The Royal Horseguards joins the Guoman collection

Press Release Date: 13 Aug, 2008

18th Century, Grade 1 listed London hotel The Royal Horseguards, known for its use by the Secret Service and its current links to Whitehall, is benefiting from a £16.3m investment from owner Guoman Hotels, the deluxe hotel group with properties across central London.

The refurbishment of The Royal Horseguards, whose eighth floor was used by the Secret Service as a base during the First World War, will see all 280 bedrooms across nine floors transformed into state-of-the-art luxury accommodation by early 2009.

New features will include built-in iPod docking stations in every room, plasma TVs in the bathroom, mood lighting, free wi-fi access in every bedroom and surround sound as standard. The bedroom balconies will also be opened up to overlook the Thames.

Built in 1884 in the style of a French château on the Embankment of the Thames, the Royal Horseguards is one of London’s landmark hotels, neighbouring the Ministry of Defence and just moments away from Downing Street and Parliament. The Royal Horseguards also appeared in the 1983 Bond film Octopussy.

Jon Beecroft, general manager of The Royal Horseguards comments, “The Royal Horseguards is already a landmark London hotel thanks to its history and location at the heart of Westminster. It’s truly fantastic that the hotel’s reputation for outstanding service will be reinforced with new luxurious bedrooms and facilities, securing its position as one of the Capital’s leading hotels”.

Highlights of the investment and refurbishment include:

• Refurbishment of all 280 guest bedrooms to deliver a luxurious experience.
• A new conservatory restaurant is planned to be built onto the terrace to offer a private area for guests to dine and enjoy views across the Thames.
• The addition of a Guoman Club Lounge - a standard that allows executive guests to work or relax within discreet and private surroundings.
• A refurbishment in excess of £1m for the meetings and events space at the renowned One Whitehall Place. Connected to The Royal Horseguards, One Whitehall Place is one of London’s most prestigious conference and banqueting venues.

The Royal Horseguards will officially join the Guoman Hotel collection of deluxe central London hotels in early 2009.