A small luxury London hotel celebrates its 100th birthday

The Goring is celebrating 100 as one of London's top hotels

The Goring was once known to be the Queen Mother’s favourite hotel.

But for me its bigger claim to fame is that it’s probably one of London’s last remaining family-run hotels still holding its own among the elite. It has a particularly strong reputation for handling romantic occasions.

Indeed the hotel is managed by Jeremy Goring – a descendent of the family that first opened it in 1910. It’s remarkable to think that it’s celebrating its centenary under the same management.

The hotel certainly has a distinguished past – for example it claims that it was the first London hotel with central heating. Yet the hotel’s constant refurbishment programme suggests a refreshing lack of complacency.

The Goring has won a string of awards – including a prestigious “best service in the UK” accolade from Conde Nast Traveler magazine.

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The Goring offers very traditionally-furnished rooms

It is located near Victoria station – hence the ideal base for a Brighton getaway. Its atmosphere and style is traditionally English and in this sense reminiscent of The Stafford (featured before as the wine lover’s ideal hotel).

The Goring in fact describes itself as “London’s quintessentially English hotel” – also reflected in the cuisine served at its restaurant.

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Recent TripAdvisor reviewers have commented on the high standard of service – always delivered with a flourish but never overbearing or stuffy. It does however currently fall just outside the top 100 on TripAdvisor.

Breakfast and dining get mixed reviews but rooms are of a good standard thanks to the ongoing refurbishment programme. Service is impeccable.

However, the hotel’s prices are definitely “5 star” and for this budget you might also wish to consider the nearby Hotel 41 near Victoria, run by the award-winning Red Carnation Hotel Collection, a company which manages several luxury boutique London hotels doing well on TripAdvisor.

Book direct with Hotel 41 at the best guaranteed rate