You will find independent, award-winning and one of a kind hotel in the heart of Mayfair, opposite tranquil Green Park. As one of London’s few family-run five-star hotels, a proudly independent spirit is still the driving force of everything the team do.
Following a multi-million-pound refurbishment and with Michelin-starred chefs The Galvin Brothers at the culinary helm, The Athenaeum Hotel & Residences has entered an exciting new era.
HISTORY
The prestigious address of 116 Piccadilly has seen its fair share of inhabitants over the years. Back in 1850, it started life as Hope House, the elegant private abode of MP Henry Hope. The mansion was said to have attracted the attention of Charles Dickens, who noted its extravagant interiors.
This is not to suggest, however, that Mr Hope was an ostentatious character. In fact, he was renowned for his astuteness and committed patronage of the arts. His prize collection of Old Masters, which he would occasionally put on display to the public, made Hope House the home of one of Europe’s finest private art collections.
The same rational attributes cannot be assigned, however, to Henry Hope’s son-in-law, the roguish Henry Pelham-Clinton, the 6th Duke of Newcastle.
When the Duke wed Hope’s only daughter, Henrietta, his spiralling gambling debts (around £230,000 – an eye-watering £143 million today) were settled and he acquired an impressive property portfolio to boot. When he died aged just 45, Henrietta sold Hope House to the fashionable Junior Athenaeum Club.
The word ‘Athenaeum’ loosely translates as ‘library’ and is derived from the Greek name Athena, the goddess of wisdom. The noble name stayed at 116 Piccadilly in the 1930s as the club disbanded and the building was transformed into a luxurious Art Deco apartment block.
Four decades later, the Athenaeum and its neighbouring Victorian townhouses were snapped up by British entertainment group The Rank Organisation. The company renovated the apartments into an iconic hotel to accommodate its movie stars whenever they were filming at London’s famous Pinewood and Ealing Studios.
As a five-star hotel, The Athenaeum has long been associated with the rich and famous. Charismatic executive manager Sally Bulloch heralded the hotel’s Hollywood golden age in the 1970s, where her natural charm and perennial presence at the hotel bar made her a hit with guests.
She was said to have enjoyed a glass of champagne (or two) with Elizabeth Taylor – among countless others – and once (gently) admonished Russell Crowe for leaving his room untidy.
Boy band Take That announced their split from the penthouse of The Athenaeum, and legendary film director Steven Spielberg even installed an editing suite in one of the hotel’s residences when working on E.T., Close Encounters and Raiders of the Lost Ark.
Today, stars, world leaders and the well known continue to use The Athenaeum as their discreet home-from-home.
Rooms come with all the expected mod cons of five-star stay. Spacious suites provide the ultimate in comfort and relaxation in central Mayfair.
Luxurious private Residences are ideal for families, groups and long-term stays.
Abundantly spacious, all 18 apartments are fully-serviced with private entrance, fully equipped kitchens, living and dining areas as well as 24 hour In Room Dining for a true home-from-home experience.
With three double bedrooms, a Jacuzzi bath and private balcony with panoramic views across the iconic and regal architecture of the London skyline.
Nothing compares to spectacular Penthouse Suite.
Enjoy the freedom that comes with your own private London residence. 18 luxury serviced apartments are located in Victorian red-brick townhouses adjacent to the hotel.
Each apartment is accessed via your own front door with discreet internal entry to the hotel.
They are fully equipped with a kitchen, spacious living area and 24-hour In Room Dining. Many are interconnecting, making them ideal for families, groups and long-term stays.
VIEW PLAN
Floor-to-ceiling windows in Green Park Suites provide leafy views across the Royal Park.
Most include king-size beds with Hypnos mattresses and open-plan or separate sitting room.
Comfy king-size four poster beds with Hypnos mattresses and views across Victorian Mayfair.
Beautiful Mayfair Suites are a tranquil retreat with spacious open-plan layout.
Elegant Deluxe rooms come with all the expected mod-cons of a five-star stay, with the added bonus of overlooking the Victorian townhouses and hidden gems of Down Street.
Rooms offer Bose docking station for iPod, iPad and smartphones. An ideal weekend retreat for two.
The stunning Park View rooms bring the outside in and exude contemporary five-star style.
Floor-to-ceiling windows offer spectacular views across Green Park.
With lots of little luxuries to enjoy, there’s also a super-comfy Hypnos bed to guarantee a great night’s sleep.
Stylish and uniquely decorated, Superior rooms are ideal for a short break or romantic getaway.
Galvin at The Athenaeum is the latest opening from Michelin-starred London chefs Chris and Jeff Galvin, together making up one of the UK’s most successful gastronomic brands.
The new restaurant exemplifies the brothers’ no-fuss, ingredient-led approach to cooking with a distinctly British style.
Putting on a good Afternoon Tea is something The Athenaeum has down to a fine art. It’s legendary, in fact, and award-winning, too.
The Galvin Brothers’ modern British Afternoon Tea showcases the country’s very best ingredients: fresh smoked salmon from Severn & Wye, Cumbrian ham, Kentish strawberries and Devonshire clotted cream.
Afternoon Tea and a special Galvin Cream Tea are served daily in The Bar, Front Room and beautiful heated terrace, which is open all year round.
Gentleman’s afternoon tea draws on the traditions of the club house and appeals to those with a love for tea with less of sweet tooth.
12.30h - 16.30h
12.30h - 17.30h
Mornings in London always seem to be faster paced than any other. At Galvin team makes sure that whatever your time schedule, you experience a memorable and filling breakfast.
When you begin your day with a fine selection of pastries, muesli and classic British dishes, your day is guaranteed to be great.
For the health conscious team has fresh smoothies. For the hungry - a full English. For the travelled - a continental buffet.
No matter where you arrived from or where your day will take you, Galvin at The Athenaeum will get your day started in the right way.
07.00h - 11.00h
Chef-restaurateurs Chris and Jeff Galvin make up one of Britain’s biggest culinary success stories of the past decade.
Both are Michelin-star recipients in their own right, and have worked with some of the biggest names in the industry, among them Sir Terence Conran, Antony Worrall Thompson and Nico Ladenis.
The brothers are known for their love of French cuisine but employ the same passion and philosophy with everything they do.
It’s all about simple, ingredient-led cooking with a focus on seasonal ingredients.
Galvin at The Athenaeum is the latest restaurant from Michelin-starred London chefs Chris and Jeff Galvin. For the first time the brothers have stepped away from their trademark French-inspired menus in favour of championing Britain’s delicious homegrown produce and supporting independent farmers across the UK.
An exciting array of new menus include Afternoon Tea and Private Dining, and feature a modern take on classic British dishes combined with Galvin favourites.
12.00h - 23.00h
12.00h - 14.30h
18.00h - 22.30h
Monday – Saturday12.30h - 16.30hSunday12.30h - 17.30h
08.00h - 22.30h
11.00h - 01.00h
Special occasions are worth celebrating in style. Whether it is an anniversary, birthday, corporate event or just because, private dining at The Athenaeum is an unforgettable experience.
The stunning new event and private dining spaces have air conditioning, natural daylight and tranquil views over the Royal Parks.
A range of fine dining options including three-course feasts and sumptuous banquets have been specially devised by the Galvin Brothers and can be tailored to your individual tastes.
Everything is accompanied by a wide selection of wines, spirits, handcrafted cocktails and the finest champagne.
As well as retaining The Athenaeum’s famous whisky collection, The Bar features a fine selection of wine and champagne alongside a range of pioneering craft spirits and Signature Cocktails created by renowned Italian bartender Giancarlo Mancino.
The Bar at The Athenaeum is a destination in its own right. Accessed via a discrete entrance on Down Street, it’s intimate and inviting with elegant bespoke interiors.
Ren Spa is a boutique haven of tranquillity – a gem in the heart of Mayfair hotel – and the perfect choice for a girl’s weekend or to relax before Ladies Day at Ascot or Henley Regatta.
Indulge yourself with bespoke Ren treatments and personalised packages.
Team also offers a range of beauty treatments and finishing touches including manicures and pedicures to make you look and feel gorgeous. After a long flight or busy day shopping, relax and de-stress in two cedar wood hot tubs, sauna, steam room and relaxation area.
Full body sugar scrub, with Ren’s world-renowned Moroccan Rose body scrub.
Heavenly Moroccan Rose together with bespoke zen touch work to relieve body tension, uplift the spirit and soothe the mind for the ultimate feeling of balance.
A brightening facial designed to resurface, renew and re-energise tired, dull and stressed skin.
Relax and de-stress in two cedar wood hot tubs, sauna, steam room and relaxation area.
Ren Spa is a boutique haven of tranquillity – a gem in the heart of our Mayfair hotel.
Team uses warm wax and Lycon hot wax in treatments.
VERTICAL GARDEN
Installed in 2009, The Athenaeum’s Living Wall has quickly become a symbol of the hotel. The garden begins at street level and reaches all the way to the 10th floor Penthouse.
It provides a subtle nod to the verdant splendour of Green Park just across the road, as well as being an important haven of biodiversity for London. More importantly, it was an idea that the hotel owners simply fell in love with and wanted to have at The Athenaeum.
WEDDING
With elegant Art Deco-inspired interiors, sumptuous menus created by Michelin-starred chefs The Galvin Brothers and impeccable service, The Athenaeum is the perfect choice for your big day.
Hotel has everything you need under one roof to create a memorable celebration that is totally individual to you. Luxury event spaces on the first floor have floor-to-ceiling windows with romantic leafy views over Green Park.
Over the river to the west is another jewel of London's landmarks.
The Living Wall was created by Patrick Blanc, an award-winning French artist and botanist.
See London from a different perspective on the London Eye.
When it comes to hosting business meetings, conferences and corporate events, it is essential that all arrangements are managed with attention-to-detail and precision.
St. Paul's Cathedral was the city's tallest building from 1710 to as recently as 1962.
The Athenaeum is the perfect choice for your big day.
THE ATHENAEUM
116 PiccadillyMayfairW1J 7BJ London United Kingdom