The five hotels with the best penthouses
For out-of-this-world design, once-in-a-lifetime views and regal exclusivity, nothing less than the almighty penthouse will do. With nightly rates as lavish as the rooms, it’s worth knowing where your money’s best spent. This issue, Hannah Ralph reveals the sensational spots worthy of the splurge…
01/08/2021Updated 21/02/2025
CORINTHIA LONDON
A soft rap-a-tap-tap on the door and there appears butler-supremo Dominic, upon whose gleaming silver tray sits a bucket of ice-cold Champagne and two narrow-lipped flutes. At Corinthia London, every penthouse suite (this five-star has seven of them) comes with its own Dominic, a personal butler on hand 24 hours a day whether you’re craving a midnight milkshake (he’s had stranger requests) or need the pup taken for a stroll in neighbouring St James’s Park. In these top-dollar suites, the only thing better than the service is the views, with six of the seven penthouses boasting unbeatable terraces from which to soak up the skyline. You can play a game of giant outdoor chess at the Whitehall Penthouse, take a dip in the bubbling whirlpool at the Hamilton Penthouse, or lap up the London Eye from Corinthia’s most spacious suite, the Royal Penthouse. Plus, personal drivers, in-suite sommeliers and complimentary access to the Bond-befitting spa are all there for the taking.
SWEET THEMES
From the book-laden walls of the Writer’s Penthouse to the Musician’s Penthouse grand piano, these seven suites are all gently themed. We had a soft spot for the Explorer’s Penthouse, with several roaring fires and warm, honeycomb tones.
SLEEP SATISFACTION
Beds are king-sized and lovingly made with Egyptian cotton linens that check in at an eye-watering £1,000 per sheet. One thing the Corinthia doesn’t do is skimp.
TOP TIP
You can’t spend all your time in the suite (or can you?), so be sure to snag a reservation at the hotel restaurant, where our favourite Tom Kerridge dishes up his famous triple-cooked chips.
