Getting down to business, in the first London 'super suite' with its own boardroom

It’s not often I fall asleep in a hotel with the theme tune to The Apprentice stuck in my head. Such is the effect that spending 24 hours in the InterContinental London Park Lane’s Capital Suite can have.

The sprawling space, unveiled last month, is aimed squarely at wealthy business travellers. It has its own boardroom, with seating for a dozen suits, a second meeting room, and a study that’s perfect for grilling prospective candidates. Lord Sugar will see you now...

The suite

Occupying a large swathe of the InterContinental’s first floor, The Capital Suite is a novel combination of work space and living quarters that the hotel and the team behind it, RPW Design, claim is the only one of its kind in the country.

The crowning glory is that vast boardroom, with its wall of windows and leafy views towards Green Park, but the adjoining office is equally grand. Connecting to the office, a second, smaller windowless meeting room seats eight.

There’s also a waiting area beside the main entrance, a loo and a small kitchen to keep execs fed and caffeinated. These six rooms can be hired alone, for anyone simply wishing to do business, but for those spending the night this central work space is abutted by two conventional connecting hotel suites.

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The larger is by far the most appealing, with heaps of natural light and a lovely living area, featuring a dining table for six, two comfortable sofas and a cosy reading nook. The bathroom also feels bigger - maybe it’s that cavernous shower cubicle.

Nevertheless, both are spacious, with king-sized beds and dressing areas (and the smaller one has a view of the Wellington Arch, so there). It all adds up to 335 square metres - making it one of the most colossal suites in London. Don’t be surprised if you get lost exploring.

In terms of the style, like the rest of the hotel it is modern, and relies on a risk-free, middle-of-the-road colour palette - greys, beige, light blues and greens. But creative compensation is provided by the modern artwork and quirky lighting. The boardroom is illuminated by something that looks inspired by a game of pick-up sticks; dozens of delicate porcelain leaves dangle above a dining table; and bronze ribbons and coils lurk in various corners.

The hotel

It’s a well-established favourite of American and Middle Eastern tourists, as well as business travellers, run impeccably by an enthusiastic team. Dining options include Theo Randall, for unpretentious Italian cuisine, and - new for 2018 - Ella Canta, headed up by Mexican chef of international renown, Martha Ortiz, who demonstrates her ability to turn street-food favourites into fine dining.

Be sure to get a big bowl of rice with sweetcorn, morels and truffles, and close the show with the oozing cacao and corn cake. The atmosphere is lively, the service relaxed, and the cocktails really stand out.

What to expect

The nods to money and power are ubiquitous. Is this what a top CEO’s office really looks like, or just somebody’s educated guess? I wish I could say for sure, but I’m told the hotel’s high-flying regulars are very impressed, so perhaps it is.

There are models of yachts, classic cars and aircraft, giant sand timers, vintage rugby balls, toy soldiers and globes. Everything is dark wood or leather. There’s a dizzying array of coffee-table books - catalogues of luxury that showcase the designs of Louis Vuitton, the buildings of Zaha Hadid, the abstract art of Kandinsky, and the world’s most expensive watches (some folk spend in excess of ￡1m on a timepiece, apparently).

You’ll also find references to London and the surrounding parks. Leaves and trees are a recurring decorative theme; one can hardly move for fresh flowers; there are allusions to equestrianism; an unexpected corgi; and a marvellous gold map of the capital.

The floors are all wooden, with giant, fluffy patterned rugs (by Tai Ping Carpets); beds are faultlessly soft; full-sized toiletries are by Penhaligon's. There’s a minibar (drinks are charged for rather than complimentary, as in some other premium suites), tea- and coffee-making facilities (including Nespresso machine), and gadgets are delightfully easy to use (each room has four lighting options - “High”, “Medium”, “Low” and “off” and its own climate control system).

As welcome amenities, expect enough fresh fruit to open a small market stall, Biscuiteers biscuits, decadent chocolates and a bottle of champagne. For those concerned with privacy, guests can access the suite using a service lift - removing the need to walk through the lobby.

Alongside other premium clients, Capital Suite guests also have access to Club InterContinental on the seventh floor, open from 6:30am to 11pm. Although the space wasn't entirely to my liking (see below), the club does provide an alternative setting for breakfast - a substantial buffet of cheeses, smoked salmon, cured meats, pastries, bread, dips and cereal, with hot food cooked to order and excellent coffee - and serves complimentary afternoon tea (from 3pm to 5pm), and champagne, cocktails and canapés each evening (5:30pm to 7:30pm).

Wi-Fi is fast; the suite’s televisions - there are about seven - have a fairly limited selection of channels, but including Sky Sports.

Standout feature

The boardroom, naturally, which also comes with a projector for impressing investors with PowerPoint presentations. Is PowerPoint still a thing?

The decorative glass and bronze panels, by Decca London, which frame the bed and feature twisting tree branches and songbirds, are a lovely thing to wake up beside.

Not so keen

It’s all very traditional and masculine - which won’t appeal to everybody.

Club Intercontinental also feels like a missed opportunity. The views are fantastic and the staff welcoming - but the decor is a little soulless and reminiscent of an airport lounge. A few more veggie-friendly snacks would’ve been appreciated, too.

Location

This is a prime piece of real estate, sandwiched between Hyde Park and Green Park, facing Aspley House, the Duke of Wellington’s former home, and moments from Hyde Park Corner underground station and the restaurants and shops of Mayfair. While a constantly busy road encircles the hotel itself, sound installation is fully up to scratch so noise pollution isn't an issue. 

The details

The Capital Suite at the InterContinental Park Lane costs from ￡12,000 a night, sleeps four. Standard doubles from ￡300.

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