· Open -

1812

· 1st Owner -

James Mivart

· AKA -

Mivart's / Claridge's late Mivart's / the "Annexe to Buckingham Palace

· Stars - *****

· Guests - "I don't want to go to heaven I want to go to Claridge's" - Spencer Tracy

Queen Victoria and Prince Albert / Many European Royals / Spencer Tracy / U2 / Joan Collins / Alfred Hitchcock / Winston Churchill / Cary Grant / Katherine Hepburn / Audrey Hepburn / Yul Brynner / Bing Crosby 

· History -

It was opened in 1812 and enjoyed the heydays of Victorian rule. It fell into decline towards the end of the century and was knocked down and a completely new hotel built in 1898.

It managed to avoid the bombing inWWII and remained a popular social centre

· Signature -

Doing anything (Legal?) the guest asks for

· Rooms -

203 Rooms and Suites @ $1,033 - $23,694

· Tales -

It was a favourite haunt of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert

When the Crown prince of Yugoslavia was born in Suite 212 Winston Churchill declared the room Yugoslav territory.

The Queen came to many reciprocal dinners here after hosting dignitaries at Buckingham Palace

When people rang up and asked to speak to the King the receptionist would say "which one?"

· Claim to Fame -

Has the oldest manned lift in London

The Queen and Prince Phillips Ruby Wedding Anniversary was held here

As was Charles and Di's wedding reception

Many exiled Royal families came to live here after WWII

· Innovations -

All you can eat smorgasbord during rationing / Long term rental / Wifi access via infra red keyboard from the TV / Butler Service / In house Florist / Gym with juice bar

· Feature -

Unique Spirits and 1930's inspired cocktails

Hotel stores guests possesions

· View -

Peaceful views of the courtyard

· High Tea -

The Foyer & reading Room -  It is believed that Anna Russel the 7th Duchess of Bedford invented Afternoon Tea in 1840 to tide her over between lunch and dinner. Poached Scottish salmon, seasonal fruit pastries and Claridge's Blend Tea or a glass of Champers. Over 50 varieties of tea.

Also does breakfast, lunch and dinner

· Facilities -

Health Club and Spa / Weddings (Joan Collins was married here) / Map Room / Chauffeur Service

· Unique -

Prohibition era whiskies

· Restaurants -

Davies and Brook - Michelin starred - CFC Claridge's Fried Chicken - has a take home menu but you have to cook the meat yourself

The Snuggery - Private room

· Bars -

The Fumoir - since 1929, signature Claridge's Julep

Claridge's Bar - Rare whiskies produced in the USA before and during Prohibition. They were licensed to produce it for medicinal use only

The Terrace - of Claridge's Bar

· Sights -

Hyde Park / Oxford and Bond Street shopping / Buckingham Palace / Downing Street / Big Ben / Piccadilly Circus / Trafalgar Square / Soho / Chinatown

· Extra -

See 'Hotels' - England for other classic London landmarks