Bulgari Hotel London

This 85-room fashion-forward property, located just one block from some of London’s top shops and museums, has sprawling suites and some of the largest rooms in London. It exudes Italian style on a grand scale—from its dramatic lobby to its sexy spa and 60-foot pool.

At first glance, Bulgari London in Knightsbridge does not resemble other London five stars. And that is precisely the idea. From the outside, the hotel and its stark, white exterior looks almost like a private residential building. But inside the lobby, coming across loud and clear, is the bold imprimatur of the luxury fashion brand known for a sleek, bejeweled kind of Italian glamour and craftsmanship that signifies Fashion with a capital F.

In the spare Bulgari Lounge by the lobby, yacht-like, high-gloss mahogany paneling and floor-to-ceiling silk wall hangings with embroidered Bulgari stars, chic modern seating, low, circular white-and-gray marble tables and portraits of models in Bulgari jewels on the walls add an air of cool cinematic drama amid the black, white and silver tones that tie to Bulgari’s past as a Roman silversmith. It feels almost as if you have entered the set of a fashion show or a movie about Italian fashion. (Not surprisingly, Bulgari jewels have appeared in more than 40 films—and on celebrities from Elizabeth Taylor and Audrey Hepburn to Charlize Theron and Billie Eilish.)

The hotel, which recently celebrated its first decade in Knightsbridge, opened right before the London Olympics opposite Hyde Park (an ideal spot during the summer outdoor concert season), and is conveniently located down the block from Harrods, Harvey Nichols and the Victoria & Albert Museum. The new build, overseen by renowned Italian architect and designer Antonio Citterio, invokes Bulgari’s design heritage and sophisticated style, along with Citterio’s contemporary custom Flexform furniture collection. In the 85 rooms and suites, handmade woven silk draperies reflect the past with a pattern inspired by a brooch made by Bulgari’s founder Sotiria Bulgari during the 19th century. Modern touches include carpeting by Altai and B&B module libraries chock full of a delightfully eclectic assortment of books on everything from Mews style and British History to Islamic art and Coco Chanel, and authors as far-ranging as Nancy Mitford, J.K. Rowling, John LeCarré, Jane Austen, Ian McEwan, Dylan Thomas or Zoe Heller.

Rooms and suites at Bulgari London are among the city’s largest, and the rich mahogany wall paneling unifies rooms as you move through them, creating the feel of a luxe yacht cabin. Cushioned headboards on plush beds feature oversize signature Bulgari floral medallion patterns. Expansive bathrooms are all done in dramatic black marble with pre-set Toto toilets, sizable soaking tubs, a high-tech steam shower and Bulgari bath products. Executive Rooms are spacious—doubles of nearly 500 square feet—with leather wrapped travel trunks that have been turned into minibars. Knightsbridge Suites are even larger, and the suites on the top three floors feel sprawling. All come with a spacious King-size master bedroom, living room with a fireplace, a state-of-the-art kitchen and dining area. Suites also come with butlers, who can prepare meals and special dinners upon request. Some also have terraces with Hyde Park views. Dual walk-in closet areas with substantial open closet and drawer space mean guests have plenty of room to make themselves at home. Extra touches like your own personalized calling card printed with your address-in-residence wait for you at the desk in your room upon arrival, and it is the kind of hotel where the butler will leave a shiny Bulgari bookmark on your book on the bedside table at turndown, just so you know they’re thinking about your every need.

When it comes to sustainability and impact efforts, the hotel is ahead of most city properties, saving on carbon emissions with its geothermal ground source heat, a green roof by the London Diversity Action Plan with boxes for birds, bats and peregrine falcons, as well as energy conserving lighting and rainwater collection. There are also electric car charging points on site and bikes for Hyde Park bike rides. (Brand-wide, Bulgari has helped Save the Children raise $90 million since 2009 through its Save the Children Bulgari jewelry collection, securing a better education for more than two million children. Guests can contribute to the Give Hope campaign by purchasing a special edition silver and onyx ring, bracelet or pendant. A significant portion of the proceeds goes directly to the campaign.)

Even with the fashion focus, families and children will feel welcome here, and families booking multiple rooms will receive a significant benefit. On our visit, European families with children of all ages were enjoying the lobby restaurant and the hotel’s main restaurant, Sette by New York’s Scarpetta, which also has a separate entrance on Knightsbridge Green. It serves appealing, healthy options for breakfast, lunch and dinner in a bright, modern space with leather banquettes. Afternoon tea is served in the lounge with special artisanal pastries and dolci by resident chocolatier Gianluca Fusta; brunch is popular on Sundays. There is also a bar area, a private dining room for those looking to host a private party and a cigar bar owned by cigar merchant Edward Sahakian, who may be there to welcome you to sample rare vintage and limited edition cigars. When it comes to cocktails, guests head downstairs to Nolita Social downstairs (yes, an outpost from NYC) to enjoy craft cocktails, live music and a DJ Thursday through Saturday. The modern space is also available for private events.

Along with room size, the hotel overdelivers when it comes to its 22,000-square-foot spa. The private, sophisticated space has 11 treatment rooms, and one of the largest pools in London (along with elevators that bypass public floors and take guests straight to their suites). Designed to feel like a Roman bath with textured Vicenza stone, the 60-foot lap pool, has a colonnade with comfortable loungers and a separate vitality pool with full-body massage jets and walls and ceiling accented with tiny tiles of gold leaf glass that recall Byzantine mosaics of Venice and Ravenna.

The Workshop gym, founded by top trainer Lee Mullins, offers guests personalized assessments that can include movement, nutrition, body composition and genetic analysis as well as recommendations for the best exercise for your body type. They also perform assessments for food intolerance as well as metabolic and movement testing to determine the right training intensity and recovery, and can suss out imbalances and reduce injuries.

If you’re looking for more entertainment during your stay, you’ll find a 47-seat private screening room dedicated to the late Richard Attenborough downstairs as well. The hotel has more than 300 new and classic films available for private screenings. It also hosts a Women in Film series, championing young female filmmakers—all part of Bulgari’s commitment to the arts, complete with Q&As with directors and cast members. The exceptional concierge team can also help get you into the latest hotspots, arrange helicopter tours of the city, river cruises on the Thames, as well as London street art or foodie and rock ‘n roll tours. Especially for families, Bulgari leads a citywide treasure hunt with a private driver, stopping at key sites from Trafalgar Square and Buckingham Palace to Covent Garden with fun history lessons and surprises along the way—like a visit to Hamleys toy store.

Style setters seeking chic and sleek accommodations in a prime location just steps from top shopping at Harrods and Harvey Nichols.