Stepping out
If you can tear yourself away from the hotel – no mean feat – there’s much to do nearby. Just ask the brilliant concierge team for suggestions.
Westminster Cathedral and Buckingham Palace are both just a short walk away. Stroll up The Mall to Trafalgar Square, or down to Sloane Square and the ever-fashinonable King’s Road in Chelsea.
The accolades
The Goring has won numerous awards over the years. It was awarded a Royal Warrant by The Queen in 2013, the only hotel to receive one for hospitality services. Such a warrant is a mark of recognition to those who supply goods or services to the households of senior royals. The Dining Room restaurant received its Michelin star in 2016.
Celebrity sightings
The Goring is where ‘old money’ comes to stay: lords and ladies up in London from their country estates to shop in Mayfair. It’s also a long-standing favourite of the royals. Every reigning British Monarch since 1910 has visited. The Queen Mother used to love it – especially her favourite Eggs Drumkilbo dish – and more recently Kate Middleton stayed in the sumptuous Royal Suite on the night before her wedding to Prince William.
Insiders’ tips
The entire concierge team is incredible but when searching for the latest events in Belgravia and beyond call for Head Concierge John Andrews, aka Big John. His knowledge of London is unmatched and he’ll go to extraordinary lengths to please guests. He once organised a flash-mob wedding proposal on the London Eye.
Pet peeves
Trying to find anything wrong with The Goring is very difficult but I could do with a more comprehensive gym. The Fitness Room is better than nothing but a few more machines and maybe a sauna would make it perfect.
If only…
If I’m being extra-picky it would be good to have a few more places to sit in the Front Hall lobby. The bar is right next door but not every guest will want to buy drinks while they are waiting to check in or out. There’s a lovely, quiet spot by the lift but there are only two seats. Also, more sheep please!
Where to find The Goring Hotel, London
The Goring is located on a quiet, leafy street in Belgravia, pretty much just over the back wall of Buckingham Palace Gardens.
It’s a short walk to Hyde Park for casual strolls and morning jogs, and about 10 minutes in a taxi to Knightsbridge and Mayfair. It’s around the corner from Victoria train station (5-minute walk tops) and Victoria Tube station where you can hop on the Circle and District lines.
From Heathrow Airport, take the Tube (Piccadilly line) and change at Baron’s Court station to a District Line train to Victoria (much easier than changing at South Kensington or Earl’s Court). From Gatwick, take the high-speed rail link direct to Victoria.
