Situated at the prestigious address of 116 Piccadilly, The Athenaeum boasts one of the most enviable addresses in London. The hotel’s building has been through several transformations, from the mansion of Henry Hope, a Member of Parliament, to becoming a private Victorian social club, an Art Deco apartment block in the 1930s, and finally, a hotel in the 1970s, attracting a diverse clientele, including celebrities like Elizabeth Taylor, Marlon Brando, and Sean Connery. Steven Spielberg was also said to have created an editing suite within one of The Athenaeum’s residences when he was working on E.T., Close Encounters and Raiders of the Lost Ark.
Set directly across from Green Park, the hotel boasts stunning views that bring a sense of calm amidst the city buzz, just moments away from some of the city’s most iconic landmarks such as Buckingham Palace, Bond Street, and Piccadilly Circus.
The Room
The rooms, suites and residences at The Athenaeum epitomise their proud British heritage, championing bespoke British craftsmanship with a nod to their Art Deco roots. We stayed in one of the suites which had a separate lounge area with floor-to-ceiling, allowing in an abundance of natural light and a serene view of Green Park. The bedroom featured a king-sized bed topped with a Hypnos mattress, on which sat Arthur Naeum, the friendly Athenaeum teddy bear, ready to welcome us. The connecting sleek marble bathroom had a bathtub and spacious walk-in rain shower, complete with luxury toiletries, soft bathrobes, and slippers. The minibar in the lounge was stocked with complimentary soft drinks and a Nespresso coffee machine with an array of coffee capsules.
The Athenaeum recognises the importance of four-legged friends and have re-invented their dog offering to allow guests to bring the whole family along for a luxurious break. Their VIPup package includes a comfortable dog bed, dog bowl for use during the stay, as well as a box of treats and Athenaeum bandana to take home. The VIPup Package costs £35 per dog per night and must be booked at least 3 days in advance.
We were also allowed access to The View, a private, exclusive resident’s lounge located on the top floor which offers guests a tranquil escape with sweepings view over London. Complimentary refreshments are available throughout the day, as well as an additional happy hour which runs from 6-7pm. The space is also dog-friendly, which is a plus.
The Food
In the evening, we headed down to 116, the hotel’s contemporary British restaurant which showcases the very best seasonal and locally sourced produce. We enjoyed dishes such as Dingley Dell pork with pickled radish and English mustard, crab risotto with Cornish Whiting in a shellfish bisque, Denham Vale 30 day dry aged sirloin steak, and a caramel mousse with an apple cinnamon centre.
Breakfast menu cards are delivered to rooms in the evening for guests who wish to enjoy a leisurely breakfast in the comforts of their rooms the next morning. My order was delivered promptly at the time that I had specified on my order card, which was the perfect start to the day.
Getting There
The hotel is easily accessible by public transport; Green Park Underground Station is approximately a five minute walk away, offering convenient access to the Jubilee, Victoria, and Piccadilly lines – ideal for exploring the West End, the city and for commuters travelling to or from Heathrow airport. Several bus routes also stop nearby, which run along or near Piccadilly and provide direct links to areas such as Oxford Circus, Kensington, and Knightsbridge.
A word of thanks to The Athenaeum for hosting us.
View rooms at The Athenaeum here.
- My experience at The Athenaeum was complimentary – all views and photos are my own.
