The Ritz London: Setting the Standard in Splendor
The Ritz London is one of the most iconic hotels in the world, opened in 1906 by Swiss hotelier César Ritz. A Forbes Travel Guide Verified Luxury property, it sets the standard in splendor with its over-the-top Louis XVI-style décor, gold accents, and painted-sky ceilings. From The Rivoli Bar's vintage cocktails (Sazerac with Louis XIII cognac) to The Ritz Restaurant's gilded bronze garlands, from the strict dress code to the Kidz@TheRitz program, The Ritz London is the epitome of British luxury.
🏅 Our Inspector's Highlights
Louis XVI Splendor
Rich Louis XVI-style décor, antique furniture, gold accents, and painted-sky ceilings with plump clouds and gold chandeliers.
The Rivoli Bar: Vintage Cocktails
Art-deco-influenced bar with rare spirits. Classic Sazerac with Louis XIII cognac or Woodford Reserve’s Master’s Collection, Peychaud’s bitters, sugar, and 1950s absinthe.
Prime Piccadilly Location
Minutes from Buckingham Palace, Piccadilly Circus, and Bond Street's high-end shopping (Gucci, Prada).
Strict Dress Code
Men must wear jackets and ties; women should choose tasteful dresses or slacks for afternoon tea and meals in The Ritz Restaurant.
Kidz@TheRitz Program
Children become members, receiving a "Very Important Kid Card," welcome gift, free ice cream, kiddie-sized bathrobes and slippers, and milk and cookies at turndown.
👗 Strict Dress Code: Jackets & Ties Required
The Ritz maintains a strict dress code in its restaurants and lounges. Men must wear jackets and ties, and women should choose tasteful dresses or slacks for afternoon tea in The Palm Court and meals in The Ritz Restaurant. If you like understated elegance, this isn’t your hotel — this is the spot for those who enjoy over-the-top experiences.
👶 Kidz@TheRitz: Family-Friendly Luxury
While the formal atmosphere doesn’t translate to family-friendly, the luxury hotel tries to make up for it with its Kidz@TheRitz program. All children who check in become members and receive perks like a “Very Important Kid Card,” a welcome gift, free ice cream, kiddie-sized bathrobes and slippers, and milk and cookies at turndown.
🍸 The Rivoli Bar: Art Deco & Vintage Cocktails
The only departure from the decadent Louis XVI design style at the London hotel is the art-deco-influenced Rivoli Bar. A Murano glass chandelier hangs from each of the five gilded ceiling domes, while dark burr camphor wood walls with gold horizontal stripes hold framed metallic art and flower-like glass sconces. Don’t miss the vintage cocktails list — try the Sazerac with Louis XIII cognac.
🛌 Rooms: Louis XVI Décor & Asprey Purple Water
The Ritz London’s distinctive guest rooms look like they are from belle époque France with Louis XVI-influenced décor and furniture. The large off-white room has gold accents all over it — including a gold ring on top of the ceiling’s crown molding and an “X” pattern on the bottom, cream furniture with gold details and knobs, and a gold square umbrella holder. Near the desk is a mauve marble fireplace. The sumptuous bathrooms are covered in white and mauve marble complemented by gold fixtures. A gold tray in the vanity holds luxurious Asprey Purple Water products.
🍽️ Culinary Excellence: The Ritz Restaurant & Palm Court
- 🍽️ The Ritz Restaurant – Overloads on opulence with gilded bronze garland and chandeliers circling a painted-sky ceiling and a wall of mirrors. A truly over-the-top dining experience.
- 🍰 The Palm Court – The centerpiece is the gold woman statue sitting and looking up at gold angels. Famous for afternoon tea — remember the strict dress code.
🏛️ The Look: Louis XVI Grandeur & Art Deco Bar
The main floor is filled with grand Louis XVI-style décor, cream stone archways with gold borders, and gold chandeliers. Maroon upholstered light wood chairs and navy sofas surround marble-topped gold tables. Gold sconces with mini lampshades emit a soft glow, as do the lamps with red shades lined with gold fringe. The only departure from this decadent style is the art-deco-influenced Rivoli Bar.
📍 150 Piccadilly, London — Heart of the West End
Located on Piccadilly, the hotel is minutes from Buckingham Palace, Piccadilly Circus, Green Park, and Bond Street's high-end shopping (Gucci, Prada). The hotel's central location makes it ideal for exploring London's most prestigious neighborhoods.
📞 TEL: +44 20 7493 8181
✈️ Arrival: Approximately 45 minutes from London Heathrow Airport (LHR) by car.
All inspector’s highlights, verified luxury status, and hotel details are sourced from Forbes Travel Guide. The original page includes exclusive editorial insights and verified distinctions.
Why The Ritz London is the World's Most Iconic Over-the-Top Hotel
The Ritz London is not for the faint of heart — it's for those who revel in over-the-top splendor. The Louis XVI décor, gold accents, and painted-sky ceilings are unapologetically opulent. The Rivoli Bar's vintage cocktails (Sazerac with Louis XIII cognac) are legendary. The strict dress code ensures a formal, glamorous atmosphere. And the Kidz@TheRitz program makes it surprisingly family-friendly. As a Forbes Travel Guide Verified Luxury property, The Ritz London delivers an experience that is both historic and extravagant — a true icon on Piccadilly.
Whether you're sipping a Sazerac in the Rivoli Bar, enjoying afternoon tea in the Palm Court, or simply admiring the gold chandeliers, this hotel offers an unforgettable immersion into the grandeur of belle époque London.
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