Overlooking Green Park on Piccadilly, The Athenaeum Hotel & Residences occupies an enviable position in the heart of Mayfair. Buckingham Palace, Hyde Park and the boutiques of Bond Street are all within easy walking distance, yet its location directly opposite the park gives the hotel a slightly calmer outlook than its central London address might suggest.
The Athenaeum is one of London’s relatively rare family-owned five-star hotels, with a history stretching back to 1973, when the hotel opened on the site of the Art Deco Athenaeum Court. Over the decades, it has welcomed its share of famous faces, including Marlon Brando, Harrison Ford and Liza Minnelli. That sense of individuality remains part of the hotel’s character today, even as it continues to evolve.
I first stayed at The Athenaeum last year with my French bulldog, Charlotte, experiencing the hotel from a dog-friendly perspective — you can read more about that stay in my guide to dog-friendly hotels in the UK. This summer, I returned on my own for a rather different experience, this time checking into the newly launched Green Park View Suite, one of two new penthouse suites on the hotel’s tenth floor.
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The Green Park View Suite
The Green Park View Suite sits on the tenth floor of The Athenaeum, with its elevated position naturally becoming one of the defining features of the stay. From here, the outlook stretches across the treetops of Green Park and towards the wider London skyline.
The tenth floor was previously home to The View, the hotel’s residents’ lounge, and has since been transformed to make way for the new penthouse suites.
Inside, the Green Park View Suite is arranged as a spacious one-bedroom retreat, with a separate living area and a king-sized bedroom dressed in crisp cotton sheets. The contemporary interiors feel polished without being overly formal, while the large windows draw your attention towards the park and city beyond.
Shortly after checking in, a welcome cake and card were delivered to the suite — a thoughtful touch and a lovely way to begin my return stay.
The suite comes with an impressive collection of amenities. Alongside a Nespresso coffee machine and Roberts Radio, there are Bang & Olufsen speakers, a Dyson Airwrap and in-room Technogym equipment, as well as access to a personal concierge throughout the stay.
The bathroom is another highlight, centred around a freestanding bathtub and rainfall shower, and complemented by British-made Paul Smith toiletries — part of a new partnership exclusive to the hotel’s tenth-floor suites. Presented in Paul Smith’s signature stripes, the Botanist range takes inspiration from the green vetiver used to fragrance the designer’s first shop, with a botanical character that feels particularly fitting with Green Park just beyond the windows.
There are plenty of smaller details that make settling into the suite particularly easy, too. The complimentary fridge is stocked with drinks and treats, and I especially liked the bottled cocktails for an easy drink in the suite. With London experiencing some particularly hot summer weather during my stay, the ice cream waiting in the freezer was also perfectly timed.
In the evening, the suite was prepared with a turndown service, with the bed made ready for the night and eye masks left alongside a Paul Smith room spray. It was a small but considered touch, and another detail that made returning to the suite after dinner feel particularly inviting.
Perhaps the best feature, however, is the view itself.
A Private Balcony Above Green Park
The suite’s private balcony quickly became my favourite part of the stay. Directly overlooking the treetops of Green Park, it provides a surprisingly peaceful vantage point above one of London’s busiest neighbourhoods.
During the day, the balcony looks out over a sea of greenery, with the city unfolding beyond. But the outlook is perhaps even more atmospheric at night, when the park falls into darkness and the lights of the London skyline begin to glow in the distance.
Binoculars are also provided in the suite, encouraging guests to take a closer look at the landmarks scattered across the skyline.
Dinner at 116 at The Athenaeum
For dinner, I headed downstairs to 116 at The Athenaeum, the hotel’s contemporary British restaurant. The restaurant focuses on British ingredients sourced from local producers, with a menu that balances familiar flavours with more contemporary influences.
I started with the duck liver parfait, served with frisée lettuce, hazelnut, onion chutney and toasted brioche, followed by teriyaki salmon accompanied by an Asian salad. Dessert was considerably more indulgent. The caramel mousse, with an apple and cinnamon centre, arrived cleverly presented in the form of an apple, accompanied by honeycomb and Calvados ice cream. Alongside it was the 116 Chocolate Sensation, combining chocolate with blood orange and cocoa crunch.
With dinner just a short lift ride from the suite, I headed back upstairs afterwards to enjoy the balcony as the last of the daylight disappeared over London.
Breakfast With a View
The following morning, I opted to have breakfast delivered to the suite.
There is something particularly enjoyable about in-room breakfast during a hotel stay, and here the setting made it worthwhile. Rather than heading downstairs, I could enjoy a slower start to the morning in the privacy of the suite, with Green Park stretching out beyond the windows. I went for a classic Full English breakfast alongside a selection of fresh pastries, yoghurt with granola and a mixed fruit salad.
It was a simple but leisurely way to spend the final morning, and another opportunity to enjoy the view before checking out.
Final Thoughts
Having first stayed at The Athenaeum last year, it was lovely to return and see how the hotel has continued to evolve. This time, the newly launched Green Park View Suite was the focus, with its tenth-floor setting and private balcony offering a different perspective over Green Park and the London skyline.
The private balcony is undoubtedly its defining feature, offering an unusual perspective over Green Park and the London skyline. Inside, the generous living space and smaller extras — from the bottled cocktails and Paul Smith amenities to some very welcome ice cream during a London heatwave — add to the sense of comfort without feeling excessive.
Combined with dinner at 116 and a leisurely breakfast in the suite the following morning, it made for a relaxed return to The Athenaeum, and a chance to experience one of its newest additions from a completely different perspective.
Getting There
The Athenaeum Hotel & Residences is located at 116 Piccadilly, Mayfair, London W1J 7BJ, directly opposite Green Park.
Green Park Underground station is a short walk away, with connections on the Jubilee, Piccadilly and Victoria lines. The hotel’s central Mayfair location also places Buckingham Palace, Hyde Park, Bond Street and many of the area’s restaurants, galleries and shops within walking distance.
With thanks to The Athenaeum for hosting us.
If you’re planning a wider UK stay with your dog, I’ve also rounded up my favourite stays in this guide to the best dog-friendly hotels across the UK.
Check availability and current rates at The Athenaeum
- My stay at The Athenaeum was complimentary; however, all views and photographs are entirely my own.
