Stay with the Royals
This year Her Majesty The Queen is celebrating her Platinum Jubilee, and Britain is calling for tourists to experience all of its Royal connections.
The Platinum Jubilee will be marking The Queen’s 70-year reign, naming her as the longest reigning Monarch in British History, and celebrations will take place in early June over a long weekend. Joining festivities will be encouraged as street parties, picnics and parades take place across Britain, and Royal history can be explored first-hand through hotel stays, restaurants and days out.
- Stay at the likes of Claridge’s and The Goring, favourites of the Monarch’s and with royal hosting history
- Eat some of the finest British produce from suppliers serving the Queen’s own kitchen
- Explore the Isles of Scilly, a third of which is owned by Prince Charles
Book a stay and revel in the British regal-ness at…
The Goring, London
The only hotel which has received a Royal Warrant for its hospitality services in 2013, The Goring is well loved by the royals being only five minutes away from Buckingham Palace. The Queen and many members of the royal family frequent this hotel, with the Queen attending Christmas lunches here every December, and it being reported by the Goring that the Queen Mother famously enjoyed Eggs Drumkilbo in the Dining Room. This year to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, The Goring will be plating up a special Jubilee Afternoon Tea all summer long, with glorious teas, resplendent cocktails and coronation-inspired dishes.
The five-star hotel in the heart of Mayfair, Claridge’s is a favourite to an array of royals. Its blue and gold Royal Suite was inspired by the coronation of the Queen, and since hosting Her Majesty, as well as Queen Victoria, a number of times for balls and lunches, it continues to be one of the top destinations for visiting royals from all over the world.
Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London
The Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park has been frequented by royals throughout the years and is known as a favourite to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. In 1918, Her Majesty and Princess Margaret attended dance classes in the ball room to celebrate the end of the war, while years later in 1954 the Balaclava ball in the hotel guest’s list included Her Majesty, Prince Philip and The Queen Mother. Most recently, Her Majesty attended the hotel for occasions such as Margaret Thatcher’s 80th birthday, and the pre-royal-wedding celebrations of 2011.
19 October 2020
Those wanting to reside close to one of the capital’s most iconic royal landmarks can plan a stay at new luxury boutique hotel, The Guardsman, just a stone’s throw from Buckingham Palace. Styled to have a ‘members-club feel’, the hotel has 53 luxurious bedrooms ranging from cosy Queen Singles to luxurious Guardsman Rooms, plus six exclusive residences for longer-term stays.
3 December 2020
Combining luxury with individuality on a grand scale, The Mayfair Townhouse is a unique addition to the capital’s hotel scene. Comprised of 15 Georgian Townhouses in a prized location just moments from the Royal Green Park, this fairy-tale oasis features four elegant accommodation options ranging from stylish rooms to luxurious multi-room options.
Balmoral Castle, Aberdeenshire, Scotland
The Scottish holiday home to the Royal family since 1852, the large Castle estate is also home to several Holiday Cottages for a truly royal Scottish holiday experience. The castle was bought by Queen Victoria for Prince Albert as a countryside retreat, and over the years the Balmoral Estates has been more than just a favourite home to successive generations of the Royal Family. Although it remains largely the same as it was in Queen Victoria's reign, successive Royal owners have followed the initiative of Prince Albert in making regular improvements to the Estate.
Built in 1666, the Grade I listed stately home sits within 376 acres of National Trust grounds and is now a five-star Relais & Châteaux hotel and spa. Its most recent royal links came when Meghan Markle stayed the night before her wedding to Prince Harry, whilst the estate has also been frequented by Queen Victoria, Queen Elizabeth II and the Queen Mother.
Stay on The Duchy Estate, Isles of Scilly
The Isles of Scilly, 28 miles off the coast of Cornwall, are partly owned by royalty, otherwise known as the Duchy of Cornwall. Prince Charles owns nearly a third of the residential buildings on the islands, including four that are available to rent, as well as holidaying there himself regularly. The Queen and the late Duke of Edinburgh have also visited the islands several times, notably visiting the Tregarthen's Hotel on St Mary's for lunch.
Eat like a King or Queen with…
The English Grill, Rubens at the Palace, London
Overlooking Buckingham Palace, this is a luxury five-star historic hotel, which comfort and splendour on offer are fitting of the royal setting. Opulently designed with a rich royal theme of grandeur with polished silver, beautiful chandeliers and tailcoat waiters, enjoy a dining experience of the finest English produce and suppliers that serve the Queen’s kitchen.
The Wigmore, Langham Hotel, London
The five-star Langham, London has been delighting guests since opening as Europe’s first Grand Hotel in 1865 and has been a favoured spot with members of the royal family. The Wigmore, a modern British tavern opened in summer 2017, has rapidly become a social hub located at the top of Regent Street. The former bank was the first pub to be designed by Martin Brudnizki Design Studio, transforming it in to a ‘pub luxe’ with glamorous interiors. Offering a food menu overseen by Michel Roux Jr and drinks menu by the team behind Artesian.
Inverlochy Castle, Fort William, Scotland
The 19th-century castle in the Scottish Highlands once received high praise from Queen Victoria, who spent a week at Inverlochy in 1873 while on a trip to Balmoral and declared that “I never saw a lovelier or more romantic spot”. Inside the hotel, there are three dining rooms, led by world-renowned chef Michel Roux Jr. Dining here is high end yet inclusive, with separate vegan and vegetarian menus, afternoon tea and a suitably mammoth whisky list featuring some mighty single malts.
Undercroft Café, Windsor Castle, Berkshire
Get close to the royals like never before at the royal residence still owned and used by the Crown, particularly the Queen, who regularly spends weekends here. Windsor is also the oldest occupied castle in the world and has housed 39 monarchs since it was founded in the 11th century by William the Conqueror. The Undercroft Café is one of the oldest surviving spaces of the 1000-year-old castle, and was originally used as a cellar to store beer and wine.
Cardigan Castle, Ceredigion, Wales
The home of Edward I and Katherine of Aragon, and now a historical site open to visitors, many of whom come to enjoy its acclaimed restaurant Cegin 1176 (‘Kitchen 1176’ in English). In contrast to the castle’s appealingly ancient stone exterior, Cegin 1176 is a slick, modern eatery, with floor-to-ceiling glass panels that look out over parts of the grounds. Vegetables, fruits and herbs served in the restaurant are even grown in the castle garden.
For more Jubilee things to do and our guide to Royal Britain, check out this article and interactive map.
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