London has a new luxury hotel, joining the ranks of the Capital’s finest 5-star establishments. The Corinthia Hotel at Whitehall Place, which opened in early May, has a fascinating history: from WWII until 2007 it was owned by the Ministry of Defence.

Now, however, it is an ‘elegantly discreet’ destination for international guests, a beautifully constructed flagship hotel featuring two world-class restaurants. ‘The Northall’ focuses on the best British produce, including Cumbrian short horn cattle, under the guidance of Garry Hollihead, winner of Michelin stars at three different establishments. Meanwhile the ‘Massimo Restaurant and Oyster Bar’, headed by the renowned Italian chef patron Massimo Riccioli, is the hotel’s Mediterranean speciality seafood restaurant.

The guest bedrooms – 249 in total, including 43 suites – boast an average size of 45m²: among the largest in London’s luxury hotel market. Grandest of all is The Royal Suite, located on two floors in one of the domes, a 470-square-foot suite with a balcony giving a 180-degree panoramic view of London.

The main Lobby Lounge is dominated by a soaring, central dome, its focal point a Full Moon chandelier with 1001 crystal baubles that was created by Parisian designer Chafik Gasmi and produced by French crystal manufacturer Baccarat.

Meanwhile, the hotel’s reception area contains a nine-square-metre bronze artwork representing the River Thames meandering through the City of London, with a replica of each building on its banks – and Corinthia at the centre.

The hotel’s spa is no disappointment, either. Spanning 3300m2 and on four floors, it features 17 treatment rooms, a private spa suite, nail studio, indoor pool, vitality pool, amphitheatre sauna, ice fountain, marble heated lounges, private sleep pods, a state-of-the-art gym and Daniel Galvin hair salon.

There are also six private executive level meeting rooms on the mezzanine floor, linked through to the mezzanine dining area of The Northall and hence convenient for a private lunch or dinner. For more details, see www.corinthia.com.

Text: Classic Driver
Photo: Corinthia