Buckingham Palace, London

AfarOct 14

London’s Most Famous Landmarks Are Becoming Luxury Hotels—Including a Spectacular New Waldorf Astoria

Across the British capital, the corridors of power are being opened up to travelers. A landmark conversion near Buckingham Palace illustrates the challenges and opportunities.

19 things in this story

The NedHotelRebirth of the former Midland Bank headquarters.
The Chancery RosewoodHotelOpened late 2025 in the former U.S. embassy.
Rosewood LondonHotelOccupies the former Pearl Assurance company headquarters.
Trafalgar SquareSightIt was established in the early 19th century around the area known as Charing Cross.
Buckingham PalaceSightLocated in the City of Westminster, the palace is often at the centre of state occasions and royal hospitality.
Waldorf Astoria LondonHotelScheduled to open February 1, 2027, in Admiralty Arch.
Raffles LondonRestaurantOpened in 2023 in the former Old War Office.
Rosewood the ChanceryHotelRepurposed the former U.S. Embassy building.
Admiralty ArchSightLandmark building housing the Waldorf Astoria London.
Lord Nelson statueSightWatches over Admiralty Arch.
CoreusRestaurantFine-dining seafood restaurant by chef Clare Smyth.
Café BouludRestaurantBrasserie with a roof terrace facing Parliament.
The Old War OfficeSightEdwardian-era building now housing Raffles London.
Cambridge HouseHotelFormer Naval and Military Club, opening in 2027.
Six Senses LondonHotelDebut in London, transforming Whiteleys department store.
BT TowerSightFormer tallest building in Britain, to become a hotel.
NoMad LondonHotel
Six SensesHotel
Peacock BarPub

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Lonely PlanetOct 2

The Top 16 Things to Do in London

Local tips from London-based writers on the best things to do and how to best do them.

Official London residence of the Royal Family.

25 things in this story

Kew GardensGardenIts living collections include some of the 27,000 taxa curated by Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, while the herbarium, one…
Hyde ParkParkLarge urban park with diverse activities and features.
Tate ModernArts centreModern and contemporary art gallery in former Bankside Power Station.
London EyeSightRotation offers spectacular views of iconic landmarks.
Tower of LondonAttraction11th-century fortress housing the Crown Jewels and armor.
Westminster AbbeyPlace of worshipGothic wonder, venue for royal weddings and coronations.
British MuseumMuseumVast collection of artifacts, art, and antiquity.
Natural History MuseumMuseumAstonishing melding of science and imagination.
Science MuseumMuseumInteractive exhibits mesmerize adults and children.
West EndNeighborhoodArea for famous faces and well-known musical productions.
Shakespeare’s GlobeTheatreFacsimile theater, a triumph of authenticity.
The ShardSightBritain's tallest building.
Borough MarketMarketMarket with pubs, restaurants, dairies, bakers, and gourmet food stalls.
Black History WalksPlaceWalking tours in central London focusing on Black history.
Museum of London DocklandsMuseumLearn about the capital's involvement in the transatlantic slave trade.
198 Contemporary Arts and LearningMuseumDiscover some of the city's best Black artists.
V&A EastMuseumExhibition about Black British music until January 2027.
Victoria & Albert MuseumMuseumWorld's leading collection of decorative art objects.
Donmar WarehouseTheatreIt first opened on 18 July 1977.
Soho TheatreTheatreIt produces and presents new works of theatre, together with comedy and cabaret, across three performance…
Kensington GardensParkThe gardens are shared by the City of Westminster and the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea and sit immediately…
Royal Albert HallTheatreIconic venue facing Prince Albert's memorial.
Buckingham PalaceSightOfficial London residence of the Royal Family.
Lamb & FlagPubCharacter-filled, centuries-old pub.
Shakespeare's Globe TheatreSight

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Buckingham Palace

In the coverage2 stories

London’s Most Famous Landmarks Are Becoming Luxury Hotels—Including a Spectacular New Waldorf Astoria

The Top 16 Things to Do in London