St. Ermin's Hotel, Autograph Collection

Our favourite 4-star hotel in London - it is a 5-star in all but name. Part of Marriott Hotel’s Autograph Collection, St Ermin’s is located in the heart of Westminster – less than a kilometre from both the Houses of Parliament and Buckingham Palace. Originally built as luxury apartments for aristocrats in 1899, the hotel opened after a massive refurbishment in 2011 - to great fanfare.

St. Ermin’s Hotel is an exclusive retreat in the centre of London and part of Marriott International’s exclusive, upscale, and independent Autograph Collection. Ideally situated near St James’s and Victoria Stations, the hotel is near London’s most historical attractions, including Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, and Buckingham Palace. The hotel has had its own rich history since opening to the public in 1899. 

There are 290 rooms and 41 suites set over 6 floors. St Ermin’s has a small gym, the Caxton Grill – for breakfast, lunch and dinner, the Caxton Bar and The Tea Lounge. The hotel is pet friendly. What sets St Ermin’s apart from the rest is its level of service – outstripping many 5-star hotels in London. There are several hundred thousand staff in the hotel – mainly unpaid bees who live on the roof and who produce the most delicious fresh honey – which is served at breakfast and is now an ingredient in the hotel's own signature gin!

Winston Churchill held a historic meeting at the hotel during the Second World War that was to be the birth of the Special Operations Executive who later formed the basis of the SAS. The Secret Intelligence Service (MI6) was stationed on the upper floors, and Government secrets are said to have been traded amongst double agents in the Caxton Bar. The hotel celebrates its extraordinary past with special displays showcasing artefacts of the time. Today, the elegant and sophisticated hotel boasts 331 comfortable guestrooms and suites, including pet-friendly rooms.