A Mayfair History Lesson
Beginning life over 200 years ago, the five star, luxury Connaught hotel, one of the most intriguing and luxurious hotels in Mayfair, is fresh off a £70 million restoration, which the hotel describes as a “contemporary restoration” that has preserved its historical elegance while contemporizing its amenities.
The Connaught’s history goes back to 1815 when it was founded as the Prince of Saxe Coburg Hotel. Then known as the Coburg, the hotel has been fashionable since its inception, fitting enough for the Duchess d’Angoulême and Queen Adelaide who visited the Coburg in 1832.
Alexander Grillon succeeded Auguste Scorrier as hotelkeeper in 1857, and when The Duke of Westminster decided to redevelop Mayfair in 1892, Scorrier applied to rebuild the hotel. Upon approval, the original Georgian houses that made up the Coburg were torn down and hotel was rebuilt into what stands today, reopening in 1857.
The Connaught’s name originated during the First World War in 1917, when the hotel was renamed in honour of Queen Victoria’s 3rd son, Prince Arthur, the first Duke of Connaught. Beginning in 1935, general manager Rudolph Richard’s operation of the hotel maintained The Connaught’s status among the most distinguished of the Mayfair hotels.
The hotel acquired new owners in 1956 and 2005, and in 2007, The Connaught began an extensive restoration process, revamping 88 rooms and suits, the main staircase, the lifts, the concierge and public areas, and their two restaurants, L’Espelette Restaurant and The Georgian and Regency Rooms.
Guests of The Connaught are treated to Mayfair’s ample attractions including flagship stores for Balenciaga and Marc Jacobs and art galleries such as Hamiltons, Timothy Taylor and Haunch of Venison to keep guests entertained.
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