Walk down Knightsbridge on a rainy Tuesday and you can’t miss it. It’s that massive, circular concrete drum looming over the edge of Hyde Park. Most people still call it the Sheraton Park Tower London, even though the "Sheraton" branding officially migrated to the Luxury Collection family years ago. It’s a bit of an architectural outlier. While every other building in this zip code is trying to look like a 19th-century palace, the Park Tower is unapologetically 1970s. It’s brutalist, it's bold, and honestly, it’s one of the most practical layouts in the city if you actually care about what’s outside your window.
Architecture is a funny thing. Back in 1973, when Richard Seifert designed this thing, people were obsessed with "The View." Seifert was the guy behind Centre Point and Tower 42, so he wasn't exactly known for subtle, blending-in-with-the-bricks designs. He wanted every guest to have a panoramic look at the skyline. Because the building is a cylinder, every room is shaped like a slice of pie. You get these massive windows that follow the curve of the walls. If you’re staying on a high floor facing north, you aren’t just looking at Hyde Park; you’re practically hovering over it. It’s a perspective you just don’t get from the shorter, classic buildings nearby.
The Reality of Staying at the Park Tower
Let’s be real for a second. Knightsbridge is exhausting. Between the Harrods crowds and the supercars revving their engines on Sloane Street, it’s a high-octane neighborhood. The Sheraton Park Tower London (as the old-school regulars still refer to it) acts as a sort of decompression chamber. You walk through those heavy doors and the roar of the A4 road just... vanishes.
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The lobby isn't that massive, airy atrium you find in newer Marriott builds. It’s intimate. Dimly lit. There’s a lot of wood and polished stone. It feels like a private club where people are making deals over afternoon tea or a stiff whiskey at the Hyde Bar. Speaking of the Hyde Bar, it’s one of those spots that locals actually use. It’s not just a holding pen for tourists waiting for their rooms to be ready. They have a massive cigar terrace and a whiskey list that could probably bankrupt a small nation if you aren't careful. It’s moody in a good way.
Rooms here have seen a few facelifts over the decades. You’ll find a mix of that classic British opulence—think heavy drapes and marble bathrooms—mixed with the tech you actually need, like decent Wi-Fi and plugs that aren't hidden behind the headboard. But the "pie slice" layout is the real winner. Because the wide end of the room is the window side, the space feels significantly larger than the actual square footage suggests. It’s a clever bit of geometry.
Location vs. Logistics
People choose this spot for the proximity. You are literally steps from Harvey Nichols. If you want to go to Harrods, it’s a five-minute walk, tops. But there’s a downside to being at the center of the universe. Traffic. If you’re trying to get an Uber to Heathrow on a Friday afternoon from the front entrance, God help you. You’re better off taking the Piccadilly Line from Knightsbridge station, which is right there.
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- The Park Views: If you book a "Low Floor" room, you’re basically looking at the tops of buses. Don't do that. Aim for the 10th floor or higher.
- Dining: The One-O-One restaurant used to be a seafood legend here. Nowadays, the dining scene is more focused on the Lounge and the Bar. It’s refined, but if you want a "scene," you’ll probably head out to Zuma or Dinner by Heston nearby.
- The Service: This is a legacy hotel. A lot of the staff have been here for years. They know the regulars by name. It lacks that cold, corporate "standardized" feel you get at the newer mega-hotels in Canary Wharf.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Brand
There is a lot of confusion about the name. Is it a Sheraton? Is it a Luxury Collection? Is it the "Park Tower"? Basically, Marriott owns the brand, and they moved this specific property into their "Luxury Collection" portfolio to reflect the price point and the service level. However, the signage and the history are so deeply tied to the Sheraton Park Tower London identity that the name persists in travel forums and local taxi lingo.
Calling it a Sheraton is like calling a high-end vintage Porsche "a Volkswagen." Technically, there’s a shared lineage, but the experience is tuned to a completely different frequency. The Luxury Collection designation means more bespoke amenities and a focus on "local storytelling," though, honestly, the building itself tells the biggest story. It represents a specific moment in London's history when the city was trying to be futuristic and global, shedding its post-war gloom for something taller and rounder.
The Hyde Park Connection
If you’re a runner or just someone who needs green space to stay sane, this is arguably the best-located hotel in London. You cross the street and you’re in 350 acres of parkland. You can walk to the Serpentine, check out the Kensington Gardens, or just watch the Household Cavalry trot past in the morning. Most hotels claim to be "near" the park. The Park Tower is on the park.
It’s worth noting that the "circular" nature of the building means the wind can whistle around it a bit on stormy nights. Some people find the hum of the city and the wind a bit much, but the soundproofing is generally top-tier. These walls are thick. They don't build them like this anymore because it’s too expensive to pour this much concrete.
Nuance in Luxury
Not everyone loves the look of the place. Modernists adore it; traditionalists think it’s an eyesore that ruins the skyline of Belgravia. But that’s what makes it interesting. It isn't a bland, glass box. It has character. It has those "prow" windows that make you feel like you're on the bridge of a ship.
One thing to keep in mind: the elevators. In a circular building, the core is where the lifts live. During peak checkout times, it can be a bit of a wait. It’s a minor gripe, but when you’re paying Knightsbridge prices, you notice the small things. Conversely, the concierge team here is legendary. If you need a table at a "fully booked" spot in Mayfair, these are the guys who make the phone calls that actually work.
Actionable Advice for Your Visit
If you're planning a stay at the Sheraton Park Tower London, don't just book the cheapest rate on a third-party site. This is a property where loyalty status and specific room requests matter immensely.
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- Request a "Park View" specifically. The city-side views are okay, but looking out over the green expanse of Hyde Park toward North London is the whole point of the circular architecture.
- Utilize the Clefs d’Or concierges. They aren't just there to give directions to the tube. Ask them about the smaller, independent boutiques in Belgravia or the hidden pubs in the mews behind the hotel.
- Check the event calendar. Being so close to the park means the hotel gets busy during Hyde Park events like Winter Wonderland or the summer concert series. If you want peace and quiet, avoid those weeks.
- Breakfast is better in the room. Because of those floor-to-ceiling windows and the way the sun hits the building, having a slow breakfast while watching the city wake up from your "pie slice" room is a top-tier London experience.
- Walk behind the hotel. Everyone looks at the front towards the shops. Go out the back and wander into the residential streets of Knightsbridge and Belgravia. It’s some of the most beautiful (and expensive) real estate on earth, and it’s incredibly quiet compared to the main road.
The Park Tower is a landmark for a reason. It’s a survivor of an era of bold experiments, and it remains one of the most distinctive places to rest your head in a city that is increasingly filled with identical-looking glass towers. Whether you call it the Sheraton or the Luxury Collection, the view from the 15th floor remains one of the best secrets in London.
Next Steps for Your Trip:
- Verify the Brand: Double-check your booking platform; if you are searching for the "Sheraton Park Tower," ensure you are looking at "The Park Tower Knightsbridge, a Luxury Collection Hotel" to get the most updated rates and room photos.
- Check High-Floor Availability: Before confirming, call the front desk to see if they can guarantee a room above the 10th floor. The "drum" shape of the building means the lower floors are often obscured by the surrounding tree canopy and neighboring buildings.
- Map the Mews: Use a digital map to find "Old Barrack Yard" nearby. It’s a tiny, historic pocket just steps from the hotel that feels like stepping back 200 years, providing a stark contrast to the hotel's 70s-modernist vibe.