The Gore London, a hotel that’s hosted the Rolling Stones, Coldplay and Oasis
This 130-year-old property has witnessed its fair share of shenanigans by the rich and famous. And it even has a Captain Cook connection.
There hasn’t been a food fight at The Gore since 1968 when the Rolling Stones held their “Beggars Banquet” launch party in its Victorian-era bar. The shenanigans erupted when custard pies were served for dessert, prompting Mick Jagger to plant one in the face of guitarist Brian Jones. According to hotel manager JJ Pollak, everyone joined in the fun, mainly targeting the Decca Records executives, who the band blamed for the album’s late release. Photographs from the wild night hang on the wood-panelled walls of Bar 190. As the closest place to grab a drink after a gig at the Royal Albert Hall, it remains a hangout for rock royalty, welcoming Oasis, Coldplay, Rod Stewart, Sting and David Bowie. Other customers have included famous actors, music moguls and politicians.
Built in 1892, the hotel was founded by sisters known as Miss Ada and Miss Fanny, who were descendants of Captain James Cook. A beacon of London’s historic hospitality, it began as a serviced residence for visitors to the Great Exhibition, attracting artists and aristocrats seeking to stay in the city’s most fashionable district. Originally two townhouses, the merged mansion provided horse-drawn carriages, a hydraulic lift, liveried staff and running hot and cold water, which were significant luxuries at the time. For four years, it was also used as the Turkish Embassy.
Under new ownership in the 1950s, The Gore’s more regal rooms were appointed. The Tudor Suite survives almost untouched, with magnificent stained-glass windows, vaulted oak-beamed ceilings, four-poster mahogany bed, and a stone fireplace discoloured by decades of smoke. A 15th-century minstrels’ gallery separates the living area from the ensuite, which retains a gleaming copper shower screen over a cast-iron bath. As the largest accommodation, occupying 32sq m, it comes with a welcome cocktail and bottle of wine, complimentary minibar, and the option to breakfast amid such vastness. A private staircase leads directly to the lobby, one floor below.
Walking around this storied property, the occasional creak of a floorboard is an aural reminder of its heritage. The visual proof is everywhere, from its ornate decor to its period features. Classical art, patterned tapestries, gilt mirrors and chandeliers uphold the heyday atmosphere. But the most striking communal space is the library, bathed on sunny days with golden light shining through three large windows. A lavish clash of blue walls, green sofas and an imposing mahogany bookcase filled with leather-bound books makes this room a delight. In one corner is an oil portrait of Dame Nellie Melba, who stayed at the hotel when performing at Royal Albert Hall. An extravagant suite named after the Australian soprano has a tented bed in an alcove, theatrically revealed behind silk drapes, and a bathtub flanked by bronze statues of David and Venus.
The junior suite named for Judy Garland boasts the film star’s own bed, transported from Hollywood to recreate a sense of home during her long stints in London. Donated to the hotel after an extended stay, the golden bedframe is positioned beneath a red velvet canopy. Guests in this room receive a bottle of Judy perfume and a cocktail inspired by the actress at Bar 190. Each of the 50 rooms is individually furnished with antique carved beds, original artworks and one-off designs. Among special touches are the peacock-patterned curtains in the Dame Edith Evans Suite, a mirrored headboard in the Lady Blessington Suite, and interiors modelled after Buckingham Palace in the Queen Victoria Suite.
The smallest room is a single, measuring 9sq m. Modern upgrades are minimal, such as USB outlets, smart TVs, retro-style radios, air-conditioning, and free wi-fi. Bathrooms are equipped with Penhaligon’s toiletries plus towels and bathrobes from a local luxury linens specialist. And on the ground floor is a refined restaurant, 190 Queen’s Gate. Named after the hotel’s address, it has long been known for its traditional Sunday lunch and pre-show dinners (from £30/$40 for two courses) with popular dishes such as spring vegetable vol-au-vent and roast turbot. The restaurant reopened in September with a new a la carte menu by head chef Frederick Forster, who previously led the esteemed Read’s in Faversham.
As a quintessentially British hotel, The Gore offers afternoon tea in the library, using the finest English china. Warm scones, pastries, savoury buns and finger sandwiches are made from local ingredients (£55). Cream tea (£15) is a lighter option of scones, jam and clotted cream. Small-batched loose-leaf tea is sourced from the family-run Camellia’s Tea House, while sparkling wine is available as an optional upgrade. In keeping with the theme, I order a glass of Coates & Seely Britagne Brut Reserve with my lunch at Bar 190. Custard pies are no longer on the menu, perhaps at the cleaners’ request. Instead, diners can enjoy a less messy fruitcake, Scotch egg, black pudding or Aberdeen Angus ribeye steak. My favourite snack is the fish cakes made from Scottish salmon and smoked haddock. Bartenders also make a great gin and tonic from an extensive collection.
By the window, an old gramophone remains silent as pop music is piped through the room’s speakers. It’s too early for rock stars to turn up, unless they spent the night upstairs, in which case they might shuffle down soon if they can drag themselves out of those outrageous beds.
In the know
The Gore is at 190 Queen’s Gate, South Kensington, London. The 50-room property is a three-minute stroll from Hyde Park and Royal Albert Hall. The Natural History Museum, Victoria & Albert Museum and Knightsbridge’s shops, bars and restaurants are also within walking distance. Single room from £328 ($655) a night; junior suite from £568.
Louise Goldsbury was a guest of The Gore.
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