by Looking for a hotel room fit for a king or queen?
When you travel to London, it’s fun to follow in the footsteps of the British royal family, who have been waltzing around the capital’s most gilded hotels for more years than we can count.
If cost is not an issue, there are some beautiful places to stay. Many are full of real Easter eggs that are sure to delight fans of Netflix’s “The Crown.”
So, ahead of May 6 – the date King Charles III will seal his ascension to the throne – here are the best hotels for a royal good time.
Goringen
Duty. Service. Heritage. These words are synonymous with royalty – and the operators of London’s last remaining family-owned luxury hotel. The Goring, just a stone’s throw from Buckingham Palace, was awarded a Royal Warrant in 2013 and has been hosting guests to the palace since it first appeared in 1910.
As discreet as it is desirable, it remains a venue that positively oozes class from top to bottom. But if you’re hoping to get a room for King Charles’ coronation, you’re in for a fight: Royalty and VIPs from around the world filled these rooms for the coronations of George VI and Queen Elizabeth II, and history seems to be repeating itself . Bookings have already closed for King Charles III’s coronation on 6 May. Still, if you’re flexible about dates and want to add some prestige to a London visit, it’s a perfect spot for any royalist.
Stay here: You can book rooms directly on the website or through Expedia and Booking.com, using reward points if you have them. Cash rates start at 850 pounds sterling (about $1,023) for a single night in a deluxe room for two.
The Savoy
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Since opening in 1889, The Savoy has become a beacon for the rich, famous and powerful. This includes Edward VII, who was almost part of the furniture because he spent so much time at the hotel. The hotel also saw two young princesses, Elizabeth and Margaret, sneak in for cocktails. And it would later become the site of the first official outing of the royal family after the Second World War.
In 1989, Princess Diana was the belle of The Savoy’s Centenary Ball and in 2020, after a major renovation, the then Prince Charles visited the West End hotel for its grand reopening. It certainly hasn’t lost its luster. As well as being adjacent to the Savoy Theatre, which predates the hotel, it currently houses no fewer than three Gordon Ramsay restaurants and the world-renowned American Bar – practically a rite of passage for any cocktail connoisseur.
Stay here: Book directly on the hotel’s website. Prices start at 750 pounds (about $903) for a superior queen room for two (830 pounds, or $1,000, with breakfast).
Soho House Hotel
It’s nice to talk about chandelier-strewn, centuries-old venues, but maybe this list needs a modern hotel. London’s Soho House, where Meghan Markle was secretly supposed to meet Prince Harry in the early days of their relationship (the young royal would sneak in via a freight elevator to keep the relationship under wraps), is that place.
It’s technically a member’s house, but it’s hardly exclusive. It’s a mega-brand with outposts in the Cotswolds, England; New York City; Los Angeles; and more. This townhouse has 39 bedrooms; they range from 162 square meter “broom closet” rooms to larger – but no less charming – rooms. It draws creatives and A-listers in droves, but the fact that it played a role in a recent royal love story gives it the stamp of approval here.
Stay here: A Soho Friends membership is open to everyone. You won’t get access to club seats, but you’ll get 15% off all bedrooms at all locations, among other benefits. It costs 590 pounds (about $711) for a medium room in the Dean Street Townhouse per night.
Claridge’s
Claridge’s – another London hotel with a sign book more star-studded than any planetarium – has been a royal haunt since the 1860s. Queen Victoria was a regular guest and once even brought Empress Eugenie, the wife of Napoleon III.
During the Second World War, the kings of Greece, Norway and Yugoslavia stayed at the hotel throughout much of the conflict. In 1945, at the behest of Winston Churchill, Suite 212 of the hotel was briefly declared Yugoslav territory so that the country’s Crown Prince Alexander II could be born on native soil.
Much later, Prince Charles and Princess Diana hosted their wedding reception at the hotel. Customers staying in the Royal Suite will find decor inspired by the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953 and the celebratory dinner served at the hotel.
Related: Using Points and Miles to Stay in London
Stay here: American Express users can earn points for a stay at Claridge’s and use Amex Travel to redeem points for all or part of their stay. Otherwise, prices start at 1,700 pounds (about $2,047) for a superior room for two. You can also book directly on the hotel’s website.
Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London
Backing to Hyde Park, yet opposite the traffic jam that is Knightsbridge, regulars at the Mandarin Oriental enjoy the immediacy of both an exclusive shopping district and sprawling Royal Parkland. The hotel manages to balance classic style and modern appeal with ease.
The hotel is also a hit with many younger royals, including Kate Middleton and Prince William, who have wined and dined here. If you don’t want to stay in one of the many lavish rooms, just visit the spa. Or enjoy a meal at the two-Michelin-starred restaurant Dinner by Heston Blumenthal, where nothing is as it seems.
Stay here: Mandarin Oriental does not offer points redemption options. Instead, it’s Fans of MO, a guest recognition program that’s free to join and offers guests exclusive benefits. However, it will not give you a bigger discount. Superior rooms start at 835 pounds (about $1,006) per night.
Dorchester
As anyone who has played Monopoly will attest, life on Park Lane is not cheap. But it is a wise investment. The fact that Prince Philip held his bachelor party at The Dorchester should be all you need to know about this hotel.
British royals, including Queen Elizabeth II, have regularly had their hair done at this establishment over the years. The late Queen’s coronation in 1953 even coincided with a specially designed refurbishment of the hotel. The property has lost none of its Art Deco finesse, giving guests the feeling of stepping into a time capsule every time they visit. The hotel’s “crowning” achievement may be the on-site French restaurant Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester – one of Britain’s few restaurants with three Michelin stars.
Stay here: The Dorchester is part of American Express’ Fine Hotels + Resorts program, which allows you to use points to book a stay. Prices start at 795 pounds (about $957) for a deluxe queen room.
Related: You can now earn and redeem Marriott Bonvoy points at Ritz-Carlton Reserve properties
The Ritz London
The staff at this iconic venue have been rolling out the red carpet for royalty for ages. The Queen Mother was such a frequent presence at the hotel that she even received a regular piano request – “A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square.” In 2006, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip celebrated the Queen’s birthday within these opulent walls. Recently, members of the royal family of Monaco gathered for a wedding breakfast.
From afternoon tea to full-on banquet service, The Ritz is second to none. In 2002, it became the first and only hotel in the world to receive a Royal Warrant for banqueting and catering services from the Prince of Wales.
Stay here: You can now earn and redeem Marriott Bonvoy points at any Ritz-Carlton Reserve property. You’ll definitely need them here, as king/twin rooms start at £925 (about $1,114) per night.
