How One Luxury Westminster Hotel Prepared For The Biggest Event Of The Century

In May, I had the fortune to travel to London to experience a truly historic moment: the coronation of Charles III. I knew finding accommodation would be tough: hotels, Airbnbs, and hostels would all likely be booked up months in advance. But I didn’t just want to find any accommodation — I wanted to find the right accommodation. I wanted to experience the event of the century in a place steeped in British history and tradition, a place where I could feel immersed, transported, and, yes, a little regal.

Turns out, the perfect place was hiding in plain sight: the London Marriott Hotel County Hall. Situated on the south bank of the River Thames, the building was opened by King George V and Queen Mary in 1922 as the official headquarters of the local government; later, the building complex expanded and serves as the administrative headquarters of the Greater London Council. It’s no exaggeration to say the building’s vaulted ceilings and wood-panelled chambers have witnessed many important moments of London history.

The building’s stately facade and panoramic views of the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben and the London Eye would go on to provide an unparalleled vantage point for observing the regal proceedings — all without requiring me to step a single foot on the crowded footpath outside.

The hotel’s reimagined interiors and 206 guest rooms and suites combine contemporary hotel design and functionality with inspiration from the heritage and elegance of the building. All suites include upgraded bathroom facilities, entrances with tiled mosaic flooring and bespoke wallpaper featuring a historic map of London from the era of the building’s infancy.

Inside the hotel, art and design are celebrated throughout — contemporary mixes with traditional, with playful touches at every corner. Sumptuous soft furnishings and subtle plays on iconic London landmarks are featured throughout, including tasteful tributes to the building’s history — like the big, orange chairs in each room that pay homage to the seating used in the chamber of the former London County Council, or the bowler hat prints on the curtain fabrics.

On the ground level, you’ll find quintessentially British cuisine at Gillray’s Steakhouse & Bar, which serves 100 gins and locally-sourced steaks from the artisan Browne’s butchers; next door, guest can take their afternoon tea in the hotel’s storied library.

I spoke to Govert Deketh, General Manager, London Marriott County Hall, to get more insight into how the hotel prepared for the once-in-a-lifetime coronation event in May.

Can you walk me through the London Marriott County Hall’s coronation-themed program, events, and unique artists and design elements that all came together for the coronation?

The focus for the coronation at the London Marriott Hotel County Hall was about connecting the guests to the royal family and the history of our monarchy, as well as the history of County Hall. We were pleased to offer a fascinating in-depth complimentary two-hour walking tour of Royal and Political London with an expert guide.

Other elements included afternoon tea with a royal twist, where guests could savor signature pastries inspired by the majestic Elizabeth Tower and Big Ben, including a special royal coronation cake, along with an exquisite array of finger sandwiches, scones, jam, and clotted cream. All guests named Charles were given a complimentary glass of bubbles to share a toast to the King.

To honor the coronation of His Majesty, Gillray’s Bar prepared a signature cocktail showcasing the beloved Laphroaig whisky favored by King Charles III. Everyone was invited to join the celebration with a toast to His Majesty and, as a special treat, Charles’ guests were given a complimentary cocktail.

What was the philosophy that informed the way everything came together, and how did you want guests to feel?

The Marriott Hotels brand strives to provide enriching experiences for guests, and for the coronation, we wanted our guests to feel the rich history of the County Hall and its location. We wanted guests to be inspired, regal, and to feel the celebration of the coronation across the hotel.

Can you walk me through one or two standout design/art elements that were installed or set up specifically for the coronation? (I.e. the crown sculpture at the front of the hotel; the message board where guests could write their well-wishes; and so on).

Among the festivities at the hotel, all guests could sign or draw on a giant frame to pay homage to the King. This was filled in only two days with lovely positive messages from guests from all over the world.

What were some of the unique challenges faced when getting everything ready? Can you walk me through one or two things that didn’t quite work out?

Creating a tour during the coronation period when London was at its busiest, and the pavements and roads being overcrowded was somewhat challenging. There were quite a few road blockages so we had to design a tour without knowing exactly which pavements and crossings would be closed during the weekend.

What, in your opinion, made the London Marriott County Hall so uniquely positioned to undertake such a layered coronation-themed program?

In addition to its iconic location, the hotel is experienced in serving an immaculate afternoon tea currently. Gillray’s Bar is also well-equipped to produce bespoke cocktails, which made it easy to roll-out this program.

How do the hotel’s surroundings, the building’s history, and its location influence its art and design program? Can you walk me through some examples that pay homage to the building’s rich history, while adding a modern twist?

Enjoying an unparalleled position in the heart of London, the prestigious London Marriott Hotel County Hall was opened by King George V in 1922. Our hotel is located within the most thriving cultural district of London, where many artists reside – the South Bank. Many pieces of our artwork have been created by local artists and depict scenes of London on the South Bank, as well as particular features of the Great London area.

What is your personal favorite piece of art or design element in the hotel’s collection—and why?

The art piece behind reception is my favorite piece because it puts together various elements of our Quintessentially British history. The piece was created by Simon Bingle, a British artist and sculptor who shares that the motivation behind his work is the search for meaning, belonging, and connection.

In what ways does the hotel support emerging artists or promote lesser-known talent? Are there any platforms or initiatives dedicated to fostering artistic growth and exposure?

We are currently hosting a London artist living in the South Bank, whose vernissage currently featured in the Noes Lobby, and M Club – a brand signature globally. The series currently on display depicts scenes of London during and post-COVID era.

Are there certain design or artistic touches or elements — either in the coronation program or in the hotel’s permanent art collection — that guests may not otherwise notice that you can tell us about? Perhaps something very subtle that not many people would know about?

The architecture of the building, being set in history, is quite unique – some of the old features (of old County Hall) are still in place and you may just unknowingly walk past. For example, we still have the old “bear and the bee” Aesop’s fable sculpted on our lobby fireplace mantelpiece.

Can you walk me through one or two standout pieces of design/art inside the property currently, and their backstories — something people may walk past every day without realizing their significance/importance?

One unique reference is the old chamber where the Lord Mayor and the 32 Borough members used to congregate to make decisions for the city. This is the site of a play from Agatha Christie which has been running for six years… however the room in itself is worth seeing the show!

Finally, can you talk to us about any exciting new plans, projects, or initiatives still in the works for the hotel, from an art and design perspective?

Three times a year, we work with a different artist to create an art project designed to depict the skyline of London which can be viewed from our guest rooms. This allows us and our guests to view our environment through different perceptions and brings a different light to our surroundings.