Offering guests the epitome of classic London luxury with a dose of elite skincare alongside, Sophie Ritchie checks into The Biltmore hotel in Mayfair to try its lavish new spa partnership with Omorovicza
When it comes to a symbol of all out luxury in London, it doesn’t get much grander than The Biltmore in Grosvenor Square. This five-star stay feels like a slice of Dubai thanks to its endlessly luxuriant furnishings, decadent dining venues and impressively spacious array of rooms and suites.
With 250 guest rooms, 49 curated suites and eight rather swish signature suites, this incredibly central hotel is much larger than first meets the eye.
Sitting pretty by the famously pristine Grosvenor Square (the second largest square in London) booking a stay here means having the coveted benefit of Mayfair’s world-class array of shops and restaurants on your doorstep, with institutions like Selfridges just a five-minute stroll away.
Even the glimmering lobby puts the ‘ooh’ in boujee – with smartly-dressed door men welcoming you into the plush, velvety surroundings with a smile and a metaphorical tip of the hat as you cross the threshold and step towards the immaculate reception area.
The Room
As Coco Chanel herself once uttered, “Luxury must be comfortable, otherwise it is not luxury.” Post speedy check-in, opening the door to my King Grand Deluxe Grosvenor Square View room feels like stepping into a cozy living room, with an immediate apartment-like feel to the space.
I can already picture the long-term guests who park their suitcases up for summer – its spacious corners are ideal for a home from home feel thanks to the array of fresh flowers, inviting seating and ample storage space with not one but two closets.
Calm and quiet, there are plenty of places to perch and relax – especially near the window, where views stretch across the immaculate greenery of Grosvenor Square below. Colour-wise, my room is just as easy on the eyes with a colourscape of rich browns, velvety blues and the odd pop of vibrance found within one of the hotel’s many artworks.
This is classic luxury at its most opulent – clean, timeless and invitingly comfortable. It’s undoubtedly lavish of course but the furnishings are far from flimsy or ostentatious – you can touch things without the fear of being sent an enormous bill by the time you’ve put them back down.
The bathroom is equally swish, tucked away from the main bedroom area around a corner for added privacy. With piles of fluffy white towels, Penhaligans toiletries and marble for days, this is the ideal spot for some preening and pampering. I make the most of the large walk-in shower post-gym session and get thoroughly acquainted with the rainfall of hot water.
The Food & Drink
It’s no secret that Mayfair is home to some of the city’s finest watering holes – but there’s a hidden gem directly under your nose (and room) at Grill 88, The Biltmore’s onsite restaurant.
With dishes courtesy of Executive Chef Luis Campos, Grill 88’s menu combines global influences and world-class ingredients to deliver a beautifully-presented menu filled with fine dining flavour. Caviar, piles of oysters, fresh lobster, Japanese Wagyu Striploin, truffle galore and of course Champagne – you’ll find it all on the decadence-inspired dish highlights here. To finish, save room for something even more splendid and try one of the many incredible desserts.
The staff at The Biltmore go above and beyond whenever they can – expect service with a smile whether hunting down sweet pastries at the breakfast buffet at Cafe Biltmore or perusing the evening dinner menu in your gladrags at Grill 88. Impressively knowledgeable about the ingredients and recommended dish pairings, it’s clear how much pride everyone takes in their chosen craft. It’s a shame to see the main restaurant so quiet when we visit for dinner – the elegant dishes hold their own against the others found within the Mayfair postcode vicinity.
As always, the tiny details make the biggest of impacts when it comes to a top notch hotel stay – I can’t remember the last time I showed up to breakfast and had my bag placed upon its own little stool. There’s no physical tiara, but the service at The Biltmore is undoubtedly as close to princess treatment as it gets.
The Wellness
Despite an enormous gym space kitted out with state-of-the-art equipment, there’s just one glaringly obvious thing missing at The Biltmore – that being a spa of course. There isn’t a sauna or steam room to be found within these historic walls.
Its new partnership with nearby luxury skincare specialists Omorovicza aims to fill that gap, providing guests with a pampering new Serenity Spa Experience package that includes both breakfast and spa treatments at Omorovicza’s Mayfair location (which is about a three-minute stroll away).
Backed by science and steeped in the rich tradition of Budapest’s bathing culture, Omorovicza are beauty specialists with sites in some of London’s most prestigious places.
Putting the care in skincare, this is no ordinary mud mask or scrub treatment – the new experience provides an extensive in-depth 1-to-1 skin consultation that aims to both rejuvenate guests and also provide them with tools to continue achieving their beauty goals post-visit.
Ushered in with a smile at the spa’s gleaming facility, the Andrassy Skin Therapy Session starts off by filling out a form with details on my current skin condition, favourite go-to products and aims for the session – followed by a multi-step treatment that seems to leave no pore unturned.
After analysing the responses, my expert Skin Therapists first diagnoses my skin before designing a fully unique, personalised experience based on my individual skin’s needs. It’s no surprise that she picks up on it being a little dehydrated – my usual post-workout beverage comes in the form of an oat cappuccino.
Choosing from the brand’s vast library of products and ingredients, a custom programme is created for my face. Although it’s the collar bones upwards we’re going to focus on, I’m also instructed to take off my clothes and lie under the heated covers in order to make the experience as relaxing as possible.
Hosted in Omorovicza’s underground, soothingly cave-like space, it truly does feel like you’ve waved bon voyage to reality and fully immersed yourself in the tucked away world of all things wellness when climbing under the heated blankets here.
It’s worth making sure to block out enough time for the experience, which is much longer than your typical facial – I recommend several hours at least in order to enjoy it thoroughly without fretting about the clock.
The Wordrobe Verdict
Live like royalty for the night thanks to this opulent new wellness partnership. The Biltmore’s silky sheets will leave you dreaming of continuing to press the snooze button until the following morning, whilst the extensive skincare treatment at Omorovicza will have others complimenting your new Nicole Kidman-like glow. The epitome of classic London luxury with a dose of elite skincare – now this is what I call beauty sleep.
Make it happen
Where: 44 Grosvenor Sq, London W1K 2HP
How: The new package can be booked via the website or concierge book here
Wallet: The Serenity Spa Experience starts at £950 including breakfast and spa treatments for 2 adults in a King Deluxe room.
Words by Sophie Ritchie, editor
