I am the biggest fan of Marisa Marcantonio and her design blog, Stylebeat. Marisa has an incredible knack for finding the most beautiful products on the market and I can’t wait to see what she discovers every day. Her blog is a must read to find the prettiest shops, best designers, and insider design world scoop. I’m not surprised though, Marisa has been a style maven since I’ve known her, (we’ve been friends since meeting at Trinity College too many years ago!). Design is in her genes, her wonderful sister Amanda Reynal is an incredible interior designer in Des Moines.

I knew Marisa would come up with something grand and glamorous for her favorite hotel, and she stayed true to form selecting The Lanesborough in London. The Georgian style St. Regis property, boasts 24-hour butler service and 95 done-to-the-nines rooms. Read on for my Q & A with Marisa about The Lanesborough:

Hotel Chic: What is your favorite hotel in terms of design?

Marisa Marcantonio: The Lanesborough in London. I love all the dark millwork, the antique furniture, and the ultra high ceilings that give the rooms a regal feeling. There is such a sense of old world English grandeur.

HC: How did you discover the hotel?

MM: When I was studying abroad in college, I stayed there over Easter with my mom and sister. We had this gigantic room and a butler named Simon (of course!). It was the most fabulous girls weekend staying at this gorgeous hotel in the center of everything.

HC: What specifically about the design really captures your attention?

MM: I love that they have a recamier at the foot of the bed, you expect a bench there, but instead they have this unexpected antique piece.

HC: What is your favorite space in the hotel?

MM: The Library Bar is really wonderful, because it is really small and intimate. It is paneled in this gorgeous dark wood and lined with classic books. It is a beautiful place catch up with a friend because it doesn’t feel, like a public place.