Looking to read a detailed St. James’ Court Taj Hotel review before booking your next trip to London? You’ve come to the right place.
St. James’ Court, the London outpost of the globally-renowned Taj Hotel family, offers luxurious accommodations and world-class dining in a uniquely historic setting. Its location in Westminster offers unrivalled proximity to some of London’s biggest royal hot spots, with Buckingham Palace and Westminster Abbey just steps away.
I spent 2 nights in a luxurious short-term suite at the property. My review of St. James’ Court Hotel in London features info on the property’s accommodation options, spa services, restaurants, and on-site amenities.
Book A Luxurious Getaway at St. James’ Court in London
St. James’ Court is an elegant luxury hotel that marries plush historic surroundings and attentive service with a unique artistic and culinary flair that infuses all of the Mumbai-based Taj Hotel properties.
While St. James’ Court Hotel is focused primarily on short-term hotel stays, its sister property, Taj 51 Buckingham Gate Suites and Residences, offers a mix of long-term accommodations as well as permanent residences.
St. James’ Court is located in Westminster, a central London district that serves as the home of the English government and royalty, as well as a number of globally renowned attractions. Buckingham Palace is a 10-minute walk to the northwest, while Westminster Abbey, Trafalgar Square, Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament lie to the northeast.
The hotel is easily accessible via London’s subway system, with the St. James Park tube station located a few blocks north.
The heritage property that houses St. James’ Court and Taj 51 Buckingham Gate dates all the way back to Tudor-era England. Lord Dacre, a treasurer to the Queen, built charitable housing on the site to house underprivileged children—a project said to have been ‘the most picturesque almshouses in London’.
Over two centuries later, in 1897, retired Major C.J. Chirney Pawley transformed the site with the construction of eight magnificent red-brick townhouses, which he envisioned as an oasis for the local and international elite.
The buildings—each created as a self-contained residence, adjoined by a courtyard—were festooned with architectural touches, including turrets, balconies, scrollwork and stunning sea-green glazed tiles. These touches are still visible in the complex’s stunning courtyard, including the world’s longest Shakespearean frieze carved into the exterior of the buildings, depicting tableaux from the Bard’s plays.
The complex served as private homes for some time, including serving as Winston Churchill’s residence, with the Taj Hotel’s parent company eventually acquiring the buildings in 1982. Since then the hotel has undergone transformative upgrades, including the launch of a number of new facilities and an ongoing total renovation of the hotel’s rooms.
Checking In At St. James’ Court London, A Taj Hotel
The hotel’s entrance is in a handsome red-brick building off Buckingham Gate, where helpful butlers will assist you with your bags.
The scent of jasmine—a signature at all Taj Hotel properties—greets you as you walk into the lobby. Check-in desks span the striking space, with high-backed armchairs, inlaid stone sunburst floors and sculptural silver dividers bringing bold textural interest to the lobby.
Ever-changing seasonal decor adds a touch of whimsy to the stately surroundings. During my visit, the lobby featured opulent chocolate Easter displays by hotel chefs Mayank and Dharma, whom you might recognize from The Great British Bake-Off.
Past the check-in area is The Hamptons bar, an intimate spot for drinks, tapas, and espresso—complete with grand piano.
After checking in, I was shown personally to my room by the helpful front desk staff—a helpful and useful gesture, given the multi-building layout of the property. I also got my first glimpse at the stunning courtyard, with its 120-year-old cherub fountain and Easter-ready topiaries.
St. James’ Court London Review Highlights
London is one of the world’s most enduring cultural and commercial hubs, and along with Rome, Berlin and Lisbon, stands at the top of the list of Europe’s top tourist destinations.
Before booking your trip, here are a list of highlights that make St. James’ Court in London stand out from the rest:
- St. James’ Court, A Taj Hotel, is one of the most luxurious hotels in the city, located just steps from Buckingham Palace.
- The 329-room, 5-star property features top-flight service, award-winning restaurants, a destination spa and a gorgeous courtyard space.
- The hotel occupies a series of historic red-brick townhouses dating back hundreds of years, complete with architectural details like a rare Shakespearean frieze.
- The hotel spa—part of the Taj Hotel group’s global family of spas—is an ideal spot for a relaxation session, with a wide range of skin treatments inspired by Indian wellness practices. Leave extra time to visit the steam room.
- Fitness buffs will be set for their holiday with a compact but well-appointed gym that includes a dozen strength and cardio machines (complete with video screens), hand weights, mats and more.
- The hotel is a food lover’s paradise, featuring four food & beverage concepts—including the Michelin star-winning Quilon and wildly popular House of Ming.
- The hotel’s concierge team—members of the prestigious international Les Clefs d’Or organization—are ready to help deliver customized experiences to their guests.
Accommodation Options
The most important question you have to ask yourself when reading a St. James’ Court Hotel review is: “What type of accommodation is the best fit for my trip?”
This London luxury hotel boasts 329 well-appointed rooms, suites and penthouses, with a broad selection of room sizes and layouts available—including accommodations tailored towards disabled travellers and families.
My Premium suite featured a king-size bed and comfy armchairs, all done up in a lively-yet-refined grey, lime and amethyst colour scheme, with touches of leather and velvet. A bowl of fresh fruit greeted me upon arrival, as well as a small selection of fine chocolates. Guests are able to order room service at any time of day.
Adjoining the room was a spacious bathroom, tiled in polished stone, with two sinks and a standing shower. Molton Brown toiletries are provided to all guests, along with a number of courtesy accessories. Guests can enjoy a bath menu and bath salts upon request.
The comfy mattress and high-quality sheets made for a comfortable sleep on their own, but St. James’ Court also offers the option of softer and harder beds, as well as a pillow menu, for more discerning travellers. Note that some sections of the hotel face onto a neighbouring school, so those requiring quiet during the day may want to inquire about room placement while booking.
Taj 51 Buckingham Gate Suites and Residences London
Connected to the St. James’ Court Hotel by a stunning historic courtyard, Taj 51 Buckingham Suites and Residences is devoted to longer-term stays and permanent homes. Fittingly for an address that was once a destination for nobility and visiting elite, Taj 51 Buckingham Suites counts celebrities, state delegations and top business executives among its clientele.
Each of the Taj 51 Buckingham Gate’s luxe rooms feature between one and six bedrooms, plus expansive living areas and fully equipped kitchens. Among the most notable offerings: The riotously colourful “Cinema Suite”, designed by famed fashion designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee.
J Wellness Circle Spa & St. James’ Court Hotel Gym
Ranked as one of the best hotel spas in London, J Wellness Circle at the St. James’ Court Hotel is the only European location of the Taj Hotel’s family of signature luxury spas.
Nestled into the lower level of one of the property’s red-brick townhouses, the J Wellness Circle encompasses a warrenlike network of luxurious treatment rooms that are open to both hotel guests and locals. Operated in partnership with British lifestyle brand TempleSpa, the facility blends traditional Indian treatments with Mediterranean-inspired products.
The menu includes a selection of treatments and rituals drawn from ancient healing and wellness practices in India. These body rituals use Indian herbs, essential oils and botanicals to create a number of luxurious experiences, from massages and facials to body wraps and couples’ experiences. Meanwhile, Mediterranean-inspired treatments include a 90-minute luxury champagne and truffle facial (billed as the “crème de la crème of facials” by the spa staff).
Available facilities include two single treatment rooms, one couple suite, a vitality pool, steam sauna and shower, and separate changing rooms for men and women. Robes, towels, slippers, and personal amenities are provided in locker rooms, along with use of Dyson hair dryers.
I was treated to an Aromatherapy massage, which began with a cup of signature basil, lime leaf and jaggery tea. The therapist handling my massage, Dulley, took the time to inquire about which areas of tension I was experiencing, and after I lowered myself down onto the heated bed, made sure to check in frequently about whether she was using the right amount of pressure. After an hour of being massaged head to toe with Relaxation Blend oils—and jasmine oil, a Taj signature scent—I walked out with a welcome reprieve from my post-flight muscle kinks.
Adjoining the spa is a small but mighty 24-hour fitness centre, which includes a dozen or so modern machines, from treadmills and exercise bikes (complete with screens) to weight and rowing machines. Rounding out the offerings are hand weights, mats and exercise balls. Personal trainers are available to design personalized fitness plans, and private yoga sessions can be organized on demand.
Guests are able to use the spa and fitness facilities, while non-guests can purchase a three-hour pass.
St. James’ Court Hotel Restaurants
No review of St. James’ Court Hotel would be complete without a spotlight on the world-class dining options, which stand apart even in the city’s crowded culinary scene.
The hotel boasts 4 unique culinary concepts, from Michelin-starred dining at Quilon to refined Chinese classics at House of Ming.
House of Ming
St. James’ Court is home to one of the buzziest restaurants in London—House of Ming, an opulent eatery inspired by regional Sichuan and Cantonese cooking.
The interior, designed by Atelier Wren, features a series of cozy yet stately rooms swathed in fresh greens, red velvet and rich gold underneath hand-painted ceilings. Parties of two can even snuggle into a booth curtained in velvet to enjoy their meal.
The menu is broad, spanning from dim sum and small plates to indulgent, shareable mains, with standouts in every section; the Yu Xian black cod, fried lotus root and cumin lamb are all perennial favourites. Vegetarians and vegans are also kept top of mind with a number of options.
We opted for the soft-shell crab—which came hot and crisp, laced with spices, chili and green onion—and an order of Peking duck, featuring a platter of tender meat with pancakes for wrapping and a rich, sweet sauce. Service was extremely attentive and accommodating.
The drinks program at House of Ming runs the gamut from small-producer wines to an ever-changing cocktail menu, with seasonal specials—including Dragon Boat Festival-themed cocktails and a Mid-Autumn Festival special—on their way.
Tea lovers and those in search of a non-alcoholic pairing will love the selections from the restaurant’s own Tea Sommelier; sniff the samples enclosed in their tea menu, and the perfect blend will soon be on its way to your table.
TH@51
An all-day eatery and cocktail bar located in the St. James’ Court Hotel, TH@51 is devoted to delivering a globally-inspired menu of food and cocktails with a creative spin.
The vibe at TH@51 is fresh, laid-back and modern, with blond wood and pale pinks playing off the glass-paneled gazebo that offers diners a charming view of the courtyard. (Spot London icons, like Amy Winehouse, Freddie Mercury and Alexander McQueen, painted into the floral mural at the entrance.)
True to the Taj Hotel brand, TH@51’s menu draws inspiration from Indian cuisine, merging classic dishes with global influences to create novel dishes like the burrata and kale chaat with fried kale and mint- tamarind chutney, or a paneer Wellington with mascarpone makhana. The bar menu continues the global theme, with Bar Manager Riccardo Lupacchini’s sustainable cocktails grouped into sections that represent the Earth’s biomes.
TH@51 is also home to the St. James Court Hotel’s daily brunch buffet, where Indian favourites like kitchiri sit alongside everything from hot breakfast dishes to cured fish, fruit, and fresh pastries. Plated breakfast entrees reflecting TH@51’s signature approach to fusion are also available.
Kona
In contrast to TH@51’s more modern atmosphere, Kona—located in the Taj 51 Buckingham Gate Suites, across from the St. James’ Court Hotel—offers a genteel, refined experience, the perfect setting for afternoon tea.
Visitors have two tea options to choose from on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. On my visit, I enjoyed the Secret Garden Afternoon Tea, a service inspired by the classic children’s novel, which transports diners to a Yorkshire garden.
The surprises began immediately, with a hidden secret nestled inside the garden gate-shaped menu, before my dining companion and I were presented with a chocolate key, hidden underneath biscuit soil and edible flowers inside a wooden box.
Sweets and savoury sandwiches arrived next, each fitting the theme. Highlights included a lychee-rose confection with glistening dewdrops piped onto the surface, and an edible flowerpot filled with brownie and chocolate mousse. Rounding things out were berry scones—complete with a plant mister full of elderflower syrup—plus delicious teas from Bird & Blend Tea Co.
If you’d rather transport yourself to India for an afternoon, the Jasmine Indian Afternoon offers a variety of luxuriously spiced treats. On the savoury side, there’s masala mutton pinwheel sandwiches and paneer-stuffed filo pastries; sweet options include raspberry-cheesecake candy floss, motichur shrikhand chocolate cups and chamcham eclairs.
A plated breakfast is also offered at Kona, with the menu offering standards like Benedicts alongside novel options like a Mediterranean full English, plus Indian dishes like masala omelettes and stuffed parathas.
Quilon
Located adjacent to the St. James’ Court Hotel in the Taj 51 Buckingham Gate Suites and Residences, Quilon became the first South Indian restaurant in the world to win a Michelin star in 2008—an award it has maintained to this day.
Chef Sriram Aylur’s sharing-oriented menu is devoted to showcasing the diversity of flavour native to India’s southwest coast. Seafood, naturally, is at the core of the menu—but game and vegetarian dishes, naturally, also shine.
The restaurant is a prime destination at dinner—as is the exclusive private dining room, which features its own separate entrance, bar and kitchen, a natural extension of the Taj 51 Buckingham Gate Suites and Residences’ elite client base.
Alternatively, stop by for a weekend brunch, or drop in to Quilon’s Q Bar to check out the award-winning beer and wine lists, or grab a signature Qojito (green chili infused vodka, mint and lemon).
Fun Things To Do In London
Of course, any list of London tourist attractions and activities is going to be incomplete—you could live in the city for years and still only see a fraction of what’s there—but here’s a few of my personal favourites:
- Victoria & Albert Museum: The V&A (as it’s known) is the world’s largest museum of applied arts, decorative arts and design, spanning over 5,000 years of art, history and cultural artifacts from all over the world. Best of all? Like many of London’s museums, it’s free to visit.
- Tate Modern: From Yves Klein’s radioactive-blue canvases to Marcel Duchamp’s famous urinal “readymade”, the Tate is packed with works from modern-art heavy-hitters and new voices alike.
- Queer Britain: Schedule an hour to check out this minuscule-yet-moving tribute to British gay and trans history. (The “times you will weep per square foot” ratio is unrivalled.)
- St. James’ Park: Staying at the St. James’ Court Hotel? Take a quick detour north to stroll through the city’s oldest royal park, adjoining Buckingham Palace, and spot swans, pelicans, and even parrots.
- Brick Lane: Treasure hunters and art lovers should pop northeast to this gritty neighbourhood, where you can browse Europe’s largest indoor vintage market, check out street art, and refuel with a curry or a salt beef beigel sandwich.
- Pick & Cheese Seven Dials: Ever wanted to visit a conveyor belt sushi restaurant in Japan? Picture that—but with samples of British cheeses paired with nuts, pickles and preserves, all in a hip food hall setting.
- Portobello Road: A non-negotiable must-visit for vintage lovers, this open-air market takes over a stretch of Notting Hill every day of the week.
St. James’ Court Hotel Contact
54 Buckingham Gate, London, +44 20-7834 6655
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