The Biltmore to part ways with Hilton and become an independent hotel

The Biltmore Mayfair is to end its partnership with Hilton and move to operating as an independent hotel from 1 May.

The 307-room hotel on Grosvenor Square in London opened in 2019 following a £50m redevelopment of the former Millennium Hotel London Mayfair.

It was the first site in Europe for Hilton’s luxury LXR Hotels & Resorts brand, with room rates starting from £550 a night.

The change will mean Hilton has no remaining properties under the LXR Hotels banner in the UK.

A statement on behalf of the Biltmore said the hotel had enjoyed a “productive partnership” with Hilton, but would now be fully overseen by managing director Vella Ramasawmy.

It said the change was part of the management team’s aim to “elevate the Biltmore hotel brand and expand the Biltmore brand proposition after five successful years of operation”.

“I am very pleased to be directing the Biltmore Mayfair through this exciting transition," said Ramasawmy. "My priority is to ensure a seamless handover internally and externally, and for the hotel to continue offering exceptional experiences and the best service to all guests. I have no doubt my experienced team will ensure a bright future for the impeccable hotel.

"We would like to express our gratitude to Hilton for its partnership. This decision was made with careful consideration and with the goal of enhancing the guest experience and maintaining our position as one of London's top luxury hotels.”

The hotel’s website said any stays booked past 1 May would not accrue Hilton Honors points, but guests would instead be offered "competitive loyalty benefits".

The Biltmore features a 24-hour gym, all-day brasserie Café Biltmore, steakhouse Grill 88 and a tea lounge.

Jason Atherton opened the Betterment fine dining restaurant at the hotel when it launched in 2019 and rebranded the site as the more casual Café Biltmore after the pandemic.

The chef announced he had parted ways with the hotel last year after disagreeing with the hotel’s ownership over the direction of the restaurant.

This summer will see the hotel launch a partnership on Café Biltmore's terrace in partnership with Champagne house Veuve Clicquot.

A Hilton spokesperson said: “We wish the team all the best as an independent hotel. We continue to welcome guests to more than 40 hotels across London, including London Hilton on Park Lane, Conrad London St. James and The Trafalgar St. James London, Curio Collection by Hilton.

"We also look forward to opening our doors to guests at the highly anticipated Waldorf Astoria London Admiralty Arch.”