Park life Reviews
Number One Park Lane, London isn’t some Monopoly game figment but the very real location of InterContinental’s flagship hotel. Sat Bal checked in to discover how a £3,000 + a night suite and a £76m refurbishment makes this coveted address even more desirable.
The reception area of InterContinental London Park Lane hints at why this hotel became the new official hotel partner of London Fashion Week in September '07. Customised high-heeled shoes by designer Terry de Havilland form a display entitled "Colourspace for Shoes". Elsewhere, guests can call on the hotel's "ghd Butler Service" for a silver tray replete with styling products.
These flourishes aside, there’s a more compelling reason to visit InterContinental, namely, the £76 million spent on its refurbishment with the aim of positioning it as InterContinental group's global flagship. The autumn '07 refurbishment saw the unveiling of 60 elegant designer suites and four opulent “signature suites” designed by London-based consultancy, KCA International.
We make our way to one of those signature suites, the “Cinema Suite”, with some anticipation. While some hotels provide special lifts or dramatic walkways to their most prestigious suites, the approach to Room 620, Cinema Suite brings no such sense of occasion. However, the understated approach vanishes once the doors open. Inside, the guest is greeted by a luxurious 112 sqm space in which state-of the-art technology complements creature comfort.
Screen test
After navigating the vast open-plan living space, we see why the Cinema Suite lives up to its name. A purpose-built facility, the separate space provides an intimate screening room for six people with over 250 films to choose from.
The heavily padded leather chairs are electrically reclinable and supremely cosseting - think airline first class on steroids. As if any further reason were needed not to move, a portable touch screen console allows control of everything from the powerful music centre to laptop operation, all from the lazy recline of the seats. A tap of the console awakens the projection screen from its ceiling recess while blue and green recessed spots blink to give the room an aqua glow. The dark seduction is completed by a richly dressed burgundy pleated silk enclosure and a surround sound system feeding Artcoustic hand-made designer speakers.
Away from the cinema room, more normal viewing is provided by the Bang & Olufsen’s 42-inch flat screen televisions in the main rooms and 28-36 inch flat screens in the bedrooms. They adorn all four signature suites.
The creamy beige living space contrasts starkly with the cinema room and features a relaxing L-configured sofa and chic leather coffee table with adjoining plush dining area for six people.
Floor-to-ceiling windows make inspired viewing of Hyde Park down below with the continuous traffic reduced to a distant rumble by the sound insulation. High speed internet service, Bose sound systems and I-pod docks bolster the facilities while specially commissioned artwork from artist Uschi Schmitt-Ladanyi complements the individual design schemes of each suite.
Neither will you fret about the frette thread count of the linen in the spacious bedroom.
The king-size bed is dressed in plush leather, silk and satin fabrics and the large ensuite bathroom has a rain shower with body jets and a large bath – perfect whether you’ve just flown in on the BA red-eye or want to retreat from the rigours of the city.
There’s also a second guest bathroom in the main living area and the suite can be configured to create more guest rooms should even more space be needed.
In short, the Cinema Suite elegantly adopts the whims of its occupants to create a luxurious, social cocoon for a few friends, a dinner party or a more up-tempo party.
Other Signature Suites
Royal Suite
Royal Suite 135 sqm space
Views- Hyde Park and Knightsbridge
Open-plan living room featuring three separate seating spaces
Dining area for eight Kitchenette Office space Marble guest bathroom.
Master bedroom with oversized canopy bed Large chaise longue and stylish vanity table.
Walk-in wardrobe and dressing area
Large ensuite bathroom with a jacuzzi bath and large rain shower
The suite can be connected to four additional bedrooms and the adjacent London Suite. Cost from £4,000 + VAT per night.
London Suite 
London Suite 73 sqm space Views- Buckingham Palace and Wellington Arch. Floating staircase
Transparency between spaces
King-size bed Contemporary chaise longue and generous wardrobe space
Ensuite bathroom,walk-in rain shower with eight body jets, bath overlooking London
Spacious living area featuring a plush cornered sofa
Dining area for four
Guest bathroom.
The London Suite can be connected to an additional guest room and the Royal Suite to create one of the most exclusive suites in Europe.
Cost for the London Suite is from £3,500 +VAT per night.
Wellington Suite
Wellington Suite 109 sqm space
Views -overlooks Number One London, the home of the Duke of Wellington.
Dining area for six guests
Large kitchenette off the dining room
Large open-plan living space
Separate business area
Guest bathroom
King-size bed and spacious ensuite bathroom with large bath and separate shower Suite can be connected to three additional guest rooms.
Cost from £3,000 +VAT per night.
Studio & Palace Suites
56 suites ranging from the 34 sqm Studio Suites to the 89 sqm Palace Suites.
Neo-classical theme, designated business area and high-speed internet access.
Cost from £470 for Studio Suites up to £2,000 for the Palace Suites overlooking the Queen’s back garden.
Complimentary access to the Club InterContinental Team of expert butlers on hand
For event spaces & Club InterContinental - click here
For Theo Randall restaurant at InterContinental - click here
RK