London hotels have a habit of promising an escape from the city. The Athenaeum Hotel & Residences is one of the few that has actually delivered that.
The Noctis team were invited along to take a look at the hotel’s newly unveiled tenth-floor suites, and if ever there was a reason to book yourself a staycation (or casually suggest one to someone feeling generous), this might just be it.
Perched above Piccadilly, the new suites somehow manage to feel a million miles away from the organised chaos unfolding below. One minute you’re weaving through London’s busiest streets, and the next you’re standing in complete silence, looking out across Green Park, Buckingham Palace and the unmistakable London skyline. It’s the sort of view that makes you instinctively wander over to the window with a coffee in hand and suddenly convince yourself you’re the main character.
We’re a bit of a sucker for good interiors, and this space absolutely delivers. Rich burr wood, beautifully crafted British furniture, tactile fabrics, plush cushions, herringbone flooring and subtle marble detailing all come together effortlessly. Every texture invites you to sit down, slow down and stay just a little longer. It feels less like checking into a hotel and more like borrowing the impeccably styled London apartment of someone with excellent taste.
So many luxury hotels lean into cool minimalism, but these suites feel genuinely warm and inviting. There’s a softness to everything. Curved lines flow throughout the room from the sweeping headboard to the beautifully sculpted desk and elegant wall lights, giving the whole suite a sense of calm that feels incredibly considered. It isn’t trying to shout about how luxurious it is; it simply knows it is.
Then there are the little touches that make all the difference. Dyson haircare, Bang & Olufsen sound bar, thoughtful lighting that changes the mood at the touch of a button, and a carefully curated minibar that actually makes you want to open it. Even the bathrooms deserve a mention. Spacious, elegant and finished in marble, they’re stocked with the new Paul Smith Botanist collection as part of their collaboration with Paul Smith, a lovely addition that feels perfectly in keeping with the hotel’s celebration of British craftsmanship and design.
Of course, no hotel review is complete without a cocktail (it’s practically research), and their new Picante certainly didn’t disappoint. Fresh, vibrant and perfectly balanced with just the right amount of heat, it was the ideal way to round off the afternoon. The best part? If you’re staying in one of the new suites, you’ll find a complimentary bottle of Picante tucked away in your minibar, ready to kick-start your stay in the best possible way.
What impressed us just as much as the interiors, though, was the people. The service was faultless. From the moment we arrived, every member of the team made us feel incredibly welcome. Friendly without being formal, attentive without hovering, it’s that rare kind of hospitality that feels completely natural. Nothing was too much trouble, and every interaction felt authentic rather than rehearsed.
What The Athenaeum Hotel & Residences has created with these new suites isn’t just another luxury hotel room, it’s an experience. It’s somewhere you can properly switch off, whether you’re visiting London for the first time or simply escaping your own postcode for the weekend. Sophisticated and elegant without an ounce of pretension, it’s luxury that actually feels comfortable.
We arrived excited to see what all the fuss was about and left completely understanding it. Safe to say, checking out was by far the hardest part of the day.
www.athenaeumhotel.com
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Words: Persephone Quarme