Better known for its lavish jewelry – think gleaming emeralds, dazzling diamonds and the deepest azure sapphires – it’s no surprise that stepping into Bulgari Hotel London is like finding yourself encased in a jewelry box.
Polished, black granite floors and acres of glossy sapele mahogany mean that the lobby is, more specifically, the equivalent of the inside of a black-lacquered case. With gleaming surfaces everywhere – mirrors, mesh-steel screens and shiny floors – this just shouts Italian glamour. Running seamlessly into a lounge area, made cosy with a stylized fireplace and low-slung Italian chairs and sofas – it is also the place for people-watching.
When the hotel opened in 2012, it became renowned for its glitzy guest list – boasting many high-net-worth names who are attracted to the chic styling, discreet service and uber-luxe ambiance that go hand-in-hand with the Bulgari Hotels name. Just spend a few minutes in the public areas and you feel a frisson in the air: everyone feels like they are someone, and everyone is treated thus. Concierges and doormen mumble into earpieces, and every time the lift doors open, you’re convinced the likes of George and Amal will step out before you. It’s that kind of place.
While there are 85 sumptuous rooms to choose from – many overlooking Hyde Park – the real showstoppers are undoubtedly the seven sprawling suites. Inspired by a nautical theme – think: travellers’ trunks, chrome details and polished woods – these are moody, sensual spaces. Large lounge areas have fireplaces, oversized modular sofas, state-of-the-art TVs and separate dining rooms. Many also have sleek terrace areas, kept private with clipped box hedges, but lending a rare chance for a touch of al fresco dining in the centre of London.
Separate kitchens are stocked with wine fridges and hi-tech coffee machines, and there are dreamy walk-in wardrobes which add to the feel that this is more like a lavish urban apartment rather than a hotel room. Bathrooms also bring the wow factor with black marble tubs, rows of Bulgari toiletries and showers with in-built steam-rooms lined in ivory and lime-green onyx.
Luxurious detailing can be seen – and felt – with vintage carpets underfoot, sourced from Morocco’s Beni Ouarain tribes, contemporary Murano chandeliers and upholstery fabrics designed and woven in Italy. No detail has been overlooked. The lighting, for example, has been specially designed to do away with that "all-or-nothing" problem and overcomplex systems that many hotels have. Using the latest LED technology, every lamp is warm and dimmable, and, thankfully, easy to use. Another highlight are the oversized beds, which are made up with crisp luxury linens and bought to life with an exquisite fabric headboard. Shot through with gold and silver thread, its intricate design is inspired by the 19t-century jewelry drawings by the brand’s founder Sotiro Bulgari.
With its Cigar Shop and Sampling Lounge and Spirit Room, the hotel has a distinct masculine feel about it, but this is counterbalanced by the glorious spa which brings an element of sumptuousness to the property.
One of the largest wellness retreats in London, it has a 25-metre swimming pool and an opulent vitality pool tiled with gold-leaf mosaics. Like stepping back to the Roman times, there’s a sense of spaciousness and Palladian elegance bought about by the sandblasted Vicenza stone walls, floors and columns. Across the 12 treatment rooms, you can choose from a wide selection of ESPA facials, Jax Coco body massages and a range of traditional Chinese therapies by leading practitioner David Peters.
For red-carpet moments, however, opt for one of the "Advanced Beauty" treatments – such as iS’ Champagne Facial. During the hour-long treatment, skin is deep cleansed with a Foaming Enzyme Masque, made from papaya and pineapple enzymes and glycolic acid, which gives a Champagne-like fizz sensation on the skin. A warming, aromatic honey and papaya balm and a clarifying, citrus and rosemary mud masque add a pampering touch, leaving you with luminous skin ready for your close-up.
This being an Italian brand, it’s to be expected that a real treat is Bulgari’s Rivea London restaurant. Shimmy through the glamourous bar and descend the showstopper of a staircase – it’s straight out of a 1950s Hollywood movie – and you’ll find one of the most beautifully designed dining rooms in London.
Inspired by the laid-back nature of the Riviera, the restaurant's décor features a glitzy blue and pearlescent palette, glittering lighting and polished wood floors. Exceptional service is matched by head chef’s Antonio Corsaro’s inventive menus, which invoke the fresh produce and vibrant feel of the food markets of Italy and Provence. Sharing plates make for delicious starters – from Summer Panzanella to courgette flowers stuffed with ricotta and anchovy – while mains are light enough to transport you to a sun-drenched table by the ocean – Blue Lobster linguine and John Dory with courgettes and girolles are standouts.
Tucked away downstairs, and found at the back of the hotel, Rivea has a strangely ‘undiscovered’ feel about it. This may be Knightsbridge, and this is definitely a Bulgari Hotel, but nevertheless, dining here makes you feel like you’re among a select few in the city who know just how good this restaurant is. It’s a gem.
Prices for suites at Bulgari Hotel London start from £6,300 per night on a room-only basis. For more information and booking, please visit: www.bulgarihotels.com/en_US/london
