The Goring, this is the London hotel that Queen Elizabeth liked the most

There are many things that Queen Elizabeth II liked to do when she was not at her favorite castle, Balmoral (Scotland), and stayed in London: stroll through the Fortnum & Mason department store, enjoy a smoked eel foam at Bellamy's ( in the Mayfair neighborhood) or taste your favorite eggs and lobster at The Goringthe closest hotel to Buckingham Palace and one of the favorites of British royalty since it opened its doors in 1910. This legendary accommodation in the British capital enjoys the rare privilege of being the only hotel to which the Queen granted, in 2013 , a Royal Warrant, royal distinction given by the British royal house for its hospitality services and which accredits them as official suppliers.

The last bastion of independent London hospitality was founded by a German, Otto Goring, who He moved to London in 1893 to work as a banquet waiter. A tireless worker, in 1910 he managed to open an establishment with only 50 rooms, whose ownership, to this day, continues to be held by the same family. The building was designed by architect John Evelyn Trollope, one of the greatest exponents of the Edwardian Baroque, and was the first hotel in the world to offer central heating and a bathroom in each room.

The Goring also had a prominent role during the war conflicts. Winston Churchill held meetings with the Allies in the Silver Room during the Second World War, while the Polish Army in exile was based upstairs. Even Churchill's mother, Jennie Spencer-Churchill, stayed there for a while. It was not only a fundamental enclave in wars, but also in celebrations. For example, in 1953, on the occasion of the coronation of Elizabeth II, it became an annex to Buckingham Palace and hosted many of the invited European royalty and aristocracy. Years later, the Middleton family would take over the hotel during Kate Middleton's royal wedding with William of England, current heir to the throne. The Royal Suite penthouse It was chosen by the now Princess of Wales to spend the night before her wedding on April 29, 2011. This 111 square meter room, designed by Russell Sage, displays unique royal objects, from handwritten letters to military clothing. One of the most curious pieces is the life-size portrait of Queen Victoria, located in the bathroom's double shower and protected by safety glass.

Eggs and champagne

The hotel's award-winning restaurant with a Michelin star and led by chef Richard Galli, has long enjoyed a great reputation for reinventing classic British cuisine. It is also one of the last London restaurants to serve roast beef ribs on a silver cart. During their visits, members of the Windsor household often ordered the same seafood dish made of eggs and lobster: the famous Drumkilbo eggs. This historic recipe, a favorite of both the Queen Mother and her daughter, Elizabeth II, has its origins in the kitchens of Drumkilbo House, in Perthshire, Scotland. All this in a very special environment, since the room, designed by David Linley, is inspired by a famous photograph of debutantes taken by Cecil Beaton.

The Goring has been perfecting the Afternoon Tea menu since it opened its doors more than a century ago, finishing off with a glass of Bollinger champagne, Elizabeth of England's favorite sparkling wine. The cocktails are made with more than a hundred different herbs collected from the hotel's own garden to create signature classics and old favorites, from the Rosehip Royale to the Coronation Cup (with gin and Dubonnet, other of the queen's classics).

Today the hotel's most famous guest is, without a doubt, the sheep Barbara. Guests told Otto Goring that when they stayed at his property they felt the peace and calm of a country hotel, due to the beautiful garden and quiet location in London's Belgravia district. The Goring's garden, measuring 41 x 30 square meters (larger than Wimbledon's center court), is the largest hotel garden in central London and has a full-time gardener. One day, while driving through Devon, Mr Goring came across the workshop of a craftsma
n who made wooden sheep from real sheep's wool. He acquired one, as he thought it gave life to the country atmosphere of the accommodation. The guests loved it and from then on the sheep Barbara It is part of the legendary stele of the place and the largest campaign of marketing orchestrated a century ago and unscathed until now.

But Barbara It is not the only illustrious animal in the hotel. In addition to being an international celebrity, the pony teddy (with 174,000 followers on your Instagram account) is another of its most beloved sporadic visitors. teddy It belongs to the Goring family and during some seasons it is housed in the garden on the ground floor. To celebrate their visits, a limited edition afternoon tea, Teddy the Shetland, is launched, with delicious cakes shaped like ponies, horseshoes and mini apple pies.

The love for animals is a constant in the decoration, as shown in the renovation of the lobby by the Fromental house, following the English landscape tradition. The wallpaper depicts animals from London Zoo escaping into the woods. One more curiosity? Kate Middleton herself was in charge of completing the figures of the Lion and the Unicorn that represent the royal coat of arms.

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