Timeless Elegance: The Beaumont London - a Luxury London Art Deco Hotel
In this review of The Beaumont Hotel in London, I’ll detail my experience of the location, the restaurants, and of course the accommodation and facilities at the hotel itself. Read below to find out everything you need to know before your next trip to London.
I’m a huge Agatha Christie fan, and by inference (Hercule) Poirot so when I found about The Beaumont and its perfectly central location and, probably more importantly, its unique Art Deco design, I knew I had to visit. You could easily be mistaken by thinking this was a very old hotel, but in fact it only opened in 2014. Such an amazing stay, and somewhere I definitely want to revisit.
The Colony Grill Restaurant at The Beaumont London
Fast Facts for The Beaumont London
Address - 8 Balderton St, Brown Hart Gardens, London W1K 6TF
Website - https://www.thebeaumont.com/
TripAdvisor ranking - #45 (of 3,016) in London
Contact - info@thebeaumont.com
Nearest airport - Various London airports (I flew into LHR, 15 miles away, Heathrow Express to Paddington then Elizabeth Line to Bond Street)
Opened - 2014 (renovated 2021)
Number of rooms / suites - 50 total plus 22 suites and studios (25 extra soon)
Number of floors - 5
Bars - 2 (Le Magritte Bar & Terrace and Gatsby’s)
Restaurants - 3 (The Colony Grill Room, Le Magritte Bar & Terrace and Gatsby’s)
Wellbeing - Spa & Salon (various treatments, steam room, sauna, cold plunge, relaxation area), 24hr gymnasium
Visited - March 2023
The Beaumont Hotel London - Art Deco Wonder
Hotel Accommodation: Thoughtfully designed and meticulously comfortable, recently refurbished and enhanced by French designer and architect Thierry Despont
Currently there are 50 rooms across four floors plus 22 studios and suites, with an extra 25 coming soon when the building behind the existing hotel gets incorporated as part of the existing hotel structure. In terms of rooms, there are Classic, Superior, Superior Grand, and Premier variations. There are also Studios and Superior Studios, then the pinnacle of accommodations there are the suites including Classic and Mayfair Suites, the Terrace and Roosevelt Suites, as well as ROOM by Anthony Gormley.
Having booked through Classic Travel, link above, I was given an upgrade but all rooms here (and the suites in particular) look exceptional. By booking the Virtuoso rate with Classic Travel, in addition to the upgrade, I received:
Upgrade at time of arrival, subject to availability (and this was honoured)
Full breakfast daily for two guests per bedroom
Complimentary one-way private airport transfers (or $100USD equivalent room credit)
Early check-in/Late check-out, subject to availability
Complimentary Wi-Fi
More on my specific room later, but being shown into it I really appreciated how much of a wow factor this had. I really felt like it was stepping onto an Art Deco film set, but everything was executed so well and the bathroom was exceptional. The hotel describes itself as a five-star luxury London hotel with an old-world aesthetic and values, firmly underpinned by 21st century advances in technology and ease. It is privately-owned and independently-run, with such an incredible focus on attention to detail and authenticity.
“Just like stepping into the set of Agatha Christie’s (Hercule) Poirot.”
Facilities & Service at The Beaumont
Apart from the outstanding service throughout, from the welcome at the entrance to checking in and getting a personal show round of the hotel; in the restaurant and bars, and right through to my departure, this really was an exceptional experience.
More on the food and drink service later, but in the basement they also have a stunning spa and gymnasium. The Beaumont Spa, with white marble Art Deco ambience was an oasis of tranquillity and felt like it was miles apart from the heart of a bustling city and the heart of Mayfair. There was a comprehensive range of massage, facial and hammam treatments, as well as manicures and pedicures, and there were also hairdressing and grooming services too. The Beaumont Spa also featured a fully equipped gym, sauna, steam room and cold plunge pool/ice machine.
I’ve broken down the key facilities and services and shared my opinion on them below:
Rooms/suites
I was in room 412 on the fourth floor overlooking Brown Hart Gardens. Unfortunately it wasn’t amazing weather over the couple of days I visited so I don’t have great outside photos, but it was good having a step-out balcony with full floor to ceiling opening doors. The large entrance area had fitted wardrobes (superbly appointed with deluxe wooden hangers, an umbrella, safe, shoe care paraphernalia etc.) and off here too was the superb bathroom - read more later.
Going into the main part of the bedroom there was a vast bed with perfect ‘B’ monogrammed linens, with bedside tables containing an array of things like a traditional alarm clock, modern phone, a reading book, paper and pen, an accessories tray and what was such a nice touch was a set of playing cards and some traditional games, along with a decent-sized bar of both milk and dark chocolate.
There was a large writing desk (gleaming polished traditional wood) with a chair, two occasional armchairs as well as a small coffee table which, on my arrival, held an array of treats like a fruit selection and hand-made chocolates. Mineral water was provided and there was a full mini-bar too as well as a Nespresso machine and tea making facilities too. There were so many aspects of this room I absolutely loved, but one was the outlook from large windows overlooking Brown Hart Gardens and the London skyline behind.
Levels of Comfort
Everything in the hotel was so well thought out, designed and maintained, so with the polished dark and lacquered woods, to the gleaming glass and chrome and sparkling marble and tiled walls and floors in the spa and bathrooms, this was a splendour of cleanliness. As I’ve said before, it was like stepping into a scene from an episode of Agatha Christie’s Poirot series or film, and the whole hotel had a wonderfully calming, relaxing ambience. The bedroom was so quiet, despite it overlooking the Gardens, the bed was super comfortable and nothing was too much trouble for any of the staff. Such a wonderful experience from start to finish.
Bathroom
Marble lined and tiled with literally gleaming white fittings, mirrored and chrome everywhere for that vintage/Art Deco look, this really was a bathroom with the wow factor. There was a full-sized bath, as well as a decent sized walk-in shower with overhead rain shower head, only a single sink but on a large marble vanity unit with every possible bathroom accessory you could need, as well as copious amounts of fluffy white towels.
All the toiletries were bespoke from D.R. Harris & Co (specialists in gentlemen’s grooming products from St. James’s London) with everything from a shampoo and body wash (soap) bar, body lotion and conditioner, hand soap, bath salts etc. At first I didn’t like the fact there wasn’t any shower gel, which I’m more used to, but at that point I hadn’t properly read the card in the bathroom which explained the sustainability aspects of why they had chosen a body wash and separate shampoo bar in lieu of shower gel and shampoo bottles. Having requested shower gel from Housekeeping, by the time I came back to my room from the spa, these had been left for me. On reading the card though, and actually trying out the bars, they were fantastic and would last so much longer than liquid versions. Also a really nice touch, albeit I didn’t read this until I was leaving, was that you could ask Housekeeping for a tin such that you could take these away with you for further use.
Breakfast
This was served in the Colony Grill, the main restaurant, but could also have been delivered as room service. With the restaurant being such an incredible space, and being included as part of my overnight rate having booked with Virtuoso benefits through Classic Travel, I went down to have my breakfast there.
The breakfast menu was split into sections, these being Viennoiserie (all sorts of croissants, pain au chocolat , buns, Danish and muffins), Cold Breakfast (fruits, yoghurts, muesli, granola etc.), Pancakes & French Toast, Duck Egg Hashes, Hot Breakfast (porridge, bacon rolls, crushed avocado on granary toast which is what I had), then also a whole selection of Eggs as well as a full Vegan English or The English, traditional breakfasts. There was no buffet with everything being served to your table, but with this extensive selection and such incredible attentive service like dinner, breakfast was another Beaumont experience.
Restaurant & Bars
The main bar is situated just off the main lobby, Le Magritte Bar (and Terrace). I’d hoped to go for a drink there before dinner, but I hadn’t booked a table and it was very busy, even on a weekday. I asked the staff about a table with being a resident, but it was probably the only negative service I’d had anywhere in the hotel and they clearly weren’t bothered about making any sort of effort. I decided instead to go to Gatsby’s Lounge bar, which serves both snacks and drinks. The service there was exemplary and I felt much more welcomed, having a table of choice for a glass of champagne and then a cocktail before dinner.
Dinner was adjacent in the stunningly-designed Colony Grill Room, where I would have both breakfast and dinner. There was a great selection of food options, not least for a vegetarian (where they had a special menu) and service (like most of the hotel) was exemplary and friendly. The highlight of the meal for me had to be the The Colony Grill Bespoke Sundae. Although there was a whole array of other delicious dessert options, I immediately homed in on the sundaes. Here they gave you a pad of pre-printed menus where you would pick first whether you wanted two, three or four scoops of ice cream, then you would pick your flavour, add topping and various sauces to complete your choice. I opted for 2 scoops of Salted Caramel ice cream, with a Salted Caramel sauce, topped by both Honeycomb and Rum Soaked Raisins. The whole dinner was delicious (including the lovely fresh breads served first), but the make-your-own sundae finished it off nicely. Never mind the champagne, cocktails, gin etc. including a favourite of mine, Monkey 47.
Design & Architecture
I think the hotel’s claim that The Beaumont embodies the spirit of the grand hotels of the 1920’s is undoubtedly valid, but equally it’s bizarre to realise that the building has had a chequered history and indeed started its life as a very fancy four-storey car park with petrol station. Over its 100 year lifespan, I found out from the very friendly doorman that it had also been offices and an Avis rent-a-car location. Having a floor added and then being remodelled to reopen as the hotel, with only the frontage remaining; this has made it the Beaumont as is today. Opening in 2014, it was then refurbished again in 2021, but has been done in such a wonderful way. It’s noted that the Colony Grill has kept its clubby Twenties New York atmosphere. You would never think this was a newly recreated space, but only the Art Deco frontage being original.
The Beaumont Spa
On one level below the ground floor, which feels a million miles away from the hustle and bustle of London’s affluent Mayfair, you feel transported into another world, and era, when entering the Beaumont Spa. In the calm white marble Art Deco (and polished chrome) tranquil environment, you can be pampered from a whole list of massage, facial and hammam treatments, as well as manicures and pedicures, or visit the hairdressing salon or men’s grooming parlour. In the Spa Hammam, there is a sauna, steam room, cold plunge pool and ice bowl, as well as there being a separate (and open 24 hours) gymnasium. I had an excellent treatment here and this will be part of a separate spa review blog.
What about the Mayfair location right in the heart of London?
The hotel is in a great location, only a couple of minutes walk from Bond Street underground (if you take the right exit, which I didn’t!) and literally seconds away from Oxford Street. Such a central location, with shops, restaurants and bars literally on the doorstep. Hyde Park is also a 5-10 minute walk too.
Whenever we fly to London, we will generally use Heathrow airport the most so it was an easy connection to get the Heathrow Express (takes only 20 minutes from Terminal 5 into Paddingston station) with very frequent services throughout the day. Once you’re at Paddington, it’s easy to jump on the Underground (Tube) lines, and the Beaumont is best serviced by Bond Street station, only a few stops direct on the new Elizabeth Line.
Food and Drink at The Beaumont
Although there weren't lots of options, for the size of the hotel and its location (where you have literally dozens of restaurants, bars and cafés on your doorstep), the choice at The Beaumont was very good. As well as the restaurant and bar options, of course there was an extensive 24 hour room service menu too.
Le Magritte Bar & Terrace
Le Magritte Bar & Terrace was the only option I didn’t get to experience, with hindsight I should have tried to reserve a table for drinks before dinner in advance (it does say on the website that reservations aren’t allowed, but not sure if this applies to hotel residents too. It’s open all day, and there are separate breakfast, lunch & dinner, drinks, snacks and a cigar menu too. This would be a great choice for any, or just a cocktail before dinner. The bar looks incredible, reminiscent of the 1920’s American bars that popped up across London and Paris. I loved the look of the Botanical cocktails, but equally there was an extensive list of American Whiskey / Bourbon (their speciality) as well as Scottish, English & Irish Whiskeys and also a massive selection of my favourite (gin) including quite a few I’d never heard of before.
The Colony Grill
I’ve written about The Colony Grill already, being the choice for both breakfast and dinner. A really fabulous looking restaurant with that New York style, great service and I loved the fact that they had a dedicated vegetarian menu. There were also full menus for Breakfast, A La Carte, Table D’Hote, Sunday Lunch, Feasting, Desserts, Wines and Children’s.
Gatsby’s Room (Champagne Bar & Afternoon Tea)
This is where I ended up having a pre-dinner drinks, and they have a great Champagne & Snacks menu. As well as this, they’re open all day too for Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner (more snacky/comfort food than the Colony Grill), and (of course) the quintessentially English Afternoon Tea served daily. Although I don’t see it on the menus now (online) on the day I was leaving I had some time to pass, so had a quick lunch in Gatsby’s Room before flying home. It was the most delicious grilled cheese sandwich with huge gherkin pickles on the side.
Highlights of our stay
There were so many highlights of the stay at the but here are just a few of the key points, which I hope you find a useful summary.
Loved the hidden doors in Gatsby’s - designed like a library
The Maitre D was there excellent - so welcoming when Le Magritte was too busy
The ambience of the whole hotel - just like an Agatha Christie film set
The spa - such a great facility and my spa treatment was amazing
The Colony Grill - everything about it, but especially the ‘design-your-own’ ice cream sundae
Being so well catered for as a vegetarian
The location - so near to Oxford Street and Mayfair, yet felt as if it was in a world of its own
The doorman - so friendly and chatting, loved hearing about the building’s history
The bathroom and loved the D.R. Harris & Co toiletries - especially the sustainability focus of the body wash and shampoo bars vs shower gel
The grilled cheese sandwich (with huge pickles) in Gatsby’s Lounge for lunch
The artwork throughout the hotel
Bedside chocolate bars - so much better having full size bars and a choice of milk or dark, rather than just one small square on your pillow at night
Areas for improvement
Wherever we stay, I do always like to look at the positives on any property we stay in, and airlines we fly with etc. but sometimes you can’t help but notice things that (for me, but I realise this is always personal) might have made for a better stay.
This doesn’t happen very often, but I genuinely can’t think of anything to add here on this occasion
Would I stay here again?
Without hesitation; what’s not to love - the location, the design, wonderful accommodations, great food and drinks, and wow what a spa! Definitely want to return to see how the extra accommodations have been incorporated into such a special building.
The attention to detail at The Beaumont London was exceptional
My final thoughts on The Beaumont Hotel London
Have you stayed at The Beaumont before? I’d love to hear your own thoughts and opinions on it as well as your impression of London as a destination.
Comment below to share your thoughts and opinions.
Let me know which hotel I should review next!
