The Goring needs little introduction to Spear’s readers. A favourite of the British royal family and famously the place where Princess Catherine stayed the night before she married Prince William, this legendary Belgravia address occupies a unique place in London’s hotel landscape. With Jeremy Goring at the helm, the hotel embodies quintessential English luxury with contemporary warmth and a dash of eccentricity. In a world of ultra-luxe, this is quiet luxury with buckets of charm and old-school panache.
Location
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Rooms and suites
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If the rooms are good enough for a future queen, they are more than good enough for the rest of us. Suites at The Goring are supremely comfortable: elegantly appointed sitting rooms, cosy bedrooms and palatial bathrooms, complete with roll-top baths, walk-in showers and reams of fluffy towels and gowns. The design language is Edwardian elegance with contemporary character: all plush fabrics, classic silhouettes, soft lighting, yet the spaces remain fresh and inviting.
Standard doubles are also available.
The Goring’s grandest room is the Royal Suite, a spacious one-bedroom penthouse with a sitting room, dining room and a balcony that runs the entire length of the top floor with views over the garden. The silk wallpaper in the bathroom is the same as that which adorns The Throne Room in Buckingham Palace, the playful note that encapsulates the hotel’s ethos perfectly.
Guests are welcomed by Baaa-bara, a fluffy sheep sitting on the bed that they are allowed to take home.
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Dining
The Goring’s dining room is all hushed discretion with a side order of English chintz, serving up classic dining executed with flair, restraint and impeccable technique. It is a very welcoming space: thick carpets and East Asian rugs, Japanese-inspired wallpaper, ornate drapes and dimmed lighting create a warm and convivial atmosphere. Staff, immaculately turned out in burgundy velvet jackets, are knowledgeable yet relaxed. They have mastered the art of personal service.
Dinner began with a glass of Goring Champagne, served at the perfect temperature alongside brioche and a delightful amuse bouche of rabbit, a savoury, surprising and palate-perking beetroot macaron, and the hotel’s famous Marmite butter – which Spear’s loved but others may hate.
The Dover sole, drowning (in the best way) in butter, was light, succulent and beautifully balanced. Crunchy broccoli added brightness, while a salad of artichoke and pumpkin seeds delivered texture. A series of small plates, including caviar with quail eggs, miniature crumpet with seaweed and a rich, silky velouté also impressed.
Dessert was a show: a rum baba, flamed at the table with Norman brandy, the room briefly perfumed with warm autumnal notes. Clouds of yoghurt provided a gentle, tangy lift.
Breakfast is served in the same room and the hotel’s Full English is the star – top-quality sausage, perfectly cooked bacon, grilled tomato, mushrooms, black pudding and eggs done exactly as ordered. Eggs Benedict, Florentine and Royale with thick, lemony hollandaise are staples. There are also fresh berries and compotes, pastries still warm from the oven, homemade granola, yoghurts and cereals for those seeking something a little lighter.
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Amenities
Beyond the dining room, the hotel’s plush but unfussy atmosphere carries through every Jo Loves-scented corner. There is a 24-hour fitness room equipped with modern equipment, including cardio machines, free weights and yoga mats, available to all guests. The private garden area is a peaceful green space tucked away behind the hotel, rare for central London.
Service
The service is quietly efficient, with staff anticipating guests’ needs while remaining friendly rather than fawning.
Experiences
The Goring offers escapism without leaving the city. Guests can wander its tranquil private garden, enjoy a long soak in the roll-top bath or indulge in leisurely dinners. The hotel excels at creating the feel of a private home, one with silver teapots and crisp linens.
Verdict
The Goring remains one of London’s most charming hotels; it’s efficient without being rigid, grand without being grandiose, and the service is some of the best in London. It’s a perfect choice for those who appreciate tradition with a royal stamp of approval.
Details
● The Goring, 15 Beeston Pl, London SW1W 0JW
● thegoring.com
● 02073969000
● Prices start at £635
