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The Stafford London
London, United Kingdom · Independent · High Luxury
Three 17th-century houses on St James's Place became the Stafford Hotel in 1912, with wine cellars that may be London's oldest and that sheltered American and Canadian officers during the Blitz. That wartime bond seeded the Better 'Ole Club and the memorabilia-hung American Bar. Nancy Wake, the SOE agent nicknamed the White Mouse, lived here into her nineties.
- 105 rooms
- Opened 1912
- Neighborhood: St James's
- Architect: H.H. Collins
- Interiors: Alexandra Champalimaud
About The Stafford London
- Numbers 16–18 St James's Place began as 17th-century private residences; Lord Francis Godolphin built extensive wine cellars beneath them, reportedly with doorways toward St James's Palace.
- Converted to the Stafford Hotel in 1912 when number 16 joined 17 and 18.
- Allied officers used the cellars as air-raid shelters in World War II, leading to the Better 'Ole Club, whose members have included the Prince of Wales.
- Simone Prunier stored her wine collection in the cellars for safekeeping during the war while the public also sheltered there.
- Nancy Wake, the British intelligence agent known as the White Mouse, became a Stafford resident in 2001 and marked her 90th birthday at the hotel.
History
The Stafford stands on a quiet cul-de-sac in St James's, on the site of seventeenth-century aristocratic residences. The current building was constructed in 1899–1900 to designs by architect H.H. Collins (built by Henry Lovatt) and was converted into a hotel around 1912.
The hotel is famous for its American Bar, hung with memorabilia, and for its seventeenth-century wine cellars — among the oldest in London — which doubled as an air-raid shelter during the Second World War.
The setting
7-minute walk to Buckingham Palace.
Restaurants and bars
- The Game Bird — Restaurant
- The American Bar — Bar
- MICHAEL CAINES at The Stafford — Restaurant · Seasonal British ingredients, modern European technique · Chef Michael Caines MBE · One MICHELIN Star
- Norma — Restaurant · Sicilian-inspired
Experiences
- Discovery Menu – Experience Michael Caines at The Stafford — Dining experience with Michael Caines at The Stafford, running 3 Aug 2026 - 31 Mar 2027.
- Mini Royals Children's Afternoon Tea — A royal-themed children's afternoon tea, inspired by the neighbours at Buckingham Palace, running 14 Aug 2026 - 31 Aug 2027.
- From Vine to Cellar: Ridge Vineyards Wine Dinner — An intimate evening celebrating the wines of Ridge Vineyards, paired with a special menu, on 3 Nov 2026.
- Aspen Winter Village — The American Bar Courtyard becomes an Alpine-style winter village, 11 Nov 2026 - 15 Jan 2027.
- Thanksgiving Feast — A Thanksgiving celebration at the hotel on 26 Nov 2026.
Amenities
- Fitness center
- Wine cellar
- Fine dining
- Pet-friendly
Awards
- Andrew Harper Members Choice (2026)
- Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star (2026)
- Travel + Leisure World's Best Hotels (2026)
- AA Five Red Stars (2025)
Open The Stafford London in the atlas for live weekend rates, photos, and the full folio.
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