Waldorf Astoria London Prepares to Open Inside Admiralty Arch

Waldorf Astoria London Admiralty Arch is preparing to open inside one of the capital's best known landmarks, the Grade I listed arch at the end of The Mall opposite Buckingham Palace, as featured by The Opening List. The building will welcome overnight guests for the first time in its history. The Opening List shows an opening date of March 2027, the date from which reservations are currently open, while Hilton has said the hotel will debut later this year.

Commissioned by King Edward VII in memory of Queen Victoria and designed by Sir Aston Webb, the architect behind the Buckingham Palace facade, Admiralty Arch opened in 1912 and served as the residence of the First Sea Lord, head of the Royal Navy. Its restoration, led by owner Reuben Brothers in partnership with Hilton, covers 200,000 square feet, with interiors by Archer Humphryes according to The Opening List.

The hotel will offer 114 rooms, suites and residences, with expansive residential and signature suites taking up more than half of the accommodation space. Suite names reference the building's naval heritage, including the Nelson Suite, the St James's Residence and the Victory Residence, named after HMS Victory. It is the Waldorf Astoria brand's first hotel in London.

Dining comes from two chefs. Clare Smyth will open Coreus, a fine dining restaurant in the former home of the First Sea Lord celebrating the UK's coastal heritage, alongside a Whiskey and Seaweed bar. Daniel Boulud returns to London with Café Boulud, an all day rooftop restaurant with views across St James's Park and Buckingham Palace. A 3,540 square foot ballroom will feature a nine metre antique Murano chandelier restored in Rome.

The most recent announcement, made on October 7, names British skincare brand OSKIA as exclusive spa partner, creating treatments available only at the hotel and marking its first relationship with a Waldorf Astoria property worldwide. The spa will include individual and couples treatment rooms, a sauna, steam room, hydrotherapy pool, ice fountain and fitness centre. "We can't wait to reawaken Admiralty Arch," said general manager Guillaume Marly. More on the hotel is available through Waldorf Astoria.