A charming oasis in the heart of the city - of which Churchill himself would certainly approve.

In London for a work / shopping trip? Planning a long weekend of gallery hopping? You couldn’t ask for a better located spot to nest in while you are doing it than here...

Steeped in authentic British charm, this hotel offers a sophisticated stay in Marylebone overlooking Portman Square Garden. Step within the semi brutalist exterior of Hyatt Regency London – The Churchill and discover that it hides a stunningly sleek and spacious interior, adorned with chandeliers and marble pillars.

The facilities

For such a large hotel, The Churchill has somehow managed to retain a sense of relaxed cosiness. It boasts 440 rooms in total, including 50 suites, 273 king and 90 twin rooms, mostly furnished in a quintessentially British style inspired by Sir Winston Churchill and given the tick of approval from his family. Rooms are surprisingly spacious, with large desks and huge beds, and bathrooms brilliantly equipped with Molten Brown products.

With iconic London views, exclusive benefits can also be enjoyed in the two Regency Club Lounges dedicated to business travellers and families. All guests staying in Regency Club rooms and suites can take advantage of the all-day complimentary snacks and refreshments, shower facility and meeting room access. A lovely touch here is the ‘cocktail hour’ of evening drinks and canapés, every evening from 5:30pm. Meet and mingle with other guests or chill out solo with a glass of bubbly before dinner. If you need to stay in the hotel a little while longer after check-out, this is the place to go. Upgrades are available to enjoy these exclusive privileges.

The Churchill’s Fitness Centre is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment from treadmills, bikes, cross-trainers to free weights - anything to suit your needs and contribute towards your well-being. Exciting news – the hotel will also soon be opening its brand-new Wellness Centre, with sauna, treatments and even a hair salon. If you want to get out in the fresh air, guests can enjoy exclusive access to the Portman Square Garden tennis court.

Dining

In the heart of central London, you are not going to be hard pressed to find a variety of options on your doorstep…. but you needn’t even go that far…

The Churchill’s main restaurant, The Montagu Kitchen & Lounge, is a contemporary and relaxed British all-day dining destination, inspired by seasonal produce and carefully-sourced ingredients. From guinea fowl to whole Dover sole, excellent meat and exquisite vegetarian options, The Montagu has an unpretentious attitude while aiming to present each ingredient at its finest. As Churchill once said himself, “I am easily satisfied with the very best.”

Executive Chef Carlo's Coronation Menu at The Montagu Kitchen & Lounge will also be available for the entire month of May. Inspired by some of King Charles’ favourite foods and dishes, the menu features a twist to the Monarch’s rumoured preferences, such as mature cheddar shortbread, barley risotto with field mushroom, salt marsh lamb rump and to sweeten the deal, apple tart fine with sweet golden apple ice cream. The Coronation Set Menu at The Montagu Kitchen & Lounge is £50 pp and is available 1 – 31 May.

 The Montagu is also where you’ll find breakfast in the morning. While a room service breakfast menu is also available, the buffet offering really is impressive, catering to its international clientele with not only a full English breakfast, continental breakfast goods, fresh fruits and juices, but also Mediterranean and Middle Eastern dishes, such as halloumi in a rich tomato sauce (a perfect accompaniment to eggs) and even Foul Mudammas, a Lebanese or Egyptian dish of stewed fava beans.

Other on-site dining options include Locanda Locatelli, featuring a menu of Italian-inspired cuisine including homemade pasta, roasted monkfish, and more – all of which has earned the acclaimed chef Giorgio Locatelli a Michelin star.

And don’t forget your pre-dinner tipple at The Churchill Bar & Terrace — An award-winning bar and terrace with a notable menu of creative craft cocktails designed by expert mixologists. Here, you can even enjoy cocktails with a conscience as you explore their new sustainably focused cocktail menu, featuring 12 innovatively curated cocktails inspired by 10 themes of environmental concern, from forest protection and renewable energy to wildlife conservation.  Try the ‘Be Hive’, made with Inverocche Amber Gin, Pollen, Hibiscus Mead and Local Honey, and served in a unique reusable cup made 100% from beeswax which is melted down and crafted into a new one.

Art

Like most luxury hotels, The Churchill places art and design at its heart. Despite being just a street away from the hustle and bustle of Selfridges and Oxford Street, The Churchill is filled with a sense of serenity and elegance.

There is a regency feel as soon as you step through the door, with grand halls and ballrooms for larger events contrasting with glamorous and intimate and settings such as The Churchill Bar & Terrace, with its lounge-style, art deco bar area, velvet booth seating alongside original photographs of Churchill and his wife as well as their wonderful love letters.

Throughout the hotel you will find prints of Churchill’s own paintings – since he was a skilled and passionate watercolourist – and prints depicting his much-loved pets, his dog Rufus and cat Jock, one of which you may well find also in your room as a stuffed toy memento!

In addition to its varied Churchill-inspired collection, the hotel also has a fabulous partnership in place with the nearby Thompson Gallery, who supply much of the art for the hotel's interiors in an ever-evolving presentation of different works and artists – with many works available to buy. Through this, guests can be inspired to celebrate British lifestyle and tradition, linked to iconic figures such as Winston Churchill, after whom the prestigious hotel is named.

Getting there

Hyatt Regency London – The Churchill couldn’t be more central. Just two minutes from the nearest tube station, Marble Arch, and just a short walk from both Bond Street and Oxford Circus stations, it is also easily accessible from London’s major airports and within 10 to 20 minutes from several of London’s main train stations. The Churchill is situated 15 minutes from Paddington, where the Heathrow Express connects to Heathrow Airport in just 15 minutes.

Price

Rates vary depending on the season. A Garden View King room starts at £455 at low season and from £575 at high season. Book now.

For May, why not treat yourself like royalty? To celebrate the Coronation of His Majesty The King you might also choose enjoy The Churchill’s new 'Sleep Like a King' package.

The Sleep Like a King package starts from £1,300 (for two people sharing), including one night in a Regency Suite, a bottle of sparkling, breakfast, Lounge access, and the Coronation dinner in The Montagu Kitchen & Lounge. Valid for stays between 1 – 10th May.

#FLODown: Everything on your doorstep, but no need to leave at all, The Churchill is a wonderful oasis of calm where you can escape the frantic streets of central London. Tucked behind Hyde Park and Oxford Street in the heart of London’s West End, the hotel honours Sir Winston Churchill with bespoke design details and refined décor that give a subtle nod to his life and legacy. One for when you need a cosmopolitan city retreat treat.

Location: 30 Portman Square, London, England, United Kingdom, W1H 7BH.

Words by Tani Burns