{"id":480393,"date":"2025-10-07T12:34:16","date_gmt":"2025-10-07T12:34:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/480393\/"},"modified":"2025-10-07T12:34:16","modified_gmt":"2025-10-07T12:34:16","slug":"the-ultra-discreet-hotel-with-secret-tunnel-to-the-palace-where-us-elites-royals-mingle","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/480393\/","title":{"rendered":"the ultra-discreet hotel with secret tunnel to the Palace where US elites, royals mingle"},"content":{"rendered":"

Few hotels can boast a neighbor as iconic as Buckingham Palace, but The Stafford London<\/a> goes one step further \u2014 not only is it situated just across from the royal residence, it also features a discreet private tunnel that leads directly to the doors of St. James\u2019s Palace.<\/p>\n

A cornerstone of ultra-luxury in London since 1912, this iconic hotel welcomes around 70 percent of its guests from the US. It has hosted everyone from royalty and world leaders to celebrities and elite athletes.<\/p>\n

Thanks to its proximity to the palace, the Stafford has welcomed numerous visits from members of the British monarchy \u2014 both past and present \u2014 over the years.<\/p>\n

Members of the Firm, including the late Queen Elizabeth II, Prince William, Zara Tindall, and Prince Harry, have previously stayed at the five-star establishment, with athletes such as David Beckham and Evander Holyfield following suit.<\/p>\n

The Stafford London has been a cornerstone of ultra-luxury since 1912. The Stafford London<\/p>\n

The hotel has hosted everyone from royalty and world leaders to celebrities and elite athletes. The Stafford London<\/p>\n

The late Queen Elizabeth II was a frequent visitor at the hotel, as was her mother. Getty Images<\/p>\n

The late monarch\u2019s mother, The Queen Mother, was also a frequent visitor. Elizabeth, who died in 2002, was known to regularly visit the Stafford London for lunch, arriving discreetly through the underground tunnel that once connected the hotel to St. James\u2019s Palace.<\/p>\n

While the tunnel doorways are blocked up these days, the hotel now boasts an impressive 380-year-old wine cellar that dates back to the 17th century.<\/p>\n

The cellar holds over 8,000 bottles of top-notch wine, including plenty of rare and special vintages that regular guests leave behind for their next visit.<\/p>\n

It also moonlights as a hidden gem for private tastings, intimate events and unforgettable dining experiences \u2014 a spot some say has played host to a royal or two.<\/p>\n

Princess Anne\u2019s daughter, Zara Tindall, has also visited the hotel with her husband, Mike Tindall. @mike_tindall12\/Instagram<\/p>\n

The luxe hotel boasts the American Bar, which has earned its stripes as one of only two original American Bars left in London to retain the name. The Stafford London<\/p>\n

The hotel features a discreet private tunnel that leads directly to the doors of St. James\u2019s Palace. BasPhoto \u2013 stock.adobe.com<\/p>\n

While the tunnel doorways are blocked up these days, the hotel now boasts an impressive 380-year-old wine cellar that dates back to the 17th century. The Stafford London<\/p>\n

The tunnel also moonlights as a hidden gem for private tastings, intimate events, and dining experiences. The Stafford London<\/p>\n

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 artifacts from that era still proudly displayed in the cellar today.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

The luxe hotel also boasts the American Bar \u2014 which has earned its stripes as one of only two original American Bars left in London to retain the name.<\/p>\n

The dimly-lit bar is adorned with souvenirs brought by visitors and celebrities from all over the world.<\/p>\n

Former US President Ronald Reagan had famously stayed at the hotel before his election. Getty Images<\/p>\n

The Stafford London welcomes around 70% of its guests from the US. The Stafford London<\/p>\n

Located in the heart of London within the prestigious St. James\u2019s neighborhood, the hotel boasts 105 rooms and suites. The Stafford London<\/p>\n

David Beckham has frequented the hotel on several occasions, and famously met up for lunch at the American Bar with none other than Prince William. CYRIL PECQUENARD\/SIPA\/Shutterstock<\/p>\n

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In addition to a signed pair of boxing gloves gifted by Holyfield during the 2012 Olympic Games, the bar also features a signed photograph from Clint Eastwood asking to \u201csave a pint\u201d for him.<\/p>\n

Crosby, for his part, regularly stayed at the Stafford whenever he was visiting London. During his visits, he would often challenge the then-general manager to a round of golf, with ashtrays used as holes.<\/p>\n

As for the hotel itself, the luxe establishment \u2014 which was originally built as private residences more than 300 years ago \u2014 is mostly catered to American travelers.<\/p>\n

Not only is each room equipped with US power adapters, but the hotel\u2019s concierge is known to hold the key to the city when it comes to dining, nightlife and the dazzling West End.<\/p>\n

The hotel also offers rooms in the Carriage House, which are former stables that have been converted into luxe suites. The Stafford London<\/p>\n

Prince Harry is known to have stayed at the hotel in years past. AP<\/p>\n

The hotel, part of the Stafford Collection, has recently marked a major culinary milestone with the opening of its new restaurant offering. The Stafford London<\/p>\n

Zara and Mike Tindall paid a visit to the hotel in 2022 to celebrate the late Queen\u2019s Platinum Jubilee. @mike_tindall12\/Instagram<\/p>\n

Located in the heart of London within the prestigious St. James\u2019s neighborhood, the hotel boasts 105 rooms and suites, including the all-suite Stafford Mews building and the Carriage House, which are converted former stables.<\/p>\n

The hotel, part of the Stafford Collection, has recently marked a major culinary milestone with the opening of its new restaurant offering.<\/p>\n

Michelin-starred chef Michael Caines MBE has launched his London residency at the property, bringing his signature modern European cuisine to the capital. The menu showcases the finest British seasonal produce, reflecting Caines\u2019 celebrated culinary style.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Few hotels can boast a neighbor as iconic as Buckingham Palace, but The Stafford London goes one step…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":480394,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7757],"tags":[748,2633,74918,393,2915,4884,10238,388,257,16,15],"class_list":{"0":"post-480393","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-london","8":"tag-britain","9":"tag-buckingham-palace","10":"tag-celebrity-vacations","11":"tag-england","12":"tag-exclusive","13":"tag-great-britain","14":"tag-hotels","15":"tag-lifestyle","16":"tag-london","17":"tag-uk","18":"tag-united-kingdom"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@uk\/115332911204955118","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/480393","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=480393"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/480393\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/480394"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=480393"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=480393"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=480393"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}