After more than a century the Goring hotel in London is still owned & run by the Goring family, it's become a London institution & is the only family owned and run 5 star hotel in the city. There are so many characterless hotels in London, even the 5 star luxury brands have an international uniformity that is essentially dull whereas the Goring is a complete one-off & still retaining all the best of its unique Edwardian charm.
They gather awards the way other hotels gather dust & its not difficult to see why its become a popular celebrity haunt. From the elegant uniformed door staff that open your taxi door to the luggage delivery & escorted welcome to your room – you know you're going to be looked after exceptionally well.
The rooms are sumptious, each individually designed in a classic English style with the residential ambience of a country house, yet there's the latest digital entertainment & communication systems throughout.
The dining room is spacious & very grand & the staff are attentive but not snooty as in some up-market establishments. Dinner was excellent but the lobster omlette & specialist selection on the English cheeseboard were masterful & truely memorable.
It's just few minutes walk from Victoria station & the same from Buckingham Palace. But I'm sure it was the style, personal ambience & service that attracted the recent royal wedding party of Prince William's in-laws to the Goring, rather than the fact that it was – handy for the Palace.
It has a stunningly up-market ambience that's a world away from typical 5 star luxury hotels; managing to be friendly & informal yet at the same time rather regal and distinguished – quite a unique feat.
