Claridge's Hotel: Where London Royalty and Hollywood Glamour Meet

In the heart of London - nestled among the city's historic edifices and modern marvels - stands the iconic Claridge's Hotel.
For generations, this establishment has been more than just a place to lay one's head - it has been the epicenter of power, elegance, and British sophistication.
Indeed, its storied corridors echo with whispered tales of royalty, dignitaries, and celebrities - all drawn to its unparalleled allure.
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TIMESTAMPS
0:00 Introduction
0:47 Chapter 1: The Founding Years
3:46 Chapter 2: The Golden Era
6:50 Chapter 3: The Jet Set and Changing Times
9:59 Chapter 4: The Turn of the Century
12:45 Chapter 5: The Present and Future
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In bustling nineteenth century London, a gleaming jewel of hospitality emerged by the name of Mivart's Hotel.
You see, The Mivart family - tracing their origins to the romantic terrains of France - had decided in 1812 to embark on a sophisticated venture in the hotel industry.
Their inaugural establishment was a seemingly unassuming abode at 51 Brook Street - nestled in the iconic Mayfair district - an epitome of London's elegance.
Yet, despite its understated commencement, Mivart's soon found favor with the European elite - who were entranced by its exquisite accommodations, sumptuous culinary delights, and an unwavering commitment to service.
Then, the year 1854 marked a watershed moment for the establishment when the reigns were taken over by William Claridge - who had previously graced the halls as a waiter.
Now, by the dawn of the twentieth century, the illustrious Claridge's Hotel unfurled a masterstroke of luxury - the Royal Suite.
Nestled majestically on the hotel's zenith, this suite lavished upon its esteemed guests a breathtaking vista of Mayfair's grandeur.
An unparalleled marvel of its time, it was replete with avant-garde amenities such as an opulent private bath, an ornate dressing chamber, and a refined sitting area.
Additionally, history has forever etched the Royal Suite into its chronicles, for it has played host to regal luminaries - including Queen Elizabeth The Second, Prince Philip, and Prince Charles.
And in an even more significant moment of British history, its hallowed halls resonated with the jubilance of Prince Charles and Princess Diana's grand wedding reception in 1981.
Now, with the Roaring Twenties in full swing, Claridge's beckoned to Hollywood's glitterati.
A haven for the cinematic elite visiting London, its proximity to the theatrical heart of the city, combined with its sumptuous accommodations and polished ambiance, made it a magnetic draw.
The luminous presence of stars such as Charlie Chaplin, Mary Pickford, and Douglas Fairbanks illuminated the hotel's restaurant - while its ballroom bore witness to decadent soirées - and its opulent nightclub reverberated with dances that lasted till the wee hours.
And the nineteen thirties further ushered in a renaissance for Claridge's.
Subsequently - in the rejuvenated glow of the nineteen fifties, Claridge's Hotel emerged as the veritable North Star of luxury - beckoning the global jet set to its hallowed halls.
This elite congregation, composed of the upper crust of the world-film stars, high-society mavens, and business tycoons-found an irresistible allure in Claridge's blend of opulent lodging, cultured ambiance, and service steeped in discretion and perfection.
Among the Hollywood luminaries, the timeless Audrey Hepburn found solace within Claridge's embrace.
Her frequent sojourns to Claridge’s highlighted her fondness for the hotel's cultivated environment and its prized position amid London's myriad cultural wonders.
In 1996, Claridge's Hotel embarked upon a fresh chapter - coming under the aegis of the Quinlan Private Group - a formidable force in the realm of property development.
These new curators - with their distinct vision - channeled significant resources into the hotel - catalyzing a transformative phase of architectural and aesthetic rejuvenation.
However, by 2004, the tides of ownership shifted again.
The Quinlan Private Group - ever astute in their business acumen - divested their stakes in Claridge's, alongside two other bastions of luxury - The Berkeley and The Connaught.
Now, in the tumultuous backdrop of the early twenty twenties, the clarion call for sustainability and environmental cognizance has reverberated globally.
True to its tradition of evolving with the times, Claridge's rolled out the green banner.
This sanctuary of luxury embarked on an earnest mission to diminish its carbon imprint and champion the earth's preservation.
Energy-efficient illuminations bathed its halls - while stringent waste-reduction programs underscored its commitment.

[@oldmoneymansions]

COMMENT: Have you been to Claridge’s in London or have dreams of visiting this incredible hotel?

[@michaelmontagu3979]

I've been going to Claridge's since the sixties, with my parents. A very different place. The bar was a less formal restaurant called Causerie, with a menu of lighter dishes like Omelette Arnold Bennett and a central smorgasbord. The Foyer was the lounge which featured a Hungarian quartet. There was no bar, drinks were brought to guests by footmen in velvet tailcoat, pale pink silk breeches, buckled shoes and gloves. Casual visitors were discouraged. I was sitting in the lounge late one evening, looking up at the ceiling. The night manager came over and said good evening. He then said, 'we have dusted up there. When it gets to this stage we call it faded elegance.' I still visit, but it's very different. Not just in the decor, but in the majority of guests. It's much noisier than it used to be. I was last there giving lunch to a friend about 3 weeks ago.

[@jackfriend4u]

Dreams are all it could ever be for me. It is great to be able to see it from a number of perspectives (via KZbin) now, though obviously no substitute for the real thing. Thank you for sharing your experience.

[@MrTomV]

I ordered a ham and cheese sandwich from room service in 1976. The cart that came up to the room had 17 plates on it. A plate for everything from the napkin to the salt and pepper shakers to the bottle of beer, to the glass for the beer. Incredible.

[@michaelmontagu3979]

Small mistake. The Princess of Wales spent the night before her wedding in the Royal Suite of the Goring Hotel, not Claridge's.

[@IanSmith-ki8bz]

Yes, it was the Goring

[@JamesBrown-ij1px]

Outstanding feature of this most significant of London Hotels! Thank you! If London were a Hotel, I think one would have to say it would be Claridge's! For me, Claridge's IS London! As much as I love The Ritz (who doesn't?), that hotel is more 'Paris' than London, whereas, Claridge's is pure London and England! I adore the Art Deco period, and I am grateful that the style of the hotel has been preserved while bringing the amenities into the 21st Century! Long Live Claridge's!

[@oldmoneymansions]

Our pleasure!

[@simonreeve8482]

What a transformation. I worked at Claridges in the accounts department from 1980 to 1981 as a Trainee Manager as well as working in two Royal Banquets. What an experience!

[@paullewis2413]

Obviously made before the hotel constructed its incredible basement spa area, a miracle of modern engineering. This hotel still retains its enviable position as one of the Worlds finest city hotels.

[@egonrhoodie2745]

Elizabeth Taylor saw the Dorchester Hotel as her second home her father had an art gallery there.... Blessings and happy thoughts!😇🙏💂🎥🎭⛲🤳🛌🛀🧖

[@juliepeterson6639]

Just stunning! Thank you for this!

[@oldmoneymansions]

Glad you like it!

[@bookbrowboss4600]

Beautiful work

[@juanitahardy8583]

😅I hope Britain never loses its elegant past, it is as important to its history as is great architecture.

[@21subcool]

Wonderful video. Thank you

[@bradfordbarrettluckotheIrish]

Another beautifully written and narrated video.

[@andrewthornhill7042]

I'll be staying at Claridge's next year. Can’t wait!

[@LMays-cu2hp]

Looking very nice.

[@LMays-cu2hp]

Thank you for sharing this beautiful grand and contemporary hotel. ☺ Smile

[@CarolStJohn-ev9ry]

Gorgeous!

[@simontaylor2319]

I believe Winston Churchill sought solace in his favourite room in Claridges following his defeat in te 1945 General Election. I think it was also Charlie Watts favourite hang out

[@JamesBrown-ij1px]

Indeed. And Agatha Christie often refers to Claridge's in her mystery novels!

[@michaelmontagu3979]

Churchill moved into the penthouse after being beaten in the election.

[@welshieworldwide]

This is where I work as part of the in-house security 😏

[@Richardsonprincess00]

How about hotels in Paris even New York?

[@j1st633]

Hotel Napoleon in Paris. Please review. Was the hotel in its day. The fat was the 20's and 30's.

[@stuboyd1194]

No mention of the recent seven year major upgrade to the hotel?

[@angelbulldog4934]

How is it possible for a waiter to buy the place? Was there another source of income for him? Did he inherit money from family? Something about this seems suspect.

[@simontaylor2319]

Hugh Bonneville narrating?

[@IDEALEGACY59]

💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐

[@navaralevy2152]

I been to the Claridge in Atlantic City NJ next to Ballys park place.

[@JamesBrown-ij1px]

Not the same thing.

[@artistsingerwriterproducer8288]

Regards

[@healthyamerican]

maybe you over did the flatteries a little

[@JamesBrown-ij1px]

No.

[@healthyamerican]

the hotel does have character. it doesnt have a lot of room to move. the seats and chairs and everything are straight up and small, so you cannot relax or recline. everything is petite to conserve space. nice, but not exactly luxuious. overrated is probably the best word for Claridge`s

[@fernandoferdinand4866]

Cabal/Illuminati hangout...💫👽

[@starcrib]

Insufferable- 15 minutes I'll never get back. 🦖☄️

[@oldmoneymansions]

😮

[@JamesBrown-ij1px]

Then why watch? It's called 'scrolling past' ... try doing it next time! The only thing 'insufferable' was your unnecessary comment.

[@starcrib]

@JamesBrown-ij1px🦖☄️ you taking the time to comment on me being insufferable- makes the whole incident even more insufferable. Thank's Hillbilly.

[@fernandoferdinand4866]

​@@starcriblols...that burned.😅

[@hangin-in-thereawesome4245]

No and no!