Where to stay at the coronation of King Charles III
All eyes are on Buckingham Palace, where King Charles III will reside, as anticipation for his coronation on Saturday, May 6, continues to mount. There has never been a better moment to reserve accommodations close to the regal house, at the center of all the festivities that will be taking place across the city that Bank Holiday weekend. Fortunately, SW1 is home to several wonderful London hotels, including five-star grande dame accommodations fit for a king as well as lovely boutique hotels. Here is our selection of the top hotels near Buckingham Palace, all of which are within a 20-minute walk of the palace.
The Goring.
A visit to The Goring is always a royal experience because it is the only hotel with a Royal Warrant for hospitality services, especially if you reserve the lavish Royal Suite, where Kate Middleton slept the night before her wedding. The hotel, which has been owned and operated by the same family since it first opened a century ago, plays down its opulence. Instead of stuffiness, this place has a unique charm that permeates both the Michelin-starred cuisine and the sumptuous apartments. The hotel's magnificent private garden, the largest of its type in London, is the jewel in the crown. It is filled with some of the Royal Family's favorite plants and flowers, including the beloved Lily of the Valley of the late Queen Elizabeth II.
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From 24 April to 28 May 2023, the hotel will host a special afternoon tea and tasting menu in the King's honor. The former will feature the King's favorite Cream of Lemon cake, and the latter will feature Welsh specialties and foraged ingredients to honor his love of the natural world. It's also a part of the outstanding PoB collection, which is now offering a unique Coronation Concierge program that allows guests to engage in experiences with strong royalties, like the aforementioned tea or a Michelin-starred tasting meal, from now until the end of May.
The Goring is located at 15 Beeston Place in London, SW1W 0JW.
The Dorchester
The Promenade, Vesper Bar, and Artists' Bar all just underwent substantial renovations, making the whole ground level seem glitzier and more opulent than ever. The hotel has long been a favorite of the royal family; the King has attended several state banquets there throughout the years. Prince Philip celebrated his bachelor party here on the night of his wedding to the Queen. Without a doubt, they were both lured to Dorchester's opulent interior design and breathtaking Hyde Park vistas. Alain Ducasse and the Grill, two of the top hotel restaurants in London, as well as the infamous nightclub China Tang make this the ideal location for a celebratory get-together.
The hotel will recreate the magnificent decorations that adorned its façade for the Queen's Coronation in 1953 in honor of the occasion. The decorations, which were created by British stage set designer Oliver Messel, included dramatic drapes across the hotel's balconies, making them resemble the inside of a play stage. From April 20 through May 2023, stop by to admire the striking show.
The Dorchester is located at 53 Park Lane in London, W1K 1QA.
Claridge’s
Claridge's is frequently called the "annex of Buckingham Palace" for a reason. Foreign heads of state searching for a place to lay their heads after a dance or dinner at the Palace have long made the hotel their top option because of its reputation for discretion over who royals have gone through its renowned rotating doors. Who can blame them, though? It's without a doubt one of the best hotels in London with its exquisite Art Deco features, opulent Victorian flourishes, and stylish modern luxury. Come spend an afternoon relaxing in the recently opened spa, located 30 meters below Mayfair's streets, followed by afternoon tea in the lobby and a beverage in the fumoir with Lalique paneling.
Claridge's Archivist Kate Hudson will be delving into the hotel's history archives for the Coronation to reveal some of its most notable royal artifacts. Highlights include pages from Queen Victoria's diary and Claridge's menus made for the coronations of King George VI in 1937 and Queen Elizabeth II in 1953, which are on display in the hotel's ground floor windows during the whole month of May.
Claridge's is located at Brook Street in London, W1K 4HR.
Lime Tree Inn
Look no further if you're looking for a more reasonably priced boutique alternative close to Buckingham Palace. This Georgian townhouse on Ebury Street has been renovated, which is no easy accomplishment given its prime position. It has a cozy, rural appeal. It's all because of the hotel's intelligent proprietors, Matt and Charlotte Goodsall, who founded it in 2008 and based the interior design on their tastes. The elegantly furnished rooms have Sanderson wallpaper, teal velvet headboards, and Pooky lampshades. There is also a charming pocket-sized rear yard where you may relax in the sunshine and toast the King.
Lime Tree Hotel is located at 135-137 Ebury Street in London, SW1W 9QU.
Dukes
This consistently discreet location, tucked away in an alleyway between St James's Street and Green Park, is a particular favorite with savvy tourists who like it for its traditional ways and sense of quiet tranquillity. The late Queen Mother and Diana, Princess of Wales were admirers of Dukes, where customs are preserved, and the Union Jack always flies high over its courtyard entrance. Dukes are only a 10-minute walk from Buckingham Palace. While you're there, be sure to request a martini made to perfection by Alessandro Palazzi, the hotel's bar manager. According to legend, here is where Ian Fleming supposedly originally pictured James Bond ordering his signature cocktail, "shaken, not stirred."
35 St James's Pl, St. James, London, SW1A 1NY
Dukes
This consistently discreet location, tucked away in an alleyway between St James's Street and Green Park, is a particular favorite with savvy tourists who like it for its traditional ways and sense of quiet tranquillity. The late Queen Mother and Diana, Princess of Wales were admirers of Dukes, where customs are preserved, and the Union Jack always flies high over its courtyard entrance. Dukes are only a 10-minute walk from Buckingham Palace. While you're there, be sure to request a martini made to perfection by Alessandro Palazzi, the hotel's bar manager. According to legend, here is where Ian Fleming supposedly originally pictured James Bond ordering his signature cocktail, "shaken, not stirred."
35 St James's Pl, St. James, London, SW1A 1NY
The Ritz London
The Ritz has to be the pinnacle of jaw-dropping splendor. The hotel, which is renowned for its blatant opulence and grandeur, has hosted many royal affairs over the years, including a party for the then-Prince of Wales's 54th birthday in 2002 and the late Queen's 80th birthday celebrations in 2006, which were held throughout the entire ground floor of the hotel and The Ritz Club. The most well-known afternoon tea in London is served in the magnificent Palm Court, which also features a gilded ceiling and crystal chandeliers. The rooms and suites still maintain their original Louis XVI design and include a luxurious color scheme of pinks, yellows, and blues.
For the Coronation: On Saturday, May 6, 2023, The Ritz will hold a lavish Coronation Ball. The event will begin with a Champagne and canapé reception on the Palm Court before moving inside the Michelin-starred Ritz Restaurant for a five-course meal with paired wines. The BBC Big Band will give a unique performance to round off the evening.
Address: 150 Piccadilly, St. James's, London W1J 9BR, The Ritz London
The Lanesborough
Thanks to the Bridgerton fever that has engulfed the nation in recent years, this jewel from the Regency era has now truly come into its own. If you want modern, minimalist hotels, you shouldn't stay here. It's a wonderfully over-the-top homage to extravagance with its brilliant gold-leaf ornamentation, Baroque-style cornicing, and a butler assigned to every room, making it the ideal venue to see in the Coronation. There is a lovely spa where you can relax in the underground pool and make an appointment for a Tata Harper facial, as well as the hotel's main restaurant, The Lanesborough Grill, which is renowned for being one of the most stunning dining rooms in all of London.
For the Coronation, the hotel will serve a special five-course evening menu from May 2–12, 2023, paying homage to some of the King's favorite delicacies, such as roast Orkney scallops, Rhug Estate hogget, and Coronation crab salad.
Location: The Lanesborough on London's Hyde Park Corner.
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Corinthia London
The Corinthia was a hub of activity during the late Queen Elizabeth II's burial in September, hosting many of the dignitaries and leaders of state from other countries who came to pay their respects. The King's Coronation will undoubtedly be the same, with visitors swarming to reserve accommodations at this opulent landmark by the Thames. It never fails to wow when you enter this hotel's double-height, Victorian-pillared lobby, which is lighted by no less than 1,000 Baccarat crystals. The four-story ESPA Life spa, which has a lounge made of marble and leather, a sauna enclosed in glass, and a pool with steel walls, is equally remarkable.
A unique Coronation Afternoon Tea will be served at the hotel from May 5–8, 2023. It will feature classic finger sandwiches and sweets produced with ingredients from the King's Highgrove store, such as Highgrove honey millefeuille and Highgrove Damson Bakewell tart.
Address: Whitehall Place, London SW1A 2BD, Corinthia London