London’s Royal Lancaster Rocks On — with a Thai Flair

Perhaps no other London hotel can boast such a storied past, filled with royalty, rock musicians and movie stars, as the Royal Lancaster London.

When The Beatles released their classic “Yellow Submarine” film in 1968, they celebrated with an after-party in the newly opened Lancaster’s Yellow Submarine nightclub. The Rolling Stones also frequented the residence, which overlooks Hyde Park. It was cherished by the likes of Britain’s Princess Margaret herself.

In the 1969 comedy caper, “The Italian Job,” actor Michael Caine was taken directly from prison to a luxury suite at the Royal Lancaster. Minicar models in each room commemorate the celluloid cult classic.

Since opening its doors in 1967, the chic luxury hotel remained mostly unchanged until 2015, when the prestigious family-run property underwent a two-year, head-to-toe, £83 million renovation. It reopened on November 8, 2017.

The driving force behind the remake was owner Jatuporn Sihanatkathakul, a Thai businessman. He hired branding and interior-design expert David Morris of Studio Proof to oversee the work. Morris preserved the hotel’s mid-century charm with a contemporary design and stylish feel.

Inside a swanky new entrance, a modern open-floor plan flaunts over 3,000 square feet of alabaster Carrara marble encompassing the lobby area. Adjoining the lobby, behind reception, guests may enjoy champagne, cocktails, espresso and light fare in the chic Hyde Lobby Bar.

All 411 guest rooms and suites were redesigned or redecorated. Most face Hyde Park; upper rooms have far-reaching views that extend to the Shard and the London Eye. Marble bathrooms come with soothing waterfall showers and luxury toiletries. All rooms are connected to the highest standards; each one, in fact, has a 4G phone free to use as a nifty navigation system for strolling around London.

Food and Drink
Rarely do you find an award-winning restaurant nestled in a quiet corner of a landmark hotel. The unpretentious Nipa Thai, named after the owner’s wife. features an all-female kitchen brigade serving up authentic Thai dishes. The Pad Thai Nipa includes jumbo king prawns; the refreshing Pla Yum Manyang is a medley of crispy sea bass with shredded fresh mango drizzled with a tangy sauce.

For those who prefer Western dining, the Island Grill serves brasserie-style meals such as a duck salad, steaks and a catch of the day in an unhurried and relaxed environment.

Its executive chef, Ben Purton, is as passionate about afternoon tea as Sean Connery is about James Bond. The quintessential British ritual comes with seasonal offerings themed to events like the Chelsea Flower Show, spooky Halloween and Wimbledon tennis.

Silk, Tweed and Honey
The entire Royal Lancaster staff is dressed to the nines, clad in tweed and silk shirts. From the front-desk staff to the concierge, down through housekeepers, waiters and bartenders, everyone seems to have a happy smile. There is a genuine sense of teamwork.

“As a people person, I love the variety of people working here,” Jo Hemsley, the assistant director of sales, said. “I have co-workers from Poland, Bulgaria, Lithuania, Thailand (of course), Japan, South Africa, Jordan, Philippines, Germany, France, and even an American!”

Hemsley also told me about the hotel’s signature pets — honey bees! “We’re nutty about our bees,” she said, “as they are a vital part of our environment. We first installed our beehives in 2009, and they have grown to be part of our family. We are very serious about our impact on the environment.

“This turned into a positive addition to the hotel. We use the honey for our smoked salmon glaze, and we’re making our in-house gin with our honey.”

Location, Location
Each bedroom eyeballs the multi-colored maple and lime trees in Hyde Park, across Bayswater Road, with the verdant grounds of the fabled Italian Gardens just steps away. The Kensington Gardens are a short walk, and the Central Line Lancaster Gate tube station is on the backside of the hotel. The shops of Oxford Street and the world’s largest antique market on Portobello Road are just minutes away.

Getting to and from Heathrow Airport is also a painless endeavor. From Paddington Station, a mere 20-minute walk, the Heathrow Express whisks you to Heathrow in 15 minutes.

When I depart the Royal Lancaster, feeling as though I’ve just merged into my new London family, I inevitably wish that I could extend my trip for a couple more nights.

The hotel’s vision — “To be the happiest hotel in London” — suits it well. So, too, do its core values: “We always care.”
—Nicholas Kontis, Publisher