An extra-special team member greets guests at The Lanesborough hotel
Padding through the lobby of one of London’s most exclusive hotels, you might expect to be greeted by a doorman or concierge, but at The Lanesborough – if you’re very lucky – it’ll be Lilibet, the fluffy Siberian Forest cat who is resident at the establishment.
Lilibet has been delighting guests at The Lanesborough since she arrived in 2019, and is most often found enjoying a sunny window spot, napping on a chaise longue, or overseeing guest arrivals in the lobby. A resident cat might seem unusual, but for The Lanesborough it is only natural, given that its sister properties – Le Bristol Paris and Brenners Park in Baden-Baden – are also home to felines.
A special committee of hotel staff comprising only the most dedicated cat lovers looks after Lilibet, and on special days, such as her birthday and International Cat Day, The Lanesborough’s chefs dream up fine delicacies for her to enjoy – feline-friendly, of course. They look as exceptional as the human food on offer in the hotel’s eponymous Grill.
During the pandemic, Lilibet retreated to a rural hideaway in Buckinghamshire, where she learned about the simple pleasures of country life, such as relaxing by an open fire and watching birds from a perch by the window. Now though, she has returned to her full-time residence in the city.
With her sandy fur, green eyes and chic gold collar, Lilibet is quite the photogenic feline and even has her own hashtag, #lilibetslanesborough. And if you’re not partial to four-legged friends then worry not, because Lilibet’s breed is considered hypoallergenic and safe for all guests.
