The Royal Horseguards Hotel - a Guoman Hotel

Introduction: Enjoying a semi-secluded location in a cul-de-sac off of Whitehall is the Royal Horseguards Hotel in London. Yards from the banks of the River Thames where you take walks, dine on a river boat, take a sightseeing cruise or just relax in one many of the dedicated viewing locations. These days London even has river taxies which can be taken from one of the many piers. Whitehall is synonymous with London government with many ministry buildings located along this road, indeed 10 Downing Street which is the prime ministers residence is on Whitehall. 400 Yards to the North is Trafalgar Square, a magnet for the majority of London tourists. Once famous for it pigeons but long since gone after efforts by former London mayor Ken Livingstone to ban their feeding. The square is surrounded by attractions such as the National Gallery, Nelsons Column and Regent Street. Just beyond the square is Covent Garden, one of the most popular areas both for shopping and dining during the day and for its many bars at night. At the opposite end of Whitehall is Parliament Square where you will find the house of commons, house of Lords and Westminster Abbey. You'll also find Westminster Bridge which is the nearest crossing point to get to the many attractions South of the River. These include the London Eye (Millennium Wheel) (0.2 miles), London Aquarium (0.3 miles), Royal festival Hall (0.4 miles) and Haywards Gallery (0.4 miles).

Hotel:
The Royal Horseguards hotel incorporates 1 Whitehall Place which features the largest spiral staircase in Europe of its type that is three floors high. One Whitehall Place contains 15 suites, the Gladstone library, the reading and writing room and the cellar with its extensive collection of some of the worlds finest wines. Opened it 1887 it was originally commissioned by the national liberal club. The Royal Horseguards itself is a grade I listed building dating from 1884 which was based on a French Chateau and was used as apartments. The exterior of the hotel is still the original. Expect a traditional style hotel with the emphasis on service.

Bedrooms have different views which include scenic vies of the River Thames. The signature Guoman bed, draped in Egyptian bed linens is in all bedrooms. Your bedroom also comes with find complimentary WiFi high speed internet access, ipod docking station with surround sound system, data point connection, direct-dial telephone with voicemail, dual-voltage power points, in-room safe with power adaptor for laptop, cable flat screen television (can be connected to your laptop) with movies, minibar and tea/ coffee maker. Rooms are of course en-suite where you will find a bath, power shower, robe, heated tower rail, Elemis toiletries and hairdryer. Bathrooms are finished in marble have mood lighting and have their own TV.
The hotel has many different types of suites, all individually decorated and themed. Both suites and rooms are a mix of contemporary and traditional style.
Room options include 188 non-smoking bedrooms.
Room service is 24 hours. Floors have lift access.

Suite guests have access to the Guoman Executive Lounge which allows prominent guests to work or relax within an exclusive and discreet environment with complimentary internet access, newspapers and refreshments on offer all day.

Dining:
Onsite is the One Twenty One Two Restaurant for fine dining with a modern and fashionable decor. Named after the well known phone number of Whitehall 1212 (former Scotland Yard number which was located where the restaurant is sites today). Serves modern European cuisine.
The restaurant also incorporates a piano bar and the Waterfront terrace room overlooking the River Thames. The terrace has its own veranda which is great for small private parries and for barbeques.
Open for breakfast 7.00 till 10.00 (weekends till 11.00), Lunch noon till 14.00 (weekdays only), Dinner 18.00 till 22.00.
Bar is open 11.00 till 23.00 (22.30 Sundays)
For light snacks including traditional afternoon tea try The Lounge. Open 07.00 till 23.00.

The hotel has 6 meeting rooms accommodating up to 70 guests while the One Whitehall Place adds another 15 conference and banqueting (handling up to 340 guests) suites to that number.
Onsite is the hotels gymnasium called Just Gym where a variety of cardiovascular machines are at your disposal (bike, treadmill and rowing machine).
Other facilities include a dedicated business centre.
You will be pleased to know that the hotel is fully air-conditioned with lift access to bedrooms.
Guided tours of this historic building can be booked with the concierge.

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Parking: Available and charges apply.
Room Numbers: 280, 10 floors
Check-in: 14.00 (2 pm)
Check-out: 12.00 noon

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History: The hotels location was originally the official residence of the Kings of Scotland in London, eventually being known as Scotland Yard. The current Grade I listed building was built in 1884-1887 (by architect Alfred Waterhouse) in the style of a French chateau at which time Whitehall Court was divided into 3/4 bed serviced apartments with the ground floor housing a restaurant and smoking room. The hotels 8th floor was a base for the secret service during World War 1. Again used by government British departments during World War II when the 5th floor was sued by the Russian Embassy and the 6th floor by the American Embassy. Was established as the Royal Horsegyards Hotel in 1971.
Used for filming for the 1983 James Bond film Octopussy.
In 2008 the hotel underwent a £16.3 million pound refurbishment which also saw it branded a Guoman Hotel and a raising of its classification from 4 star to 5 star hotel. Every room was fitted with an Ipod docking station, mood lighting, surround sound and complimentary WiFi. Balconies were opened up to have views over the River Thames.
In November 2009 came under the Preferred Hotels Group marketing consortium and listings.

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Hotel Awards:
AA London Hotel of the Year 2010/11

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