Suite surrender
The experts weigh in on which suite to choose at London’s Goring hotel.
16 March 2023
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The closest luxury hotel to Buckingham Palace, The Goring has been a firm royal favourite for many years, and is the only hotel with a Royal Warrant for hospitality services. Since 1910, every reigning monarch has walked through the hotel’s doors.
The Goring’s associations with King Charles reach as far back as 1948 when The Goring’s pastry chefs supplied a cake for Prince Charles’s christening.
More recently, in 2008, the crowned heads of Europe enjoyed a luncheon at The Goring for Prince Charles’s birthday celebrations.
And we all saw images of the Goring beamed across the world as it was the hotel Kate Middleton (as she was then known) stayed in the night before her wedding to Prince William.
Read on for the inside information on the best rooms in this elegant abode.
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Royal Suite (Room 118) – Jeremy Goring, CEO
“My favourite room is the Royal Suite. I remember I was staying at the house of a friend who woke me up in a panic to show me the front page of The Sun – there we were.
“Apparently, we were disrespecting our neighbours with a painting I had commissioned for the guest bathroom of the suite, which is a proper crapper – it features HM Queen Elizabeth (the 1st) with a very subservient courtier kissing her hand.
“The courtier is Blackadder, and a Sun secret agent had infiltrated our building crew and photographed it.
“The Sun thought it was treason and therefore national news … it’s nice to get some attention now and then!
“It’s a fabulous suite overlooking the gardens with its own full-length balcony, and the most incredible touches throughout.”
Junior Suite (Room 98) – David Morgan-Hewitt, Managing Director
“Junior Suite 98 is my favourite because it’s flooded with light and looks down onto our beautiful gardens behind the hotel.
“The white Gainsborough Silk that covers the walls was rewoven especially for this suite from a design used across the road at Buckingham Palace. The pale green reveals on the curtain swags provide a delicate punch of colour – a subtle nod to the gardens beyond.
“A fabulous surprise is the hand-painted wallpaper in this room’s bathroom, which is stunning. Fish, frogs and other sea creatures in monochrome can be seen dancing around the marble.”
Belgravia Suite (Room 54) – Michael Voigt, General Manager
“Belgravia Suite 54 is one of the largest suites in the house and my favourite suite. The most beautiful burgundy red Gainsborough Silk hangs in the bedroom, specially designed for The Goring with a Chinese motif.
“There’s plenty of space in the separate adjoining sitting room, complete with its original fireplace. And in this suite’s bathroom, nothing beats the TV at the end of the tub and watching your favourite film while sipping Ruinart Blanc de Blancs bubbles.”
Classic Room (Room 72) – John Andrews, Head Concierge
“Quiet and comfortable is how I would describe my favourite room at The Goring – room 72. This Superior Room is wonderfully decorated with Gainsborough Silk on the walls, making it feel grand yet homely.
“Some of the silks used throughout the hotel are a match for those in the First Class Dining Room of RMS Titanic 1912, while others match The Throne Room in Buckingham Palace. I also love this room as it boasts both a bathtub and a separate shower – how luxurious.”
Junior Suite (Room 58) – Fernanda Lewis, Executive Housekeeper
“Junior Suite 58, with its three full-sized sash windows, is my favourite room at The Goring as it offers spectacular views of our private garden from the huge bay, allowing incredible light to pour into the room. And did you know the Goring Garden is larger than Centre Court at Wimbledon?
“As a woman, I love the fact the suite has double sinks so there’s no mix-up with toothbrushes! This is one of the most loved rooms at the hotel and always in demand.”
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