Carlton Hotel
Nowhere has more fashionable hotels to offer than London’s West End, which boasts some of the most aristocratic and expensive hotels in the capital. Most of them provide an exceptionally luxurious experience and are of excellent quality. The newly-erected Carlton Hotel, however, has been described the most perfect, up-to-date, refined, and well-equipped hotel in all of Europe. It is managed by M. Ritz, of the Hôtel Ritz, Paris, and M. Echenard, of the Hôtel Louvre and Paix, Marseilles, two of the world’s most renowned hoteliers, and thus a guarantee for the Carlton’s success.
The Carlton Hotel under construction, June 1898
The finished Hotel, July 1899
At the corner of Haymarket and Pall Mall, the Carlton Hotel is conveniently located in the heart of the city’s West End. Anyone who walks past this architectural triumph will find it a most attractive sight and will agree with those commentators applauding its architects, who have indeed excelled all previous efforts. The interior arrangements, too, will leave visitors to this formidable hotel enchanted. The Carlton’s decoration is most sophisticated – simple yet refined, subtle yet artistic – and certainly more pleasing to the cultured eye than the profusion of ornate detail so frequently demonstrated by other luxury establishments. The sanitation is of the highest standard and guests will feel utterly safe, as the numerous precautions against fire are superior to any other hotel.
The Palm Court is a genuine marvel. In this large and lofty drawing room – a favourite resort of the fashionable – guests avail themselves after dinner for conversation and to listen to a tasteful band. With its marble pilasters, the guilt cornice, Oriental rugs, magnificent palm trees, and exquisite furniture, the Palm Court is a spectacular sight in itself, and has indeed become one of the most attractive resorts of London, incomparable to any other hotel in the world. The restaurant, too, is justly celebrated. A particular amenity is offered for visitors to the Haymarket Theatre, for whom there is the option of a late supper after the performance has ended.
A stay, or a visit to the famed restaurant and Palm Court, at the Carlton Hotel is thus highly recommended. It is undoubtedly one of the most sumptuous as well as one of the most modern and successful establishment of its kind in all of London.
Rooms from 7s 6d. (single), 12s 6d. (double), 30s (suite of apartments, charges include bath, electric light and attendance).
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Breakfast 3s 6d., Lunch 5s., Dinner 7s 6d., ‘Carlton Supper’ in Grand Restaurant 5s.*
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*A note on currency: l. = pound, s. = shilling, d. = penny
The Palm Court at the Carlton Hotel: A Popular Resort for Fashionable Society
For anyone desiring to learn more about luxury hotels, please visit Grands Hotels
The Carlton Hotel remained successful until the Second World War, when it was badly damaged by bombing during the Blitz in 1940. Only the American bar and grill toom reopened, while the rest of the building was used as offices by the British government. After its demolition in 1957, the High Commission of New Zealand was built on the site. Today, nothing reminds of the splendour of past days.
