The Royal Horseguards, a five-star hotel at 2 Whitehall Court in Westminster, pairs a Grade I listed Victorian exterior with 282 rooms, a riverside terrace, and a reputation for celebrity sightings. This guide draws on official property data, verified guest reviews, and transport information to help you decide whether this landmark suits your stay.
Last checked: 2026-09-13
Location: 2 Whitehall Court, Whitehall, London · Star rating: 4-star · Number of rooms: 282 · Price range (EUR): €277 – €605 per night · Original opening year: 1884 · Current operator: Clermont Hotel Group
How we researched this
Last checked: 2026-09-13.
Sources reviewed: official property website, TripAdvisor, Expedia, Trip.com, Oyster.com, Luxury Lifestyle Magazine, Milesfaster, LDN Diaries, Adventures of a London Kiwi, Priceless Passport.
We did not conduct an on-site visit, interview staff, or independently verify prices beyond what the listed sources show.
Snapshot: The Royal Horseguards at a glance
- Five-star hotel with a TripAdvisor average of 4.4 / 5 from nearly 9,000 reviews (TripAdvisor)
- Expedia rating: 9.2 / 10 – “Wonderful” (Expedia)
- 282 rooms and 5 suites; three suites overlook the Thames, Embankment and London Eye (Luxury Lifestyle Magazine)
- Tower Suite: a two‑floor turret room with panoramic river views (Official site)
- One Twenty One Two restaurant, Equus Bar, and The Green Parlour for afternoon tea (Official site)
- Fitness centre on site; no spa (Oyster.com)
- 2 Whitehall Court, Westminster, London SW1A 2EJ (TripAdvisor)
- Nearest tube: Embankment station (walking distance) (Trip.com)
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Location | 2 Whitehall Court, Whitehall, London |
| Star rating | 4‑star (TripAdvisor) / 5‑star (Oyster, Luxury Lifestyle Mag) |
| Number of rooms | 282 rooms, 5 suites |
| Price range (EUR) | €277 – €605 per night (TripAdvisor) |
| Original opening year | 1884 |
| Current operator | Clermont Hotel Group |
| Closest tube station | Embankment |
| Official website | www.royalhorseguardshotel.com |
| Check‑in / check‑out | 15:00 / 11:00 (Trip.com listing) |
Timeline: from government offices to luxury hotel
- 1884 – Building completed as luxury apartments and government offices.
- Late 20th century – Converted into a hotel, later operated by Guoman Hotels and now Clermont Hotel Group.
- May 2025 – Oyster.com publishes a detailed amenity review noting the five‑star Victorian luxury positioning (Oyster.com).
- Nov 2025 – Luxury Lifestyle Magazine features the hotel, highlighting 282 rooms and five suites (Luxury Lifestyle Magazine).
Which tube station is closest to the Royal Horseguards Hotel?
Embankment station is the nearest Underground stop, a short walk from the hotel’s entrance on Whitehall Court. Charing Cross (National Rail and Bakerloo line) and Westminster (Jubilee, District, Circle) are also within easy walking distance, making the property well connected for both Heathrow Airport and central London destinations (Trip.com).
Getting to the Royal Horseguards Hotel by tube
From Embankment station, exit onto Victoria Embankment and walk north‑east towards Whitehall Gardens. The journey takes roughly five minutes. District, Circle, Bakerloo and Northern lines serve Embankment, giving direct access to major rail terminals and the West End.
Other nearby transport options
Several bus routes stop on Whitehall and Victoria Embankment. Thames Clippers river bus services operate from Embankment Pier, useful for reaching Canary Wharf or Greenwich. Heathrow Airport is approximately 43 minutes by tube (Piccadilly line via Earl’s Court or Paddington).
The bottom line: Embankment station puts the entire London Underground within a five‑minute walk.
What did the Royal Horseguards Hotel used to be?
The Grade I listed building at 2 Whitehall Court was erected in 1884 as a block of luxury apartments and government offices. Its Victorian Gothic architecture, designed by Archer & Green, originally housed the Royal Horse Guards’ administrative staff and later served as headquarters for various government departments before being converted into a hotel (Oyster.com).
History of the Grade I listed building
Statutory listing at Grade I (the highest classification) protects the structure’s exterior, many original features, and the imposing turret that now contains the Tower Suite. The building’s past as a government centre is reflected in its grand reception rooms, now repurposed as event spaces under the name One Whitehall Place (Oyster.com).
From government offices to luxury hotel
Conversion to a hotel took place in the late 20th century, and the property has since been operated by Guoman Hotels and, currently, the Clermont Hotel Group. The transition preserved original architectural details such as high ceilings, marble fireplaces, and ornate plasterwork while adding modern amenities like 49‑inch Smart TVs and free Wi‑Fi (Expedia).
The pattern: The same walls that once housed civil servants now host leisure travellers, with original Victorian details intact.
Is the Royal Horseguards a good hotel?
Guest ratings consistently place the hotel in the upper tier of London’s four‑ and five‑star properties. On TripAdvisor, the property holds an average of 4.4 out of 5 bubbles from 8,984 reviews (TripAdvisor). Expedia gives it 9.2 out of 10 (“Wonderful”) (Expedia), while Trip.com reports location scores of 9.4 out of 10 (Trip.com US).
TripAdvisor reviews and ratings
Frequent praise centres on the convenient location, helpful staff, and quality of breakfast. Critiques appear less often and mention occasional maintenance issues or slightly dated areas in some rooms (TripAdvisor).
What guests praise and critique
Across Trip.com, Expedia, and TripAdvisor, reviewers consistently highlight the hotel’s position near the Thames, the spacious rooms for central London, and the friendly professionalism of the staff. Complaints focus on shower usability in some bathrooms and occasional inconsistency in problem resolution (Expedia).
What this means: For a central London hotel, guest satisfaction is high; the few recurrent issues are typical of historic buildings adapted for modern hospitality.
Where do most celebs stay in London?
No single property holds a monopoly on celebrity trade, but the Royal Horseguards is frequently named in round‑ups of star‑visited London hotels. The hotel does not officially confirm guest lists.
Celebrity-favourite hotels in London
Other hotels commonly linked to celebrity stays include The Savoy, The Dorchester, and Claridge’s. The Royal Horseguards’ position in Whitehall, close to West End theatres and government venues, may appeal to performers and dignitaries alike.
The Royal Horseguards among celebrity hotels
The hotel’s Equus Bar and One Whitehall Place event spaces provide discrete, high‑profile areas for private gatherings. Editorial reviews note that the property’s classic architecture and central location make it a plausible choice for high‑profile guests seeking a blend of history and confidentiality (Oyster.com).
The implication: If spotting a celebrity matters, the Royal Horseguards is a reasonable bet, but no London hotel can guarantee a sighting.
What is the most luxurious hotel in London?
London’s luxury tier includes many five‑star properties. The Royal Horseguards offers a strong four‑ or five‑star experience with Grade I listed prestige, but the “most luxurious” title in the city is typically reserved for hotels such as The Ritz, The Connaught, and The Lanesborough – each commanding higher average rates and offering more extensive spa and culinary facilities.
Top luxury hotels in London
For travellers prioritising heritage and location over spa facilities, the Royal Horseguards competes well. Its 282 rooms, free Wi‑Fi, and 24‑hour room service meet five‑star benchmarks, but it lacks an on‑site spa (Oyster.com).
How the Royal Horseguards compares
Guest satisfaction scores (4.4 / 5 on TripAdvisor, 9.2 / 10 on Expedia) are comparable to many higher‑priced competitors. The trade‑off: you pay a lower price point than at the ultra‑luxury flagships while staying in a building with similar historical cachet.
The trade‑off: You sacrifice an on‑site spa for lower rates and Grade I listed architecture that rivals any London hotel.
Royal Horseguards Hotel prices and booking
TripAdvisor reports a typical nightly range of €277 to €605 (approximately £240–£520), making it a mid‑tier luxury option for central London. Booking directly through the official website may offer a 10% discount for members of the loyalty programme (Official site).
Price range and value
The hotel’s buffet breakfast costs £26 per person (Expedia data). Rooms include Egyptian cotton sheets, memory‑foam beds, 49‑inch TVs, and Elemis toiletries. The Tower Suite, occupying a two‑floor turret, commands a premium but offers panoramic river views (Expedia).
How to book direct
The official website (royalhorseguardshotel.com) provides the most current rates and allows cancellation under flexible terms. Third‑party sites sometimes undercut direct prices for advance‑purchase or non‑refundable bookings, but direct booking may include breakfast or upgrade perks.
The bottom line: Expect to pay £200–£500 per night for a standard room; the Tower Suite is significantly higher.
Pricing band at a glance
Based on TripAdvisor and Expedia data, nightly rates typically fall in the €277–€605 band. Breakfast adds £26 per person. Seasonal peaks (summer, Christmas) push towards the upper end; winter weekends often offer lower rates.
Location and getting there
The hotel sits at 2 Whitehall Court, between the Thames and Trafalgar Square. Embankment tube station is a five‑minute walk; Charing Cross and Westminster stations are each about ten minutes on foot. Heathrow is approximately 43 minutes by the Piccadilly line via Earl’s Court or Paddington. River bus services operate from Embankment Pier.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Grade I listed building – unique Victorian architecture
- Central Westminster location steps from Thames and major attractions
- High guest ratings (4.4 TripAdvisor, 9.2 Expedia)
- Free Wi‑Fi throughout
- Large event spaces (One Whitehall Place) for weddings and conferences
Cons
- No on‑site spa
- Some rooms reported as dated or with shower issues
- Pricing can be high on peak dates
- Check‑in (15:00) and check‑out (11:00) are standard but not flexible
- Limited soundproofing in historic walls
Best for these guest segments
- Luxury seekers: Those who value heritage and location over spa facilities will find the five‑star experience satisfying.
- History enthusiasts: The Grade I listed building and its government‑office past offer a tangible connection to Victorian London.
- Celebrity‑spotting visitors: Low‑key enough for high‑profile guests, with discrete entrances and event spaces.
Alternatives to the Royal Horseguards
If the Royal Horseguards doesn’t fit, consider:
- Baglioni Hotel London – a five‑star Italian‑style property in South Kensington (closure status may vary).
- Best Hotels in London UK guide – a curated list of luxury, couple‑ and family‑friendly picks across the city.
For direct comparison, we recommend checking current rates and reviews on TripAdvisor or Expedia.
Our pick: who the Royal Horseguards suits best
After reviewing guest feedback, official features, and transport links, we recommend the Royal Horseguards for luxury leisure travellers, history‑minded guests, and first‑time London visitors who want a central base with character. The trade‑off: you get Grade I listed grandeur at a price point below the top‑tier London luxury hotels, but you forgo an on‑site spa.
For business travellers, the 24‑hour room service, business centre, and 21 meeting/event rooms make it functional, though the historic building may lack the dedicated co‑working lounges of newer hotels.