ReidsEngland.com Places London Sleep Reid's List: London Lodging The Stafford
London

See

Do

Sleep

Eat

Plan

Topics

The Stafford ★★☆

A room at The Stafford hotel (Photo courtesy of the hotel)
A room at The Stafford hotel
A room at The Stafford hotel, The Stafford, London (Photo courtesy of the hotel)
A room at The Stafford hotel, The Stafford, London (Photo courtesy of the hotel)
The carriage mews courtyard at The Stafford hotel, The Stafford, London (Photo courtesy of the hotel)
A room at The Stafford hotel, The Stafford, London (Photo courtesy of the hotel)
Breakfast al fresco at The Stafford hotel, The Stafford, London (Photo courtesy of the hotel)
The American Bar at The Stafford hotel, The Stafford, London (Photo courtesy of the hotel)
A room at The Stafford hotel, The Stafford, London (Photo courtesy of the hotel)
A room at The Stafford hotel, The Stafford, London (Photo courtesy of the hotel)
A room at The Stafford hotel, The Stafford, London (Photo courtesy of the hotel)

A clubby townhouse hotel in St. James

A room at The Stafford hotel
The carriage mews courtyard at The Stafford hotel
A room at The Stafford hotel
Breakfast al fresco at The Stafford hotel
The American Bar at The Stafford hotel

More images

A room at The Stafford hotel (Photo courtesy of the hotel)
A room at The Stafford hotel (Photo courtesy of the hotel)
The carriage mews courtyard at The Stafford hotel (Photo courtesy of the hotel)
A room at The Stafford hotel (Photo courtesy of the hotel)
Breakfast al fresco at The Stafford hotel (Photo courtesy of the hotel)
The American Bar at The Stafford hotel (Photo courtesy of the hotel)
A room at The Stafford hotel (Photo courtesy of the hotel)
A room at The Stafford hotel (Photo courtesy of the hotel)
A room at The Stafford hotel (Photo courtesy of the hotel)

Just two blocks from Piccadilly and Green Park, yet removed from the bustle on the cul de sac end of a crooked street, the Stafford—three 18th century townhouses linked into a hotel in 1912—feels less boutiquey than its neighbor, Duke's.

But the Stafford has three features that set it apart: the genteel lounge for afternoon tea, the carriage mews out back, and the popular American Bar (a testament to its WWII role as a U.S. and Canadian officers's club and its current 65% American clientele, many of whom leave their baseball caps and ties to hang from the rafters).

The best accommodations here involve a choice. Do you want a room on the back of the main building—a deluxe double with canopied beds and baths sheathed in marble (no. 100 also has a large private patio)—that overlooks the 18th century carriage house across the cobbled mews, with its red azaleas spilling over black wood balconies against white-painted brick?

Or do you prefer staying in a suite of the carriage house itself? These are fitted out as elegant country homes, with antiques and chairs ranged around a (non-working) fireplace, four-poster beds, double sinks in the baths, and a CD player. If the latter sound best, plump for the duplex "Guv'nors Suite" with its two bathrooms, dining nook/library, and access to the minstrels gallery.

All this, coupled with the Modern British cuisine served under chandeliers and original trompe-l'oeil painted ceilings, and thoughtful touches like guest business cards (showing your address in London) and umbrellas in the rooms, have earned the Stafford a remarkable repeat-client rate of over 70%.

Book it
 
 

» More about Hotels in England

General info about Hotels in England

★★★
A room at the elegant hotel 11 Cadogan Gardens, in a Victorian townhouse in London (Photo courtesy of the hotel)
Hotels

The classic lodging option—How British hotels work and how to book the best hotels at the lowest rates

more
 
Hotel
(Photo © Reid Bramblett)
Top lodging tips

From hotel savings to better booking engines, alternative accommodations to lodging rip-offs, here is the best lodging advice around

more
 
Hotel
Alternative accommodations in England (Photo collage by Reid Bramblett; TOP ROW: courtesy of Homeexchange.com, courtesy of Star Castle Hotel, courtesy of The Thatched Farm B&B, courtesy of Toghill House Farm; BOTTOM ROW: courtesy of WWOOF UK, courtesy of Booking.com, courtesy of LSE Passfield Hall, courtesy of Cheval Three Quays at The Tower of London)
Lodging options

There are dozens of hotel alternatives, from London flats to country cottages, farmhouse B&Bs to university dorms, rental rooms to residences, and campgrounds to castles. Here's how to find the lot of them.

more
 
Lodging options
 

Also in Reid's List: London Lodging:

» more

Related pages

Similar interests: