Queen of the World: Where did Queen Elizabeth II stay on her global travels?
Looking for a hotel fit for royalty? Here, we select some of Queen Elizabeth II’s most spectacular stays around the world, from California to Singapore…
As the most well-travelled Monarch in history, visiting more than 120 countries in her lifetime, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II had checked into many spectacular hotels around the world. Here, we take a closer inspection at some of the most luxurious, iconic and historic places she stayed during her 96 years as both our Princess and our Queen. What’s for certain, she always travelled in style.
9 of the Queen’s most spectacular hotel stays
1. The Goring, London, England
Entrance to London’s Goring Hotel (Shutterstock)
Just a five-minute drive from Buckingham Palace, it seems unusual that a hotel so close to home would be considered one of the Queen’s favourite hotels. But the Goring’s proximity made it a popular location for the Queen to host Christmas lunch for her senior staff – but details about this annual event were kept very secret. The hotel is the only one with a Royal Warrant and the Queen even awarded hotelier George Goring an OBE in 1990.
With 69 luxury suites, ranging from classic and junior suites all the way up to the lavish Royal Suite – where of course the Queen stayed – the décor in this 112-year-old Belgravia hotel is classic and reflective of its heritage. On site is the Michelin star restaurant, The Dining Room, serving delicious, elegant, and traditional British dishes.
2. Huka Lodge, New Zealand
Huka Lodge views over the River Waikato (Shutterstock)
In Her Majesty’s first year as a Monarch in 1953, she visited New Zealand on her first Commonwealth tour. Although she stayed in a variety of accommodation on her visits here in the years that followed, it’s evident one of her favourites was the remote Haku Lodge.
Sitting along the banks of Waikato River in Taupo on New Zealand’s North Island, Huka Lodge boasts an impressive century-old heritage, transformed from a fisherman’s camp into one of the country’s top luxury resorts. There are 20 guest suites and two private cottages, with award-winning gardens and natural beauty outside every window.
3. The Phoenicia, Malta
Front of the Phoenicia (Alamy)
Interestingly, Malta is the only other place the Queen had ever lived, moving here as newlywed with Prince Phillip in the late 1940s. Before they made Villa Guardamangia their residence, the Queen had stayed at the island’s first luxury hotel, The Phoenicia, in Valletta.
Built in 1939 and open nearly a decade later, the Art Deco hotel looks over the bastion walls of Valletta and is set in seven acres of beautiful gardens. There are 132 rooms and suites, keeping their authentic and classic core, however updated with fresh and modern colours and furnishing.
4. Half Moon, Jamaica
Entrance lobby to Montego Bay’s Half Moon hotel (Alamy)
Many generations of Royals have made their way to the Half Moon in Montego Bay, and Queen Elizabeth II continued this tradition on her Jamaican visit in 2002.
The 68-year-old hotel has 212 rooms and suites, and 27 private villas (where a young Prince Harry once stayed), fronted by sparkling Caribbean seas with green hillsides to the south. Plus, many sporting amenities, such as tennis and golf courts to keep its visitors busy.
5. Raffles, Singapore
Courtyard at Raffles in Singapore (Shutterstock)
On the Queen’s last visit to Singapore in 2006, she checked into Singapore’s oldest and most prestigious hotels – Raffles – staying in the Sir Stamford Raffles Suite, one of two extraordinary Presidential suites.
Although first open in 1887, Raffles Hotel continued to be altered and constructed over many years. It has recently undergone a fabulous refurbishment, keepings its charm and heritage intact, while giving it a new lease of life. In a city full of modern architecture, the much-loved hotel was declared a National Monument near the end of the 20th century.
6. The Ahwahnee, California, USA
Ahwahnee is located within Yosemite National Park (Shutterstock)
The Queen and Prince Phillip stayed at this impressive lodge in one of the USA’s most famous National Parks, Yosemite. The entire property was privately reserved for her trip, where she explored many of the National Park’s highlights, including Inspiration Point and El Capitan.
Listed as a National Historic Landmark, the Ahwahnee (previously known as the Majestic Yosemite Hotel) was designed to reflect the nature which surrounds it, including Yosemite Falls and Glacier Point. Made from granite and timber beams in 1927, the 121-room accommodation blends style elements of Art Deco, Native American and Middle Eastern.
7. Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, Alberta, Canada
Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge has cabins spread out across its 700-acre site (Shutterstock)
The Queen was Head of State of Canada and the country held a special place in her heart. The Queen visited countless times, and Her Majesty often opted to stay in a Fairmont hotel such as the Fairmont Royal York in Toronto or the Fairmont Empress in Victoria. But to escape the bustling city life, she visited Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge in Jasper National Park.
Spread out across 700 acres in a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the 400-plus room hotel has heritage log cabins dotted alongside the shores of Lac Beauvert, with breathtaking views of the Canadian Rocky Mountains.
8. Rajmahal Palace RAAS, India
The Queen visited Jaipur in 1963 (Shutterstock)
The Queen first visited India, a Commonwealth country, in 1961, and was extremely popular with the people who lived there. Her accommodation in Jaipur was the stunning maharajah’s palace.
The palace has now been converted into an Indian Art Deco hotel, with paintings on the walls telling the story of the ‘Pink City’. It has only 13 rooms and two royal apartments, one of which has taken the name, the Queen Elizabeth suite.
9. Amstel Hotel, The Netherlands
The waterfront hotel is where Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip celebrated their wedding anniversary (Shutterstock)
You may think the Queen only seemed to travel on State visits, however she did manage to get away for other occasions. In 1962, she and the Duke of Edinburgh visited Amsterdam to celebrate the Silver Wedding Anniversary of Queen Juliana and Prince Bernhard. They partied and staying the night at the Amstel hotel.
Classic in look, this five-star hotel first opened to guests in 1867 and has maintained its exceptional reputation ever since. Sitting on the bank of the River Amstel, it provides stunning city views from the bedroom or when dining in the waterfront restaurant.
