Royal seal of approval
The Goring in Belgravia is the only hotel to be granted a Royal Warrant: an honour that recognises its long association with the royal family. The hotel is so close to Buckingham Palace that it has served almost as palace overflow over the years. Built in 1910 and still owned by the same family, The Goring hosted royal guests during the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, and in later years the Queen held her staff Christmas parties here. All 69 rooms were booked for the family and friends of the then Kate Middleton the night before her wedding to Prince William; Kate herself was treated to the top-floor Royal Suite, which has walls covered in the same silk that adorns the Throne Room at the Palace and a life-sized portrait of Queen Victoria in the bathroom.
The experience for non-royals is no less regal. Scarlet-coated footmen take your bags at
