Luxury Travel Blog

Ideas to inspire your world: luxury, culture, food, travel, style

January 6, 2025

Must Stay: Claridge’s, a Legendary Luxury Hotel in London

Located in the elegant Mayfair neighborhood in the heart of London, England, Claridge’s is one of the city’s most legendary hotels. Synonymous with timeless elegance and British style, Claridge’s is renowned for its exquisite Art Deco design, iconic afternoon tea and impeccable service.

A prestigious address for over a century, it remains at the forefront of London’s top luxury hotels with its blend of British heritage, modern luxury, stylish bars and restaurants, and collaborations with artists and fashion designers.

What began as a relatively modest hotel on Brook Street in 1812 transformed over the course of the 19th century into one of London’s leading luxury hotels, hosting royalty, world leaders, Hollywood stars and other notable guests for over a century.

During the 1920s and 1930s, new guest rooms, a magnificent ballroom, a new restaurant and the now-famous lobby were added under the direction of Oswald Milne and Basil Ionides, leading architects of the Art Deco style.

Although the hotel has undergone several renovations and expansions since, it retains its iconic style that evokes the glamor of the Jazz Age. 

Original details, like the mirrored foyer, sweeping staircase in the lobby, glass screens in one of the restaurants and a notable Lalique glass door panel (the entrance to a 1930s-style cocktail bar), have been preserved, transporting guests to a bygone era.

Individually designed rooms and suites by leading fashion designers and interior designers combine contemporary luxury and state-of-the-art amenities with design elements that incorporate the hotel’s heritage.

The two restaurants, Claridge’s Restaurant and the Foyer & Reading Room, offer refined Art Deco settings for British fine dining.

A highlight of staying at Claridge’s is enjoying the famous afternoon tea in the opulent surrounds of the Foyer & Reading Room.

Accompanied by live piano music, bespoke tea blends created exclusively for Claridge’s are served alongside traditional scones and exquisite pastries on the hotel’s signature green-and-white porcelain. 

Christmas is one of our favorite times at the hotel when the decorations transform it into a winter wonderland, making it the ideal festive base for experiencing the Christmas season in London.

A favorite Claridge’s holiday tradition is the different Christmas tree created every year by a notable artist or fashion designer. Displayed in the iconic lobby during the holiday season, the Claridge’s Christmas tree adds a touch of contemporary style and festive fun to the historic space.

Past Claridge’s Christmas trees have featured creations by Christian Louboutin, Diane von Furstenberg, Karl Lagerfeld, Jimmy Choo and Sir Paul Smith.

A major five-year refurbishment completed in 2021 included the addition of a subterranean Japanese-inspired spa with a heated pool, a sauna, a steam room and a fitness center.

A new rooftop penthouse with an ornamental lake, a landscaped garden, a swimming pool, glass pavilions and an extensive collection of art by Damien Hirst is a spectacular addition and an incredible space for private events.

Other notable updates include the Painter’s Room (an Art Deco-style bar that recalls the hotel’s 1930s heyday) and ArtSpace Cafe, which serves coffee, pastries, sandwiches and other light bites throughout the day.

Claridge’s ArtSpace, an art gallery that showcases works by artists such as Damien Hirst and Banksy, also launched an artist-in-residence program in 2021 that invites artists to stay at the hotel and create site-specific works. This creative initiative allows hotel guests and visitors to experience unique contemporary works combined with Claridge’s traditional, elegant aesthetic.

The surrounding Mayfair neighborhood, known for its elegant and historic village-like feel with Georgian townhouses and verdant squares, is home to luxurious boutiques, iconic department stores including Liberty and Selfridges, fine jewelers, high-end art dealers and the renowned Sotheby’s and Christie’s auction houses, numerous private clubs and many of London’s top restaurants.

Contact Artisans of Leisure to begin planning a private England tour featuring the highlights of London and accommodation at Claridge’s.

Destinations:  England, Europe, UK

Tags:  Art Deco, Art Deco architecture, best luxury hotels, British interiors, British tradition, Christmas at Claridge's, Christmas in London, Claridge's, Claridge's London, contemporary art, England, England tours, exclusive London tours, iconic hotels, insider London tours, interior design, London, London hotels, London shopping, London tours, London's best hotels, luxury England tours, luxury London tours, Maybourne, Maybourne hotels, Mayfair hotels, private London tours, UK tours, world's best hotels