You know what struck me first about St. James’ Court? It’s tucked right behind Buckingham Palace on this quiet stretch of Buckingham Gate, but somehow it doesn’t feel touristy at all. I mean, you’re literally a two-minute walk from the palace gardens, yet when you step inside, there’s this surprisingly intimate vibe that feels more like a well-kept secret than a typical London hotel.
The Taj group really gets hospitality – there’s something distinctly warm about the service here that feels genuinely Indian rather than just polite and British. The lobby has this gorgeous courtyard feel with all the original Victorian architecture intact, but they’ve layered in these rich fabrics and subtle spice-market colors that somehow work perfectly together. Honestly, I’ve stayed in plenty of London hotels where the “historic charm” feels forced, but this place actually earned its character over time. The rooms vary quite a bit since it’s a converted row of townhouses – some have those lovely high ceilings and tall windows overlooking the courtyard, while others are cozier with original fireplaces that actually work (though you probably won’t need them except in proper winter).
What I really appreciate is how they’ve thought about the practical stuff too. The St. James’s Park tube stop is right there, which gets you anywhere in central London without dealing with the chaos around Victoria Station – though honestly, you could walk to most places you’d want to see anyway. Westminster Abbey is five minutes on foot, and if you cut through St. James’s Park (which you absolutely should), you’ll hit Trafalgar Square in about fifteen minutes. The neighborhood gets pretty quiet after the office crowd clears out around 7 PM, so you won’t have drunk tourists stumbling around outside your window at midnight like you would near Leicester Square. They’ve got valet parking if you’re brave enough to drive in central London, but really, you don’t need a car here. The afternoon tea service is actually worth doing – I know, I know, tourist trap alert – but their version feels more authentic and less rushed than the famous hotel spots everyone talks about. Plus, that 8.4 rating isn’t just for show; the staff genuinely seems to remember your preferences, and housekeeping pays attention to details like actually replacing the coffee pods and not just straightening the bed. It’s one of those places where the four-star rating feels honest rather than inflated, if that makes sense.