The Lanesborough or Claridge's in London
 

My husband and I are travelling to London in July for business. Therefore hotel will be paid for by his firm. We are trying to decide between Claridge's or the Lanesborough. As both are very expensive it's a matter of atmosphere, location and amenities. I would like to hear from experienced business travelers who can give me up to date advice on both of these hotels. My husband thinks the Lanesborough looks too corporate and not "English" enough. What do you think?

The Lanesborough is not at all corporate. There's a fairly recent thread with a discussion of the Lanesborough, the Connaught, Claridges etc. Try a text search for Lanesborough. I've only had drinks there (the bar is very trendy) but others seem to like it. I've stayed at the Dorchester & love it. It was recently renovated. There are a group of boutique hotels also. Try firmdalehotels.com

Firstly, would love your husband's expense account. Both are top 5 properties in London and I have experienced both. The Lanesborough is owned by Caroline Hunt of the Hunt family and no expense was spared on rooms public and private. Top notch service and accomodations throughout. The atmosphere is, I feel, over-done. There is nothing understated about the property. It's living in the midst of a spread from Architechtural Digest. Not a flat surface is spared some urn or onrmaental piece. Their website is a very accurate representation of the space. When I was there, many southern and Texan business people on their way to golf junket in Scotland were always abudant. Claridges wins if a more "English experience" is desired (though the Connaught would be perhaps the most English). It's an art deco monument to style, steeped in history, recently redone. My complaint with the renovation is that Gordon Ramsay restaurant is just too hip (I'm in the minority here), though the Reading Room is smashing, and the rooms are quite impressive. For specific business needs, you should contact each property and inquire if your husband's requirements can be met to his satisfaction. Location for both is great. If you'd like, whichever one you select, I will stay in the other and meet you and your husband for dinner and let you know what you're missing (as long as his company pays), or we could switch hotel mid-stay. I'll leave it to you.

Of the two, I much prefer Claridge's (in fact, its my favorite hotel in London). Its much better located than the Lanesborough -- in fact, from Claridge's you're very close to Bond Street tube station, and at the Lanesborough you seem more isolated and need to cross some major streets to get to the tube.

Lilac,

The Lanesborough, I understood, has been purchased by the St. Regis Group?
At any rate, it is a renovated building(former hospital) on an exquisite scale.

As far as comparisons go, Claridges has been a hotel at this site since 1898, with renovations of course! It has the sense of history and style that only comes from catering to the elite for generations. The location as mentioned is perfect, the dining options are considered among the best in the city. In my opinion, Claridges epitomizes the classic deluxe hotel: elegant without being snobbish, flawless service without intruding. This is a hotel with a long and brilliant history and I can't help but think that it would be my first choice. After all, next trip you could stay at the Lanesborough! (I do agree with the recommendation that The Connaught is perhaps the most "english" of all.....the sense of some aristocrat's town house and all that!) Happy travels!

Vaya con Dios!

I wish my business would pay for me at one of those hotels. One advantage of The Lanesborough is that you can now get Starwood points and with the price of the rooms there, it will be a lot of points! Then you could use all Starwood points to stay at another Luxury Collection or St. Regis hotel for 50% off when you are paying for it. It's a win-win situation.

Thank you all for your thoughtful responses. Based on your good advice it looks like Claridge's would be our best choice. The Lanesborough's web site claims it does not participate in Starwood point system.
One last question-are there certain rooms or areas in the Claridge's Hotel that we should avoid or request?

If you want to eat in the Gordon Ramsey restaurant there, make sure you book well in advance of your trip otherwise you'll be disappointed..

Lilac,

May I ask whether you are considering a room or suite? I have several suggestions but will limit them based on your choice.

We will be booking a superior queen or king room and hoping for an upgrade. I assume a view of the interior courtyard would be preferable to the street due to noise unless the courtyard is miniscule and even noisier than street-side. Your advice?

I would recommend the superior king room. While the Savoy Group site lists that such rooms have quiet inner court views, I would make sure your request is on file.

As well, some folks aren't too keen on the British notion of pushing two twins together to make a king bed. If that is an issue, you may want to consider a superior queen, with the same stipulation for inner court views. The king rooms are bigger, and some baths also have two wash basins which my wife and I cannot do without! Considering that the difference between the king and queen rooms is only 20 or so GBPs, I would opt for the king.

Finally, inner court rooms have the advantage of quiet over the street, although this area is hardly what I would consider noisy. Nevertheless, there is always the odd lorry that will be backing up outside your window at 4:00 am!

P.S.

If you would like some specific room suggestions, I would be happy to oblige but they will, of course, be limited to my knowledge and some folks whom I trust.

Thank you all for your wonderful help. We will be requesting a superior king with inner courtyard view. I'm sure it will be fabulous!

I staid at the Lanesborough the last time I was in london...and the service, the amenities, and the location were fantastic...You could walk to Wellington's house...and were only a few metro stops to Liechster square to get tickets for plays... Were able to check Email with the tv service...and the breakfast and butler service was top notch.

Thanks sbprop. We are going to London next week and staying at the Lanesborough and I was getting a little nervous after reading these posts. I asked of few friends of mine who live here but are from London what the best hotel was and they all said to stay at the Lanesborough. I sure both hotels are very nice.

Lilac,

Your very welcome! I agree that both hotels are of the first rank and mean, in no way, to disparage The Lanesborough. However, in terms of the overall "feel" of a hotel, I think Claridges wins.

Lastly, if you haven't yet, visit the Savoy Group site and take a look at the Executive King option. They are on the seventh floor and have views! They are a bit more expensive, of course, but just another suggestion.

Vaya con Dios!

I am reading a great book right now called "The Hotel: Backstairs at the World's Most Exclusive Hotel" by Jeffrey Robinson. It is about the management of Claridge's and a peek behind the scenes. Very interesting! It might not influence your decision, but it is fun to read!

Claridge's...location,location,location.Top hotel,Gordon Ramsey,Bond Street, Oxford Street,transportation connections etc..........

arriba,

Just a note to say "thank you" for your recommendation to Jeffrey Robinson's book! I love reading about the inner workings of great hotels. Have you read Stanley Jackson's book on The Savoy?

Anyway, we looked for the book locally and it is apparently out of print. My wife just tracked a copy down via Amazon.com and it should be in our hands shortly.

Thanks again!