Pros

  • Historic property with royal air and stunning Victorian courtyard
  • Within walking distance of Buckingham Palace and Houses of Parliament
  • Rooms and suites have cozy or corporate style, minibars, and luxe toiletries
  • Michelin-starred dining on-site, and a bar devoted to fine champagne
  • Afternoon tea offered
  • Spa features tailored treatments and a fitness center
  • Beautiful board rooms available for business meetings
  • Free Wi-Fi
See More Pros

Cons

  • Minor maintenance issues in some rooms
  • Noise from tube station in some rooms
See More Cons

Bottom Line

The St James' Court is a 338-room upscale property with ornate architecture and a royal past, once hosting guests of nearby Buckingham Palace. With a stunning Shakespearean courtyard, this hotel maintains a regal air and offers rooms and suites with either a cozy English or sleek, modern style. There are lovely boardrooms for business travelers, as well as highly regarded restaurants and bars, including one devoted to champagne. However, some guests have reported minor maintenance issues. Business travelers seeking a convenient location, but a more relaxed atmosphere, may want to compare rates and features at the Ambassadors Bloomsbury

See More Bottom Line

Amenities

  • Cribs
  • Fitness Center
  • Internet
  • Spa

Oyster Hotel Review

St. James’ Court, A Taj Hotel

Scene

Historic property with Victorian architecture and elegant home-like interiors

The hotel opened in 1902 and hosted guests of nearby Buckingham Palace in its early days. Unsurprisingly, an air of exclusivity and a touch of stuffiness pervade the property, which is separated from its luxurious neighboring hotel -- 51 Buckingham Gate -- by a stunning Victorian courtyard where guests can have cocktails and meals in the summertime. Ornate architectural detailing can be seen throughout, from carved friezes to the courtyard's exquisite marble fountain, and the entranceway is a breathtaking display, with wrought-iron doors leading into a vestibule with a gilded ceiling and chandeliers. Gilt mirrors, dark-wood moulding, and marble flooring throughout the lobby up the opulence level, while a more casual style defines the other common spaces. Some seating areas in the hallways, for example, are carpeted and cozy, with plush velvet chairs, leather couches, and sleek overhead lamps. 

The Cellar Room, where guests can taste fine champagnes, feels like the living room of an elegant home, with wood paneling, satin armchairs with jewel-tone cushions, glossy wood tables, and a flat-screen TV. Guests are largely well-heeled executives or tourists, including many couples. 

See More Scene

Location

In Westminster, within walking distance of Houses of Parliament

Situated in one of London's wealthiest neighborhoods, the hotel is just over five minutes on foot from Buckingham Palace. The Houses of Parliament and Big Ben are just over a 10-minute walk away, and guests can stroll to the Tate Gallery in about 20 minutes. Public transportation is easily accessible, with St. James Park Underground Station a five-minute walk away and Victoria Train Station within 10 minutes on foot. Heathrow is about 45 minutes away by car or an hour away on the Tube. 

See More Location

Rooms

Rooms and suites with cozy or corporate, but somewhat dated, interiors

Guests can choose to stay in Classic Rooms and Suites, which have a cozier style, or Executive Rooms and Suites, with more modern decor. All are carpeted and have dark-wood furnishings, and they're decorated in subdued palates of pale grays, blues, and beiges, with framed modern art on the walls. All rooms have flat-screen TVs, safes, minibars, and free Wi-Fi. Marble bathrooms have luxe toiletries, and either shower/tub combos or glass walk-in showers. Executive Rooms have desks and leather office chairs, while Executive Suites have separate living areas decorated in bolder prints and colors, as well as media hubs connected to the flat-screen TVs. Some guests have complained of minor maintenance issues in bathrooms, and some of the decor -- especially in Classic Rooms -- feels a little tired. Rear-facing rooms can be noisy.

See More Rooms

Features

Four restaurants, a champagne bar, and 17 beautiful meeting rooms

The hotel shares some amenities -- including restaurants and spa/fitness facilities -- with a property across the courtyard. There are four restaurants, including Indian cuisine at Michelin-starred Quilon, British and pan-Asian fare at Bistro, modern Southern European dishes at Kona, and steaks and cocktails at Bank & Zander. The Hamptons Bar offers light meals, loads of cocktail options, and Royal Afternoon Tea service, while the Cellar Room serves seven different champagnes from the Laurent-Perrier Estate. The Wellness Centre has a 24-hour fitness center as well as custom spa services, saunas, and steam rooms. Business travelers have access to 17 meeting spaces, including board rooms and banquet facilities fully equipped with Wi-Fi and audiovisual technology; events can also be held in the St. James Courtyard, with its beautiful fountain and stunning friezes. 

See More Features

Things You Should Know About St. James’ Court, A Taj Hotel

Also Known As

  • Crowne Plaza London - St. James

Address

54 Buckingham Gate, London SW1E 6AF, United Kingdom

Website

Oyster Hotel Review

St. James’ Court, A Taj Hotel

Scene

Historic property with Victorian architecture and elegant home-like interiors

The hotel opened in 1902 and hosted guests of nearby Buckingham Palace in its early days. Unsurprisingly, an air of exclusivity and a touch of stuffiness pervade the property, which is separated from its luxurious neighboring hotel -- 51 Buckingham Gate -- by a stunning Victorian courtyard where guests can have cocktails and meals in the summertime. Ornate architectural detailing can be seen throughout, from carved friezes to the courtyard's exquisite marble fountain, and the entranceway is a breathtaking display, with wrought-iron doors leading into a vestibule with a gilded ceiling and chandeliers. Gilt mirrors, dark-wood moulding, and marble flooring throughout the lobby up the opulence level, while a more casual style defines the other common spaces. Some seating areas in the hallways, for example, are carpeted and cozy, with plush velvet chairs, leather couches, and sleek overhead lamps. 

The Cellar Room, where guests can taste fine champagnes, feels like the living room of an elegant home, with wood paneling, satin armchairs with jewel-tone cushions, glossy wood tables, and a flat-screen TV. Guests are largely well-heeled executives or tourists, including many couples. 

See More Scene

Location

In Westminster, within walking distance of Houses of Parliament

Situated in one of London's wealthiest neighborhoods, the hotel is just over five minutes on foot from Buckingham Palace. The Houses of Parliament and Big Ben are just over a 10-minute walk away, and guests can stroll to the Tate Gallery in about 20 minutes. Public transportation is easily accessible, with St. James Park Underground Station a five-minute walk away and Victoria Train Station within 10 minutes on foot. Heathrow is about 45 minutes away by car or an hour away on the Tube. 

See More Location

Rooms

Rooms and suites with cozy or corporate, but somewhat dated, interiors

Guests can choose to stay in Classic Rooms and Suites, which have a cozier style, or Executive Rooms and Suites, with more modern decor. All are carpeted and have dark-wood furnishings, and they're decorated in subdued palates of pale grays, blues, and beiges, with framed modern art on the walls. All rooms have flat-screen TVs, safes, minibars, and free Wi-Fi. Marble bathrooms have luxe toiletries, and either shower/tub combos or glass walk-in showers. Executive Rooms have desks and leather office chairs, while Executive Suites have separate living areas decorated in bolder prints and colors, as well as media hubs connected to the flat-screen TVs. Some guests have complained of minor maintenance issues in bathrooms, and some of the decor -- especially in Classic Rooms -- feels a little tired. Rear-facing rooms can be noisy.

See More Rooms

Features

Four restaurants, a champagne bar, and 17 beautiful meeting rooms

The hotel shares some amenities -- including restaurants and spa/fitness facilities -- with a property across the courtyard. There are four restaurants, including Indian cuisine at Michelin-starred Quilon, British and pan-Asian fare at Bistro, modern Southern European dishes at Kona, and steaks and cocktails at Bank & Zander. The Hamptons Bar offers light meals, loads of cocktail options, and Royal Afternoon Tea service, while the Cellar Room serves seven different champagnes from the Laurent-Perrier Estate. The Wellness Centre has a 24-hour fitness center as well as custom spa services, saunas, and steam rooms. Business travelers have access to 17 meeting spaces, including board rooms and banquet facilities fully equipped with Wi-Fi and audiovisual technology; events can also be held in the St. James Courtyard, with its beautiful fountain and stunning friezes. 

See More Features

Best Rates

Amenities

  • Air Conditioner

  • Airport Transportation

  • Babysitting Services

  • Balcony / Terrace / Patio

  • Basic Television

  • Business Center

  • Cabanas

  • Cable

  • Concierge

  • Cribs

  • Dry Cleaning

  • Fitness Center

  • Internet

  • Kids Allowed

  • Laundry

  • Meeting / Conference Rooms

  • Mini Bar (with liquor)

  • Rental Car Service Desk Onsite

  • Room Service

  • Separate Bedroom / Living Room Space

  • Smoking Rooms Available

  • Spa

Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.