Tucked in the heart of historic St James’s and prestigious Mayfair, there’s a five-star hotel that’s no stranger to A-list guests – as well as royalty.
The Stafford London describes itself as a ‘true hidden gem’, offering a ‘quintessentially British experience with unparalleled luxury and charm’.
Few hotels can boast a neighbor as iconic as Buckingham Palace, but The Stafford London goes one step further.
The hotel is said to house a discreet private tunnel that leads directly to the doors of St James’s Palace, the London residence of Princess Anne, Princess Beatrice, and Princess Alexandra, as reported by Page Six.
While the palace is open to visitors on selected dates for guided tours, if you were hoping to catch a glimpse of the tunnel, you would be out of luck.
The underground tunnel doorways have reportedly now been blocked off and are no longer in use by royals.
However, with regards to the tunnel, the Royal Collection Trust added: ‘We have no evidence that supports this claim.’
But beneath the Stafford, there are impressive wine cellars which were built by Francis Godolphin in the 17th century which you can hire out – if you have the cash to splash.
The Stafford London describes itself as a ‘true hidden gem’, offering a ‘quintessentially British experience with unparalleled luxury and charm’
The hotel is said to house a discreet private tunnel that leads directly to the doors of St James’s Palace. Pictured: The Stafford Hotel wine cellar
The cellars house more than 8,000 bottles of wines and Champagne, including many rare and precious vintages
The cellars house more than 8,000 bottles of wines and Champagne, including many rare and precious vintages.
The cellars host an informal museum, with artefacts left by Canadian and American servicemen and women in World War II, and can be hired for tastings and events.
While the cost of hiring out this space depends on the occasion, some sources indicate the starting point is between £650 and £1,000.
The last remaining casket and wine corking machinery are also on show in the main chamber of the cellars.
Before its transformation into a fully functioning wine cellar, the tunnel was used as an air raid shelter during World War II.
At the time, the hotel operated as a club for American and Canadian officers stationed in London, with authentic artefacts from that era still proudly displayed in the cellar today.
It has been reported that the Queen Mother and Queen Elizabeth II both used the secret underground tunnel for discreet lunches away from the public eye.
Originally a private residence in the 17th century, the Stafford London has been hosting some of the most affluent guests since 1912 with fine dining and 105 rooms and luxurious suites.
To stay at this exclusive hotel, you can expect to pay between £500 and £1,000 per night.
It is said to have hosted everyone from royalty and world leaders to celebrities and elite athletes.
St James’s Palace has been home to Kings and Queens for more than 300 years and was built by Henry VIII
Members of the Royal Family, including the late Queen Elizabeth II, Prince William, Zara Tindall, and Prince Harry, have reportedly stayed at this hotel, with athletes such as David Beckham and Evander Holyfield following suit.
The hotel has also welcomed prominent figures, including Bing Crosby, Bill Nighy and former US President Ronald Reagan, who had famously stayed at the spot before his election.
At the other side of the former tunnel, St James’s Palace was built by King Henry VIII in the 1530s on the site of a 12th-century hospital.
It served as the principal residence of the British monarchy and was home to Kings and Queens for centuries, until Queen Victoria moved to Buckingham Palace in 1837
Elizabeth I set out from St James’s Palace to address her troops assembled against the Spanish Armada, Queen Victoria married Prince Albert in the Chapel and King Charles III was officially proclaimed King at the Palace.
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