Hard Rock Cafe, Inc. was established in 1971 by Peter Morton in London and Isaac Tigrett as a multinational chain of theme restaurants, memorabilia shops, casinos, and museums. 

In 1979, the cafe began adorning its walls with rock and roll memorabilia, a custom that spread to other locations in the chain.

The Hard Rock Hotel London Reviews

• Scene

A business-oriented hotel with a contemporary design and a lively atmosphere.

Because this is a central hotel in the heart of London, the atmosphere is lively. The lobby is large and bustling with activity. The lobby has a wraparound sketch-like image of London’s skyline, a few potted plants, and some seating, but little else in the way of interesting decor. 

Downstairs in The Market restaurant, things take a turn for the worse, with dated plastic chairs and a gaudy red color scheme reminiscent of a cafeteria rather than a chic hotel restaurant. There’s some uninspired food artwork on the wall, including a bunch of chilies and carrots. 

The Club Lounge has a much more sophisticated feel, with brown-gray armchairs, chic yellow cushions, and live plants, achieving a modern but relaxed look. The hotel is overwhelmingly social, with leisure guests chatting in the lobby before heading out to Oxford Street and business guests taking a break from the busy meeting rooms for lunch. 

• Location

The Marble Arch Tube station is directly above and overlooks Hyde Park.

The Cumberland Hotel’s incredible location, which could not be more central, is one of the main reasons guests stay there. 

The street is the intersection of Oxford Street and Park Lane, which says it all. It’s about as well connected as you can get, with Hyde Park just across the street and Marble Arch tube station right above the hotel. 

This is a vibrant London neighborhood with shopping, sightseeing, and dining right on your doorstep. Within a 10-minute walk, there are numerous restaurants and bars, including Michel Roux Jr.’s French fine dining restaurant, Le Gavroche, which is only a six-minute walk away. Walking to Oxford Street takes 10 minutes, or taking the bus takes 5 minutes. 

The upscale Mayfair District is also nearby. By train, you can get to Mayfair in nine minutes and then walk to the many art galleries and high-end designer stores. 

It also takes nine minutes by train to get to the celebrity-favored restaurant Sketch. Iconic landmarks are easily accessible via the Central Line from Marble Arch. 

Big Ben takes about 13 minutes, and Buckingham Palace takes just under 20 minutes. Heathrow Airport is a 35-minute drive or an hour’s train ride from The Cumberland. Gatwick Airport is an hour away by car or an hour and 15 minutes away by train.

• Rooms

Refurbished rooms are comfortable and modern, with high-end amenities and some views of Hyde Park.

Refurbished rooms are calm and contemporary, but the most impressive feature is probably the views of Hyde Park and the busy streets below. Soft carpeted floors and varnished wooden furniture replace the lighter, cheaper-looking pinewood found in the older rooms. 

Material headboards in moody grays and heavy curtains in dark blue hues give rooms a rich feel. Accents like the fun patterned cushions make the decor stand out, but they could use a little more personality. The beds are comfortable, and all rooms have Hypnos mattresses.

Flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi (though some guests report patchy connections), coffee/tea-making facilities, bottled water, and a safe are among the high-end amenities. The bathrooms are immaculately modern and spacious, with power showers, bathrobes and slippers, hairdryers, and heated bathroom mirrors. 

All rooms have air conditioning, stationery, and a work desk. Some rooms have additional Nespresso machines and mini-fridges.

• Features

Excellent event and corporate facilities, as well as an all-day restaurant and a sleek Club Lounge

The number of busy meeting rooms and event spaces attests to the hotel’s popularity with corporate guests. These range from board meetings, interview panels, and private dining rooms for 30 to the massive Ocean Room, which can seat 400. 

All have air conditioning, as well as designated break-out areas, and dining options. The hotel also hosts larger conferences and weddings.

Hard rock hotel London breakfast menu: Breakfast is served in The Market restaurant, which has a business atmosphere. The hard wooden seats and bland decor give the place the appearance of a cheap canteen, but there is a large breakfast spread that guests seem to enjoy. 

While the buffet is regularly replenished, guests have complained that overcrowding at breakfast detracts from their morning meal. The Market restaurant also serves lunch and dinner, as well as afternoon tea. 

The menu includes casual items such as soup, salads, pizzas, burgers, and fish and chips, but the prices are high. Room service is available around the clock.

The hotel’s Club Lounge is available to guests staying in executive rooms and suites. Benefits include free continental breakfasts and a sophisticated and serene environment in which to socialize or work. With fresh orchids, a gray and mustard color scheme, and free daily newspapers, this is by far one of the hotel’s more stylish corners.

It’s worth noting for guests traveling with pets that the rooms here are pet-friendly; ask ahead, and the hotel can arrange a pet bed, water, food bowls, and a welcome treat. A small fitness center with a few cardio machines and weights is available. The hotel offers free Wi-Fi throughout, though the connection can be spotty.

Pros based on client reviews

• It is a modern property above the Marble Arch Tube Station.
• Set in well-connected Marylebone with views of Hyde Park
• Backrooms are sparsely furnished and have luxury bathrooms.
• Flat-screen televisions, coffee and tea-making facilities, and air conditioning are standard.
• The Market restaurant serves all three meals and offers 24-hour room service.
• Stylish club lounge with immaculate decor and daily newspapers.
• A variety of well-equipped meeting rooms and event spaces.
• Wi-Fi is available throughout the property.
• Pet-friendly, with extra treats for your four-legged friends.

Cons based on client reviews

• The market isn’t as appealing as the other areas of the hotel.
• Guests have complained about poor Wi-Fi connectivity in some areas.
• Some rooms have yet to be renovated.

Restaurants near the Hard Rock Hotel London

The following restaurants can be found near this hotel:

• Steak and Company Covent Garden
• Prezzo Marble Arch.
• The Brasserie at the Cumberland.
• Hard Rock Cafe Oxford Street.
• Wafflemeister
• Pret A Manger
• Zaman