The Royal Horseguards Hotel is a former residence (Whitehall Court) and a government building, used by spies and as a meeting place during wartime. It has been a hotel since 1971, and it is found close to Whitehall in London.
During the 1980s the hotel expanded by taking in 150 bedrooms from the neighboring National Liberal Club. The National Liberal Club itself is a fine example of Victorian architecture and it has been the subject of a recent Digital Journal photo essay.
The hotel interior is one of fully refurbished Victorian elegance. The building was designed in 1884 by Jabez Balfour. The hotel occupies eight floors of Whitehall Court in an imposing Grade I-listed building.
Being just after Christmas, the hotel retained many festive features.
The hotel building was once home and office to the first “Chief” of Secret Intelligence Service (MI6), Sir Mansfield Cumming (an early model for James Bond.) Today it is used for more genteel pursuits.
The hotel is recommended by both Forbes Travel Guide and Condé Nast Johansens. Throughout the hotel there are various decorations. This one has a winter theme:
There are many horse themes throughout the hotel, in recognition of the building’s association with the Household Cavalry and the Blues and Royals (The Royal Horse Guards.)
Both form part of the Household Cavalry, which forms the Queen’s official bodyguard.
Other horse related art work is in a more classical design.
The hotel gives a proportion of its profits to charities for former British military personnel.
Afternoon tea is taken in The Lounge.
Once in The Lounge, the tea setting is very elegant.
Gluten-free and vegetarian options are available. The tea takes the form of finger sandwiches; warm scones and an array of cakes.
To go with it is plenty of tea.
And patrons can also enjoy a glass of Taittinger brut champagne, should they wish to add a little fizz to the experience.
The hotel has been featured in several movies, including the 1983 James Bond film Octopussy.
There are other nice touches, such as the restaurant’s name — One Twenty One Two — which is a nod to Scotland Yard’s former ‘Whitehall 1212′ phone number.
As well as afternoon tea, the hotel has a magnificent cocktail bar and lounge. The lounge is set-out with comfortable furniture.
The bar, like much of the hotel, is horse themed and named Equus.
The range of cocktails on offer is very good. Some are named after famous residents like George Bernard Shaw and Winston Churchill.
An example of one cocktail on offer is Inverness. It is made from:
25ml 3* rum
10ml lime juice
10ml lemon juice
35ml fresh coconut water
1 dash orange bitter
30ml ginger beer to top up
15ml kraken spiced rum to float
All round the hotel, tea room and bar are very relaxing and the hotel is highly recommended. For an alternative look at afternoon tea in London, see Digital Journal’s earlier review of the Savoy.
