Grosvenor House reveals £8m renovation of public areas

06 July 2016 by Katey Pigden

London's Grosvenor House, A JW Marriott hotel, which hosted The Cateys last night (5 July), has revealed its £8m renovation of the hotel's public spaces.

The new design celebrates the hotel's heritage and takes inspiration from its proximity to Hyde Park.

Lobby areas and the Park Room have been given a makeover as part of the renovation project carried out by hospitality interior design firm the Gallery HBA.

The Park Room now has references to nature, including a selection of glass butterflies, which form the central chandelier.

It also features books and ornaments hinting at the hotel's past and is a space used for afternoon tea as well as à la carte options and cocktails.

The ground floor transformation has also seen the introduction of a floor to ceiling glass surround fireplace. Other design features include the Ballroom's carpet, which has been inspired by the hotel's former ice rink, on which the Queen took ice skating lessons.

Together with the Ballroom, the hotel's meeting suite, 86 Park Lane, has been refurbished to create an events space offering 20 flexible suites.

Stuart Bowery, general manager at Grosvenor House, said: "We are delighted to take JW Marriott Grosvenor House to the next chapter in its esteemed history.

"The refurbishment of the Lobby, Park Room and Ballroom showcase some of London's finest entertainment space. We have fused our heritage and location to create a contemporary hotel that satisfies the global traveller of today."

An English garden party was held at Grosvenor House on 21 June to celebrate the launch of the renovation project. The colourful display included a gin bar serving botanical cocktails, a secret garden and a performance by violinist Lizzie Ball and the Classical Kicks.

Stars such as actress Gillian Anderson and singer/actress Samantha Barks were among the guests on the night.

The five-AA-star, 494-bedroom hotel has been on the market for a year after Sahara Grosvenor House Hospitality, a subsidiary of Sahara went into administration.

Last month it was reported that the Grosvenor House could become the UK's biggest single hotel sale after a member of the Saudi royal family was thought to be lining up a £1b bid to buy the property along with two hotels in New York from India's Sahara Group.

Sahara bought Grosvenor House, operated by Marriott International, in 2010 for £470m in what was the largest London hotel deal on record.