7 London hotels used by actual royalty
Editor's Note
Are you looking for a hotel room fit for a king or queen?
When traveling to London, it's fun to follow in the footsteps of the British royal family, who've been waltzing around the capital's most gilded hotels for more years than we can count.
If cost is no issue, there are some beautiful places to stay. Many are packed with real-life Easter eggs that are sure to excite fans of Netflix's "The Crown."
So, ahead of May 6 — the date when King Charles III will seal his ascendency to the throne — here are the best hotels for a royally good time.
The Goring
Duty. Service. Legacy. These words are synonymous with the royals — and the operators of London's last remaining family-owned luxury hotel. The Goring, just a stone's throw from Buckingham Palace, was bestowed a Royal Warrant in 2013 and has been hosting guests of the palace since it first popped up 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 snag a room for King Charles' coronation, you're in for a struggle: Royalty and VIPs from across the globe filled these rooms for the coronations of George VI and Queen Elizabeth II, and history looks set to repeat itself. Bookings have already closed for King Charles III's coronation on May 6. Still, if you're flexible on 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 prices 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 in the hotel. The hotel also saw two young princesses, Elizabeth and Margaret, sneaking in for cocktails. And it would later become the location for the first official outing of the royal family after World War II.
In 1989, Princess Diana became the belle of The Savoy's Centenary Ball, and in 2020, after a major renovation, then-Prince Charles visited the West End hotel for its grand reopening. It certainly hasn't lost its verve. 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 website. Rates 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 perhaps this list needs a modern hotel. London's Soho House, where Meghan Markle would secretly meet Prince Harry during the early days of their relationship (the young royal would sneak in via a freight elevator to keep their relationship under wraps), is that place.
It's technically a members' house, but it's hardly exclusive. It's a megabrand with outposts in the Cotswolds, England; New York City; Los Angeles; and more. This townhouse boasts 39 bedrooms; they range from 162-square-foot "broom cupboard" rooms to larger — but no less charming — rooms. It draws creatives and A-listers in droves, but the fact it played a part in a recent royal love story gives it the seal of approval here.
Stay here: A Soho Friends membership is open to anyone. You won't get access to club spaces, but you will get 15% off all bedrooms in all locations, among other perks. It costs 590 pounds (about $711) for a medium room in Dean Street Townhouse per night.
Claridge's
Claridge's — another London hotel with a sign-in book starrier than any planetarium — has been a royal haunt since the 1860s. Queen Victoria was a regular guest and once even brought along Empress Eugenie, wife of Napoleon III.
During WWII, 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 in the hotel was briefly declared Yugoslavian territory so 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 1953 coronation of Queen Elizabeth II and the celebratory dinner served in 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 on all or part of the stay. Otherwise, rates start at 1,700 pounds (about $2,047) for a superior room for two. You can book directly on the hotel website, too.
Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London
Backing onto Hyde Park yet facing the traffic jam that is Knightsbridge, regulars at the Mandarin Oriental enjoy the immediacy of both a high-end 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 opulent rooms, simply visit the spa. Or, enjoy a meal at the two-Michelin-star eatery Dinner by Heston Blumenthal, where nothing is as it seems.
Stay here: Mandarin Oriental does not offer points redemption opportunities. Instead, there's Fans of M.O., a guest recognition program that is free to join and offers guests exclusive perks. It won't score you a bigger discount, though. Superior rooms start at 835 pounds (about $1,006) per night.
The Dorchester
As anyone who's played Monopoly will attest, life on Park Lane ain't cheap. But it is a shrewd investment. The very fact that Prince Philip held his stag night party at The Dorchester should be all you need to know about this hotel.
British royals, including Queen Elizabeth II, have regularly let their hair down at this establishment over the years. The late queen's 1953 coronation even coincided with a specially designed revamp of the hotel. The property has lost none of its art deco quirkiness, giving guests a feeling that they're entering a time capsule each time they visit. The hotel's "crowning" achievement might be the on-site French restaurant Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester — one of the United Kingdom's few restaurants with three Michelin stars.
Stay here: The Dorchester is part of American Express' Fine Hotels + Resorts program, allowing you to use points to book a stay. Rates start at 795 pounds (about $957) for a deluxe queen room.
The Ritz London
The staff at this iconic venue has been rolling out the red carpet for royalty for eons.The Queen Mother was such a frequent presence in the hotel that she even had 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 lavish walls. More recently, members of the Monaco royal family gathered for a wedding breakfast.
From afternoon tea to full-on banquet dining, The Ritz is unmatched. 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: The Ritz London is part of the Leading Hotels of the World program, and can also be booked with the travel booking company Skylark, which gives you upgrades, daily breakfast and free airport transfers when booking via their platform.
King/twin rooms start at 925 pounds (about $1,114) per night.
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