English Chase vodka, Wolfgang Puck steak popcorn, my Four Seasons Park Lane pepper & Parmesan popcorn, gummy bears, vanilla macaroons with paw prints & a teddy bear with Issy's name on his sleeve. 45 Park Lane is The Dorchester hotel's 45 room/suite, more expensive, chic contemporary sister hotel housed in a exceptional Art Deco building with a striking façade, with eco-friendly cooling fins, minutes walk from its stately 'older sister'. All rooms & suites in 45 Park Lane have large windows with views of Hyde Park.
45 Park Lane is famous for being the site of Hugh Hefner's first Playboy Club in Europe, which had the world's most profitable casino in the 1980s.
With all my stays at The Dorchester, and knowing John (the General Manager of 45 Park Lane) from his time at The Dorchester, I had to stay at this hotel and John made this possible.
45 Park Lane is famous for being the site of Hugh Hefner's first Playboy Club in Europe, which had the world's most profitable casino in the 1980s.
With all my stays at The Dorchester, and knowing John (the General Manager of 45 Park Lane) from his time at The Dorchester, I had to stay at this hotel and John made this possible.
| The Welcome I arrived on the day I moved back to London. Earlier I had taken possession of my Barbican flat again after 16 years in Bermuda, Qatar &, in the last 12 months, travelling the globe writing www.sifrew.com. It was quite a day in my life. At 45 Park Lane I was welcome with such warmth & friendship and John (their GM) came out to say hello to me personally and handed me over to his young & enthusiastic staff. My Exquisite Welcome Gifts I was checked-in in my suite by Raoul and then Kitty (my sweet 'Host') explained my stunningly thoughtful welcome gifts. These included the Sichuan pepper & Parmesan cheese popcorn I loved at Four Seasons Park Lane, which amazed/thrilled me. My Elegant Studio Suite My Studio Suite was in rich earth tones, with an opulent feel using warm velvet fabrics, lacquered furniture and Art Deco touches. There was a giant Bang & Olufsen flatscreen TV, hotel iPad, a touch-screen 'phone that operated the blinds, lights & TV and a bed that was invitingly large and firm. The classy marble bathroom had 45 Park Lane own brand products from Aromatherapy Associates, a mirror-mounted TV, deep bath, a giant walk-in rain forrest shower and a 45 Park Lane rubber duck. Calling My Parents I then tried the three types of popcorn (caramelised; steak; and pepper & Parmesan) while calling my mum & dad to discuss what needed to be done to my Barbican place. After this I relaxed watching 'Come Dine with Me' before an incredible shower in one of the best rainforest showers I have experience. 1920s-Style Lobby When I went downstairs again the Thierry Despont-designed interiors, including a stunning dark wood lobby with chandeliers by Brand van Egmond, have to impress. The lobby opens onto the in-house steak restaurant CUT, which has Damien Hirst artwork. BAR 45, Four Seasons Park Lane & The Dorchester BAR 45 is the bar that staff at Four Seasons Bahrain Bay told me they were being sent to train at, as it is regarded as such an exceptional model in the Wolfgang Puck empire. It is a rather intimate space up a staircase and has a Negroni trolley & a black granite bar. I ordered a very dry Grey Goose martini and, once my friend arrived, he ordered a Negroni from BAR 45's Negroni trolley. He said it was the best Negroni he had tasted and we both agreed the bar staff were excellent. We had such fun talking about the Qatar & the 2022 World Cup, the UAE and what it was like for us both to have returned to London. After I said goodbye to him I went to Four Seasons Park Lane where the charming bar staff discussed by Vesper martini at Four Seasons Bahrain Bay. This led them to allow me to try some Lillet. I ended my evening in The Bar at The Dorchester talking to some customers who had been to a wedding there, while drinking one more perfect very dry Grey Goose martini Day Two Starting Sunday With A Wolfgang Puck Breakfast I went down for breakfast in CUT overlooking Park Lane/Hyde Park. I was looking forward to a deliciously haute cuisine breakfast with Parmesan polenta & truffle emulsion on offer. In the end I got toasted brioche & free range fried organic eggs with the black truffle emulsion, sage & black pepper pork sausage, very crispy smoked streaky bacon and tomatoes stuffed with roasted shallots & mushroom marmalade with fresh orange juice and hot chocolate. It was one of the interesting breakfasts I have eaten & delicious and staff were so caring, cheerful and friendly. Hugh is Named After this I lazed around, enjoying my gorgeous suite, before checking out. During the course of this I decided to name my new teddy bear Hugh (after Mr Hefner). The staff who checked me out were such fun to chat with and reconfirmed how excellent all the staff at 45 Park Lane are. 🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻 (6 out of 5 ‘teddies’) - 45 Park Lane is a sleek/elegant hotel with a younger & more masculine feel than The Dorchester but still the same attention to detail & perfect service. Tip:- even if you do not stay in this hotel, try their breakfast or brunch. |  The hotel's refined & elegant lobby.  The large windows of my Studio Suite with stunning views of Hyde Park. Can you spot Abu?  The large & firm bed that was heaven to sleep in.  The beautiful marble bathroom with Aromatherapy Associates bath products & a 45 Park Lane rubber duck.  The Negroni trolley in BAR 45 is fascinating entertainment & my friend said it was the best Negroni he had tasted.  The Lillet Four Seasons Park Lane let me try after we talked about my Vesper martini at Four Seasons Bahrain Bay.  The very dry Grey Goose martinis at The Dorchester are always perfect.  My Wolfgang Puck breakfast. The truffle emulsion is in the pouring jug.  I worked on this posting in the Barbican gardens. I love having all this greenery minutes away from my 'new' London home. |
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