Honeymoon Review: Bulgari Hotel London

Why go?

The Bulgari Hotel London is a smooth, no-expenses-spared stay for couples after a luxe city break. In true Bulgari stye, everything seems to shine, glimmer or twinkle, while flawless service makes for a genuine break – one where you needn’t lift a finger and can enjoy each other’s company (and the outstanding food).

Honeymoon style

A honeymooning here is a masterclass in brooding Italian elegance – with its sleek, contemporary design, vast subterranean spa, and close proximity to the department stores and boutiques of Knightsbridge. Bulgari Hotel London is well located for a shop ‘n’ flop experience, with lots of fun, pampering extras to make for a spoiling and truly memorable honeymoon (or city minimoon).

Set the scene

Less than a minute’s walk from Harrods, Bulgari Hotel London presents a discreet façade – only the gilded lettering above the entrance subtly hints at the modernist glamour inside. All the fanfare of Knightsbridge fades away as you enter the calm, coffee and cream-hued lobby area, and stroll through to the adjoining Bulgari Lounge. Styled like an opulent Italian sitting room – all plush sofas and tan leather chairs – its menu of Italian classics is curated by Executive Chef Adriano Cavagnini while resident pastry chef and chocolatier Gianluca Fusto contributes to luxe afternoon teas.

For those planning on a winter stay, flames warm the toes of those reclining along an enormous L-shaped sofa (the perfect morning coffees spot). As for the main body of the hotel, we all know that London can feel a little congested at times, but one distinguishing feature of the Bulgari is the generous use of space throughout. Even the smallest rooms are some of London’s largest; the 2,000 metre spa (crafted from oak, onyx and Vicenza stone) is spread out over two floors, and, for the carefully curated 85 rooms and suites, there is an abundance of areas to explore at leisure. Wander through to Italian restaurant Sette by Scarpetta, follow your nose to the Cigar Lounge (which specialises in rare Havanas), imbibe crafted cocktails at New-York style speakeasy Nolita Social (available for exclusive hire, should you wish), enjoy the spa itself, the 25-metre pool and vitality pool with gold-leaf tiles, plus the gym and private cinema…

Rooms

Seven exceedingly spacious Bulgari Suites are the very embodiment of modern Italian glamour. You and your partner can waltz around the largest 221 square metre suite, though all have the sensibility of vast, Milanese residential design dens (truly unique for London). Even with all the excitement of your honeymoon, the king-size beds and extensive pillow menu can guarantee a good night’s sleep. And the design detail here is peerless. Headboards are decorated using a motif taken from a brooch made by Sotirio Bulgari in the 19^th century, while the kitchen features unique Bulgari silver. Contemporary furnishings are minimal yet plush, and the mini bar hidden within a sumptuous leather-covered travel trunk (crafted exclusively for the hotel) is a treat well worth digging into while in honeymoon mode.

Food & Drink

The Bulgari Hotel is home to Sette by Scarpetta: the first London haunt from New York’s Scarpetta Restaurants. This fiercely modern dining experience delivers elegant and authentic Italian food with a Manhattan twist. Interiors pair elemental and industrial materials – think chic glass, steel, leather and matte woods. Focusing on seasonal and local ingredients, the kitchen bakes delicious, fresh breads and pastas from scratch each morning. We recommend you try the classic (and mouth-watering) Spaghetti al Pomodoro followed by the Espresso Budino, (rich hazelnut gelato topped with a chocolate biscotto and salted caramel). Indulgent options line the breakfast menu here – the Lobster Benedict and tins of Imperial caviar… when in Rome?

Downstairs, you’ll find underground bar Nolita Social. It brings New York’s energy to London with a mix of crafted cocktails, live music, and DJ’s playing an eclectic mix of 60’s rock, 70’s soul and 90’s hip hop that sings to the honeymooner in search of a good time. Imaginative cocktails include Mo’ Jitos, Mo’ Problems (Belvedere vodka, passion fruit, mint and citruses) and Champagne Supernova (No.3 gin, Champagne and Aperol).

Stop by The Bulgari Lounge for all-day dining and a chic, easy-going atmosphere. Afternoon Tea is real showstopper here with its Italian ingredients reconfiguring the British classic by way of rich tortes and signature, handcrafted chocolate gems.

Spa

For many, the highlight of the Bulgari Hotel London is its spa. Regarded as one of the most luxurious spas in London – if not the best – the spa is a maze of dark-wooded treatment rooms and onyx-marble steam rooms filled with ice fountains and a gold leaf-tiled vitality pool. Its 25-metre swimming pool, lined with green and gold mosaic tiles, makes a morning dip a louche affair. Of the 12 treatment rooms, the special double suite with steam shower and private relaxation space is a designed with couples in mind. It’s the ultimate place to cocoon yourself in and detox all that wedding stress, particularly wth treatments like the Cleanse and Clarify Body Ritual (a therapeutic treatment with deeply detoxifying exfoliation, clay wrap and massage). If you’re looking for bridal beauty, the spa hosts pop-ups with global wellness and beauty experts – think facialists to the stars and international nail artists, alongside nearby Neville Hair and Beauty (in-room appointments are available). There’s also a Gentlemen’s Grooming experience offering everything from barbering to body treatments.

Eco-Friendly

As the first new luxury hotel-build in London for almost 40 years, Bulgari Hotel London’s structure was designed to blend seamlessly with the surrounding aesthetic, breathing new (impeccably chic) life into a lacklustre building and the area itself. The building was developed according to sustainable design practices and is one of the first buildings in the UK to use geothermal heat pumps (minimising carbon). The hotel recycles paper, plastic, glass and cardboard, all of which are collected daily. All kitchen oils are also recycled and purified for use as biofuel. Rainwater is diverted through the building from the roof as ‘grey water,’ which is then recycled into the hotel system and used for public-area loos. The roof is also an ecologically designed ‘green roof’ and has support boxes for bats, birds and Peregrine falcons. In addition to this staggering eco-effort, the hotel will loan guests bicycles for a spin around Hyde Park.

Location

Situated in the heart of Knightsbridge, the hotel rubs shoulders with Harrods and other luxury stores lining Sloane Street, as well as a warren of restaurants and museums. Despite its proximity to Hyde Park (which is quite literally across the street), the hotel doesn’t offer great views. But what it lacks in views it makes up for in top-notch facilities, especially its state-of-the-art spa and gym (a real novelty in central London).

The Story

Situated in the heart of Knightsbridge, central London’s most prestigious area, the Bulgari Hotel London opened in May 2012. It pays tribute to Bulgari’s silversmith origins with an elegant, metallic-focused design concept. The refined interiors, designed by Antonio Citterio and Patricia Viel, combine Bulgari’s glamour and heritage with sustainable design features for modern expectations and luxury travel philosophy. The elegant haven offers a rare sense of calm in the heart of the capital, underpinned by first-class service and enviable facilities.