London is already home to some of the most recognisable global hotels.
The Savoy, Corinthia, The Ritz, Claridges, The Dorchester – the list of venerable London luxury properties is long and historic.
Many of these grand dames have recently undergone lavish renovations to return them to their former glory.
But there are some impressive new arrivals, some of them in very historic locations.
The Raffles at OWO
The legendary Raffles brand will arrive in London for the first time this year, opening in the historic Old War Office in Whitehall.
This iconic Whitehall building was once inhabited by Britain’s most famous statesmen and spies, from Winston Churchill to Ian Fleming, creator of James Bond.
The hotel stands on the corner of Whitehall and Horse Guards Avenue.
Thierry Despont, the New York-based French designer responsible for other luxury hotels such as the Chatwal and Casa Cipriani, both in New York designed the hotel’s 120 rooms and suites.
The hotel boasts nine restaurants, three bars, and a ballroom that can accommodate 600 people.
Peninsula
The storied Hong Kong brand will be neighbours with the Royal Family once this spectacular hotel opens in Belgravia this year.
The hotel overlooks Hyde Park Corner and the Wellington Arch, a location traditionally thought of as the centre of the city and right behind Buckingham Palace.
The hotel has 190 rooms and promises to bring distinctive Peninsula hospitality with a British twist.
This includes the exceptional “Peninsula Time” guarantee that allows you to check in and out of your room at times that suit your schedule.
Plus the hotel continues the tradition of a significant luxury car fleet, in this case, four bespoke hybrid Bentley Bentaygas, an electrified 1960 vintage Austin taxi, and a painstakingly restored 1935 Rolls Royce Phantom.
The property centres around an expansive, off-street courtyard, landscaped by world-renowned designer Enzo Enea in the style of a classic English garden with cascading ivy and wisteria vines, and two 120-year-old Japanese maples (the oldest trees of their kind in Europe).
The hotel has its own shopping arcade that will showcase international luxury brands.
Waldorf Astoria
Opening in 2025, the Waldorf Astoria will be housed in Admiralty Arch.
For those unfamiliar with London, this is one of the city’s most iconic landmarks, located at the end of the mall between Buckingham Palace and Trafalgar Square.
In 2012 plans were revealed for this landmark to be converted into a luxury hotel, but development since then has been slow.
The project has changed hands since then and under new ownership, the plan is for the Waldorf Astoria to open in 2025.
We still only have limited details about the Waldorf Astoria London Admiralty Arch although Hilton has announced that the hotel will have a spa, restaurants, a ballroom and an outdoor terrace on the sixth floor,
St Regis
Also expected to open this year, the St Regis London is a revamp of the existing Westbury Hotel in Mayfair.
Details remain scarce although Marriott says that that is will add an extra floor and redo the hotel from top to bottom.
St Regis is UCTs favourite Marriott luxury brand although revamping an existing hotel is not as exciting as the development of some of the iconic London landmarks detailed above.
