When a former London department store turns into a luxurious Six Senses hotel

The British capital’s latest luxury hotel is the Six Senses London. The property officially opened its doors in March and is located inside The Whiteley, the former Whiteley’s department store on Bayswater’s Queensway, marking the brand’s UK debut and a significant step in its growing portfolio of urban wellness retreats.

Close to Hyde Park and to the vibrant streets of Notting Hill, the 109-room hotel blends Six Senses’ signature focus on emotional hospitality, sustainability, and wellness with distinctly British craftsmanship. The property also features 14 branded residences, positioning it as both a luxury hotel and a lifestyle destination.

Rooms and suites are designed with a contemporary yet warm aesthetic, combining floor-to-ceiling windows, rich wood finishes, deep blue tones, and Art Deco-inspired detailing. Many accommodations include private terraces, while the standout Whiteley Suite boasts a sprawling rooftop terrace and the option to create an exclusive private floor.

General Manager Nick Yarnell describes the hotel as “warm, genuine, and instinctive,” emphasizing its connection to both heritage and community. That ethos is reflected throughout the design which preserves the building’s Grade II-listed façade while reinterpreting its Art Deco roots.

At the heart of the hotel is a dramatic restored staircase—once a centerpiece of the original emporium—rebuilt and extended by Foster + Partners. It rises through three floors beneath a glass dome, anchoring a design concept inspired by the spirit of the Great Exhibition of 1851.

Wellness and gastronomy

Wellness is a central pillar of the experience, with the 2,300-square-meter Six Senses Spa London offering relaxation and performance-focused treatments.

Facilities include London’s first hotel magnesium pool –supporting muscular recovery and nervous system regulation, a 20-meter indoor pool, a large fitness center, and dedicated yoga studios. Guests can access advanced therapies such as cryotherapy, red-light therapy, and flotation, alongside a Biohack Recovery Lounge equipped with cutting-edge tools designed to enhance recovery and performance.

The hotel has also partnered with HUM2N, founded by Dr. Mohammed Enayat, to deliver advanced diagnostics, IV therapy, and personalized health programs. A hyperbaric chamber further expands the wellness offering, reinforcing the property’s positioning at the intersection of luxury hospitality and longevity science.

Dining at Six Senses London follows the brand’s “Eat With Six Senses” philosophy, focusing on seasonal, locally sourced ingredients. At Whiteley’s Kitchen, Bar and Café, Executive Chef Eliano Crespi and Head Chef Jose Jara present vegetable-forward menus rooted in traditional techniques such as fermentation and open-fire cooking. A dedicated fermentation lab produces house-made preserves and ingredients that enhance both flavor and sustainability.

Cocktails are equally considered, with both alcoholic and non-alcoholic options crafted around ingredient integrity. The signature “Clouds Over Islay” pairs whisky from Bruichladdich with house-made elements developed in collaboration with the hotel’s Alchemy Bar.

A standout feature is the world’s first Six Senses Place, a members’ club concept that blends social connection with wellness programming. Guided by a seasonal “Almanac,” it offers workshops, talks, and communal experiences designed to foster personal growth and reflection.

Sustainability program

Sustainability is deeply embedded in the project. The hotel operates single-use plastics and incorporates rainwater harvesting, energy-efficient systems, and more than 1,150 square meters of green roof space to support biodiversity. Through its Earth Lab initiative, Six Senses also funds local environmental and community projects.

The opening forms part of the wider redevelopment of The Whiteley, a one-million-square-foot mixed-use scheme. The project is central to the £3 billion regeneration of Queensway and has already created more than 300 jobs.

Now part of IHG Hotels & Resorts’ Luxury & Lifestyle portfolio, Six Senses London follows recent openings in Rome and Kyoto, signaling the brand’s continued expansion into major global cities—while redefining what an urban luxury hotel can be.

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