Pros

  • Housed in elegant 17th-century townhouses
  • Swanky central London location next to Green Park
  • Refined, quintessentially English-style interiors
  • Four-century old wine cellar with World War II bomb shelter
  • Elegant rooms include Nespresso machines and free minibars
  • Memorabilia-stuffed American Bar
  • Free Wi-Fi throughout
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Cons

  • Reports of sub-par plumbing
  • Some rooms are small
  • No pool or spa facilities
  • Charge for parking on-site
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Bottom Line

The 107-room Stafford London is a polished, five-pearl boutique hotel set in one of central London's swankiest neighborhoods. The property has a rich history, from its 17th-century aristocratic roots to its preserved World War II bomb shelter. Rooms are homey yet refined and the hotel's tucked-away, intimate vibe is a big plus, though spa and pool facilities you'd expect from a five-pearl property are missing. There are also cheaper upscale options in the area -- compare rates with the nearby St. James's Hotel and Club

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Oyster Hotel Review

The Stafford London

Scene

Intimate 17th-century townhouse hotel with aristocratic roots

The main building of The Stafford London comprises of three redbrick townhouse built in the 17th century and most famously occupied by Lord and Lady Lyttelton and their descendants -- and relations of Princess Diana -- until the mid-19th century. Quintessentially English-style interiors are suitably aristocratic with dark wood paneling and elegant antique furnishings, though with a breezy color scheme in pink pastel. A pretty, cobbled courtyard mews full of colorful flower boxes and neat potted shrubbery sits alongside two other sections of the hotel -- the Mews Suites and Carriage House -- which are former royal mews and stables of the nobility in the 18th century. The mood is high-class and sophisticated while, being relatively small compared to other five-pearl in the area and nicely tucked away, maintaining a relatively cozy and intimate ambience.

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Location

Set in swanky Green Park neighborhood just around the corner from the Ritz

The hotel is located on a quiet road that runs parallel to Green Park in a particularly upmarket neighborhood of London one block from the renowned Ritz Hotel. Green Park Tube station is a three-minute walk away, as is the entrance to the park itself -- a popular green expanse in the warmer months. Iconic Piccadilly Circus and the theaters of the West End are also within walking distance -- about 10 minutes -- while Trafalgar Square is within 15 minutes on foot. Expect to pay a hefty sum to park on-site. 

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Rooms

Quintessentially English interiors with marble-clad bathrooms

The hotel's 107 rooms and suites follow the quintessentially English interior design with dark wood furnishings, homey patterned fabrics, and gilt-framed etchings. All rooms have free Wi-Fi and satellite TV as well as Nespresso coffeemakers and minibars with free soft drinks. Bathrooms are done in floor-to-ceiling gray marble and include Floris high-end toiletries and bathrobes -- though some bathrooms are on the small size and sub-par plumbing has been reported. The Mews Suites tend to lean a little more to the modern style of decor, while the Carriage House rooms, renovated in 2017, have a contemporary country house vibe. The Muse Master Suite includes a private balcony and working fireplace. Views mostly look out onto the street and neighboring rooftops. 

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Features

Ancient wine cellar with preserved WWII bomb shelter, American Bar, and cobbled courtyard

The hotel's fine dining restaurant -- The Game Bird -- serves a pricey breakfast, lunch, and dinner as well as afternoon tea in elegant and particularly refined surroundings. The American Bar, however, provides a more informal space decorated with thousands of items of customer-donated memorabilia, everything from baseball caps to men's ties to photos of airplanes. Drinks can be enjoyed in the cobbled courtyard during warmer weather. Underneath the hotel is a four-century old wine cellar, also used for private dining and events, which includes a preserved bomb shelter with relics from WWII. Although a small gym can be found in the Mews building, there little else in the way of fitness or health facilities.

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Things You Should Know About The Stafford London

Also Known As

  • The Stafford London by Kempinski

Address

16-18 St. James's Place, London SW1A 1NJ, United Kingdom

Website

Oyster Hotel Review

The Stafford London

Scene

Intimate 17th-century townhouse hotel with aristocratic roots

The main building of The Stafford London comprises of three redbrick townhouse built in the 17th century and most famously occupied by Lord and Lady Lyttelton and their descendants -- and relations of Princess Diana -- until the mid-19th century. Quintessentially English-style interiors are suitably aristocratic with dark wood paneling and elegant antique furnishings, though with a breezy color scheme in pink pastel. A pretty, cobbled courtyard mews full of colorful flower boxes and neat potted shrubbery sits alongside two other sections of the hotel -- the Mews Suites and Carriage House -- which are former royal mews and stables of the nobility in the 18th century. The mood is high-class and sophisticated while, being relatively small compared to other five-pearl in the area and nicely tucked away, maintaining a relatively cozy and intimate ambience.

See More Scene

Location

Set in swanky Green Park neighborhood just around the corner from the Ritz

The hotel is located on a quiet road that runs parallel to Green Park in a particularly upmarket neighborhood of London one block from the renowned Ritz Hotel. Green Park Tube station is a three-minute walk away, as is the entrance to the park itself -- a popular green expanse in the warmer months. Iconic Piccadilly Circus and the theaters of the West End are also within walking distance -- about 10 minutes -- while Trafalgar Square is within 15 minutes on foot. Expect to pay a hefty sum to park on-site. 

See More Location

Rooms

Quintessentially English interiors with marble-clad bathrooms

The hotel's 107 rooms and suites follow the quintessentially English interior design with dark wood furnishings, homey patterned fabrics, and gilt-framed etchings. All rooms have free Wi-Fi and satellite TV as well as Nespresso coffeemakers and minibars with free soft drinks. Bathrooms are done in floor-to-ceiling gray marble and include Floris high-end toiletries and bathrobes -- though some bathrooms are on the small size and sub-par plumbing has been reported. The Mews Suites tend to lean a little more to the modern style of decor, while the Carriage House rooms, renovated in 2017, have a contemporary country house vibe. The Muse Master Suite includes a private balcony and working fireplace. Views mostly look out onto the street and neighboring rooftops. 

See More Rooms

Features

Ancient wine cellar with preserved WWII bomb shelter, American Bar, and cobbled courtyard

The hotel's fine dining restaurant -- The Game Bird -- serves a pricey breakfast, lunch, and dinner as well as afternoon tea in elegant and particularly refined surroundings. The American Bar, however, provides a more informal space decorated with thousands of items of customer-donated memorabilia, everything from baseball caps to men's ties to photos of airplanes. Drinks can be enjoyed in the cobbled courtyard during warmer weather. Underneath the hotel is a four-century old wine cellar, also used for private dining and events, which includes a preserved bomb shelter with relics from WWII. Although a small gym can be found in the Mews building, there little else in the way of fitness or health facilities.

See More Features

Best Rates

Amenities

  • Air Conditioner

  • Babysitting Services

  • Balcony / Terrace / Patio

  • Business Center

  • Cable

  • Concierge

  • Fitness Center

  • Internet

  • Kids Allowed

  • Laundry

  • Meeting / Conference Rooms

  • Mini Bar (with liquor)

  • Poolside Drink Service

  • Room Service

  • Separate Bedroom / Living Room Space

  • Swim-Up Bar

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.