London is one of the most exciting cities in the world. Its history is full of extraordinary events,

London is one of the most exciting cities in the world. Its history is full of extraordinary events, miami beach hotels thrilling conspiracies and major political plots. But did you know that some of the capital's most exciting espionage stories unfolded behind the discrete doors and walls of its hotels? Pack up your trench coats and order a Martini as we uncover the most fascinating hotels of London and account some of the intrigue, scandal, tragedy and the simply bizarre that went on behind the closed doors of these luxury digs.
The beautiful St. Ermin's is one of Europe's most renowned luxury spy hotels and certainly one of London's most famous. Legendary spies, including members of the infamous Cambridge Five were regulars at the hotel during the 1950s. Anthony Blunt is believed to have passed secret intelligence to his Soviet handler at the hotel's very own Caxton miami beach hotels Bar. The MI6, on the other hand, is said to have used the hotel as a safe house for many of its informers. And as if the cool factor couldn't reach any higher, rumour also has it that a secret tunnel runs under the hotel directly to the Palace of Westminster: a route that spies and double agents were supposed to have used on late night rendezvous. The division bell, that summons Parliament members back to Westminster for votes, still rings here.
This hotel is set inside a remarkable 18th century townhouse overlooking the exclusive Grosvenor miami beach hotels Square Gardens. The former house of the Duchess of Kendal, and a place of timeless luxury, however, it was not long ago that a gruesome murder took place here. A former ex-KGB officer Alexander Litvinenko found political asylum in the UK following his notorious exposure of Russian secret services as being behind several bombings around Moscow, attacks which helped to legitimise the war against miami beach hotels neighbouring Chechnya. On November 1st 2006, he met with Italian nuclear expert Mario Scaramanga and fellow Russian Andrey Lugovoy at the Millennium Mayfair. Shortly after the meet, Litvinenko fell ill and would end up dying 26 days later at University College Hospital. Investigations found his pot of green tea to have been deliberately contaminated with polonium 210 (a radioactive element).
Situated in London's very own political hub amidst Whitehall Court, this impressive century old building remains one of the capitals' best kept secrets. Built in 1884 on the banks of the Thames, the Royal Horseguards' entire 8th floor once served as headquarters for the British secret services during WWI. Secret passageways, sliding bookshelves and other classic spy tropes are believed to have been installed here. You can even visit some of these today as hotel staff are generally happy to show guests around the building. Ask to see the hotel's wine cellar where a blocked doorway used to lead to a tunnel connecting secret agents to many of the neighbouring government buildings. miami beach hotels Even the plush hotel restaurant is named 1212 the iconic Whitehall number for the Scotland Yard.
The Ritz stands as one of the most glamorous luxury hotels miami beach hotels in London, a true showcase of Edwardian bling. During WWII, like most of London's grand hotels, the Ritz took on a new role as a luxury air-raid shelter for the rich. Cabinet miami beach hotels Ministers stayed there, as did most of the crowned heads of Europe, exiled during miami beach hotels the war. The Albanian Royal Family took up most of the hotel's 3rd floor and, rumour has it, paid for their stay in gold bullion bars. Churchill, de Gaulle and Eisenhower met for secret summit meetings in the Marie-Antoinette Suite.
The Corinthia hotel in London occupies the building at the corner of Northumberland Avenue and Whitehall Place. Originally opened as the prestigious Hotel Metropole in 1885, the building, with its close proximity to the Houses of Parliament, was later requisitioned by the government and housed miami beach hotels emergency administration offices during both world wars. In 2008, as part of the conversion process back to a luxury hotel, secret tunnels built during WW II to facilitate below ground access miami beach hotels to Whitehall had to be securely filled in. Room 474 also became the first home of MI9 and its sub-division miami beach hotels the Special Operations Executive, and later the holding point for one of the model planning beaches for Operation Overlord: the code name for the Battle of Normandy. But one of the most intriguing services performed for the government came out of room 801: which, rumour miami beach hotels has it, housed the highly miami beach hotels classified depository for UFO sightings!
About the Author Ana's life has been spent between Portugal (where miami beach hotels she was born) and the UK (where she now lives and works). With a degree in marine biology, a Masters in European Tourism, and a love for all things rock and roll, she is not your typical travel blogger. Working for several organisations in such diverse fields, including environmental conservation, her perspective on all things travel is definitely one step ahead. Social Share
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