Review / Why you should stay at The Berkeley in London: the luxury hotel – the ‘fun and naughty sibling’ to The Connaught and Claridge’s – boasts a rooftop pool and contemporary suites by a Hong Kong designer
- In contrast to luxury hotel chains like Four Seasons and Shangri-La, Maybourne Group’s 5-star properties like The Connaught and Claridge’s eschew a cookie cutter approach, especially at The Berkeley
- This world-class establishment features Prêt-à-Portea – a fashion-themed afternoon tea where its ‘couture cakes’ are inspired by the season’s most striking looks, evoking outfits from Loewe and Hermès
London has plenty of luxury hotels. From global chains such as Four Seasons and Rosewood to Asian brands including Mandarin Oriental and Shangri-La (Raffles and The Peninsula are also set to debut there soon), the city offers many choices for those looking for a five-star stay.
In-the-know visitors to London, however, tend to be regulars at one of the hotels under the Qatari-owned Maybourne Group. While you may not be familiar with the company, you’ve probably heard of its legendary London properties – Claridge’s, The Connaught and The Berkeley – all located not far from each other within the city’s centre.
As someone who had the pleasure to stay at Claridge’s and The Connaught in the past – as well as a recent US addition to the Maybourne portfolio, The Maybourne Beverly Hills – The Berkeley had long been on my bucket list.
Situated between the leafy neighbourhood of Belgravia and the shopping haven of Knightsbridge, The Berkeley also boats the most beautiful backyard you could wish for: Hyde Park, which is just a stone’s throw away.
What struck me about the decor of the suite, and The Berkeley in general, was its contemporary vibe and feel. Unlike Claridge’s and The Connaught, which are reminiscent of grand hotels of yore, The Berkeley is laid-back and intimate – the fun and naughty sibling to the more grown-up sisters, as a hotel staffer put it during a tour of the premises.
