If you’re looking for a luxury boutique hotel in Belgravia, or anywhere in London, The Goring is not to be missed. From afternoon tea to rooms and location, here is a review of this 5-star London hotel.  

Marina stands on the steps in front of The Goring, a luxury hotel in Belgravia, London. She holds a Harrods shopping bag and wears a black overcoat.

I recently enjoyed a solo stay at The Goring for four nights using one of the four nights for the price of three deals that were available through the hotel and Amex Travel. 

The Goring is elegant and posh, yet cozy, comfortable, and oozing with character. I found it to be the ideal home base for exploring London. I’m delighted to show you around this charming Belgravia hotel. Let’s go inside… 

A beautiful sitting area with two chairs and a table in front of a fireplace and hand-painted wallpaper at the Goring Hotel in Belgravia London.

What Makes The Goring Special 

Nestled in the heart of London, The Goring is an example of timeless elegance and hospitality. As the only family-owned 5-star luxury hotel in the city, it exudes a unique charm that sets it apart.

Opened in 1910 and still owned by the same family, The Goring embodies quintessential British hospitality with impeccable manners and charm. Its 69 rooms are meticulously decorated with quality furnishings, ensuring the most comfortable stay. What truly sets The Goring apart is its warm, intimate atmosphere and personalized service, making guests feel welcomed and comfortable. 

The Goring provides a sanctuary of tranquility and luxury amidst the bustling streets of London. from the moment the doormen welcome you into the hotel, you’ll feel at home. As a solo traveler unaccustomed to a big city, I wanted a place where I would feel safe and taken care of, and it didn’t disappoint. 

If you’re lucky, you may just run into Teddy the Shetland pony, who makes appearances at the Goring on special occasions. 

Where did Kate Middleton Stay the Night Before her Wedding? 

The Goring is also known for its royal connections. Kate Middleton famously stayed in the Royal Suite at the Goring Hotel the night before her wedding to Prince William. This is the top-floor penthouse suite. 

In addition, this is the only hotel in the world to have received a Royal Warrant of Appointment. These recognitions are given only to establishments that regularly provide goods or services to the Royal Household.  HM Queen Elizabeth II was known to love the Eggs Drumkilbo, which is still on the menu today. 

Rooms 

A superior room at the Goring hotel. A queen bed with white linens topped with a blue blanket and throw pillows. A small stuffed sheep sits on top of the bed. A chair and side table can be seen in the background.

Superior Room at The Goring

The Goring has 69 rooms and suites, about half as many as other comparable hotels nearby. I stayed in a Superior room with a view of neighboring buildings. 

Like the rest of the hotel, rooms and suites are luxurious with touches of playful Goring character. 

A cute plush sheep sits on a bed made with white and blue linens. A key with "The Goring" engraved is next to the sheep.

Barbara the sheep

Each of the rooms and suites comes with a pet! Barbara the sheep sits on the bed and can be taken home as a souvenir. 

 

Housekeeping does a wonderful job of replenishing glass bottles of still and sparkling water each day. The side table and chairs are a lovely spot to enjoy room-service tea. 

A gold light switch with buttons for "bright, calm, cozy, and Oooh!"

Cheeky Lighting

Light switches offer a variety of mood lighting, including “Oooh!”

The room heating is quiet and works well. The bathrooms are also beautiful and include everything you might need, including toiletries from Asprey London. I especially appreciated the heated marble floors in the bathroom. 

Dining 

The Veranda

The Veranda restaurant at the Goring Hotel in London. A light-filled dining room with large windows overlooking a garden. Small tables are covered with white table cloths and floral chairs. Tables are topped with champagne flutes and yellow fine china tea cups. Plants decorate the space.

The light-filled Veranda overlooks the Goring Garden, providing a bit of nature in the city. The elegant space is filled from floor to ceiling with plants and is a delightful place for breakfast or afternoon tea. See my review of afternoon tea at the Goring! 

The Cocktail Bar & Lounge 

A long marble counter with dark wood barstools in front of white cabinets holding a variety of alcohols in the Goring hotel bar.

The Goring cocktail bar is a fun, elegant, and exciting spot for a drink. One can sit at the bar and chat with the friendly bartender and friends while sipping a cocktail and nibbling the tasty olives, nuts, and popcorn, or by the roaring fire next to one of the charming sheep. 

A white fluffy faux sheep with wood face and horns sits in front of a fireplace in the Goring bar lounge.

The Dining Room

The Goring dining room has maintained a Michelin star for several years. Serving traditional British cuisine with modern techniques and the freshest ingredients, this is a great restaurant for special occasions. The Dining Room is undergoing refurbishments and will reopen in the Spring of 2024. 

Room Service

An overhead photo of a room service breakfast at the Goring. This includes a silver pot of coffee, two boiled eggs with toast "soldiers" and a bowl of berries on a round table.

Room service is available from 7:00 am through evening. Breakfast is easy to order the night before using a form left on the room door handle. I enjoyed early-morning coffee in my room every day, as I left early for a workshop. 

Everything is served on beautiful English china and silver. The produce and eggs are some of the freshest and tastiest I’ve ever had. Room service breakfast at the Goring is such a treat. Options include everything from a la carte boiled eggs and soldiers (above) to a Full English breakfast. 

Afternoon Tea 

Three small fancy afternoon tea desserts sit on the top tier of a tea stand at the Goring. In the foreground is a vanilla bean panna cotta with pink garnishes. In the background is an apple tart and a chocolate tart.

Served in The Veranda, The Goring boasts one of the finest afternoon teas in London. Compared to other luxury afternoon tea experiences in London, The Goring tea feels smaller and more intimate. Sheep-shaped cheese crackers begin the afternoon tea experience with a fun Goring touch. 

As is traditional, the Goring tea includes a wide selection of loose teas, finger sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and jam, and several small sweet treats. Champagne can be added to the experience, though I opted for chamomile tea. 

Belgravia Hotel Location 

The front of The Goring hotel in Belgravia. The facade is a brick building with green plants, flags, and a black arched covering that say "The Goring" in gold writing.

The Goring is a 10-minute walk from Buckingham Palace. It’s also within walking distance of iconic shopping locations like Harrods, Fortnum & Mason, and New Bond Street. 

Just around the corner from the Victoria tube and rail station, it provides easy access to all corners of the city. 

The facade of The Goring hotel in Belgravia London. A brick building with white windows and flags. A luxury 5-star hotel in London.  

Whether staying several nights in this historic hotel or stopping in for afternoon tea or dinner, you will love The Goring. Its timeless elegance and English charm are not to be missed.