Less than a five-minute walk from the hectic bustle of Victoria station, I'm greeted by the iconic arched doorway and black awning of The Goring hotel, sitting on the quiet side street of Beeston Place. Inside, the mood is a world away from the harried commuters and blaring horns nearby. The hotel vibe is refined; think elegant decor, jovial chatter, tinkling piano melodies and a soothing pace where guests actually have time to stop and smile at each other. The hotel, which was opened by Otto Goring back in 1910 in London's party heyday, has kept that feeling of sophistication and fun. It is also the only remaining hotel in London that is still owned and run by the family that built it, meaning the original character is well intact.
Rooms and facilities
We stayed in a garden suite, remarkable for its long balcony looking out over a fairylight-strewn private garden. You do not get many rooms like that in London. To have a lawn of that size in the middle of the capital, bigger than Wimbledon's Centre Court in fact, is rare indeed, unless of course you are the hotel's almost-next-door neighbours, a stone's throw away at Buckingham Palace. Unfortunately, we do not manage to wangle a look at the royal suite, where Kate Middleton stayed before her wedding to Prince William in 2011, briefly making The Goring the most famous hotel in the world. However, our room is more than comfortable, with white squishy beds, a velvet armchair and lots of hanging space in the wardrobe. The decor is exquisite, with ornate patterned carpets and wallpaper, a vast wooden headboard and expertly chosen antique pieces that blend perfectly with the high ceilings and long, beautifully draped windows. Luckily I left plenty of time to fill up the bath, which is enormous, and enjoyed the Jo Loves toiletries, super-soft bathrobes and Dyson hairdryer provided. We honestly could have spent the whole stay in the room and been happy, but dinner called.
Food and drink
I gasped when I walked into The Goring's Dining Room. It is like walking into a bygone era, in the best way possible. The striking pear-green decor and jaunty artworks set it apart from other fancy dining rooms, as does The Goring's Michelin star. Bag a corner sofa if you can, as it is the best spot for people-watching. The food here was absolutely faultless, from the cheese and onion amuse-bouche, which was the best amuse-bouche either my guest or I had ever tasted, to the beautifully executed mains, South West lamb for her and Heritage potato gnocchi for me. We had a jolly good time with the cheese trolley, which had a hard-to-narrow-down selection of corkers and a very patient waitress happy to explain them all.
Breakfast is served in the same room and is a la carte. Whether you want salmon and scrambled eggs or buttermilk waffles with maple syrup, you will be happy with both the food and the elegant surroundings. Afternoon Tea is served in The Veranda every day, where guests can enjoy The Goring Afternoon Blend, the hotel's own blend of Assam.
What to do nearby
The Goring has an enviable location near many of London's highlights: Buckingham Palace, St James's Park, Westminster and the Houses of Parliament. The area around Victoria Station itself has also had something of a revival in recent years, with new developments including a deluge of fresh shops and restaurants giving it a major level-up.
Best for
A stunning, treat-yourself stay for special occasions.
