Last Updated on July 3, 2026
Indian Hospitality meets Classic London
St. James’ Court, A Taj Hotel, brings a touch of Indian Hospitality to central London. Part of the prestigious Taj group, which traces its roots back to the opening of the iconic Taj Mahal Palace in Mumbai in 1903, the hotel occupies a grand Victorian building in the heart of Westminster, arranged around a particularly charming courtyard.
St. James’ Court boasts a prime location within easy reach of Victoria Station, the West End and Mayfair, while some of London’s most iconic landmarks, including Buckingham Palace and St James’s Park, are right on its doorstep. Blending Victorian architecture with the Taj brand’s own heritage style, it offers an ideal base for travellers seeking a classic London experience with all the modern comforts.
We arrived on what felt like one of the wettest days of the year, greeted by door attendants in top hats who whisked us from the rain beneath umbrellas and through the revolving glass doors.
Inside a slick lobby, with a marble floor, brass touches and a striking red floral display. The reception staff were professional and helpful, and our bags were swiftly delivered to our room.
But what sets this hotel apart is its beautiful central courtyard, framed by tall red-brick Victorian buildings, with an ornate foundation at its centre, surrounded by seating areas and plenty of greenery, and offering direct access to the hotel’s main dining room. When the sun chose to break through and the skies turned blue, it looked glorious.
Accommodation
The hotel’s 329 rooms and suites are spread across eight floors, all accessible by lift, and range from Classic and Executive rooms to spacious Premier categories. We stayed in a Classic corner room on the third floor, overlooking the courtyard.
Elegantly designed in calming shades of sage green, with jewel-coloured cushions, floor-to-ceiling drapes, plush carpeting and a comfortable double bed with a leather headboard. Amenities included tea- and coffee-making facilities, a desk, a television, wardrobe space, and an upholstered armchair. The contemporary bathroom, finished in sleek grey tones, was stocked with luxurious Molton Brown toiletries, soft bathrobes and slippers.
Restaurants & Bars
St James‘ Court offers a host of different dining venues. For those seeking something special, Quilon looks amazing, a Michelin-starred restaurant that takes diners on a culinary journey through southwest India. The House of Ming also looks rather good; it serves refined Sichuan and Cantonese cuisine in a smart restaurant. However, it’s closed on Tuesdays, which happened to be the night of our stay.
Kona is home to the hotel’s popular afternoon tea and has also recently launched Le Petit Chef. This fun, immersive dining experience uses 3D projection mapping and storytelling to bring a miniature chef to life. The experience is available from Friday to Sunday. The hotel is also set to unveil a stylish new bar, 1897.
TH@51 Restaurant & Bar is the hotel’s main dining venue, serving international cuisine and open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. You can walk in without a reservation, and when the weather is good, tables extend into the pretty courtyard. Breakfast was bustling during our stay, with a generous buffet alongside made-to-order dishes.
With just one night to enjoy the hotel, we quickly settled into our room before heading out to explore, admiring the grandeur of Buckingham Palace and strolling through St James’s Park in the rain. Returning to the comfort of the hotel, we made our way to TH@51 for dinner.
First, though, perfectly mixed dry martinis at the bar set the tone for the evening.
The restaurant has a relaxed atmosphere, with pale green walls, wooden tables and floor-to-ceiling glass doors opening onto a terrace for alfresco dining in warmer weather.
The à la carte menu caters to all tastes, from steaks and pasta to English classics, salads and Indian specialities. Keen to sample the restaurant’s signature Indian dishes, we followed the staff’s recommendations and were rewarded with an excellent meal.
We began with samosa chaat, featuring crisp samosas, crunchy apple, and pomegranate, with sweet tamarind, gentle spice, and cooling yoghurt. Next came charred chicken in a creamy coronation sauce, alongside plump prawns in an aromatic Malabar-style curry with lime pickle and sweet mango.
A yellow dal tadka, tempered with cumin, garlic and red chilli, was perfect for scooping up with garlic naan and fluffy rice. And to hit the sweet spot, a couple of classic Indian desserts, syrup-soaked gulab jamun and delicate rasmalai, served in fragrant saffron milk.
Facilities
For guests looking to unwind, the hotel’s Wellness Circle Spa combines Taj’s own Hospitality with treatments from British lifestyle brand Temple Spa. Facilities include treatment rooms, a vitality pool, a steam room, and a sauna, providing a peaceful retreat from the city’s bustle. For those keen to keep fit, the well-equipped Fitness Centre is just the place, with a range of Technogym equipment for a full-body workout.
St. James’ Court, A Taj Hotel, is ideally located for exploring London’s notable sights and is a wonderful choice for those seeking a touch of sophistication and life’s little luxuries in the heart of the city.
St. James’ Court, A Taj Hotel,
54 Buckingham Gate,
London SW1E 6AF
Tel: +44 20 7834 6655
stjamescourthotel.co.uk
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