Would You Stay in This Hotel's Judy Garland Suite?
South Kensington today is one the most posh parts of London, but in the 1960s the area was more of a stomping ground for the hip and bohemian. A piece of that remains alive within the walls of The Gore Hotel.
The hotel, which has been around since 1892, is a treasure chest wedged within a classic English townhouse whose history tells itself through the interiors. Take the hotel's bar, Bar 190, for example. Cherry wood envelops lounge chairs cushioned in plaid, and a secret enclave somehow transports you to Morocco. What's that portrait of The Rolling Stones doing in the main room? Well, the rock band threw a rowdy party to celebrate their album Beggars Banquet at the bar in 1968. You'll probably want to enjoy an Old Fashioned or two here, but where does one go when it's time to call an end to the night? Here's an option: the hotel's Judy Garland suite. It's a cross between gimmicky and historical, as you'll be sleeping on the actress's gilded bed frame which was reportedly donated to the hotel and sent from Hollywood as a token of gratitude after Garland's extended stay in the 1960s.
Get the picture? Those who are looking to stay at a generic luxury hotel needn't stay here. But, those who are craving something particularly one-of-a-kind will surely fancy it. When staying at The Gore, you'll be close to the Victoria & Albert Museum, Hyde Park, and Royal Albert Hall. But, you might not even have to leave the property to live out the best of London.
Here, we talk to JJ Pollack, general manager of The Gore London, on what makes the property Hotel standout from the rest.
What do you think is the best room at The Gore London, and why?
The Gore has a strong musical connection, being so close to the Royal Albert Hall and the Royal College of Music, as well as a long history of hosting performers. We had the privilege of hosting Judy Garland during her performances in London, and the room in which she stayed in (now named the Judy Garland Suite in her honor) is my favorite of our 50 unique rooms.
Like the actress herself, the room has an impressive legacy. Being away from her Hollywood home for such a long period, she decided to ship her own bed across the Atlantic to use during her residency. Following the final performance, she gifted the bed to the hotel which still stands in the room today. The suite even houses a replica of the famous ruby slippers used in the show.
For guests to enjoy the full theatrical magic, we offer a Judy Garland Experience. The package, available for a stay of two or more nights, includes a bottle of the Judy fragrance by celebrity perfumist Vince Spinnato and Judy Garland’s daughter Lorna Luft, as well as a bespoke cocktail inspired by the actress.
How would you describe the vibe of the hotel?
The Gore is best described as being quintessentially British. We have been a hotel since 1892, when the area of South Kensington rapidly developed after the Great Exhibition of 1851. The hotel preserves its rich Victorian heritage in its classic decor and period features, prompting guests to feel as though they’ve stepped back in time when walking through our door. Swathes of velvets and patterned tapestries, gilded photos and ornate furnishings decorate the hotel, bestowing charming character on each room.
Our famous Bar 190, known for hosting the Beggars Banquet launch party of The Rolling Stones in 1968, takes a more rock ‘n’ roll theme. Pictures of the riotous night line the wood-paneled bar, facing the wall lined with our extensive drinks collection.
What about the hotel makes it unique to the other nearby properties?
In every corner of The Gore you’ll find unique features, from our rooms furnished with hand-carved Victorian bed frames to our classical English library boasting a grand fireplace and imposing oil portraits.
Our restaurant 190 Queen’s Gate also offers a British menu of seasonal produce sourced from the surrounding counties and crafted by our head chef Frederick Forster, awarded National Chef of the Year in 2011.
Tell us about the hotel’s history, and how does it add to the charm of the hotel?
189 and 190 Queen’s Gate, which today house The Gore, were built by William Douglas on land purchased by the commissioners of the Great Exhibition of 1851. The commissioners also directed the building of the Royal Albert Hall, the Royal College of Music, the Victoria & Albert Museum, and the Natural History Museum. When the properties were acquired by William Kirby in 1892, they were transformed into serviced apartments with liveried staff, running hot and cold water, carriages for the use of clients, and even a hydraulic lift.
It wasn’t until the hotel was under the ownership of Robin Howard and Peter Herbert that the Elizabethan Rooms, inspired by the Tudor Revival of the 1950s, were built. The Tudor Room survives almost untouched, with linenfold panelling, stained glass windows and minstrels’ gallery. Whilst the Star Chamber is tucked away in the cellars, now almost unrecognizable as our Tapestry Room. Finally, there was Backstage at The Globe, a dining space underneath an imaginative evocation of the famous theatre-in-the-round.
Throughout its fascinating history, The Gore has seen a multitude of owners, changing tastes, and guests from across the world. If walls could talk, the hotel would have some incredible stories to tell.
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