Londontopia

The Website for People Who Love London

You are here: Home / Archives for Travel / Hotels

Hotels

A Look at London’s Hotel of Spies – St Ermin’s Hotel – Special Operations Executive (SOE) History and New Display

By 5 Comments

St Ermin's is a four-star hotel close to the Houses of Parliament and Buckingham Palace. That means it is also close to many government offices and has a history of involvement with the UK intelligence services from WWI to the present day. St Ermin's Hotel History Initially built as a mansion block in 1889, it was always going to be better suited as a hotel as all of the … [Read more...] about A Look at London’s Hotel of Spies – St Ermin’s Hotel – Special Operations Executive (SOE) History and New Display

Ten Interesting Facts and Figures about the Dorchester Hotel

By

One of the pinnacles of prestige in London, the Dorchester Hotel is a five-star accommodation that is as known for luxury as the number of famous names who have stayed there since it opened in 1931.  Its guests have included everyone from poet Cecil Day-Lewis (father of actor Daniel Day-Lewis) to Queen Elizabeth II.  Designed in an art deco style, the hotel has maintained that … [Read more...] about Ten Interesting Facts and Figures about the Dorchester Hotel

London Alert: London Hotel Deal – Stay 5 Nights For the Price of 4 at The Arch London

By

This came through our inbox and I thought it was worth sharing. The Arch Hotel, a luxury boutique hotel in London, is offering the chance to stay 5 nights for the price of 4. Here are the details: This summer guests can extend their stay in London for free at luxury hotel The Arch London. The five-star boutique hotel is offering guests a complimentary overnight stay with … [Read more...] about London Alert: London Hotel Deal – Stay 5 Nights For the Price of 4 at The Arch London

The London Fiver – Five of the Best Hotel Bars

By

You can sometimes tell how good a hotel is by its bar.  The ambiance, alcohol selection, food, and service shows you whether the hotel really wants to keep you around and make you comfortable.  Some hotel bars are so great that they’re worth visiting even if you’re not staying in the hotel.  With the magnificent luxury hotels in the city, London is full of equally posh hotel … [Read more...] about The London Fiver – Five of the Best Hotel Bars

The London Fiver – Five of London’s Oldest Hotels

By

It used to be that travelers’ only accommodations were the pubs and inns located all over the city.  As the coaching inns grew in their grandeur and desire to cater to wealthy clients, they transformed into the first hotels, and then into luxury hotels during the later Victorian period.  Many of the earliest hotels were built or managed by the railway companies, but many of … [Read more...] about The London Fiver – Five of London’s Oldest Hotels

Ten Interesting Facts and Figures about Claridge’s Hotel in London

By

One of the swankiest five-star hotels in London, Claridge’s has been a top place to stay since it opened in 1812.  It’s seen many interesting uses as it grew, including a wartime base of operations, clandestine diplomatic meetings, and Hollywood star hangout.  What was once a modest townhouse now encompasses almost an entire block and its reputation for luxury is well … [Read more...] about Ten Interesting Facts and Figures about Claridge’s Hotel in London

10 Interesting Facts and Figures about the Famed Savoy Hotel

By

Since 1889, Savoy has stood for luxury in London’s hospitality industry. Going back further, it was the site of the Palace of Savoy, set up by Peter of Savoy, who was made 1st Earl of Richmond (the title’s third creation) by King Henry III. Much later, King Henry VII turned the palace into a hospital for the needy. By 1702, the hospital ceased operation and in 1864, all but the … [Read more...] about 10 Interesting Facts and Figures about the Famed Savoy Hotel

London FAQ’s: Why is the Savoy Driveway Reversed?

By

This week Judy Hutchinson asks: Why, when one drives up to the Savoy, is it altered so that you drive on the right side of the street? This is a very good question and it makes this the only street in the UK where you drive on the right like in America. This is said to date from the days of the hackney carriage when a cab driver would reach his arm out of the driver's … [Read more...] about London FAQ’s: Why is the Savoy Driveway Reversed?

Royal Warrant awarded to The Goring Hotel, London

By

The Goring Hotel was made world famous back in 2011 when the Duchess of Cambridge stayed there the night before her wedding. As the Diamond Jubilee year drew to a close, it was announced that The Goring was to receive a Royal Warrant of appointment to HM The Queen for Hospitality Services. Jeremy Goring, whose family built the Belgravia hotel over 100 years ago, … [Read more...] about Royal Warrant awarded to The Goring Hotel, London

Top spots for a traditional afternoon tea in London

By

If there's one tradition that's quintessentially British, then it's afternoon tea - think cucumber sandwiches (sans crust naturally), scones covered in jam and clotted cream and delicate pastries and cakes to round it all off, not forgetting the tea of course! There are plenty of places in London that offer a traditional afternoon tea and many will allow you to upgrade your … [Read more...] about Top spots for a traditional afternoon tea in London

London FAQ: Should You Spring for a Hotel in Central London or Stay Further Afield and Save?

By

Editor's Note: This is the first in an ongoing series on questions that we get about London and our best answers. Dear Londontopia: Hello! My family and I are American Expats and we are living in Germany. We are very interested in visiting London, most likely for a couple of days in the last two weeks of September. We have heard that staying right in London is very expensive. … [Read more...] about London FAQ: Should You Spring for a Hotel in Central London or Stay Further Afield and Save?

London Hotels: Budget Chain Travelodge Plans to open 184 New Hotels in London

By

Big news from the major British budget hotel chain Travelodge - they plan to open 184 new budget hotels in London by 2025. They're goal is to have at least one in every borough. From Travel News Wire: The hotel chain made the announcement after John Penrose MP opened its 500th hotel at Stratford yesterday in time of the Olympic games this summer. “In central London the … [Read more...] about London Hotels: Budget Chain Travelodge Plans to open 184 New Hotels in London

A New Hotel for Belgravia – Belgraves

By

Thomson Hotels are opening their first UK hotel this month – Belgraves in west London, near Knightsbridge and Sloane Square. The hotel, in the area known as Belgravia, is a joint venture with the Harilela Group and has 85 rooms and suites, a lounge bar, restaurant and gym. The bedrooms feature silver grey wooden floors and marble bathrooms finished with smoked glass and … [Read more...] about A New Hotel for Belgravia – Belgraves

Guests at the Savoy Hotel Will Be Able to Record at Abbey Road Studios

By

Guests of London’s Savoy hotel will soon be able to record themselves at Abbey Road, Britain’s most famous recording studios. Abbey Road Studios have signed a global partnership agreement with Fairmont Hotels & Resorts which means that guests at the Savoy will be offered experiences from behind-the-scenes studio visits to recording a song, as well as exclusive discounts … [Read more...] about Guests at the Savoy Hotel Will Be Able to Record at Abbey Road Studios

London’s Mint Hotels Taken Over by Hilton Doubletree

By

Big news in the London Hotel realm - the Mint Hotels in London have been taken over by Hilton Doubletree. From USA Today: Hilton Worldwide has added two, modern Central London hotels to its 275-location Doubletree by Hilton chain. Both hotels belonged to the stylish, eight-property Mint Hotels chain across the Netherlands and the UK that Hilton Worldwide is adding to its … [Read more...] about London’s Mint Hotels Taken Over by Hilton Doubletree

New Hotel Planned for London’s South Bank

By

The South Bank in London will get a new hotel in 2014. According to Travel News, US-based Morgans Hotel Group will manage a new 360-room hotel located on the South Bank of the River Thames. From Travel News: The new hotel, which will become Morgans’ first Mondrian-branded property in Europe, will be located at Sea Containers House, in London Borough of Southwark. The hotel … [Read more...] about New Hotel Planned for London’s South Bank

Soho’s new place for Urbanites – Details of New Hotel in London’s Soho

By

The UK’s newest hotel group is to open its first hotel in London’s Soho district. Z Hotel Soho plans to be the first hotel designed for the ‘Urbanite Stay’, meaning short city-centre stays at reasonable rates. The hotel is a designer conversion of 12 Georgian townhouses. It will offer 85 rooms, a central courtyard and a Z café. The hotel is within walking distance of the … [Read more...] about Soho’s new place for Urbanites – Details of New Hotel in London’s Soho

London’s Admiralty Arch Could Become Hotel

By

London's Admiralty Arch which stands sentry near Trafalgar Square could be turned into a luxury hotel according to The Telegraph. From the Telegraph: Admiralty Arch, built in 1912, is set to be sold for at least £75m because the Government believes the 80,000 sq ft office building will be too expensive to modernise. The taxpayer-owned offices were occupied by the Cabinet … [Read more...] about London’s Admiralty Arch Could Become Hotel

Tune Hotels to Open Second Budget Hotel in London

By

Tune Hotels is to open its second UK budget hotel in January. The new Tune hotel, with 183 en-suite bedrooms, will be near Liverpool Street station in London. Each room has a bed and hot shower as the basic. Guests can then pay for extras such as a towel, shampoo, shower gel, soap, entertainment packages and internet access. The bedrooms comprise 100 double-bedded with a … [Read more...] about Tune Hotels to Open Second Budget Hotel in London

Mercer Street Hotel Reopens after Renovation – A hip hotel in the heart of London

By

The Mercer Street Hotel re-opens in London’s Covent Garden district this October after a £15-million refurbishment. The hotel, formerly The Mountbatten, now has 137 new bedrooms and bathrooms with Apple TV technology. There are seven suites, with large Union Flag-painted Smeg fridges and views over the Seven Dials Village area. The hotel’s six meeting rooms are capable of … [Read more...] about Mercer Street Hotel Reopens after Renovation – A hip hotel in the heart of London

Does London Really Have Europe’s Worst Hotels?

By

Trivago has conducted a survey of hotels in Europe and it turns out that London has fared the worst in hotel ratings in Europe. According to TravelMole: London hotels are amongst the worst in Europe, according to a new survey. Of all the continent's capital cities, London came out the worse in the study by online hotel price comparison website trivago.co.uk. Out of … [Read more...] about Does London Really Have Europe’s Worst Hotels?

Heathrow Airport Gets a New Hilton Hotel

By

The Hilton London Heathrow Airport Terminal 5 opens this September, with 350 bedrooms, including 85 executive rooms and three suites, 929 sq metres (10,000 sq ft) of flexible conference space and an executive lounge. Chef Cyrus Todiwala opens his first restaurant outside central London at the hotel. Mr Todiwala’s Kitchen will offer pan-Indian cooking and have a chef’s … [Read more...] about Heathrow Airport Gets a New Hilton Hotel

How to Beat London’s Typical Tourist Traps

By

  Wondering how on Earth you’re going to make it through a weekend in London, let alone a week? This is a common reaction to this grand, yet expensive city. But do not fret – there are lots of ways you can make trips to the Big Smoke both affordable and interesting. Hostel or Hotel? Choosing your living arrangements can often be quite overwhelming due to the sheer … [Read more...] about How to Beat London’s Typical Tourist Traps

Royal Wedding: A Royal Wedding Inspired Afternoon Tea at the Hilton Park Lane

By

This came through the email box and I thought it was worth sharing. To celebrate the upcoming Royal Wedding, Podium Restaurant at the London Hilton on Park Lane has created a limited edition Sapphire Afternoon Tea. Taking inspiration from the sapphire engagement ring presented to Kate Middleton by Prince William, the Tea includes references to the cool colour of this … [Read more...] about Royal Wedding: A Royal Wedding Inspired Afternoon Tea at the Hilton Park Lane