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