Summering at 45 Park Lane
With views of Hyde Park, Lily Ackerman-curated art programming and seasonal outdoor dining options, the London hotel offers an inspiring space to relax and restore
With spring blooms in full swing and in time for the arrival of summer, the windows of London‘s Art Deco-inspired 45 Park Lane reveal colorful paintings by Dan Baldwin facing Hyde Park. Baldwin’s eye-catching canvases with natural forms in bold hues are currently on display in the lobby and BAR 45. The hotel’s permanent collection features work by Sir Peter Blake, Christian Furr, Joe Tilson, and Damien Hirst butterflies flanking the CUT by Wolfgang Puck dining room. A recent acquisition for the lobby depicts London icon Vivienne Westwood. The hotel’s 46 guest rooms and suites feature art programming helmed by curator Lily Ackerman.
“There was a wonderful feeling of rediscovery and that the work had landed where it needed to be,” says Ackerman of the work depicting the iconic British fashion designer. Ackerman worked closely with Fritz Kok, Scott Lane, the Brad Branson estate and advisor Maggie O’Regan on their exhibition “Industria” at the start of this year. “Fritz very kindly offered the piece to the hotel as it was such a moment for them, and more widely culturally. It’s so fitting here and we love it as part of the collection.”
Since its conception, the hotel has fostered relationships with the art world, commissioning artists for original artworks in the rooms and planning ongoing exhibitions and special events. Originally designed as an office building by famed Bauhaus architect Walter Gropius, 45 Park Lane lives on as one of two London properties in the Dorchester Collection.
For the summer season, Baldwin’s vibrant abstracts add to a sense of playful whimsy to the space. Ackerman feels drawn to his sense of vibrancy, vulnerability and intimacy. “His works are so layered, in some cases literally,” says Ackerman. “They provide a portal to another imagined landscape. I like the interplay between the calm, quiet intrigue and pop style louder elements. In some of his more recent works he’s playing around with more expanse in the composition, which I am also loving.”
“It was a real privilege to have Dan and his family at the private view,” Ackerman says. “I am always delighted to see artists’ reactions to and interpretations of the interiors and building itself. It’s always unexpected. And our artist lunch, a monthly lunch with the original artists, hearing all the brilliant things they’re up to and having that basis of community is fantastic.”
With exhibits rotating seasonally, when choosing artists to feature at 45 Park Lane, Ackerman explores many details and follows her intuition. “We come at it from multiple perspectives,” she says. “From a guest viewpoint, what’s engaging, what’s interesting, what offers a fresh or unexpected take.” She also thinks about a visual standpoint, thinking about the specificity of what works in the space taking into consideration the size and scale, and then a sense of intrigue and excitement. “We are always coming back to connecting with the arts and artists in a meaningful way and translating that to guests.” Next will be a conceptual show by Richard Woods opening in July 2026 with a large-scale public sculpture on Park Lane. Known for his accessible installations of architectural facades with wit and humor, Woods transforms a century-old motif into a fresh, modern design.
Original artworks are displayed throughout the public spaces and guest rooms of the hotel. In the Spa at 45 Park Lane, designed by Jouin Manku, an ethereal 65-foot indoor swimming pool is flanked by traditional Roman style mosaics made by Venetian artisans. Ackerman selected works for the spa by American fine art photographer Jin-Woo Prensena and British sculptor Jill Berelowitz.
The proximity to Hyde Park makes for lush views of the trees and an organic connection to one of London’s most beautiful natural spaces. The front entrance of the hotel features “Moving Forward,” an 18-foot-tall bronze sculpture by Berelowitz depicting fluid, elongated figures that symbolize energy and momentum, while inside, her smaller sculpture “The Diver” is perched in The Spa and her art deco lights on the staircase up to the bar.
Also in house, a 13-seat omakase restaurant Sushi Kanesaka by chef Shinji Kanesaka features an experience that embodies the spirit of traditional Tokyo sushi restaurants, with interior design by Itai-san that evokes harmony and tranquility. The walkway made of reclaimed Japanese granite and wooden Kumiko panels are inspired by the restaurant’s neighboring Serpentine in Hyde Park, while the intimate chef’s counter Made was carved from a single piece of Japanese Kiso Hinoki. The restaurant showcases traditional hinoki ice chests used by sushi chefs in the Edo period and vases made by ceramic artist Shiro Tsujimura.
To keep the halcyon feeling going, the hotel celebrates the season with Cut Out on their outdoor terrace with views of the park. This new fish and chip pop-up captures the spirit of the classic British ‘chippy.’ The menu offers lightly fried haddock, thick cut triple-cooked chips cooked in beef drippings, served with homemade curry and tartar sauces as well as Puck’s signature crab and lobster rolls.
Whether walking through the park, sipping a Bacchus Kiss cocktail with champagne, vodka, Savoia Orancio and passionfruit among Baldwin’s flowers and butterflies, or taking a dip in the secluded spa pool, summering at 45 Park Lane in London feels like a shimmering summer dream.
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