Review: Corinthia London, where British luxury meets politics

Ahead of its expansion into the Middle East next year, we check out the Corinthia’s flagship venue in the heart of the British capital

The Corinthia London boasts a suite inspired by Sir Winston Churchill

In a city where luxury hotel space is at a premium, the Corinthia London could almost be accused of showing off with its seven luxury penthouses, each more spectacular than the last.

While the UK’s politicians battle it out over Brexit, those with real political clout will be checking into the Corinthia’s 2,205 square foot Hamilton Penthouse, named in tribute to Emma, Lady Hamilton, lover of Lord Nelson, whose Trafalgar Square statue faces directly into the penthouse suite’s terrace.

Or the Whitehall Penthouse, accessed by a private internal lift and inspired by Sir Winston Churchill for whom the building formerly served as his ministerial office. A giant chess set on the private terrace with its views towards Whitehall and Big Ben provides diversion ‘from the affairs of state or business’.

For those with more leisurely pursuits in mind, The Musician’s Penthouse houses a Steinway grand piano and terrace with riverscape views towards St. Paul’s Cathedral, the London Eye and Big Ben. Vintage Hollywood allure swathes The Actor’s Penthouse in glamour, while life under canvas is evoked, albeit luxuriously, in The Explorer’s Penthouse. For the literati, The Writer’s Penthouse is lined by over 1,000 books nestled under a towering turret and secret roof terrace.

Finally, for the ultimate London retreat, the 5,000sq ft Royal Penthouse is the largest two-bedroom luxury hotel residence in London. The uninterrupted 180 degree view sweeps majestically from the City to Westminster, while your terrace boasts both sun loungers and a fire pit for every meteorological eventuality. Inside, the Royal Penthouse encompasses a high tech study, private wine cellar, ESPA Life treatment room and grand staircase from the panoramic living room to the grand bedrooms with bathrooms and dressing rooms clad in honey onyx and Skyros marble.

Should you venture out from your penthouse – all of which are designed over two levels and are serviced by a private butler – the Corinthia’s spa by ESPA Life spans four storeys, including a thermal floor with a shimmering silver pool, amphitheatre sauna and marble heated loungers. Molecular aesthetics expert Dr Barbara Sturm’s method is available for the ultimate anti-ageing treatments, while the Daniel Galvin hair salon is the go-to for London’s most discerning clientele.