Location. The historic, privately owned Athenaeum Hotel and Apartments is located opposite Green Park on bustling Piccadilly in central London, England. Hyde Park is 500 metres away and Piccadilly Circus is half a mile away. Buckingham Palace, Harrods department store and Oxford Street, the country's biggest shopping street, are within a mile, as is Westminster Abbey. Green Park is the nearest Tube station to the hotel.
Hotel Features. Originally an Edwardian gentleman's club, the Athenaeum was later used by Rank Pictures to accommodate visiting Hollywood stars. Polished wood and brass fittings in the lobby retain an air of exclusivity.

Diners can sample modern British food, including pre theatre specials, in the Hugo Boss designed Bullochs Restaurant with its mosaic floor and intimate alcoves, their walls covered in tromple l'oeil fabrics. Some chairs have plaques relating to famous guests from yesteryear. The clubby Whisky Bar has 157 single malts, and the 24 hour lounge offers light meals and afternoon tea.

There is a business centre and the hotel has high speed Internet access (surcharge) and a selection of conference rooms, the largest for up to 55 people.

The basement spa's treatments include enzymatic body rubs with sea mud, and in room massages are available (surcharge). There is a 24 hour gym with steam room and sauna.

Guestrooms. The Athenaeum Hotel's 157 guestrooms and apartments have check or floral bedspreads with Egyptian cotton linens and padded headboards. Traditional English chests, topped with leather, serve as bedside tables, while a bedside console controls temperature and the 'do not disturb' sign. Bang and Olufsen cable television, DVD/CD players and television Internet access (surcharge) are included. The marble bathrooms have bathrobes, power showers and Neutrogena products.

Expert Tip. If guests fill out the hotel's detailed questionnaire, the hotel promises to remember every detail of their preferences for their future visits.

Renovation notice. The gym will be closed from the 12th until the 25th September 2008, and the guestrooms will undergo renovations from the 15th September until the 15th December 2008.

From Heathrow Airport (LHR):
Distance to Athenaeum Hotel and Apartments is 14 miles, approximately 40 minutes' drive.

Getting there. The Heathrow Express train is the quickest way into London. It departs from the airport every 15 minutes, and takes 15 minutes to reach Paddington Station in central London. The journey is non stop and costs 14.50 GBP. Paddington is on the Hammersmith and City, District and Circle, and Bakerloo lines of London's Underground (Tube). Additionally, the airport is on the Piccadilly line of the Underground, which runs directly to Green Park underground station, close to The Athenaeum Hotel. The journey to central London takes approximately one hour, and trains depart every 10 minutes. A one day travel pass costs 6.30 GBP, including travel to Heathrow (in zone 6). Black taxis cost approximately 50 GBP to central London. Coaches operate to London Victoria and the rest of the UK, and the airport is also served by local buses. Prices are all subject to change.

Getting around. The Athenaeum is on Piccadilly. The London Underground (Tube) and buses are the easiest ways to travel within London. Single tickets are expensive, but an electronic Oyster card offers a cheaper fare. Oyster cards can be purchased from ticket offices for 3 GBP (refundable). Daily or weekly travel passes are the most economical way to travel, and are valid on buses, trams, trains, and DLR, as well as on the Underground. Black taxis are available on the streets, but can be expensive. Driving is not recommended for visitors and a congestion charge zone is operated in central London.

Area Attractions:Lon 1.0 Mi WBig Ben 1.0 Mi SeBond Street 0.5 Mi EBuckingham Palace Mi SeCovent Garden 2.0 Mi EGatwick Airport 35.0 Mi SHarrods 1.0 Mi WHeathrow Airport 14.0 Mi WHyde Park Corner 0.5 Mi WLondon City Center 1.0 Mi WPiccadilly Circus 1.0 Mi ESt. Pauls Cathedral 3.0 Mi ETheatreland 1.0 Mi ETower Of London 6.0 Mi NVictoria Station 2.0 Mi SWaterloo Station 3.0 Mi E