Great Scot!
Sally Trelford enjoys the luxury and history on offer at a property with one of the most famous addresses in the capital, the Great Scotland Yard Hotel.
A stately and elegant Victorian and Edwardian Grade II listed building of red brick, Portland stone and famous green doors that date from 1874, the Great Scotland Yard hotel is nestled just south of Trafalgar Square in the heart of London.
Now a five-star Hyatt Unbound Collection property, it offers 151 rooms and suites and a 220 sqm event space called Grace & Favour.
There is no sweeping lobby on entering but instead a series of cosy, stylish - and bustling on a Thursday early evening - series of small bars.
The SÃbÃn Speakeasy – named for the illicit Irish home-brewed whiskey – can be used for private events for up to 45. The Parlour is ideal for Afternoon Tea while cocktails are also served in the intriguingly named The 40 Elephants.
The 40 Elephants were an all-female gang of thieves operating expertly from the late 19th century to the 1950s, hailing from Elephant & Castle. Famous for avoiding police detection, the women were renowned for shoplifting on a vast scale from West End stores and masquerading as maids before ransacking grand houses. This has given the interior designer lots to play with and artefacts and pictures adorn the bar.
In fact there are lots of lovely design features throughout the hotel including attractive artwork. But it is the history here that is so fascinating and will ensure event organisers are spoilt for choice choosing themes.
It is thought that the name Scotland Yard originates from when this area within the Palace of Whitehall was used as a sort of Scottish embassy, housing kings and dignitaries. In 1515, Mary Tudor, Queen of Scots, was lodged here while later famous residents include architects Inigo Jones and Christopher Wren along with poet John Milton. Charles Dickens was a regular to the street and the location was made infamous in the writings of Arthur Conan Doyle. It was in the 19th century that the Metropolitan Police Service moved in and the name Scotland Yard has stuck ever since.
The current building, completed in 1910, served as a British Army Recruitment Office during both World Wars.
Situated in the hotel’s lower levels and accessed by a lift from the lobby, Grace & Favour is a modern, high-tech event space with a cinema-size LCD screen that can accommodate up to 140 at a reception. There is also an adjacent Townhouse, while flagship restaurant Ekstedt brings Michelin starred chef Niklas Ekstedt's signature ‘old Nordic’ cooking style to the UK for the first time.
