Hotels near Harrods

Just about everyone who has been to London has also been to Harrods at some point and that’s why when people want to stay in London, hotels near Harrods are always a massive draw for visitors. At 54 Queen’s Gate we are pleased to say that we are within easy walking distance of Harrods so if you’re looking for the perfect location for your Harrods pilgrimage, 54 Queen’s Gate fits the bill.

Harrods is one of the world’s most famous and prestigious department stores. It was first opened way back in 1834 by Charles Henry Harrod and covers more than five acres of land. Harrods has over 1,000,000 square feet of floor space, with the building itself having been constructed in the early 20th century. The building was commissioned by Richard Burbridge.

‘All Things for All People, Everywhere’

The official motto of Harrods is Omnia Omnibus Ubique. This is Latin for ‘All Things for All People, Everywhere’. Some say it’s possible to buy almost anything you can think of in the store. Noël Coward even bought an alligator in Harrods. The store is famous for its high-end food, clothing and furniture as well as its pets. The store’s famous facade is illuminated by more than 12,000 light bulbs. 300 of these bulbs need to be changed every day.

The height of luxury retail

A live Egyptian cobra was once used to guard a pair of sandals worth £62,000 at Harrods. These sandals were encrusted with diamonds and ruby sapphires. The store is home to a memorial dedicated to Diana, Princess of Wales and Dodi Fayed, the son of the former Harrods owner Mohamed Al-Fayed. A.A. Milne bought the teddy bear that inspired the Winnie the Pooh stories at Harrods.

Up to 300,000 shoppers per day

Harrods has 330 departments, having started life is a small store in the Stepney area of East London. Initially, it sold nothing but tea and groceries prior to its move to Knightsbridge. The store underwent a vast expansion in 1849, with the area seeing a huge rise in footfall in 1851 after the opening of the Crystal Palace. Harrods also has branches at Heathrow Airport. These stores specialise in fashion and enable shoppers to buy tax-free. It’s estimated that around 100,000 people visit the main Harrods store each day, although this figure can reach 300,000 during the busy periods of the year, such as the run-up to Christmas.

More facts about Harrods

The store is also famous for its “Green Men”. The official name for these green-clad customer service staff is “Carriage Attendants”. Their job entails welcoming VIPs, opening doors and carrying shopping for prolific shoppers. Al-Fayed’s time in charge of the store was incredibly eventful, and he even created an Egyptian Room, home to various busts of himself. He sold the brand to Qatar Holdings for £1.5 billion in 2010 after purchasing it from House of Fraser with his brother Ali in 1985.

Why 54 Queen’s Gate?

At 54 Queen’s Gate, we can cater for you if you are planning a shopping trip to London and need to book a hotel within easy reach of Harrods and Knightsbridge. Our Grade II Edwardian townhouse is home to 24 luxurious bedrooms and is located in South Kensington. To reach us today, simply give us a call on +44 020 7761 4000 or send an email to reservations@54queensgate.com. We are waiting to hear from you right now, so don’t hesitate to contact us with your query.