Admiralty Arch – the grand ceremonial gateway between Trafalgar Square and Buckingham Palace – is becoming a Waldorf Astoria. Here’s what to expect.
For over a century, Admiralty Arch has been one of London’s most photographed landmarks and least accessible interiors. That changes this autumn, when the Grade I-listed monument – commissioned by King Edward VII in honour of Queen Victoria and designed by Sir Aston Webb – opens as the Waldorf Astoria London, Admiralty Arch, offering 114 rooms inside one of the capital’s most quietly commanding addresses.
The building has been meticulously restored, and the naval heritage that runs through its history is woven into the guest experience. Signature accommodations include the Nelson Suite and the Victory Residence, while a 3,540-square-foot ballroom crowned with a nine-metre Murano chandelier sets the tone for the kind of occasion the space was always built for. In the kitchens, the hotel has recruited seriously: Michelin-starred chefs Clare Smyth and Daniel Boulud are both involved in the dining programme.
Dino Michael, senior vice president of Hilton’s luxury brands, describes the project as “a rare convergence of history, place and possibility.” General manager Guillaume Marly is equally clear about the ambition, to make the space feel “unmistakably London: historic in stature, contemporary in spirit.”
The hotel opens autumn 2026, with reservations now available for stays from 2027.
