican restaurant full of atmosphere and burritos.

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Beach Blanket Babylon

45 Ledbury Rd, London W11 2AA

As the strange name suggests there is nothing ordinary about this place. The eclectic Georgian townhouse that it occupies is split into distinctive areas each as peculiar as each other; ‘The Crypt’ – hidden away in the buildings vaulted cellars, ‘The Chapel’ – an arched sanctuary, and ‘The Scullery’ - a dungeon like nook. The seasonally changing menu is reflective of Beach Blanket Babylon's colonial British heritage.

The Best Hotel Party Suites in London

Despite being a favourite of the rich and famous for many years there can be no hiding from the fact that London really has lagged behind other global cities in terms of hotel suites built for a party. Thankfully the city is quickly catching up with a series of ‘hip’ hotels opening their doors in the past couple of years - namely the W, Café Royal and Me hotels. We guess you could say that London has just turned up late to the party.

1. E Wow – W Hotel

Dining Room | Jacuzzi | DJ Booth | 1 – 3 Bedroom | Jacuzzi | 150sqm+

Taking inspiration from London’s movie, music and fashion scene, the W-hotel have done a formidable job of making this arguably the best suite in which to host a party in London. The party piece is a giant revolving chesterfield sofa in front of a bespoke Union Jack wall – at the touch of a button the whole sofa (and its occupants) spin round 360 degrees, presumably so everyone can get a view out of the floor to ceiling windows towards the stars in Leicester Square. Music is provided by a top of the range DJ booth, drinks by a fully stocked bar and on demand butler, and cleaniness? by a four person shower and Jacuzzi. For the Hugh Hefner's of this world limited edition William Tempest Pyjamas are thrown in too.

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2. Dome Suite – Café Royal

1 – 3 Bedroom | Kitchenette | Terrace | 121sqm+

Created under the copper domed rotunda of the Café Royal’s original building the Dome suite truly is a unique venue. The historical space has been transformed into one of the best entertainment suites in London – its Edwardian designers probably didn't envisage an over-sized mirror ball bouncing light off the spherical roof, nor the spectacular sound that the roof creates when concert standard speakers are set to full volume. The outside is just as dramatic with an 85sqm terrace overlooking the dazzling lights of Piccadilly Circus – any guest would remember a party here for a long time.

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3. Suite Me – ME hotel

Panoramic Views | Butler | 99sqm

A new entry into London’s luxury hotel scene, The ME Hotel was designed from the ground up for young, trendy guests looking to have fun. It’s no wonder why London fashion week uses it as one of their main venues. Suite ME, located on the 9th and 10th floors, topped by a spectacular glass dome that has 360 degree views over London plus a sound system that’s just as immersive. The lounge not only has its own in room self-service bar but also direct access to the hotels superb Radio Bar.

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4. De Montfort Suite – Town Hall Hotel

2 Bedroom | Dining Room | Butler | 180sqm

Any guest invited to a party at the De Montfort Suite will struggle not to be impressed - Its soaring triple height vaulted ceilings give the suite a cavernous feel, which is flooded with colour from the huge arched stained glass windows. The Architects, unwilling to dissect the monumental interior, installed a series of glass partitioning and a mezzanine level to give privacy to the two bedrooms – this keeps the suite open plan and great for entertaining. What’s more the space contains one of the largest dining tables of any suite in London.

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5. The Penthouse Suite – The May Fair Hotel

2 Bedroom | Kitchenette | Roof Terrace | Views | 199sqm

Long one of London’s go to places for celebrities, the jewel in the crown of The May Fair hotels is its Penthouse Suite, featuring one of the best private roof terraces in London. The swish inside is bright and modern, with a Bang and Olufsen sound system and huge corner sofa, in fact even the guest bedroom is out of the ordinary with its circular bed. The hotels 40 seat cinema, available for private hire, provides a great way to get over the next day’s hangover too. 

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6. Penthouse – Sanderson Hotel

2 Bedroom | Kitchen | Dining Room | 158sqm

The chic Sanderson hotel, in one of London’s trendiest areas, Fitzrovia, is a home from home for all fashionista’s. The penthouse suite is the UK’s first designed by the Philippe Starck and Ian Schrager design partnership and is universally acclaimed to be one of the coolest in London. Both absorbingly weird and wonderful, the room contains a real sense of fun with its clean straight lines, industrial materials, oversized furniture and colourful oddities. Its minimalist open plan design bodes its self well for entertaining the masses.

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7. The Hamilton Penthouse – Corinthia Hotel

1 – 2 Bedroom | Kitchenette | Dining Room | Terrace | Jacuzzi | 160sqm+

Not the biggest but any penthouse with an outdoor Jacuzzi, open fire place and giant chess board on its roof terrace has to make this list, especially when it looks over Trafalgar square. Throughout the inside of the suite guests will be impressed by the lavish use of sumptuous surfaces (Especially the drink friendly Skiros marble flooring). Stars such as Justin Timberlake and Will.I.AM, Beyoncé and Jay-Z are known to stay at the hotel, and in all probability this suite, who can blame them.

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8. The Infinity Suite – Langham Hotel

2 Bedroom | Butler | Club Lounge | 236sqm

Built in the turret of London’s oldest luxury hotel the 2 bedroom Infinity Suite enjoys a spectacular lounge with high ceilings and wraparound bay windows. A 72 inch flat screen and Bose sound system bring the 19th century room into the 21st century plus a complimentary butler will be on hand to serve a martini or two. The pride and joy of the bedroom meanwhile is the hand crafted four poster bed that’s sure to keep any VIP happy once the party is over.

• For more blogs about London visit www.bluebirdtravel.com

Hotel Rooms with a Unique History in London

From haunted rooms to rooms that changed the course of history, London's hotel rooms tell a unique and fascinating story stretching back almost 300 years

The Grosvenor House Hotel - George V Suite

A Mickey Mouse suite

10 years after Walt and Lillian Disney were married they decided to go to London on honeymoon and stayed in the George V suite on the 8th floor of the Grosvenor House. Even Mickey Mouse joined in the celebration, with the above picture taken on the roof of the hotel on June 12th 1935.

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The Langham Hotel – Napoleon Suite

A Leader in Exile

Following the disastrous defeat in the Franco Prussian war the then French Emperor Louis Napoleon III spent much of his enforced exile from France at the best hotel in London at the time, the Langham. The first floor suite in which he took his extended residence remains as grand as it was in 1870, albeit with a few modern additions. To this day it is said that Napoleon III haunts the hotels basement.

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Claridge’s Hotel - Suite 212

The only part of mainland UK ceded to another country in WWII

Throughout the Second World War the Yugoslavian Royal family were in forced exile at Claridge’s Hotel, where Princess Alexandra fell pregnant. So in 1945 Prime Minister Winston Churchill declared suite 212 Yugoslavian territory to allow Crown Prince Alexander II to be born on his own country's soil.  According to folklore, Claridge's staff placed a handful Yugoslav soil under the Queen's bed during her labor – the hotel would not comment to say if it was still there.

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The Corinthia Hotel – Room 801

The UFO Room

The Corinthia hotel occupies a grand building that housed offices for the Ministry of Defence for over 70 years. In its heyday MI9 department operated from the building, overseeing the crucial job of coordinating the vast ranks of POW escapees, resistance fighters and undercover agents across Europe during World War II. MI9 continued its clandestine operations after the war too, particularly in room 801, which was used as a highly classified depository for UFO sightings. Rumor has it that when MI9 vacated in 1992 they left behind the documents by accident, only for the hotel contractors to stumble across them 20 years later……shortly after their unintentional release MOD decided to declassify them. Coincidence?

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The Savoy - Monet Suite 618

An artist’s inspiration

The famous painting Waterloo Bridge Misty Morning, by Claude Monet, was drawn in this very hotel room over 110 years ago when the Artist took up a 6 months residence at the Savoy hotel. The stunning vantage point of the Thames was recommended to him by American artist James Whistler.  Throughout the stay Claude Monet painstakingly used over 100 canvasses at any one time, awaiting the perfect time and weather conditions to create the masterpiece. His daily routine included indulging in two English breakfasts before strolling across the river Thames from St Thomas' Hospital to the Houses of Parliament.

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The Ritz Hotel - Marie Antoinette Suite

D DAY HQ

During the Second World War then British Prime Minster Churchill, French and US Presidents De Gaulle and Eisenhower met for summit meetings at the Ritz Hotels Marie Antoinette Suite, now a private dining room. No one knows exactly what was discussed in the Room, however it is reported that this is the very room where plans for D Day initially came to fruition - the very event that signaled the beginning of the end of the war.

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Grosvenor House Hotel – Suite 804

James Bond’s Suite

At the time of playing double ‘O’ seven, Sean Connery’s favourite suite was 804 at the Grosvenor House Hotel. Unfortunately Mr Connery arrived very early one morning and the previous guest had not yet checked out so the room was not ready. The receptionist shyly explained that there was a guest in your usual room at the moment and in true James Bond style said, “Is it a girl if so I’ll take the key”.

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The Town Hall Hotel - De Montfort Suite

A room for the people

Opened in 1910 in the heyday of Edwardian Architecture and British Power the building was designed to showcase the wealth of the Borough Council – None more so that the Grand Hall that has now become the De Montfort Suite. Its impressive triple height vaulted ceiling gives the suite a cavernous feel, which is flooded with colour from the huge arched original stained glass windows.

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The Dorchester Hotel – Eisenhower Suite

The safest room in London

As WWII broke out Sir Malcolm McAlpine declared the Dorchester Hotel to be "bomb-proof, earthquake-proof and fireproof." It’s no Wonder why then that the American President chose it as his home from home throughout the conflict. The President took two rooms on the first floor where, to give him greater privacy, British Prime Minster Churchill had a wall erected between his balcony and the room next door – a wall that remains till this day.

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The Langham Hotel – Room 333

The most haunted hotel room in London

Another entry from the Langham, said to be the most haunted hotel room in London. A number of guests have claimed a sighting is of a ghost in Victorian evening wear in Room 333 during the month October. The spirit is said to be that of a German Prince who jumped out of a window before the outbreak of the First World War. It is also believed that Napoleon III, another former guest, haunts the basement of the hotel.

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The Courthouse – Bar

A lock in Bar

Not a room, but the bar at the Courthouse is particularly of interest – its architecture contains a number of pointers to the room’s history as a magistrate’s court. None more so than the three original holding cells that are now utilized as VIP enclaves. They still contain their original layout with the prisoner benches (now comfortably upholstered) and even (thoroughly cleaned) toilet bowls. The booths can be privately booked for up to 8 people if you fancy being locked away behind their thick iron doors.

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Browns – The Alexander Graham Bell Room

Where the UK’s first telephone call was made

Going back to 1876 Alexander Graham bell demonstrated the UK’s first ever successful telephone call during his stay at the Brown’s Hotel. The room is now a private dining room, but its history is proudly honored with an antique telephone from the period and various illustrations of telephones from over the years. Another room, or suite, that has a notable past in the hotel is the ‘Kipling Suite’ – where Rudyard Kipling completed the classic jungle book novel. 

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