Grosvenor House Hotel
Corporate brand
UnclaimedA historic luxury hotel on Park Lane in London's Mayfair, now managed under Marriott International's JW Marriott brand.
Last updated August 22, 2026
Overview
Grosvenor House Hotel is a landmark luxury hotel on Park Lane in Mayfair, London, overlooking Hyde Park. Opened in 1929, it was developed on the site of Grosvenor House, the former London residence of the Dukes of Westminster, whose family name gave the hotel its identity. The property was conceived and built by Arthur Octavius Edwards, who subsequently served as its chairman. From its earliest years, the hotel combined high-end accommodation with extensive public, sporting, dining, entertainment and event facilities, helping establish it as one of London's best-known grand hotels. The hotel was notable at opening for features that were advanced for London hospitality at the time, including a separate bathroom and entrance lobby for each bedroom and running iced water in every bathroom. Its original leisure facilities included Turkish baths, a swimming pool, squash courts and a gymnasium. The building also contained an ice rink that became a distinctive part of its early identity. The rink hosted skating exhibitions and ice-hockey matches, including appearances by prominent skaters, before being converted into a large banquet space in 1935. The resulting Great Room became one of the property's most important event venues. Grosvenor House developed a strong relationship with broadcasting and popular music. Dance music from the hotel was carried on BBC national broadcasts from 1929, and resident bandleaders including Jack Harris, Sydney Lipton and later Billy Mayerl performed with hotel orchestras. The venue's entertainment profile, together with its ballroom and hospitality facilities, made it a regular setting for formal dinners, charity events, awards ceremonies and televised occasions. The hotel also played a visible role during the Second World War. Its public spaces were adapted for wartime use, including the Great Room's service as an officers' club and later as a United States officers' mess. The property was protected with extensive sandbagging and blackout materials, and senior Allied military figures were associated with the venue during the war period. The hotel's physical expansion was delayed by the continued occupation of a neighbouring property at 35 Park Street. After that obstacle was resolved, a 92-bedroom extension was completed and opened in 1957. A major four-year renovation and restoration programme was completed in 2008. The work refurbished guest rooms, restaurants, health facilities, public areas, meeting spaces and event rooms. The property retained its role as a large-scale hospitality and events venue, with 494 guest rooms and capacity across its public spaces for more than 6,000 people. The Great Room, Ballroom, Court Suite, restaurants, bars and meeting facilities support conferences, banquets, charity balls, awards programmes and private functions. Restaurant operator Richard Corrigan has also occupied space within the hotel with Corrigan's Mayfair. Ownership changed several times in the twenty-first century. Sahara India Pariwar acquired the hotel from the Royal Bank of Scotland in 2010. In 2017, the group rejected an offer of more than £600 million from David and Frederick Barclay before selling the property to Ashkenazy Acquisition Corporation for an undisclosed amount. Katara Hospitality, owned by the Qatar Investment Authority, was announced as the buyer in 2018. Operationally, the hotel is managed by JW Marriott Hotels, part of Marriott International. The property continues to trade as a luxury London hotel and major events venue, while its historical identity remains closely linked to Mayfair, Hyde Park, grand-scale hospitality and ceremonial entertainment.
History
Grosvenor House Hotel was created on the site of Grosvenor House, a former London residence of the Dukes of Westminster. The connection with the Grosvenor family provided both the location and the name for a hotel intended to occupy a prominent position facing Hyde Park in Mayfair. Arthur Octavius Edwards conceived and built the property and remained closely associated with it as chairman for its first decade. The hotel opened on 14 May 1929, initially also serving as the headquarters of the International Sportsmen's Club. Its design and facilities reflected the ambition of an interwar grand hotel. Each bedroom was supplied with its own entrance lobby and bathroom, and the hotel advertised running iced water in every bathroom. Leisure amenities included Victorian-style Turkish baths, a swimming pool, squash courts and a gymnasium. A large internal ice rink provided an unusual sporting attraction. Princess Elizabeth, later Queen Elizabeth II, learned to skate there in 1933, while skating exhibitions and international ice-hockey fixtures brought additional attention. The rink was converted into a banquet hall in 1935 as the hotel responded to competition from other skating venues. The space later became the Great Room, one of the hotel's signature rooms. Music and broadcasting became another part of the hotel's public identity. Dance music was relayed from the property for BBC national broadcasts from the year it opened. Jack Harris, Joseph Meeus, Sydney Lipton and Billy Mayerl were among the bandleaders associated with the hotel over subsequent decades. Lipton's orchestra, in particular, included musicians who later became prominent in British music. Lipton led the resident orchestra through much of the pre-war and post-war period, continuing until 1967 apart from his wartime service. The hotel adapted its facilities during the Second World War. Extensive sandbags and blackout materials were used to protect the building. The Great Room first operated as an Officers' Sunday Club and later became a United States officers' mess. American generals Dwight D. Eisenhower and George S. Patton were regular visitors, and wartime personnel also served within the hotel's management structure. These activities allowed the property to remain active while contributing its public spaces to the war effort. The original development plan was not completed immediately because Bruno, Baron Schröder, retained a neighbouring house at 35 Park Street. Schröder remained there until his death in 1940, and authorization to demolish the property was not granted until 1956. A 92-bedroom extension was then built on the site and officially opened in 1957 by Chancellor of the Exchequer Peter Thorneycroft. This expansion strengthened the hotel's position as a large accommodation and events property. In the modern era, Grosvenor House underwent a four-year, £142 million renovation and restoration programme, reopening in 2008. The project refurbished the restaurants, guest rooms, health facilities, public areas, event rooms and meeting spaces. The hotel emerged with 494 guest rooms and extensive capacity for large gatherings. Its Great Room, Ballroom and Court Suite became regular venues for awards ceremonies, charity balls, formal dinners, business events and televised functions. The Royal Caledonian Ball has been held at the hotel since the 1930s, and the Great Room has also hosted events including The Asian Awards, the Pride of Britain Awards and the O2 Silver Clef Awards. Ownership shifted during a period of significant change in the global hotel industry. Sahara India Pariwar acquired the property from the Royal Bank of Scotland in 2010. In 2017, Sahara rejected a bid of more than £600 million from David and Frederick Barclay, then sold the hotel to Ashkenazy Acquisition Corporation for an undisclosed sum. In November 2018, Katara Hospitality, an enterprise owned by the Qatar Investment Authority, was announced as the buyer. The hotel is managed by JW Marriott Hotels, a Marriott International brand, and is known as JW Marriott Grosvenor House London in its current operating context. Its continuing role combines luxury accommodation with large-scale hospitality, dining and ceremonial events.
- 2018
Katara Hospitality announced as purchaser
[1]Katara Hospitality, owned by the Qatar Investment Authority, was announced as the new buyer in November.
- 2017
Property changes hands after competing bids
[1]Sahara rejected a bid exceeding £600 million from David and Frederick Barclay and subsequently sold the hotel to Ashkenazy Acquisition Corporation for an undisclosed sum.
- 2010
Sahara India Pariwar becomes owner
[1]Sahara India Pariwar acquired the hotel from the Royal Bank of Scotland.
- 2008
Major restoration and renovation completed
[1]The hotel reopened after a four-year renovation and restoration programme covering guest rooms, restaurants, health facilities, public areas and event spaces.
- 1957
92-bedroom extension opens
[1]A 92-bedroom extension replaced the neighbouring property at 35 Park Street and was officially opened by Peter Thorneycroft.
- 1935
Ice rink is converted into a banquet hall
[1]The original skating rink was converted into a large banquet hall, which later became the Great Room.
- 1934
Grosvenor House aircraft wins England–Australia air race
[1]Arthur Edwards named his de Havilland DH.88 Comet racer Grosvenor House; the aircraft won the MacRobertson England–Australia Air Race.
- 1933
The future Queen Elizabeth II learns to skate at the hotel
[1]Princess Elizabeth learned to skate at the hotel's ice rink at the age of seven.
- 1929
Hotel opens in Mayfair
[1]Grosvenor House opened on 14 May 1929 on the site of the former Grosvenor House residence and initially also housed the International Sportsmen's Club.
- 1929
Hotel music begins BBC national broadcasts
[1]Dance music from the hotel began to be carried on BBC national broadcasts, establishing an early connection between the property and British popular entertainment.
Products and positioning
Historic, full-service luxury hotel and prestigious London events venue
Accommodation
Guest rooms and suites
The hotel provides luxury accommodation in a historic Mayfair setting. Its guest inventory and public facilities were substantially refurbished during the renovation completed in 2008. The property has been described as having 494 guest rooms, supported by full-service hospitality, dining and event operations.
Events and banqueting · 1935
Great Room
Originally constructed as an ice rink and converted into a banquet hall in 1935, the Great Room is one of the hotel's defining spaces. It hosts awards ceremonies, charity balls, formal dinners, televised events and business functions, with a capacity of up to 2,000 seated guests according to the reference material.
Events and banqueting
Ballroom
The Ballroom forms part of the hotel's large-scale event offer, supporting receptions, dinners, celebrations, conferences and other formal gatherings alongside the Great Room and Court Suite.
Meetings and events
Court Suite
The Court Suite is one of the hotel's principal meeting and event facilities. It contributes to the property's positioning as a venue for corporate functions, private occasions and large formal programmes.
Food and beverage
Restaurants and bars
Dining and drinking venues are central to the hotel's full-service model. The 2008 restoration included refurbishment of the restaurants and bars. Restaurant operator Richard Corrigan has also run Corrigan's Mayfair from space within the hotel.
Wellness and recreation · 1929
Health and leisure facilities
The property has a long history of leisure provision, including Turkish baths, a swimming pool, squash courts and a gymnasium. Health facilities were included in the extensive renovation completed in 2008.
Controversies
2017
Protests over hosting of defense-industry association event
Grosvenor House drew protests when it hosted the annual ADS gathering. Campaigners objected to the presence of an organization representing arms companies and linked some of its members to Saudi Arabia's military campaign in Yemen.
Marketing campaigns
- 2017Protest against ADS gathering
United Kingdom
Campaigners demonstrated outside Grosvenor House while the hotel hosted the annual gathering of Aerospace Defence Security, a trade association representing arms companies. The protest highlighted the alleged role of some member companies in supplying weapons used by Saudi Arabia during its intervention in Yemen.
Outcome. The gathering proceeded, while the event generated public criticism and external protest directed at the venue and the defense-industry association.
Brand decisions
2018
Acquisition by Katara HospitalityM&ABackground
Ashkenazy Acquisition Corporation owned the property following the 2017 sale.
Action taken
Katara Hospitality, owned by the Qatar Investment Authority, was announced as the buyer.
Aftermath
The hotel became part of Katara Hospitality's portfolio while continuing to be managed under Marriott International's JW Marriott brand.
2017
Sale to Ashkenazy Acquisition CorporationM&ABackground
Sahara India Pariwar received an offer of more than £600 million from David and Frederick Barclay but did not accept it.
Action taken
Sahara subsequently sold the hotel to Ashkenazy Acquisition Corporation for an undisclosed amount.
Aftermath
The hotel changed ownership again before Katara Hospitality was announced as its purchaser in 2018.
Rejected purchase offer. More than £600 million (2017 offer)
2010
Sale to Sahara India PariwarM&ABackground
The Royal Bank of Scotland owned the property before the transaction.
Action taken
Sahara India Pariwar purchased Grosvenor House Hotel.
Aftermath
The hotel entered a new ownership period before later sales to Ashkenazy Acquisition Corporation and Katara Hospitality.
Acquisition price. £470 million (2010 acquisition)
2008
Complete comprehensive hotel renovationStrategyBackground
The historic property required a broad modernization and restoration programme covering accommodation, public areas, dining and event facilities.
Action taken
After four years of work, the hotel reopened with refurbished guest rooms, restaurants, health facilities, public areas, meeting spaces and event rooms.
Aftermath
The restored hotel retained its historic character while presenting itself as a contemporary luxury and large-scale events property.
Renovation and restoration cost. £142 million (Four-year programme completed in 2008)
1935
Convert the ice rink into a banquet hallStrategyBackground
The hotel faced competition from other ice rinks and had an existing large sporting space with broader event potential.
Action taken
The original ice rink was converted into a 1,902-square-metre banquet hall, later known as the Great Room.
Aftermath
The conversion reinforced the hotel's role as a major venue for dinners, balls, awards ceremonies and other large gatherings.
Recent events
- 2018
Katara Hospitality announced as buyer of Grosvenor House[1]
M&A
Katara Hospitality, owned by the Qatar Investment Authority, was announced as the purchaser of the hotel in a transaction whose value was not disclosed.
- 2017
Grosvenor House is sold to Ashkenazy Acquisition Corporation[1]
M&A
After rejecting an offer from David and Frederick Barclay, Sahara India Pariwar sold the hotel to US-based Ashkenazy Acquisition Corporation for an undisclosed amount.
- 2010
Sahara India Pariwar acquires Grosvenor House Hotel[1]
M&A
Sahara India Pariwar purchased the London hotel from the Royal Bank of Scotland.
Sources1 sources
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