Travel in Style
Check In To London's Most Royal Hotel
Photos courtesy The Goring Hotel
Travel in Style
Check In To London's Most Royal Hotel
Walking into The Goring Hotel will make you feel like a royal.
It’s the only hotel to have been granted a Royal Warrant for hospitality services by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II; its Eggs Drumkilbo (a decadent dish of lobster, caviar and quail’s egg) was a favourite of the Queen Mother; and Kate Middleton stayed here the night before she married Prince William. Monarchy aside, here are some of the ways The Goring extends the royal treatment to every guest.
Perfect Placement
Set in London’s exclusive Belgravia neighbourhood, The Goring is just a five-minute walk or, as the hotel likes to say, a “royal wave” from Buckingham Palace. Elegantly suited doormen, some with top hats, are on hand to usher guests into London’s last remaining family-owned luxury hotel (yes, like the royals, it’s a family affair). The Goring’s prime location makes sightseeing, shopping and exploring nearby Mayfair, Kensington and Knightsbridge a breeze.
Blooming Beauty
The Goring’s smart address is further enhanced by a beautiful hidden treat: The Goring Garden. It is one of London’s largest private gardens (about the size of a tennis court) and, in homage to the new sovereign, features a recently planted mix of King Charles’s favourite flowers and shrubs. This lush oasis is a life-enhancing spot, perfect for sipping a cup of The Goring’s Afternoon Blend tea and taking in some remarkably quiet serenity amidst the clamor of London.
Suite Treats
Fit for a king or queen, The Royal Suite is something to write home about (this is where Kate spent her last night as a commoner). A dedicated footman awaits to unpack your bags and pour you a glass of chilled Vintage Dom Pérignon as you soak up the sumptuous surrounds, including walls lined with Gainsborough silk.
Features include a balcony overlooking the garden, two bedrooms, a dining room and a sitting room, all furnished with hand-crafted bespoke pieces, plus treats like handmade chocolates, in-suite cocktail hour and more. The décor delights with antiques, Georgian glassware, royal artifacts and, in the principal bathroom, a life-size portrait of Queen Victoria.
Taste Maker
Oh, the food at The Goring. There is the Michelin-starred dining room, which is both impressively beautiful and warmly welcoming. Sit beneath an alcove hand-papered in gold leaf and tuck into stuffed Cotswold chicken with leek, sweetcorn, smoked bacon and confit egg. Mosey over to the softly lit bar and lounge for a “Thank You Your Majesty” cocktail and perfectly crisp fish goujons with chunky tartar sauce. Or take Afternoon Tea on the light-filled verandah overlooking the garden – pass the clotted cream, please.
Every inch of the 69-room hotel brims with style inspiration, including the Grand Front Hall, which boasts striking hand-painted wallpaper replete with landscape vistas and animals – look for the tiny unicorn: Kate Middleton painted its silver mane.
Superb Style
The Goring Cocktail Bar beckons with a cossetting palette of rich reds and golds, and you may notice a playful accessory by the marble fireplace: a Goring sheep. The late George Goring added a whimsical wooden sheep to the hotel to play up its calm, country feel, and it was an immediate hit with guests. He commissioned more, and now the signature sheep are dotted throughout the hotel and placed on each guest bed – a cozy touch that proves this grand, award-winning hotel also has a lovely British sense of humour.
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