Piccadilly / St James

The Ritz London

★★★★★

The Ritz London is the hotel that gave the English language the word ritzy. César Ritz, the Swiss hotelier who had already made his name at the Savoy and in Paris, opened it on Piccadilly in 1906, and its architects gave it a steel frame, among the first in London, dressed in a French chateau style with an arcade along the street modelled on the rue de Rivoli. Inside, the Louis XVI interiors, all gilt, mirrors, chandeliers and soft pastel colours, have been carefully preserved and restored, and the hotel feels like a living period piece. Its location is superb: it overlooks Green Park, with Buckingham Palace a short walk across the grass, St James's and its gentlemen's shirtmakers on one side, Mayfair on the other, and the Royal Academy, Fortnum and Mason and Piccadilly Circus a few minutes east. The Palm Court is the setting for the Ritz's famous afternoon tea, served at several sittings a day with a pianist, and booking well ahead is essential. The Ritz Restaurant, with its painted ceiling and views over the park, holds two Michelin stars and serves classic dishes with formal flair, including theatrical table-side service. The Rivoli Bar is a small Art Deco jewel for cocktails. Rooms and suites are decorated in the same Louis XVI style, with antique furnishings and marble bathrooms, and service is old-school in the best sense. A smart dress code applies in the public rooms, and gentlemen are expected to wear a jacket and tie in the restaurant and for tea. This is the hotel for a once-in-a-lifetime London trip, a milestone celebration, or simply the pleasure of staying somewhere with an unmatched sense of occasion.

Is the Ritz worth it? If you love history, ceremony and impeccable service, there is nowhere quite like it. The building is listed, and walking the Long Gallery, from the entrance past the Palm Court to the restaurant, is one of the great hotel experiences in the world. Guests are greeted by name, tea is poured with ceremony, and the hotel's traditions, from the dress code to the formal dinner dances that have been held here, are part of the charm. It is less suited to travellers who want a relaxed, casual atmosphere or a spa; facilities are focused on dining and service rather than leisure.

The surroundings make sightseeing effortless. Green Park station, served by the Piccadilly, Victoria and Jubilee lines, is under two minutes' walk, so Westminster, the West End and the City are all quick to reach. On foot, Buckingham Palace and the Changing of the Guard are about ten minutes through the park, St James's Palace and Clarence House are close, and the Royal Academy of Arts and Burlington Arcade are a few minutes along Piccadilly. Jermyn Street, with its shirtmakers and cheesemongers, is right behind the hotel.

Booking advice: rates are among the highest in London, and park-view rooms command a premium. Afternoon tea at the Palm Court books up weeks or even months ahead, so reserve when you book your stay. If a stay is out of reach, tea or a cocktail in the Rivoli Bar is a way to experience the Ritz for an afternoon, though the dress code still applies. For anniversaries, proposals and milestone birthdays, few addresses in the world carry as much meaning.