The Ritz London

The Ritz London is more than a hotel — it has been an institution of London society since 1906, founded by César Ritz, the man whose name gave English the word ritzy. It has lived through two world wars, royal weddings and countless royal visits. Its overall review score of 9.3/10 on Booking.com reflects a standard that still holds up after 120 years, and the Royal Warrant from King Charles III by the door confirms it is officially recognized by the British royal household.

Rooms and decor

The Edwardian building is done in Louis XVI style — gold leaf, Baccarat chandeliers, silk and Aubusson carpets, the look of a royal palace. Every room is individually designed, with handmade Hypnos beds, Frette linens and 600-thread-count Egyptian cotton towels. One guest wrote that it felt like staying in an actual palace rather than a hotel. The higher suites add a separate sitting room, a marble fireplace and full Green Park views. Some reviews note the Superior rooms run small for a building from 1906, but everyone agrees the decor and the quality of the materials stay first-rate.

Food and amenities

The Palm Court Afternoon Tea is the highlight that makes people worldwide talk about The Ritz — served in a room glittering with gold and chandeliers, with a live pianist, at around $95 to $121 per person, smart-elegant dress, booked 8 to 12 weeks ahead. The Ritz Restaurant holds a Michelin star and serves classic French food in a gold dining room often called the most beautiful in London. The Rivoli Bar, in Art Deco style, is where British writers and politicians meet for a drink, and the Ritz Club is a private members' casino. A 24-hour butler and a Les Clefs d'Or concierge arrange everything from the hardest theater tickets to restaurant tables booked six months out, while the Ritz Spa runs wellness and couture treatments using La Mer and Sothys products.

Location and getting there

It sits at 150 Piccadilly in the heart of Mayfair, London's smartest district, next to Green Park, which links to Buckingham Palace about an 8-minute walk away. Green Park Underground is right outside the door, connecting the Jubilee, Piccadilly and Victoria lines and putting every major part of London within 15 minutes. St. James's Park, Covent Garden, Theatreland and the luxury shopping of Bond Street are all in walking range. The Heathrow Express via Paddington takes about 30 minutes, and the hotel will arrange a Rolls-Royce chauffeur for airport transfers on request.

Things to know before booking

This is the priciest hotel on the list, from roughly $1,200 a night and climbing far higher for the top suites. The dress code is strict — men need a suit and tie in the restaurant, so it is not the place for a casual traveler who wants to wander in for dinner in jeans. And some Superior rooms run small for the price, a trade-off that comes with a historic 1906 building. Book the Palm Court tea well ahead and, if you can, ask for a room on the Green Park side rather than the busier Piccadilly frontage.

Our take

If you want one stay that is pure London heritage, this is it. The Ritz is the 9.3/10 bucket-list choice — you are paying for 120 years of history, a Royal Warrant and a Palm Court tea you will talk about for years, not for the biggest room in town. Go for the occasion, dress the part, and book early.