Waldorf Astoria Syon Park Hotel in London Review

One of my favorite things to do in London is explore the capital’s many green spaces. From Hyde Park to Kensington Gardens, the city is bursting with them. One such place is Syon Park, which is located just west of Kew Gardens. The area is the location of one of the Duke of Northumberland’s residences, and is home to the Waldorf Astoria Syon Park hotel in London.

Waldorf Astoria Syon Park

I was invited to stay a night at the Waldorf Astoria Syon Park this week. I arrived on Monday afternoon after taking a train from Waterloo to Syon Lane.

From there I was given a ride to the hotel, which was located right next to the duke’s residence in the middle of Syon Park. It was a truly unique location.

Upon arrival I was given keys to my room, which was on the first floor of the Waldorf Astoria Syon Park. It had a balcony with views overlooking the duke’s stunning conservatory.

Inside, the decor was a hip mix of blacks, grays, and silvers with velvety throw pillows and a sleek desk. The bathroom was a good size, and came stocked with designer cosmetics.

After getting settled in, I was shown around the Waldorf Astoria Syon Park hotel.

First I saw the lobby area, which was home to several lounge spaces and a cafe. It was a light, inviting space that was perfect for coffee or a quick meeting.

From there it was a short walk to the bar at the Waldorf Astoria Syon Park hotel. The space was large and decorated in purples and greens, and the curved counter was surrounded by blue bar stools.

Behind the bar was the hotel’s restaurant. It was headed by a chef with an intense love of all things local.

Most of the food served there was sourced from as close to London as possible, with many of the herbs coming from a garden right outside the windows.

Down the stairs was the Syon Park hotel spa. It was decorated in funky patterns and colors, and it offered everything from an indoor pool to a hot tub, sauna, steam room, fitness center, and treatment rooms.

After my awkward experience at the Langham spa over the summer, I was happy to see that in addition to women’s and men’s locker rooms, there was a family locker room.

A few flights up from the spa were several areas where guests could relax. One was the library, which came with shelves of books, two computers, and a set of sofas.

Another was a game room, which featured everything from a foosball table to a video game console.

These were joined by a restaurant and a rooftop cocktail bar for which the herbs were grown right on the terrace.

Syon Park

As if all these spaces weren’t enough to keep someone entertained, the Waldorf Astoria Syon Park hotel also had a special arrangement with the Duke of Northumberland such that hotel guests could access the gardens and conservatory of his residence.

After my hotel tour, I took advantage of said access and walked around the gardens. The gorgeous conservatory housed exotic plants and flowers.

Behind it was an expansive lake surrounded by giant plants and weeping willows. It was spanned by footbridges and visited by geese.

Waldorf Astoria Syon Park Spa Treatment

By the time I got back to the Waldorf Astoria Syon Park, I was ready for the complimentary spa treatment I’d been offered.

I went down to the spa, where I had a consultation about my interests. The concept was that guests book time, not treatments, and can choose whatever treatment they feel in need of when they arrive.

I chose a massage that combined a tailored treatment with essential oils for relaxation.

My therapist spent time asking me about my preferences for pressure and areas to focus on, and the result was an hour of pure relaxation. I felt great afterwards.

Waldorf Astoria Syon Park Restaurant

Later in the evening I had another enjoyable experience: dinner at the restaurant. I was excited to try the classic British cuisine.

With the help of my enthusiastic waiter and the knowledgeable sommelier, I had a lovely meal.

I started with the Waldorf Salad, which had been reinvented for the contemporary age. Light and crunchy, it paired well with the sommelier’s choice of a clean, dry white wine with citrus aromas.

From there I moved onto a 28-day aged Aberdeenshire sirloin steak. The juicy, flavorful cut of meat was served with both chimichurri and Hollandaise sauces.

It was also served with a side of thick chips, of which I ate way too many. The dish was paired with a velvety Malbec. It was a full-bodied wine with dark fruit aromas.

I was full after my meal, but my dessert stomach still had some room. I couldn’t resist ordering the Eton mess, my favorite British dessert. It came served in a glass with chocolate straws on top.

I thought the chocolate was a bit too much, but overall the desert was light and refreshing. The wine pairing was bold, and possibly a bit heavy for an Eton mess, but I still liked the richness of it.

There was more food to come in the morning when I returned to the Waldorf Astoria Syon Park restaurant for breakfast.

I ordered the smoked salmon and scrambled eggs, which were good, but took a mysteriously long time to come to the table. Still, the meal was satisfying and I left the restaurant feeling ready for the day.