The Leading Hotels of the World — Leaders Club Hotel of the Year (2025)
Opened in 1899 as the Great Central Hotel, The Landmark London began as part of a major railway development in Marylebone. Over time, it served different roles, including wartime use and railway offices, before returning as a hotel. Today, it remains one of London’s grand Victorian railway properties, best known for its soaring glass roof atrium and period detailing throughout the interiors. The hotel offers several dining venues and extensive event spaces. The spa is a true highlight, centered around the pool with treatment rooms, sauna, and a gym; it feels like a calm retreat in the middle of the city. Its central location also makes it a perfect base for exploring London’s parks, museums, shopping streets, and cultural landmarks.
222 Marylebone Road, Hyde Park, London, United Kingdom, NW1 6JQ
Back in 1894, Sir Edward Watkin, a big name in the railway world, wanted Marylebone Station to be a major hub. He imagined a grand hotel to go with it. A year later, Sir John Blundell Maple bought the site and started building, making sure guests could even buy the hotel’s fancy furnishings from his store. Colonel Robert Edis designed the hotel, and it first opened on July 1, 1899, as the Great Central Hotel. It had 700 rooms and a central atrium that would later become the Winter Garden.
From the start, it was all about luxury and grandeur. The hotel was built around a big courtyard, so every room had light and fresh air, and its glass roof and tall atrium made a dramatic entrance that still wows people today. The roof even had a cycle track! In 1908, the hotel hosted a special breakfast for Emmeline Pankhurst, the women’s rights leader, after she was released from prison. Over time, the courtyard was turned into a Winter Garden with a dance floor at its center, making it a popular space for guests.
During World War I, the hotel was used as a convalescent home for officers and returned to welcoming travelers in 1918. In World War II, it served British Military Intelligence and also provided shelter during air raids.
After the war, it shifted from hospitality to administration, becoming the headquarters for the British Railways Board, earning the nickname “The Kremlin” from its employees. In 1988, a touch of glamour returned when Japanese pop star Sen Masao purchased the property and began renovations. Hazama Corporation took over in 1991, adding an eight-story roof over the Winter Garden, turning it into the breathtaking space admired by visitors today.
The hotel reopened in 1993 as the Regent under Four Seasons. Just two years later, in 1995, Khun Jatuporn Sihanatkathakul acquired it, gave it the name The Landmark London, and brought it into the Lancaster Hotel Group. By 2008, the hotel had earned its place among the world’s most distinguished independent luxury hotels as a member of the Leading Hotels of the World.
The Landmark London reflects its Victorian roots as a grand railway hotel. Its red brick exterior and detailed façade hint at the building’s history and connection to Marylebone Station. Inside, the centerpiece is the eight‑storey Winter Garden. A glass ceiling allows sunlight to fill the space, creating a bright and airy feel. The Winter Garden serves as a restaurant, lounge, and event space, making it central to the hotel’s public areas.
Public areas feature marble floors, grand staircases, and intricate plasterwork, combining elegance with practicality. Meeting and event rooms are carefully designed to provide functional spaces while maintaining a sense of history, and the Drawing Room stands out for its wood paneling, detailed ceilings, and ornate light fixtures.
The hotel has 300 rooms and suites, smaller in number than the original 700, allowing for larger spaces. Rooms range from Superior rooms to the Presidential Suite. Interiors include king‑sized beds, marble bathrooms, and rich colors, offering a sense of luxury without being overwhelming. Throughout, the design keeps the building’s heritage visible while meeting today’s needs.
The Winter Garden Restaurant
The Winter Garden Restaurant serves British seasonal dishes in the heart of London. It sits under the hotel’s eight‑storey atrium, with tall palms and plenty of daylight, making it a lovely spot for breakfast, a relaxed lunch, or dinner with live piano music. Head Chef Brian Hennessy’s menu highlights quality ingredients, with standouts like Beef Wellington and Robata Grilled Hand-Dived Orkney Scallops. Guests can also enjoy an extensive selection of wines, cocktails, and other drinks to complement their meals.
Opening hours:
Breakfast: 7:00 am – 11:00 am (Monday – Friday); 7:00 am – 11:30 am (Saturday – Sunday)
Lunch: 12:00 pm – 2:30 pm (Monday – Friday)
Dinner: 6:30 pm – 10:00 pm (daily)
Dress code: Smart casual
The Champagne Bar is located beneath a glass ceiling lined with greenery, creating a relaxed setting for a drink or a light snack. It is a good spot for Champagne, sparkling wines, or cocktails, and on Fridays and Saturdays, live jazz music is played in the evenings. The menu offers small plates and light dishes, such as Brixham white crab on toasted crumpet, smoked Scottish salmon with capers and shallot cream, or a British cheese platter with quince and crackers. Sandwiches and salads are also available. The bar is suitable for a casual afternoon drink, a weekend seafood-inspired afternoon tea, or an evening out.
Opening hours: 9.00 am – 5.00 pm (Monday); 9.00 am – 10.30 pm (Tuesday – Friday); 11.00 am – 10.30 pm (Saturday); 11.00 am – 5.00 pm (Sunday)
Dress code: Smart casual
The Mirror Bar is a cocktail lounge that offers a quiet spot for pre-dinner drinks or late-night drinks. The interior features mirrored walls, soft lighting, and an intimate layout, while the terrace provides outdoor seating with heating and fur throws during cooler months. Drinks include a variety of handcrafted cocktails, with a focus on seasonal and limited-edition options, and there is a small selection of handpicked cigars for those who enjoy them. During winter, the Winter Terrace is set up in collaboration with Beluga Vodka, creating a cozy space for enjoying cocktails outdoors.
Opening hours: 5 pm – 1 am (Tuesday – Friday); 4 pm – 1 am (Saturday); 4 pm – 12 am (Sunday)
Great Central Pub by Matt Fletcher is a British gastro pub offering hearty pub food in a relaxed setting. The menu features British classics and small plates that reflect local ingredients and seasonal produce. You’ll find dishes like scotch egg, sticky honey mustard pork belly bites, beer‑battered British market fish with hand-cut chips, and a char‑grilled Angus beef burger with smoked bacon and BBQ relish. The pub also serves traditional Sunday roast and weekly specials that change with the season. Drinks include a selection of ales, beers, wines, and cocktails, which pair well with the food.
Opening hours: 4 pm - 11:30 pm (Monday – Friday); 12 pm - 11:30 pm (Saturday); 12 pm - 6 pm (Sunday)
The Landmark London offers a range of options for couples planning their wedding, from large celebrations to intimate gatherings, all supported by a dedicated events team to help with planning and logistics. For larger weddings, the Marylebone Wedding Package includes a three‑course menu and drinks, while the Landmark Wedding Package adds canapés and Champagne for toasts. Smaller celebrations can choose the Intimate Wedding Package. Additional services are available on-site, including Richard George Tailoring, where couples or guests can arrange made-to-measure or bespoke wedding attire and accessories.
Grand Ballroom
Venue type and style: Famous for its stunning Victorian architecture and magnificent scale, the Grand Ballroom has hosted royal gatherings, society balls, and modern-day weddings, banquets, and film shoots.
Capacity: Up to 600 guests
Grand Ballroom I or II
Venue type and style: The Grand Ballroom can be split with a soundproof partition, ideal for a reception followed by dinner. Both rooms feature high ceilings, original chandeliers, and plenty of natural daylight, making the space versatile and grand.
Capacity: Up to 300 guests
Marble Ballroom
Venue type and style: Features original marble columns and a grand fireplace. Elegantly connected to the Champagne Room, it offers abundant natural light and generous floor space for events.
Capacity: Up to 500 guests
Empire Room
Venue type and style: Originally the Ladies’ Room, the Empire Room retains its soft Victorian elegance with high ceilings and natural daylight, offering a refined and distinguished setting.
Capacity: Up to 250 guests
Drawing Room
Venue type and style: Once the Gentlemen’s Room, the Drawing Room showcases original wood panelling, three fireplaces bearing the Great Central Hotel emblem, and natural daylight. The space reflects heritage and sophistication.
Capacity: Up to 300 guests
Tower Suite
Venue type and style: Overlooking the atrium, the Tower Suite comprises three connected spaces with a large skylight and plenty of natural light. It is ideal for a smaller celebration, or reception drinks to dinner.
Capacity: Up to 70 guests
The Landmark London makes exploring the city easy and enjoyable. Around the hotel, you’ll find independent cafés, boutiques, galleries, and historic streets to wander. Regent’s Park is also just a short walk away, offering gardens, open spaces, and walking paths for a relaxing break from the city. Many of London’s major attractions are within easy reach. Nearby, you can visit Madame Tussauds or the Sherlock Holmes Museum on foot.
For landmarks a bit further out, such as the London Eye, St Paul’s Cathedral, and the Tower of London, the tube or a short ride makes travel simple. Music venues, theatres, and cultural spots are also close by. Shopping in the area is varied, from Marylebone High Street and Chiltern Street with boutique stores and local brands, to Regent Street, Oxford Street, Bond Street, and Knightsbridge. Whether you want independent shops or well-known department stores, there’s a mix of styles and prices. You can also visit Harrods, one of London’s most famous department stores, for everything from designer fashion to gourmet food halls.
Families will find plenty to do as well. The Science Museum, Natural History Museum, and Transport Museum are all nearby and have interactive displays for children. Hamleys toy store, river trips along the Thames, and parks such as Regent’s Park provide options for outdoor activities.
During the festive season in London, the city takes on a very different feel with lights, markets, music, and seasonal treats that many visitors enjoy. London also has Christmas markets and winter fairs that are worth exploring. Along the Thames, you’ll find wooden chalets selling seasonal gifts, crafts, and food. Ice-skating rinks are set up in atmospheric spots like Somerset House and the Natural History Museum courtyard if you want something active to try.
At The Landmark London itself, the Winter Garden and hotel spaces are decorated for the season, and there’s a festive Christmas Shop pop-up selling sweet treats like homemade fudge, nougat, and mini mince pies from late November into December. For families, seasonal stay packages such as the Elf Escape and Santa’s Sleepover include themed activities, festive treats, breakfast in the Winter Garden, and playful hunts around the hotel that children enjoy.
The Spa at The Landmark London is one of the hotel’s standout features, offering a refined space dedicated to relaxation and wellbeing. Guests can enjoy a heated indoor pool set beneath a high glass atrium, along with a sauna that provides a quiet escape. A 24-hour gym equipped with cardio machines and essential fitness equipment allows you to maintain your routine at any time. Guests under 16 are not permitted in the gym.
The treatment rooms, including couples’ rooms, offer a curated selection of massages and facials designed to restore and rebalance. From aromatic massages to tailored facials, each experience is designed to add a sense of indulgence to your stay
The Landmark London offers a selection of venues suited for both private celebrations and corporate events in Marylebone. There are 11 event spaces in total. The Grand Ballroom works well for conferences and gala dinners, while smaller rooms such as the Tower Suite provide a more intimate setting overlooking the atrium. The hotel can host board meetings, launches, receptions, and personal celebrations. For capacities, layouts, or planning support, you can contact the events team directly for further details.
The official London residence of the British monarch and known for the Changing of the Guard ceremony. (15-minute drive)
One of London’s largest royal parks, ideal for walking, boating on the Serpentine, or relaxing outdoors. (10-minute drive)
A historic royal residence set within Kensington Gardens, open to visitors for exhibitions and tours. (15-minute drive)
The closest airport to The Landmark London is London Heathrow Airport, approximately a 40-minute drive away.
The nearest railway station to the hotel is Marylebone Station, just a 2-minute walk away.