AngelaThe Goring manages to do the impossible: it is impeccably regal yet completely unpretentious. It’s the kind of place where the staff is dressed in morning suits, but they’ll also get down on one knee to talk to your children about the resident sheep.
Belgravia’s Best Kept Secret
From the moment you walk in, the service feels genuine, like staying in someone’s exceptionally gracious home rather than a grand institution. The staff are attentive without being stiff and warm without being fussy—striking that rare balance of royal-standard hospitality delivered with a truly human touch.
The location is the ultimate London luxury. Tucked away in Belgravia, you are just a short stroll from the gates of Buckingham Palace and the sprawl of St. James’s Park, yet it feels entirely removed from the tourist hum. It is the perfect pocket of the city for exploring at a slower pace with children.
The Belgravia Lifestyle: Coffee & Curated Finds
We used the hotel as a base to live like locals for a few days. Our mornings usually started with a walk to Hagen, one of our favorite coffee shops in London. Then a stroll through the Pimlico Road Farmers’ Market or along the King’s Road in Chelsea for a little window shopping.
One of our absolute must-visits is Daylesford Organic. It’s the nicest food market in London (sorry Waitrose, love you too), but their farm-to-table cafe upstairs is a total sanctuary for a fresh, seasonal lunch. If you truly want the full experience, their Cotswolds flagship is a trip of its own, but that’s a story for another day.
For the girls, we always stop into Pepa London, a decadent and beautiful children’s boutique right in the neighborhood; it’s impossible to leave empty-handed. While everyone flocks to the chaos of Hamleys, we much prefer the Harrods toy floor. It has every imagination-sparking toy you can think of, but the atmosphere is more calm.
The Garden & The Veranda
For a family, the layout of The Goring is a dream. There is a perfect suite overlooking their private garden, which is a rare find in London. The room is filled with “Goring-esque” details: silk-lined walls from Gainsborough Silk (the same used in the Royal Palaces), heavy drapery that blocks out the London gray, and a bathroom stocked with Asprey amenities.
The highlight of every visit, however, is Afternoon Tea. It is widely considered one of the best in London, but the magic is in the setting. Sitting in the sun-drenched veranda, sipping Champagne while the girls run around in the garden, is the ultimate “parental reset.” It’s a moment of pure English whimsy that you simply can’t find anywhere else.
London Favorites
London’s food scene is a study in contrasts, and we always return to our staples:
- Dishoom: A requirement every time we visit. The energy is vibrant, and it remains one of those rare places that is both “cool” and genuinely welcoming to families.
- Bluebird Chelsea: We’ve done everything from summer breakfasts to Thanksgiving dinner here. It’s big, iconic, and always reliable.
- The Cadogan Arms: This is our go-to for elevated fish and chips. However, for a proper Sunday Roast, we head to The Victoria in Paddington. It is the gold standard for a cozy, traditional English Sunday.
- Rabbit: If you can sneak away for a date night, this bistro is incredibly cozy and farm-focused—better suited for just the adults due to its intimate size.
The Legend of Barbara
The Goring is famously the only hotel to hold a Royal Warrant from the late Queen for hospitality services, but the real star of the show for children is Barbara.
Our girls are obsessed with the signature Goring sheep, a fluffy companion the staff tucks into the beds to welcome young guests. The story behind them is as charming as the hotel itself: the wooden sheep found in the lobby were originally a gift to the hotel’s founder because he thought the private garden looked a bit “empty” without them. Now, they are the hotel’s iconic mascot. Having a little friend to cuddle gave the girls an instant “friend” and a tangible memory to bring home. It’s a brilliant marketing move that extends the magic of the trip long after you’ve checked out.
The Verdict
There is a reason we keep returning to this quiet corner of Belgravia. Between the morning walks for Hagen coffee, the treasure hunts at Harrods, and the sun-drenched afternoons on the veranda, life at The Goring feels less like a hotel stay and more like the London life we’ve always dreamed of. It is proof that you don’t have to sacrifice an ounce of elegance to travel with your family—you just have to find a place that knows how to make everyone feel like royalty.
Note: We were not compensated, hosted, or offered any complimentary services by The Goring. All opinions shared here are entirely our own.
For other travel inspiration, check out our post on Montreal and the Four Seasons.
