Discreetly located within elegant Victorian buildings a stone’s throw from Buckingham Palace, St James’ Court - a Taj Hotel aptly describes its offering as a ‘slice of the past served on a contemporary platter’.

Guests enjoy a luxurious stay while being a mere minutes from key attractions in the heart of London, making it a perfect choice for leisure and business travellers alike.

St James’ Court has maintained an opulent - but not at all gaudy - approach to its interior architecture.

As you walk into the airy and spacious lobby area, you’re greeted by an array of colour; dark mahogany columns contrast with cobalt blue carpet, and the glass panelling behind the main reception desk is a splattering of sunshine yellow and lobster pinks.

The result is a seamless blending of modern and traditional furnishing, creating a space in which guests can enjoy comfortably for hours.

The pianist behind the grand piano played with aplomb and remarkable stamina, further adding to the feeling of serenity inside the lobby area.

The hotel has a superb Shakespearean courtyard, with lush greenery surrounding a cherub-adorned fountain acting as the focal point.

The courtyard - which makes an excellent lunch or drink setting - was developed in the late 1890s by Major Charles Pawley, a Royal Engineer.

He spared no creative expense when it came to embellishing the courtyard, and guests today can, on closer inspection, make out the little touches which remind you of the history behind the building.

There is real intricacy to the design; turrets, balconies, arches, columns and cornices are all overlaid with scrollwork and bas-reliefs, and all of the brickwork up to the second floor is tiled in a sea-green glaze.

Guests at St James’ Court are spoilt for choice on the dining and entertainment front.

There are four restaurants to choose from, with cuisine ranging from international favourites at Bistro, Southern-European dishes at Kona, and Michelin-starred West Indian dishes at Quilon.

I dined at Bistro, which offered a range of traditional French dishes to Asian-specialty courses.

The glazed duck-breast was excellent, with the simultaneously sweet and tart cherry sauce proving a fantastic accompaniment to the meat.
Service was intuitive and attentive without being intrusive.

Rooms at St James’ Court are spacious and contemporary, with rates starting from £247 per night.

Guests can enjoy a tranquil and luxurious night, away from the hustle and bustle of central London life just on the doorstep.

The Classic rooms and suites have a quintessentially English character, whilst the Executive rooms and suites are best suited to corporate travellers, due their featuring a spacious work desk and office chairs.

All guests have access to the well-equipped fitness and wellness centres, which offer a replacing break from hectic city life.

To make the most of the upcoming British summer, St James’ Court has recently launched the ‘British Royal Vintage Experience’ tour, which offers guests a taste of traditional luxury in 21st Century London.

The package starts at £395, and offers guests a night’s accommodation with breakfast, a three-hour bespoke sightseeing tour of the capital within a vintage car, followed by a seasonal-themed afternoon tea at the hotel.

St James’ attention to guests’ needs makes for a delightful stay, and the hotel’s unique location in the heart of central London ensures that it will remain a favourite for many decades to come.

More Information

First opened in 1902, St James’ Court - A Taj Hotel was patronised by the highest in the land, including guests of Buckingham Palace and, today, continues to retain the sophistication of bygone days, with architectural features indicating its illustrious past.

In a country that values understatement, St. James’ Court, A Taj Hotel, London is an English classic typifying the discreet charm of one of London’s finest hotels.

For more information on visiting head over to the official website.