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If you’re passionate about interior design, mark your calendar for Decorex 2024, taking place from October 6-9 at Olympia Events in London. For 46 years, Decorex has been the UK’s premier event for discovering the latest trends and products in high-end interior design. This year promises to be more exciting […]
As the global epicenter of creativity and design, London is set to host some of the most anticipated interior design events of 2024. This year, the city’s vibrant design community will converge on four major events that promise to redefine the boundaries of interior aesthetics: the Cruise Ship Interiors Expo, […]
Modern living rooms have become synonymous with the perfect fusion of style and comfort in London’s bustling metropolis. These contemporary spaces exude sophistication while providing a haven of tranquility in the midst of urban chaos as a hub of relaxation and entertainment. In this article, we’ll look at what makes […]
Travelers heading to London are likely in the market for a healthy dose of history and also to stay in Iconic London Hotels— from the Tower Bridge to Kensington Palace, there’s no shortage of it. But the history lesson doesn’t have to end after the walking tour. Many of London’s oldest—and most esteemed—hotels offer their own window into the past. With several dating from the early 1800s, these famed lodgings have withstood wars and played host to some of the world’s most famous guests, including the royals. We’ve rounded up five such London hotels that are as elegant as they are iconic.
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The Dorchester
The Dorchester retains its original 1930s opulence that first drew royals and dignitaries to the hotel when it opened. Queen Elizabeth II attended a dinner party here the day before her engagement was announced on July 10, 1947.
Brown’s Hotel
Believed to be modern London’s very first hotel, Brown’s opened in 1837. Guests have included presidents, prime ministers, writers, and inventors like Alexander Graham Bell, who made the first-ever telephone call from Brown’s in 1876. Hotel regular Agatha Christie drew inspiration from Brown’s when writing her 1965 thriller, At Bertram’s Hotel.
Claridge’s
This legendary establishment dates from 1856. The hotel has evolved greatly over its 150-year history: Claridge’s was renovated in the Art Deco style in the 1920s and became the go-to haunt for the flapper set; it served as a place of refuge for kings during World War II; and it became a Hollywood sanctuary in the 1950s, when it welcomed such famed guests as Cary Grant, Katharine Hepburn, Audrey Hepburn, and Yul Brynner.
The Connaught
The first iteration of the Connaught dates from 1815, when it comprised two houses owned by the Duke of Westminster. In the two centuries since, the hotel—and its famed restaurants—has evolved to better accommodate its esteemed guests, which have included French president General Charles de Gaulle, Ralph Lauren, and the Queen Mother.
The Ritz
Opened in 1906, the Ritz became known for its refined French château–style architecture and Louis XVI furnishings. The hotel’s many famous guests and visitors include King Alfonso of Spain, Charlie Chaplin, and Andy Warhol.
SEE ALSO: THE BEST LONDON HOTEL DAY SPAS
Source: architecturaldigest.com
