I stayed in the £1,800-a-night McLaren Suite at the London Hilton — is it worth the hype?

After filming F1 content for Metro Sport in the McLaren Suite at the Trafalgar St. James hotel, Hilton kindly invited me and my fiancé to stay the night in the £1,800-a-night papaya paradise before it opened to the public.

As a motorsport fan, how could I say no to what’s essentially an F1 penthouse, complete with its own gaming rig and private bar?

I was just glad I wasn’t footing the bill, as a standard room starts at £368.

Available only 10 nights a year, the suite celebrates 20 years of Hilton and McLaren’s partnership and, yes, you get to step into the driver’s seat.

Here’s what I loved, what stood out, and what I’d tweak next time.

Location

The hotel has sweeping views of Trafalgar Square, and is a short stroll from Leicester Square and Covent Garden. It’s walking distance from numerous theatres, bars and restaurants, ideal for combining sightseeing with a luxury escape.

The hotel is well-served by public transport. Charing Cross station is five minutes away and multiple bus routes stop outside, providing easy access to the rest of London. It couldn’t be more convenient.

First impressions

Stepping through the hotel’s front door, luxury hit me instantly. Right away, I was greeted warmly and my bags whisked off with a smile.

Check-in was smooth and before I knew it, I was on a private tour of the suite. This was a lovely added touch, and I recommend it because there’s so much to soak up.

The vibe

The suite opens with a bold papaya-orange door. The iconic McLaren shade, this colour scheme continues throughout.

Inside, you’re met with a massive orange sofa, a 50-inch TV, and the snacks and drinks Lando and Oscar love.

The super king bed? A dream. And the twin Molton Brown bathrooms, complete with deep baths and walk-in showers? Pure luxury. You’ll feel fresh and sleep like a champion.

But it gets better. You’re welcomed with a custom gift box featuring a built-in video from McLaren team principal, Zak Brown.

All guests are given complimentary McLaren robes and slippers, Nutribullets, sunglasses, signed Lando and Oscar hats, F1 LEGO sets, travel bags, Reiss collab jackets, and a secret grid pass that takes this place to the next level.

You’re not just booking a room — you’re leaving with merch, memories, and a once-in-a-lifetime experience. However, the best is yet to come.

Your very own F1 simulators

That special pass I mentioned? That opens a private door to your own F1 games room.

Think: a full bar (more on that later), bean bag-style F1 tyres, a pit wall media setup with four screens showing race highlights, interviews, and live race-day content. But best of all, your very own top-tier McLaren F1 racing simulators.

These aren’t your average gaming chairs. They are full wraparound screens, force-feedback wheels, and the exact rigs Lando and Oscar used just 48 hours before my stay.

I lost hours battling Max at Silverstone and crashing at Monaco. I even roped my fiancé in for a few laps, on condition of post-race champagne to settle any arguments.

Private ‘happy hour’

Now, about that bar I mentioned…

This wasn’t just a minibar, it rivalled actual hotel bars I’ve visited. Included in the price was a private happy hour called ‘Garage Hour’ where a mixologist came to the suite to shake up custom F1 cocktails in race-themed glassware, complete with bar snacks.

And if you go a little too hard on the spritz? No worries — they’ve got you covered with a fresh smoothie delivered to your room the next morning. Now that’s five-star recovery.

Food and drink

Enjoy cocktails from £17 on the rooftop bar with stunning skyline views or head down to Rockwell Bistro for stylish dining, anytime from 6:30am to 11pm.

Think Wagyu beef tartar and small plates like king prawns, sea bass, and Ibérico ham croquetas, all around £13.

They also offer 3 dishes for £23 between 12pm and 4pm daily. Prefer to stay in? Room service has you covered. And if none of that suits, you’re in central London, so countless great spots are just a short stroll away.

Luckily, breakfast is included as it is on the pricier side. Walk-ins will pay £32 plus a 13% service charge, but you can pre-pay for £25 and save a bit.

The verdict

My honest take? The Suite is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

If you’ve got a spare £2,000 lying around, I’d 100% say go for it, it’s unforgettable.

The price tag is steep, and while it’s not for everyone, the experience delivers. It’s clearly designed for a high-end crowd, and it lives up to that standard.

Would I stay again? Hell yes.