Admiralty Arch Waldorf Astoria

It’s hard to think of a more prime location for a luxury hotel in central London than the Grade I-listed Admiralty Arch, which is flanked by The Mall on one side and Trafalgar Square on the other. Having been purchased by the Reuben Brothers for a cool £60 million back in 2015, the grand Edwardian Baroque building will open as the first UK branch of ultra-luxe hotel chain Waldorf Astoria in spring 2026. Probably the most exciting new hotel in London since Raffles opened at the Old War Rooms, the 100-room hotel will feature swish new restaurants from Claire Smyth and Daniel Boulud, who have seven Michelin stars between them, alongside a 320-cover ballroom and an underground bar paying homage to former residents including Churchill and Ian Fleming. If you’ve got a spare couple of grand to splurge on a fancy weekend getaway (and frankly, who doesn’t!) this will surely be the place to do it.