Hotel Rooms in London With a Strange History

From haunted rooms to rooms that changed the course of history, London's hotel rooms tell a unique and fascinating story stretching back almost 300 years

The Grosvenor House Hotel - George V Suite (806)

A Mickey Mouse suite

10 years after Walt and Lillian Disney were married they decided to go to London on honeymoon and stayed in the George V suite on the 8th floor of the Grosvenor House. Even Mickey Mouse joined in the celebration, with the above picture taken on the roof of the hotel on June 12th 1935.

Claridge’s Hotel - Suite 212

The only part of mainland UK ceded to another country in WWII

Throughout the Second World War the Yugoslavian Royal family were in forced exile at Claridge’s Hotel, where Princess Alexandra fell pregnant. So in 1945 Prime Minister Winston Churchill declared suite 212 Yugoslavian territory to allow Crown Prince Alexander II to be born on his own country's soil. According to folklore, Claridge's staff placed a handful Yugoslav soil under the Queen's bed during her labour – the hotel would not comment to say if it was still there.

The Langham Hotel – Napoleon Suite

A Leader in Exile

Following the disastrous defeat in the Franco Prussian war the then French Emperor Louis Napoleon III spent much of his enforced exile from France at the best hotel in London at the time, the Langham. The first floor suite in which he took his extended residence remains as grand as it was in 1870, albeit with a few modern additions. To this day it is said that Napoleon III haunts the hotels basement.

The Corinthia Hotel – Room 801

The UFO Room

The Corinthia hotel occupies a grand building that housed offices for the Ministry of Defence for over 70 years. In its heyday MI9 department operated from the building, overseeing the crucial job of coordinating the vast ranks of POW escapees, resistance fighters and undercover agents across Europe during World War II. MI9 continued its clandestine operations after the war too, particularly in room 801, which was used as a highly classified depository for UFO sightings. Rumour has it that when MI9 vacated in 1992 they left behind the documents by accident, only for the hotel contractors to stumble across them 20 years later……shortly after their unintentional release MOD decided to declassify them. Coincidence?

The Savoy - Monet Suite 618

An artist’s inspiration

The famous painting Waterloo Bridge Misty Morning, by Claude Monet, was drawn in this very hotel room over 110 years ago when the Artist took up a 6 months residence at the Savoy hotel. The stunning vantage point of the Thames was recommended to him by American artist James Whistler. Throughout the stay Claude Monet painstakingly used over 100 canvasses at any one time, awaiting the perfect time and weather conditions to create the masterpiece. His daily routine included indulging in two English breakfasts before strolling across the river Thames from St Thomas' Hospital to the Houses of Parliament.

The Ritz Hotel - Marie Antoinette Suite

D DAY HQ

During the Second World War then British Prime Minster Churchill, French and US Presidents De Gaulle and Eisenhower met for summit meetings at the Ritz Hotels Marie Antoinette Suite, now a private dining room. No one knows exactly what was discussed in the Room, however it is reported that this is the very room where plans for D Day initially came to fruition - the very event that signalled the beginning of the end of the war.

Grosvenor House Hotel – Suite 804

James Bond’s Suite

At the time of playing double ‘O’ seven, Sean Connery’s favourite suite was 804 at the Grosvenor House Hotel. Unfortunately Mr Connery arrived very early one morning and the previous guest had not yet checked out so the room was not ready. The receptionist shyly explained that there was a guest in your usual room at the moment and in true James Bond style said, “Is it a girl if so I’ll take the key”.

The Town Hall Hotel - De Montfort Suite

A room for the people

Opened in 1910 in the heyday of Edwardian Architecture and British Power the building was designed to showcase the wealth of the Borough Council – None more so that the Grand Hall that has now become the De Montfort Suite. Its impressive triple height vaulted ceiling gives the suite a cavernous feel, which is flooded with colour from the huge arched original stained glass windows.

The Dorchester Hotel – Eisenhower Suite

The safest room in London

As WWII broke out Sir Malcolm McAlpine declared the Dorchester Hotel to be "bomb-proof, earthquake-proof and fireproof." It’s no Wonder why then that the American President chose it as his home from home throughout the conflict. The President took two rooms on the first floor where, to give him greater privacy, British Prime Minster Churchill had a wall erected between his balcony and the room next door – a wall that remains till this day.

The Langham Hotel – Room 333

The most haunted hotel room in London

Another entry from the Langham, said to be the most haunted hotel room in London. A number of guests have claimed a sighting is of a ghost in Victorian evening wear in Room 333 during the month October. The spirit is said to be that of a German Prince who jumped out of a window before the outbreak of the First World War. It is also believed that Napoleon III, another former guest, haunts the basement of the hotel.

Cafe Royal Hotel - The Marquis Suite

Call the fire brigade!

After taking views of London's most famous landmarks from the Marquis Suites windows, guests may notice an original Edwardian Maple fireplace standing out amongst the ultra modern decor. It is a nod to the rooms previous use as the boardroom of the County Fire Office - a formal room hosting discussions and debates of city wide importance!

The Courthouse Hotel – Bar

A lock in Bar

Not a room, but the bar at the Courthouse is particularly of interest – its architecture contains a number of pointers to the room’s history as a magistrate’s court. None more so than the three original holding cells that are now utilised as VIP enclaves. They still contain their original layout with the prisoner benches (now comfortably upholstered) and even (thoroughly cleaned) toilet bowls. The booths can be privately booked for up to 8 people if you fancy being locked away behind their thick iron doors.

Browns Hotel – The Alexander Graham Bell Room

Where the UK’s first telephone call was made

Going back to 1876 Alexander Graham bell demonstrated the UK’s first ever successful telephone call during his stay at the Brown’s Hotel. The room is now a private dining room, but its history is proudly honoured with an antique telephone from the period and various illustrations of telephones from over the years. Another room, or suite, that has a notable past in the hotel is the ‘Kipling Suite’ – where Rudyard Kipling completed the classic jungle book novel.

For more information or to book one of these unique hotel rooms, please contact hotels@bluebirdtravel.com - quoting 'hotelhistory' for a 5% discount.

www.bluebirdtravel.com

Hotel Rooms in London With a Strange History

From haunted rooms to rooms that changed the course of history, London's hotel rooms tell a unique and fascinating story stretching back almost 300 years

The Grosvenor House Hotel - George V Suite (806)

A Mickey Mouse suite

10 years after Walt and Lillian Disney were married they decided to go to London on honeymoon and stayed in the George V suite on the 8th floor of the Grosvenor House. Even Mickey Mouse joined in the celebration, with the above picture taken on the roof of the hotel on June 12th 1935.

Claridge’s Hotel - Suite 212

The only part of mainland UK ceded to another country in WWII

Throughout the Second World War the Yugoslavian Royal family were in forced exile at Claridge’s Hotel, where Princess Alexandra fell pregnant. So in 1945 Prime Minister Winston Churchill declared suite 212 Yugoslavian territory to allow Crown Prince Alexander II to be born on his own country's soil. According to folklore, Claridge's staff placed a handful Yugoslav soil under the Queen's bed during her labour – the hotel would not comment to say if it was still there.

The Langham Hotel – Napoleon Suite

A Leader in Exile

Following the disastrous defeat in the Franco Prussian war the then French Emperor Louis Napoleon III spent much of his enforced exile from France at the best hotel in London at the time, the Langham. The first floor suite in which he took his extended residence remains as grand as it was in 1870, albeit with a few modern additions. To this day it is said that Napoleon III haunts the hotels basement.

The Corinthia Hotel – Room 801

The UFO Room

The Corinthia hotel occupies a grand building that housed offices for the Ministry of Defence for over 70 years. In its heyday MI9 department operated from the building, overseeing the crucial job of coordinating the vast ranks of POW escapees, resistance fighters and undercover agents across Europe during World War II. MI9 continued its clandestine operations after the war too, particularly in room 801, which was used as a highly classified depository for UFO sightings. Rumour has it that when MI9 vacated in 1992 they left behind the documents by accident, only for the hotel contractors to stumble across them 20 years later……shortly after their unintentional release MOD decided to declassify them. Coincidence?

The Savoy - Monet Suite 618

An artist’s inspiration

The famous painting Waterloo Bridge Misty Morning, by Claude Monet, was drawn in this very hotel room over 110 years ago when the Artist took up a 6 months residence at the Savoy hotel. The stunning vantage point of the Thames was recommended to him by American artist James Whistler. Throughout the stay Claude Monet painstakingly used over 100 canvasses at any one time, awaiting the perfect time and weather conditions to create the masterpiece. His daily routine included indulging in two English breakfasts before strolling across the river Thames from St Thomas' Hospital to the Houses of Parliament.

The Ritz Hotel - Marie Antoinette Suite

D DAY HQ

During the Second World War then British Prime Minster Churchill, French and US Presidents De Gaulle and Eisenhower met for summit meetings at the Ritz Hotels Marie Antoinette Suite, now a private dining room. No one knows exactly what was discussed in the Room, however it is reported that this is the very room where plans for D Day initially came to fruition - the very event that signalled the beginning of the end of the war.

Grosvenor House Hotel – Suite 804

James Bond’s Suite

At the time of playing double ‘O’ seven, Sean Connery’s favourite suite was 804 at the Grosvenor House Hotel. Unfortunately Mr Connery arrived very early one morning and the previous guest had not yet checked out so the room was not ready. The receptionist shyly explained that there was a guest in your usual room at the moment and in true James Bond style said, “Is it a girl if so I’ll take the key”.

The Town Hall Hotel - De Montfort Suite

A room for the people

Opened in 1910 in the heyday of Edwardian Architecture and British Power the building was designed to showcase the wealth of the Borough Council – None more so that the Grand Hall that has now become the De Montfort Suite. Its impressive triple height vaulted ceiling gives the suite a cavernous feel, which is flooded with colour from the huge arched original stained glass windows.

The Dorchester Hotel – Eisenhower Suite

The safest room in London

As WWII broke out Sir Malcolm McAlpine declared the Dorchester Hotel to be "bomb-proof, earthquake-proof and fireproof." It’s no Wonder why then that the American President chose it as his home from home throughout the conflict. The President took two rooms on the first floor where, to give him greater privacy, British Prime Minster Churchill had a wall erected between his balcony and the room next door – a wall that remains till this day.

The Langham Hotel – Room 333

The most haunted hotel room in London

Another entry from the Langham, said to be the most haunted hotel room in London. A number of guests have claimed a sighting is of a ghost in Victorian evening wear in Room 333 during the month October. The spirit is said to be that of a German Prince who jumped out of a window before the outbreak of the First World War. It is also believed that Napoleon III, another former guest, haunts the basement of the hotel.

Cafe Royal Hotel - The Marquis Suite

Call the fire brigade!

After taking views of London's most famous landmarks from the Marquis Suites windows, guests may notice an original Edwardian Maple fireplace standing out amongst the ultra modern decor. It is a nod to the rooms previous use as the boardroom of the County Fire Office - a formal room hosting discussions and debates of city wide importance!

The Courthouse Hotel – Bar

A lock in Bar

Not a room, but the bar at the Courthouse is particularly of interest – its architecture contains a number of pointers to the room’s history as a magistrate’s court. None more so than the three original holding cells that are now utilised as VIP enclaves. They still contain their original layout with the prisoner benches (now comfortably upholstered) and even (thoroughly cleaned) toilet bowls. The booths can be privately booked for up to 8 people if you fancy being locked away behind their thick iron doors.

Browns Hotel – The Alexander Graham Bell Room

Where the UK’s first telephone call was made

Going back to 1876 Alexander Graham bell demonstrated the UK’s first ever successful telephone call during his stay at the Brown’s Hotel. The room is now a private dining room, but its history is proudly honoured with an antique telephone from the period and various illustrations of telephones from over the years. Another room, or suite, that has a notable past in the hotel is the ‘Kipling Suite’ – where Rudyard Kipling completed the classic jungle book novel.

For more information or to book one of these unique hotel rooms, please contact hotels@bluebirdtravel.com - quoting 'hotelhistory' for a 5% discount.

www.bluebirdtravel.com

LONDON’S TOP AFTERNOON TEA

Taking Afternoon Tea is the ultimate English pastime. Dating back to the early 19th century, the upper classes would drink tea and nibble on sandwiches to get them through 'the afternoon lull'. Today, no trip to London is complete without whiling an afternoon away in one of London's most luxurious hotels and being served-up a quintessentially English experience by the most exceptionally acclaimed hosts.

THE GORING HOTEL

Best for: Overall exceptional experience
Award: 'Top London Afternoon Tea Award 2013 from the UK Tea Guild'

Hours: 3pm, 3.30pm and 4pm every day
Venue: The Afternoon tea is served daily on the Terrace overlooking the private garden, or alternatively in the Goring Lounge Bar which exudes a refined Edwardian elegance.

Traditional Afternoon Tea
Cost: £42.50 per person
Menu: The Goring’s signature tea blend, selection of finger sandwiches, homemade Scones and delicate afternoon tea pastries.

Bollinger Afternoon Tea
Cost: £52.50 per person
Menu: Traditional menu plus Bollinger Champagne and Strawberries & Cream

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THE DORCHESTER

Best for: Impressive venue and Ice Cream Tea offering
Awards: 'The Tea Guild special Award of Excellence 2013'. The award was also received a further four times in previous years, making it the only London hotel to achieve this distinction.

Hours: 1pm, 2pm, 3:15pm, 4:15pm, 5:30pm & 6.45 every day
Venue: Afternoon Tea is served in the legendary Promenade, the ground floor lobby of the hotel, where potted palms, impressive marble columns and towering arrangements of flowering plants surround exquisite seating options.

Traditional Afternoon Tea
Cost: $45 per person
Menu: The menu is served with a choice of handpicked rare and grand teas. Delicate savoury finger sandwiches are filled with smoked salmon, egg, chicken, prawn and cucumber, homemade warm scones and the pièce de resistance, the assortment of cakes and tartlets. Among the irresistible treats are delicate white chocolate and praline pyramids, a creamy apple and macadamia delice, scrumptious chocolate marquis, miniature raspberry macaroons, a fresh berry crumble tart and delicate pineapple financiers on a coconut mousse.

Champagne Upgrade
Laurent-Perrier NV Champagne: £55 per person
Laurent-Perrier Cuvée Rosé: £59 per person

Vintage Afternoon Tea
Cost: £55 per person
Menu: Vintage Afternoon Tea is a more intimate affair, served from a balcony overlooking the hotel’s iconic lobby. Watch the world go by as you dine on a similar selection of delights, however chose your cakes from a trolley and of course sip your teas from The Dorchester's vintage Minton china set.

Ice Cream Afternoon Tea
From 1st - 31st August Ice Cream Afternoon Tea menu replaces the Traditional Afternoon Tea menu.
Cost: £55 per person

Menu: Introducing a modern and exciting twist to the traditional cream tea, The Dorchester's Ice Cream Tea is an array of mouth-wateringly delicious, homemade ice creams served in miniature cones and in four quintessentially British flavours - Cox apple, Elderflower sorbet, Earl Grey tea and English honey.

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INTERCONTINENTAL PARK LANE

Best for: Selection of themed teas
Award: 'The Tea Guild special Award of Excellence 2013'

Hours: 1pm to 5pm every day
Venue: The tea is served in Wellington Lounge, which pays respect to the building’s heritage by offering traditional Afternoon Tea in London with a modern twist; an experience fit for Royalty.

Wellington Tea
Cost: £38 per person
Menu: “Honouring the original Duke with the best British ingredients and influences from his travels”
Champagne, a selection of teas, a luxury selection of sandwiches, English scones with Devonshire clotted cream and an array of fancy sweets.

Botanical Tea
Cost: £38 per person
Menu: “Celebrating the hotel's location overlooking the iconic Royal Parks, this delicate and whimsical tea mixes citrus, berries, spices, and herbaceous botanicals for a taste of spring”
Cardamom and vanilla infused champagne, a luxury selection of sandwiches, Citrus infused scones with Devonshire cream and an array of spring inspired sweets.

Royal Tea
Cost: £38 per person
Menu: “Royal-Tea honours its location on the site of the former Royal residence with a dainty selection of pretty English classics that are fit for a Queen. Royal-Tea presents long-time favourites created with a selection of British ingredients”
Dubonnet cocktail, deluxe traditional English sandwiches, a luxury selection of sandwiches and an array of quintessentially British sweets.

Twilight Afternoon Tea
Cost: £40 per person
Menu: Rose champagne and the best selection of the above menus.

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THE MANDARIN ORIENTAL

Best for: Variety of rare teas

Hours: 1 to 5.30pm every day
Venue: Set against a stylish, contemporary backdrop, The Rosebery at The Mandarin Oriental offers a choice of teas exclusively crafted to the hotel's specifications, together with a selection of bespoke teas created in partnership with the iconic East India Company. The Rosebery's very own Tea Master will delicately mix selected teas to suit your preferred tastes, and recommend the perfect accompaniments for the chosen menu.

The Rosebery Afternoon Tea
Cost: £45 per person, (and 'Mini Tea' for under 12's, £25 per child)
Menu: A selection of finely designed sandwiches, scones with a selection of strawberry jam, rose-petal jelly or homemade lemon curd and an assortment of beautifully created handmade pastries.

Champagne Upgrades
Ruinart Blanc de Blanc: £54 per person
Ruinart Rosé £58 per person
Krug Grand Cuvée £82 per person

The Rosebery Tea Master's Choice Afternoon Tea
Cost: £62 per person
Menu: The Rosebery Afternon Tea menu plus a selection of 3 varieties from the rare tea list.

The Rosebery Sake Afternoon Tea
Cost: £78
Menu: The Rosebery Afternon Tea menu plus a selection of 3 Sake varieties to complement the different elements of your afternoon tea.

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FOUR SEASONS PARK LANE

Best for: Specialised Teas - Italian and Vegetarian
Award: 'The Tea Guild special Award of Excellence 2013'

Hours: 1pm to 5pm every day
Venue: Inspired by the greenery of Hyde Park, the Four Seasons is fresh and chic and presents a completely new twist on the Afternoon Tea experience in the very heart of Mayfair. Tea is served in Amaranto - Restaurant, Bar and Lounge, where high ceilings bring the gardens indoors and one dramatic space transitions seamlessly through a series of rooms, each with its own character and décor.

English Afternoon Tea
Cost: £34 per person
Menu: A beautiful selection of traditional English sandwiches with a modern twist, scones with clotted cream, jam and a Manjari-caramel chocolate spread and an array of delectable tea fancies.

La Dolce Vita – Italian Afternoon Tea
Cost: £34 per person
Menu: “La Dolce Vita' is Amaranto's signature Afternoon Tea, which offers a unique Italian twist, featuring Brushetta, Focaccia, Parma Ham and Baby Panettone, among other Mediterranean inspired delicacies”

Vegetarian Afternoon Tea
Cost: £34 per person
Menu: A specialised menu that closely resembles the traditional English tea offering, but whilst making sure that there are additional choices for the vegetarians among us.

Add a serving of Caviar: £56 per person

Champagne upgrades
Bollinger Special Cuvée Champagne: £48 per person
Bollinger Rosé Champagne: £53 per person
So Jennie, Alcohol Free Rosé Sparkling Wine: £45 per person

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THE LANGHAM

Best for: Vintage style and elegance, the birthplace of afternoon tea
Award: 2010 and 2012 saw The Langham awarded the Tea Guild's 'Top London Afternoon Tea' award, the most prestigious in the industry.

Hours: 1pm, 3:15pm and 5:30pm every day
Venue: Located in the heart of West End, the five-star Langham hotel has one of London's most enviable addresses. Palm Court at The Langham, the dazzling centrepiece of the hotel, is the height of elegance, reflected in the wooden floors, the sage and lavendar leather chairs and fresh flowers as far as the eye can see. It is also famed as the place where the tradition of Afternoon Tea was born over 140 years ago.

Wonderland Afternoon Tea
Cost: £44 per person
Menu: Chose from a range of teas, and assortment of beautifully created sandwiches, a selection of warm scones served with Devonshire clotted cream and strawberry preserve and a selection on French pastries and specialist mini cakes including a traditional Eton Mess.

Champagne Upgrade: £52 per person

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GROSVENOR HOUSE PARK LANE

Best for: Children friendly teas
Award: 'The Tea Guild special Award of Excellence 2013'

Hours: 2pm to 6pm every day
Venue: Frequented by royalty, celebrities and business leaders since its opening almost 100 years ago, this historic hotel is considered by many as the "Grande Dame" of Park Lane hotels, offering a quintessentially British experience. The Park Room and Library is a tranquil and pleasant setting, with large comfortable sofas, elegant flower displays and live piano entertainment.

Anna’s Tea
Cost: £35.30 per person
Menu: Choice of teas, a selection of finger sandwiches, warm scones with a fabulous assortment of British jams and Devonshire clotted cream, tantalising afternoon tea pastries and freshly home baked cakes.

Champagne Upgrades
Piper Heidsieck Champagne: £ 46.50 per person
Taittinger Rose Champagne: £ 48.50 per person

Grover’s Tea (for children)
Cost: £14
Menu: Children can enjoy their very own Afternoon Tea treat with Grover's Tea Time which includes tropical fruit salad, an assortment of ice creams, French pastries, a glass of Luscombe wild elderflower bubbly and their very own cuddly Grover to take home - £14.00 per child

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THE CORINTHIA HOTEL

Best for: Alfresco Tea

Hours: 2:00pm to 6:00pm Monday to Friday and 12pm to 6:00pm Saturday & Sunday
Venue: Bathed in natural light, the dramatic lobby, crowned with a stunning glass dome and bespoke chandelier provides the perfect setting for Afternoon Tea. On a beautiful summers day, an enclosed courtyard lined with manicured maple trees is a perfect spot for an Al Fresco Afternoon Tea.

Traditional Afternoon Tea
Cost: £45 per person
Menu: selection of finger sandwiches served on artisan breads, warm scones and an assortment of seasonal English tea fancies.

Champagne Upgrades
With Laurent-Perrier NV: £55 per person
With Laurent-Perrier Rosé: £58 per person

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THE ROYAL GARDEN HOTEL

Best for: Value for money
Awards: 'The Tea Guild special Awards of Excellence' in 2012 and 2013

Hours: 2:00pm to 5:30pm Monday - Thursday and 1pm to 5pm Friday - Sunday
Venue: Afternoon Tea is served in the Lounge area of the Park Terrace Restaurant, which enjoys views towards Kensington Palace and Gardens and the tinkling of the resident pianist.

The Kensington Tea
Cost: £26 per person
Menu: Assorted freshly prepared finger sandwiches, freshly baked raisin and cinnamon scones served with Devonshire clotted cream and homemade preserves, a selection of cakes and pastries from
the Royal Garden patisserie and with freshly brewed organic leaf tea from the Royal Garden’s fine selection.

The Royal Tea
Cost: £36 per person, inc. Champagne
Menu: All aspects of The Kensington Tea, but upgraded to include strawberries with vintage balsamic drizzle and a glass of Théophile Roederer NV champagne.

LONDON'S MOST UNUSUAL HOTEL FEATURES

With an increasing thirst for the extraordinary and something-to-write-home-about, there is no question that London's hotel scene is more exciting than ever. From budget, to boutique to grand luxe, new hotels are popping up across the city with unusual twists designed to add considerable intrigue to your stay.

THE CORINTHIA
FEATURE: HARRODS SHOP

The Corinthia Hotel is the first ever hotel to boast its very own Harrods store. Not only can you shop here for souvenirs or have your Harrods purchases delivered for collection, but the minibars in every room are stocked with Harrods goodies.

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HAM YARD HOTEL
FEATURE: CROC BOWLING ALLEY

The newly opened Ham Yard Hotel hosts surely one of the most interesting events spaces in London; The Croc Bowling Alley.  The room itself has a sort of swanky lounge feel, and includes a bar, dancefloor, exquisite decor collected from all around the world and an impressive vintage style bowling alley.

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ANDAZ LIVERPOOL STREET
FEATURE: MASONIC TEMPLE

Hidden deep within the Andaz Liverpool Street Hotel by Hyatt lays an extraordinary room laden from top to bottom with marble and gilt. The stunning and secret space was only rediscovered when the hotel was fully refurbished during the 1990's. Reportedly it cost £4 million in today's prices to construct well over 100 years ago - not surprising when you see the lavish use of twelve types of marble, a gold piped organ and meticulously crafted mahogany furniture.

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LONDON SYON PARK
FEATURE: BUTTERFLY HOUSE

As a tribute to the beautiful estate and gardens in which the hotel stands, an exquisite glass butterfly house was built in the centre of the London Syon Park's lobby, exhibiting a haven for exotic species from all over the world. The nature of the insects adds a gentle and serene nature to the most busy area of the building.

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HAYMARKET HOTEL
FEATURE: SWIMMING POOL BAR

Many London hotels these days come complete with spa and swimming pool. However, what makes the Haymarket Hotel’s offering stand-out is that the poolside area; with a pewter bar serving cocktails, a surround sound system and hundreds of fibre optic lights, this pool is considerably more bar than spa.

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ROUGH LUXE
FEATURE: PEELING WALLPAPER

Not at all your average boutique hotel, the architecture and design here uses an unusual combination of classic English luxury furnishings and urban shabby chic finishings. Think peeling walls, unfinished surfaces and bare floorboards juxtaposed with top quality furniture and an array of modern art pieces. Unusual at its best.

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THE CHELSEA HARBOUR HOTEL
FEATURE: CATAMARAN

Set on the banks of the Thames and offering stunning views of both city and river, The Chelsea Harbour Hotel lies within one of London’s most prestigious addresses. The hotel itself also owns its own private catamaran which is available for charter; and what a fantastic way to see London.

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ECCLESTONE HOTEL
FEATURE: MASSAGING BEDS

Behind the doors of a beautiful 19th Century Grade II listed Georgian building; this hotel has taken cutting-edge technology to the next level. Boasting a range of in-room features from 3D TVs and SmartGlass shower walls to iPads controlling everything from the curtains to your room-service, our favourite though has to be the state-of-the-art fully adjustable beds with a range of massage settings.

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HAM YARD HOTEL (again)
FEATURE: HYPOXIC STUDIO

As already mentioned, this new hotel ticks a lot of boxes. A highly unique feature of the Soholistic Spa is a small Hypoxic Studio, where more serious guests can use the most advanced natural performance enhancing tools available to adjust oxygen levels (mimicking high-altitudes in training), to achieve optimum performance results.

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THE ZETTER HOTEL
FEATURE: EXOTIC VENDING MACHINES

Definitely more budget quirky than luxury, The Zetter Hotel has had the novel idea of installing vending machines on each floor that dispense everything from deodorant and toothbrushes to champagne and bloody marys!

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THE TOWN HALL HOTEL
FEATURE: MAGISTRATES COURT

Perhaps the most unusual on this list, The Town Hall Hotel, in London's East End features its very own court room for guests to enjoy breakfast or lunch in. Complete with a judges chair, jury benches and mahogany wall panels the superbly restored room dates back from when the hotel acted as Bethnal Greens county hall at the turn of the 19th century.

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THE COURTHOUSE HOTEL
FEATURE: JAIL CELLS

 

The bar at the Courthouse is particularly of interest – its architecture contains a number of pointers to the room’s history as a magistrate’s court. None more so than the three original holding cells that are now utilized as VIP enclaves. They still contain their original layout with the prisoner benches (now comfortably upholstered) and even (thoroughly cleaned) toilet bowls. The booths can be privately booked for up to 8 people if you fancy being locked away behind their thick iron doors.

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THE GROSVENOR HOUSE HOTEL BY JW MARRIOTT
FEATURE: ABANDONED SWIMMING POOL

Not many five star hotels have a swimming pool in London, making it even more curious that the Grosvenor House Hotel on prestigious Park Lane has a 25m pool that has sat gathering dust since the early 2000's. Not surprisingly the hotel were not keen to provide a photo of its forgotten asset.

For more guides to the best London Hotels visit: www.bluebirdvip.com

Hotel Rooms with a Unique History in London

From haunted rooms to rooms that changed the course of history, London's hotel rooms tell a unique and fascinating story stretching back almost 300 years

The Grosvenor House Hotel - George V Suite

A Mickey Mouse suite

10 years after Walt and Lillian Disney were married they decided to go to London on honeymoon and stayed in the George V suite on the 8th floor of the Grosvenor House. Even Mickey Mouse joined in the celebration, with the above picture taken on the roof of the hotel on June 12th 1935.

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The Langham Hotel – Napoleon Suite

A Leader in Exile

Following the disastrous defeat in the Franco Prussian war the then French Emperor Louis Napoleon III spent much of his enforced exile from France at the best hotel in London at the time, the Langham. The first floor suite in which he took his extended residence remains as grand as it was in 1870, albeit with a few modern additions. To this day it is said that Napoleon III haunts the hotels basement.

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Claridge’s Hotel - Suite 212

The only part of mainland UK ceded to another country in WWII

Throughout the Second World War the Yugoslavian Royal family were in forced exile at Claridge’s Hotel, where Princess Alexandra fell pregnant. So in 1945 Prime Minister Winston Churchill declared suite 212 Yugoslavian territory to allow Crown Prince Alexander II to be born on his own country's soil.  According to folklore, Claridge's staff placed a handful Yugoslav soil under the Queen's bed during her labor – the hotel would not comment to say if it was still there.

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The Corinthia Hotel – Room 801

The UFO Room

The Corinthia hotel occupies a grand building that housed offices for the Ministry of Defence for over 70 years. In its heyday MI9 department operated from the building, overseeing the crucial job of coordinating the vast ranks of POW escapees, resistance fighters and undercover agents across Europe during World War II. MI9 continued its clandestine operations after the war too, particularly in room 801, which was used as a highly classified depository for UFO sightings. Rumor has it that when MI9 vacated in 1992 they left behind the documents by accident, only for the hotel contractors to stumble across them 20 years later……shortly after their unintentional release MOD decided to declassify them. Coincidence?

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The Savoy - Monet Suite 618

An artist’s inspiration

The famous painting Waterloo Bridge Misty Morning, by Claude Monet, was drawn in this very hotel room over 110 years ago when the Artist took up a 6 months residence at the Savoy hotel. The stunning vantage point of the Thames was recommended to him by American artist James Whistler.  Throughout the stay Claude Monet painstakingly used over 100 canvasses at any one time, awaiting the perfect time and weather conditions to create the masterpiece. His daily routine included indulging in two English breakfasts before strolling across the river Thames from St Thomas' Hospital to the Houses of Parliament.

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The Ritz Hotel - Marie Antoinette Suite

D DAY HQ

During the Second World War then British Prime Minster Churchill, French and US Presidents De Gaulle and Eisenhower met for summit meetings at the Ritz Hotels Marie Antoinette Suite, now a private dining room. No one knows exactly what was discussed in the Room, however it is reported that this is the very room where plans for D Day initially came to fruition - the very event that signaled the beginning of the end of the war.

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Grosvenor House Hotel – Suite 804

James Bond’s Suite

At the time of playing double ‘O’ seven, Sean Connery’s favourite suite was 804 at the Grosvenor House Hotel. Unfortunately Mr Connery arrived very early one morning and the previous guest had not yet checked out so the room was not ready. The receptionist shyly explained that there was a guest in your usual room at the moment and in true James Bond style said, “Is it a girl if so I’ll take the key”.

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The Town Hall Hotel - De Montfort Suite

A room for the people

Opened in 1910 in the heyday of Edwardian Architecture and British Power the building was designed to showcase the wealth of the Borough Council – None more so that the Grand Hall that has now become the De Montfort Suite. Its impressive triple height vaulted ceiling gives the suite a cavernous feel, which is flooded with colour from the huge arched original stained glass windows.

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The Dorchester Hotel – Eisenhower Suite

The safest room in London

As WWII broke out Sir Malcolm McAlpine declared the Dorchester Hotel to be "bomb-proof, earthquake-proof and fireproof." It’s no Wonder why then that the American President chose it as his home from home throughout the conflict. The President took two rooms on the first floor where, to give him greater privacy, British Prime Minster Churchill had a wall erected between his balcony and the room next door – a wall that remains till this day.

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The Langham Hotel – Room 333

The most haunted hotel room in London

Another entry from the Langham, said to be the most haunted hotel room in London. A number of guests have claimed a sighting is of a ghost in Victorian evening wear in Room 333 during the month October. The spirit is said to be that of a German Prince who jumped out of a window before the outbreak of the First World War. It is also believed that Napoleon III, another former guest, haunts the basement of the hotel.

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The Courthouse – Bar

A lock in Bar

Not a room, but the bar at the Courthouse is particularly of interest – its architecture contains a number of pointers to the room’s history as a magistrate’s court. None more so than the three original holding cells that are now utilized as VIP enclaves. They still contain their original layout with the prisoner benches (now comfortably upholstered) and even (thoroughly cleaned) toilet bowls. The booths can be privately booked for up to 8 people if you fancy being locked away behind their thick iron doors.

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Browns – The Alexander Graham Bell Room

Where the UK’s first telephone call was made

Going back to 1876 Alexander Graham bell demonstrated the UK’s first ever successful telephone call during his stay at the Brown’s Hotel. The room is now a private dining room, but its history is proudly honored with an antique telephone from the period and various illustrations of telephones from over the years. Another room, or suite, that has a notable past in the hotel is the ‘Kipling Suite’ – where Rudyard Kipling completed the classic jungle book novel. 

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