London, England
The historic Stafford London is situated in the heart of St James’s, just off Piccadilly, with galleries, museums and fine shopping a short stroll away. It has a 17th century cobbled mews, an American Bar, gym and fine restaurant
Our review
The Stafford Hotel is in a convenient position, situated in a quiet cul-de-sac moments away from Piccadilly.
I had not been to the hotel proper before (I had attended a function in the wonderful wine cellar) and was pleasantly surprised with this grand and comfortable oasis in the heart of London. The lounge has an open fireplace where one may take afternoon tea.
We had a master suite in the separate Mews Suite block a few steps from the main building accessed across the cobbled 17th courtyard. There is an exit here through an archway to the street and a short cut through Green Park if you want to go for a walk or jog or get to the tube station. When you return, you don’t have to go through the hotel.
Our suite – the size of a small flat at 600 square feet – had a lounge with decorative fireplace and a large desk with assorted magazines and selected books. Floor length windows let in a lot of light. There was a mini bar with soft drinks. Free Wi-Fi, an iPod dock and a Krups pod coffee machine were other perks. Suite guests get a complimentary breakfast and services such as packing and unpacking.
A small hallway meant staff could attend without coming into the suite, which I like. There was a separate cloakroom, handy if you have a guest or one of you is in the bath. In the bedroom was a small dressing area alcove with a vanity table and wardrobe space. By clever use of this space, suitcases and clothes are kept out of the bedroom area. A nice touch was a full-length mirror.
The large half marble bathroom had a full size bath and two sinks. As well as their signature yellow duck, the bathroom had everything – bath salts, heated towel rail, fresh gerbera in a vase, specially procured Floris toiletries (my favourite) and a magnifying mirror with light.
The bed had a padded headboard and was a perfect place for reading, with directional lights. So often I find the headboard is uncomfortable and the lighting is from a lamp, positioned some distance away on a side table, so is of little use. The room was very quiet at night and cocooned under the duck-down filled duvet, we had a wonderful rest. (There is a pillow menu if you prefer a different filling.)
Breakfast was perfectly fine. I tried my usual test – Egg Florentine – and it was decidedly good.
We had dinner at the hotel too. Being vegetarian, I often draw the short straw, but not here. My gnocchi with fresh green peas and tarragon, served with salad leaves was delightful. The chef had resisted the temptation to sprinkle cheese over the dish or even include cheese, a common mistake, letting the fresh ingredients speak for themselves. Paul had sea bream served with sauté potatoes and courgettes, which he pronounced delicious. For dessert I had the lightest of blackcurrant soufflés, partnered with liquorice ice cream. We both agreed this is a place to which we would gladly return.
The American Bar is well known in London as the place for good cocktails, a reputation it guards carefully. With no change from £50 for two drinks, the bar is not somewhere most people would spend the whole night in unless they are loaded, but it’s well worth just one round to soak up the atmosphere and look at the memorabilia. (A brisk walk up the Strand gets you to a famous London hostelry, the Old Cheshire Cheese. It’s busy until the commuters go home around 9pm but after that on weekdays it’s pleasantly quiet.)
We looked around the other rooms – in the main house the décor is traditional English style – but it was the Carriage Rooms in the cobbled mews that were a revelation. These buildings date from the 17th century and I don’t think I’ve seen such gorgeous rooms in London. Up some wooden steps from the courtyard, are the Carriage House junior suites, some of which have four-poster beds. Decorated in keeping with the style of the period, these are quite delightful with wallpaper depicting 17th scenes, antique furniture and pretty pictures – romantic perfection. Highly recommended.
There are more famous or better-known luxury hotels in London, but for me the Stafford punches above its weight and deserves careful consideration for a London stay.
Rooms
The Stafford London offers just over 100 rooms and suites across three distinct buildings, including historic townhouses and contemporary mews suites. Rooms are individually styled with traditional English character, luxury bedding, marble bathrooms and discreet modern technology for a calm, residential feel.
Food and Drink
Dining is led by The Game Bird, a modern British restaurant showcasing seasonal produce and classic flavours under the direction of Michelin‑starred chef Michael Caines. The American Bar is one of London’s most famous drinking destinations, known for its heritage, signature cocktails and historic wine cellars beneath the hotel.
Wellness
The hotel offers a well‑equipped fitness suite located within the mews, designed for private workouts and maintaining routines while travelling.
Facilities
- Signature restaurant and historic cocktail bar
- 400‑year‑old wine cellar for private events
- Fitness suite
- Meeting and private dining spaces
- Concierge and personalised guest services
- Valet parking and chauffeured transfers
- Pet‑friendly accommodation
- 24‑hour room service
Location
Tucked away in St James’s Place, the hotel is steps from Green Park, Piccadilly and Buckingham Palace, with Mayfair shopping and West End theatres close by.
Getting there
Address: 16-18 St James's Place, SW1A 1NJ, London, United Kingdom
Arriving by train: Green Park Station – Tube and Bus Station within 3 minutes walking distance
Arriving by air: London Heathrow – Located 15 miles (24 Km) west of Central London. 45 minutes by carLondon Gatwick – Located 32 miles (51 Km) south of Central London. 70 minutes by carLondon City – Located 8 miles (12 Km) east of Central London. 40 minutes by car
More information
To see hotel pictures, for more information on facilities, to check availabilty or to book a stay then please click below
Disclaimer
Paul and Livvy will earn a small commission if you book using the links above. This never affects our review and helps us provide useful information. We endeavour to make our hotel information as accurate as possible but things change over time. For any specific requirements or questions, please always check directly with the hotel before booking. We cannot accept any liability for any loss or damage arising from the use of this website.
* Note: The hotel review was last updated in early 2026. Please let us know if you spot any factual errors.