More than 129 years after the last case closed at old Scotland Yard, cases of a different kind are being opened – because the building, the original headquarters of London’s Metropolitan Police, has been redeveloped into a luxury hotel.
Part of the Unbound Collection by Hyatt, the Great Scotland Yard hotel is a five-minute walk from Embankment Tube station and features 152 rooms, a signature restaurant, a tea room, two bars and a 24-hour fitness centre.
The room design has been inspired by the building’s history. In amongst the subtle colour scheme guests will find quirks like wardrobes hidden behind fake bookcases and robe hooks shaped like keys. Each room is slightly different.
The Great Scotland Yard hotel has been opened on the site of the original Metropolitan Police headquarters and features 152 rooms
Each room is designed differently. Quirks include wardrobes hidden behind faux bookcase facades and robe hooks shaped as keys
The nod to the property’s past continues in both of the hotel’s bars.
Cocktail bar 40 Elephants is named after a glamorous gang of women thieves from Elephant and Castle who looted from the rich and wealthy from the late 19th to mid-20th century – and were responsible for some of Britain’s largest shoplifting operations during that time. A portrait of one of their members, Lillian Rose Goldstein, gazes down at evidence tables filled with their likely loot.
Our recommendation? Order the chocolate knuckledusters.
The Sibín bar, meanwhile, is designed to look like the illicit speakeasy bars that once operated in Ireland. Its entrance is hidden behind a secret door and its menu features a range of whiskies and food pairings.
The hotel also has a tea room called The Parlour where afternoon tea with a twist and tea-based cocktails are served.
The 40 Elephants cocktail bar is named after an infamous female crime syndicate that operated in the 19th and 20th centuries
Pictured are drink and food pairings from the 40 Elephants cocktail bar, including chocolate knuckledusters
Sibín bar is designed to look like the illicit speakeasy bars that once operated in Ireland. Its entrance is hidden behind a secret door and its menu features a range of whiskies and food pairings
The Parlour, left, is Great Scotland Yard’s tea room, which will serve afternoon tea with a twist as well as tea-based cocktails. Pictured right is the entrance
The theme changes slightly in the main restaurant. Simply called The Yard, the eatery’s food and looks have been inspired by the concept of ‘coming home’.
The menu revolves around homely modern British cuisine and utilises produce from local micro farmers. The chef in charge of it all is Robin Gill.
The Great Scotland Yard hotel also features an area called Grace and Favour. Situated in the hotel’s lower levels, this exclusive members’ space is available to hire for events, meetings and celebrations.
The Yard restaurant where the menu revolves around homely modern British cuisine and utilises produce from local micro farmers
Pictured are the breakfast options available at The Yard including waffles, pastries, a full English and smoked salmon and eggs
The Great Scotland Yard hotel is the sixth Unbound Collection hotel to open in Europe. Others can be found in France, Turkey, Spain and Hungary. Pictured is the lobby
There are 152 rooms at Great Scotland Yard hotel. Some of the suites have names like The Sherlock Suite and The Pickwick Suite
The history of the Great Scotland Yard site stretches back over 1,000 years
The history of the Great Scotland Yard site stretches back over 1,000 years.
The back of the hotel is dated to 997 when Royal Housing was gifted to Kenneth III, King of Scotland, to be used during his visits to the English monarchy. This link to Scottish royalty gave the street its iconic name.
The last Scottish monarch to occupy the house was Margaret, Queen of Scots, sister to Henry VIII in 1541.
The London Metropolitan Police force was located there for over 200 years, moving out in 1890.
It was taken over as the British Army Recruitment Office and Royal Military Police headquarters, serving both World Wars, before going on to be used by the Ministry of Defence until 2013.
The Great Scotland Yard is the sixth Unbound Collection hotel to open in Europe. Others in the range include Hôtel Martinez in Cannes, Nish Palas in Istanbul, Hotel Sofia Barcelona in Barcelona, Hôtel du Louvre in Paris and Párisi Udvar Hotel Budapest.
Hyatt said: ‘Great Scotland Yard is an iconic property steeped in history that asks guests to expect the unexpected.
‘Once the historical home of law and order in the City of Westminster, the hotel has also served as inspiration for Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, has been a dwelling for Kings of Scotland, and is the site where Lord Kitchener famously told World War I recruits “your country needs you”.
‘Every aspect of the hotel pays homage to this extraordinary past.’