Claridge’s London: it doesn’t get much more glamorous than this

I’ve heard of Claridge’s, but where is it, exactly? Physically, the 197-room,
five-star hotel once owned by a Mr & Mrs Claridge is housed in a seven-storey terracotta pile on Brook Street, in the moneyed, private members’ club land that is Mayfair. But ever since actor Spencer Tracy said, “Not that I intend to die, but when I do, I don’t want to go to heaven, I want to go to Claridge’s,” it has been situated on a higher plane in the minds of many.

What’s inside? At the moment, Christmas trees and a winter wonderland designed by none other than Jonathan Ive, of Apple fame. Ive, who worked with industrial designer Marc Newson on the installation, is clearly a fan of all things festive; in an interview last year he said that if he wasn’t working at Apple, he would be making Christmas ornaments. Obviously someone clever at Claridge’s took note because, this year, Ive has seen his other ambition come to fruition, although, ironically, without an actual ornament in sight.

His magical, Narnia-like design includes a mini-forest complete with birdsong, atmospheric lighting and lots of (fake) snow. The trees lining the staircase, though, are covered in no more than a dusting of white – but really, what else would you expect from a man famous for his ultra-minimalist aesthetic?

Who stays? Most of the royal family, for starters. It was the London home for Winston and Clementine Churchill in 1945, after Labour’s unexpected election win. The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh visit often and chose it as the venue for their ruby wedding anniversary party. In 1945, Crown Prince Alexander II of Yugoslavia was born in suite 212, with some earth from home placed under the bed to ensure he emerged into the world on Yugoslav soil.