Great Scot!

That is … the Great Scotland Yard Hotel.

It’s been a little while since we did a London staycation and we were excited to check out this hotel in one of London’s most historic and cherished buildings which is neither in Scotland nor in a yard.

Instead it is in a handsome Edwardian building that stands on the site of the former headquarters of the Metropolitan Police. Its fascinating history was the inspiration for the hotel design.

As soon as we entered the lobby, we knew this was going to be an interesting staycation.

The interiors are decorated with delicate nods to the building’s history, making the place feel arty and historic.

There are displays on famous London criminals, police uniforms, the Met Police badge, etc.

In the lobby there’s also a poignant collection of artworks created by current offenders collated by the charity Koestler Arts.

Artwork: Inside, The Koestler Arts Installation The items are made by detainees in prisons and juvenile detention centres throughout the UK.

Besides it being an interesting venue, we were also invited to try out their Dog Afternoon Tea served in The Parlour.

The Dog Afternoon Tea at Great Scotland Yard Hotel is in partnership with Talula Eats which serves handcraft gourmet organic dog food and sweet treats from their kitchen in Fitzrovia.

We felt transported away by the interiors in The Parlour Room which was inspired by the Imperial Hotel Delhi for its opulence and sense of tradition along with influences from the East India Company.

After we’ve enjoyed our Afternoon Tea, we retired to our room. As we exited the lifts, we were greeted by more delightful art installations and opulent blue bedroom doors.

We were hoping to check out The Yard, their flagship restaurant with Michelin starred chef Niklas Ekstedt’s signature style of wood fired ‘old Nordic’ cooking, but it was closed on the Sunday evening. But we were delighted to dine at 40 Elephants Bar.

You’re thinking, a rather curious name. As like everything in the hotel, it references to the building’s past. 40 Elephants refers to a notorious band of female criminals from Elephant and Castle who operated throughout the region from the late 19th century until after the 2nd World War.

Mum said the food was delicious!

The next morning we were able to have breakfast at The Yard. Who knew dried flowers could be trendy again?

The hotel is full of stories and things to discover, just like we discovered the delightful whiskey bar, Sibín (illicit whiskey), hidden behind a false bookcase.

A Síbín was originally an illicit bar or club where excisable alcoholic drinks were sold without a licence.

I think we have inundated you with lots of pictures and information but there’s so much more that we can’t even begin to share. All the details … a feast for the eyes.

You’ve just got to go check it out when you are in London.

May’s comment: The Great Scotland Yard Hotel is in an 1820’s Grade II listed building with Edwardian and Victorian architecture situated in the heart of Westminster. This is part of the Unbound Collection by Hyatt, a thoughtful curation of stories.

My favourite photo from our stay was taken at 40 Elephants bar.

The portrait in the middle is of Lilian Rose Kendall, known as the Bobbed-Haired Bandit because of her short fringe and side curls. She specialised in smash-and-grab raids and took over the gang while leader Alice Diamond was in prison.

The bar pays homage to The 40 Elephants, a notorious all female crime syndicate operating between 1873 and the 1950s. They were led by their ‘Queen’ Alice Diamond. Her all-female gang was known as The 40 Elephants because they all lived within half a mile of the Elephant & Castle pub in Southwark, and partly because when they waddled out of shops laden with stolen merchandise, the women joked that they looked like elephants. 

Great Scotland Yard Hotel – 3-5 Great Scotland Yard, London SW1 2HN