The Landmark London defies every stereotype about stuffy London hotels. The Landmark London might sit on one of the capital's busiest roads, but step inside and you'll find yourself in something closer to a tropical conservatory than a traditional British establishment. With towering palm trees reaching toward an eight-story glass ceiling and the gentle tinkle of piano keys drifting through the air, this place has figured out how to be grand without being pompous.
From Railway Glory to Modern Revival
Photos by The Landmark London
The Landmark's story reads like a particularly eventful chapter of London history. When Sir Edward Watkin of the Great Central Railway first dreamed up this hotel in the 1890s, he had visions of Marylebone station becoming the hub of an international railway network running through a channel tunnel. His ambitions proved a century ahead of their time - much like his failed attempt to outdo the Eiffel Tower with Watkins' Tower.
After financial troubles forced the sale to furniture magnate Sir John Blundell Maple, the hotel opened in 1899 as one of London's grandest railway hotels. Colonel Sir Robert William Edis designed an eclectic, opulent building complete with a clock tower and large central courtyard. The Ladies' Alpine Club even held their annual dinners here, which tells you something about the clientele it attracted.
The hotel's middle years were less glamorous. As cars replaced trains, London's railway hotels struggled, and the Great Central spent over four decades out of service as a hotel entirely. During World War II, it served as a convalescent home, then became the headquarters of the British Railways Board - railway staff dubbed it "The Kremlin." A Japanese company bought it in 1986, reopening it as The Regent in 1993, before the Thai-owned Lancaster Landmark Hotel Company purchased it in 1995 and gave it its current name.
The Marble Hall: A Grand Entrance
The Marble Hall
Walking into the Landmark feels like stepping into a different era entirely. The entrance hall features soaring vaulted ceilings and immaculately maintained Victorian architecture that survived all those decades of institutional use. Fresh floral displays tower above you, doormen sport traditional top hats, and the wood-paneled stairwells hint at the building's railway hotel heritage. It's theatrical without being overwhelming – the kind of entrance that makes you straighten your shoulders a bit.
The Atrium: London's Indoor Jungle
Atrium
The centerpiece of the Landmark is undoubtedly its breathtaking eight-story glass atrium, where palm trees stretch toward the ceiling like they're reaching for actual sky. This isn't some modest hotel lobby – it's a full-scale winter garden that feels more like being in a Victorian-era botanical conservatory. The space buzzes with activity throughout the day, from breakfast meetings to romantic dinners, all soundtracked by live piano music that somehow never feels intrusive.
Half the hotel's 300 rooms overlook this spectacular space, giving you a bird's-eye view of the comings and goings below. It's like staying inside a very elegant terrarium, and surprisingly, that's exactly as appealing as it sounds.
Winter Garden Restaurant: Dining Among the Palms
Winter Garden Restaurant
The Winter Garden Restaurant occupies the ground floor of that magnificent atrium, and eating here feels like dining in an upscale greenhouse. Head Chef Brian Hennessy has created a menu that celebrates British seasonal ingredients with dishes like Beef Wellington and line-caught wild sea bass taking center stage. The live piano adds to the atmosphere without drowning out conversation - a delicate balance that many hotels struggle to achieve.
The breakfast buffet deserves special mention. Rather than the usual tired continental spread, you'll find everything from traditional cooked breakfast options to fresh smoothies, butternut squash salads with pumpkin seeds and Greek yogurt, and an impressive array of pastries. It caters to an international crowd without sacrificing quality or personality.
Afternoon tea
The Landmark's afternoon tea has achieved near-legendary status, and for good reason. Served beneath those elegant palm fronds with live piano accompaniment, it's the kind of experience that makes even jaded Londoners remember why they love their city. The menu features delicate finger sandwiches, homemade scones with rich Cornish clotted cream, and carefully curated preserves alongside an array of crafted pastries.
Between June and October, the hotel partners with luxury skincare company ARgENTUM for a special "Scent of Summer" afternoon tea that adds an extra layer of indulgence to the experience. There's also a "High Seas High Tea" featuring fresh seafood sandwiches, served Friday through Sunday.
Champagne Bar: Bubbles with a View
Champagne Bar
The Champagne Bar, tucked away on the mezzanine level above the Winter Garden Restaurant, feels like discovering a secret garden within a garden. The award-winning space offers an extensive selection of champagnes and sparkling wines in an intimate setting that somehow feels both secluded and part of the action below.
Champagne Rose Garden
The bar recently introduced a Japanese Garden and Champagne & Sushi Experience in partnership with Lallier Champagne and florist Mary Jane Vaughan - because apparently, one garden theme wasn't enough for this place.
Great Central Pub: British Comfort Food Elevated
Great Central Pub
Chef Patron Matt Fletcher's gastropub opened in 2022 in the hotel's oak-paneled former pub space, and it's a welcome addition to London's dining scene. The menu features old pub classics with a modern twist - think scotch eggs with piccalilli, elevated bangers and mash, and what they call "posh fish finger sandwiches."
The atmosphere strikes the right balance between warming and sophisticated, with locally sourced London beers from breweries like Mad Squirrel and Chiltern Brewery. Sunday roasts are a particular highlight, offering a traditional experience that feels both authentic and refined.
Mirror Bar
The Mirror Bar bills itself as one of Marylebone's best-kept secrets, and the slightly hidden location adds to its appeal. This is where you come for pre-dinner cocktails or late-night drinks in an atmosphere that manages to be both authentic and seductive without trying too hard.
Craft cocktails at the Mirror Bar
The bar recently added an outdoor terrace for alfresco drinking and dining, complete with a handpicked selection of cigars for those who want the full experience. It's the kind of place that makes you feel like you're in on something special.
Executive Room
Executive Room
The Executive Rooms average 50 square meters, making them genuinely spacious by London hotel standards. Each features a king-size bed, generous seating area with sofa and coffee table, and a practical work desk. You can choose between street views or views into the glass-roofed atrium - both have their charms.
The bathrooms are clad in white Italian marble with both a walk-in shower and separate bathtub. White Company toiletries add a touch of luxury, while Nespresso machines and tea-making facilities ensure you're never far from a decent cup of coffee.
Executive Family Room
Executive Family Room
At an average of 52 square meters, the Executive Family Rooms are designed with families in mind. Two large double beds ensure everyone gets a good night's sleep, while the open-plan seating area with comfortable sofas and armchairs gives families space to spread out.
The marble bathrooms include both walk-in showers and separate baths - essential when you're traveling with children. These rooms can accommodate two adults and up to two children under 12, making them a practical choice for family visits to London.
The Landmark Signature Suite
The Landmark Signature Suite
The newly redesigned Signature Suites represent the hotel at its most luxurious. These spaces blend heritage and contemporary elegance with high-end amenities including Miele kitchen appliances, vanity desks with Dyson hairdryers, and mood lighting throughout.
For larger groups or extended stays, suites can be interconnected to create a spacious three-bedroom suite spanning over 210 square meters. It's residential living with hotel service - the best of both worlds.
The Spa: Serenity in the City
The spa's indoor pool
The spa occupies the hotel's lower level, creating a peaceful retreat from London's constant buzz. The centerpiece is a 15-meter chlorine-free swimming pool that's beautifully lit and pleasantly warm. A hot tub and sauna complete the wet facilities, while four treatment rooms offer facials and massages.
The hotel recently partnered with SkinFaciality for premium facial treatments, and the existing partnership with Germaine de Capuccini ensures high-quality products throughout. The pool operates with dedicated children's hours from 9-11 am and 3-5 pm, making it family-friendly without compromising the adult experience.
Fresh fruits, fruit-infused water, and magazines are available to all spa users, and while swimming caps are advisable, they're not mandatory. The spa is currently undergoing a significant multimillion-pound refurbishment scheduled for completion in late spring 2026, with limited services available during the closure period from January.
222 Marylebone Rd, London NW1 6JQ, United Kingdom
