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The Royal Horseguards

The Royal Horseguards

London, The UK

Overlooking the River Thames and housed in a stately 19th-century building modeled on a French chateau, The Royal Horseguards offers grand yet welcoming accommodation in the heart of London. The high, stuccoed ceiling, marble floor and glass chandelier of the entrance lobby set the scene for the elegance of the rest of the hotel.

Although varying in style from traditional to modern, the spacious rooms are all sophisticated and refined and decorated in warm, earthy tones. The hotel’s restaurant 1212 is named after the old phone number of Scotland Yard, once based in the neighboring building. It serves artisanal British cuisine in an elegant yet informal setting, and has a beautiful, leafy terrace next to Whitehall Gardens.

OUR OPINION:

The Royal Horseguards offers fantastic value in the heart of London, and we particularly like its attractive alfresco dining terrace.

OUR RATING: First Class

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Rooms

Rooms are differentiated by size and amenities, but also by their view. You can choose from either a city, garden or river view within each category. Decor varies from simple but stylish to refined elegance and the spacious rooms come equipped with free Wi-Fi, a TV in both the bedroom and bathroom, an iPod docking station, and a complimentary minibar whose contents increases with higher room categories. Most bathrooms have a shower over the bath, although some have a separate bath and shower.

Location

Located behind Whitehall Gardens which front onto the Embankment, just a two-minute walk from Embankment tube station, The Royal Horseguards is centrally located in the heart of London. Big Ben and Westminster are about a ten-minute walk away, Trafalgar Square and the National Gallery are even closer, and the West End venues of Leicester Square take about 15 minutes to reach on foot.

Food and drink

The hotel’s restaurant 1212 (One Twenty One Two) is large and elegant, and serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. Breakfast is a buffet, with à la carte dishes also available, while the lunch and dinner menu focuses on artisanal British cuisine using seasonal ingredients. Afternoon tea is available in the lounge while the Equus Bar with its eclectic decor and gentlemen’s club atmosphere serves a wide array of cocktails.

Facilities and activities

The hotel has a small gym.

Tour ideas in London

Our itineraries are there to spark ideas for how you could include a stay at The Royal Horseguards as part of your trip. Treat them simply as suggestions, because every aspect of the trip we create for you will be yours to define.

Location & places nearby

Places & hotels on the map

    Alternative places to stay nearby

    Where possible, we like to offer a range of accommodation for each stop of your trip, chosen by our specialists as some of their favorite places to stay. To help you make the right choice, we give each property a rating based on its facilities and service, but we also look for hotels with distinct character or a location that can't be bettered.

    Experiences while staying here

    The following activities are designed to give you the most authentic experiences of the area where you're staying. We work with local guides, who use their knowledge and often a resident's eye to show you the main sights and more out-of-the-way attractions. Our specialists can also suggest outdoor pursuits and activities, such as cooking classes, that will introduce you to the traditions of the area's inhabitants.

    • Borough Market with a food writer
      Vegetable produce, Borough market

      Borough Market with a food writer

      Borough Market with a food writer

      Explore vibrant and cosmopolitan Borough Market in the company of an acclaimed chef and food writer who can take you through the historic, stall-lined lanes, introduce you to traders and fill you in on the market's history.

      View details
    • Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle
      Buckingham Palace

      Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle

      Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle

      Get a glimpse into the lives of the British monarchy on this full-day tour that takes in the austere Buckingham Palace in London and then tours the fascinating State Apartments of imposing Windsor Castle, the preferred royal home.

      View details
    • Greenwich walking tour
      Royal Naval College

      Greenwich walking tour

      Greenwich walking tour

      Explore delightful Greenwich, a leafy borough renowned for its magnificent architecture and strong connections to the maritime and scientific world. Stroll through the Royal Observatory, stand straddling two hemispheres, and learn about the race to reach China aboard the Cutty Sark.

      View details

    London and nearby places