After standing sentinel over The Mall for more than a century, Admiralty Arch – one of London’s most recognisable monuments is entering a new era.
In 2026, the grand archway that links Trafalgar Square with Buckingham Palace will reopen as the Waldorf Astoria London Admiralty Arch, transforming this royal landmark into a five-star destination that invites guests to sleep within a piece of British history.
Commissioned by King Edward VII in honour of his late mother, Queen Victoria, Admiralty Arch was completed in 1912 and served for decades as a ceremonial gateway to the royal heart of London.
Admiralty Arch: London’s historic gateway reborn as a Waldorf Astoria Hotel in 2026
Designed by architect Sir Aston Webb, who also worked on the façade of Buckingham Palace, the structure has long been a symbol of state power and pageantry. For generations, it’s framed some of the capital’s most iconic moments from coronation parades to Olympic celebrations, its three sweeping arches standing as both literal and figurative thresholds between the monarchy and the people.
Now, over a century later, the arch has meticulously restored and reinvented as part of a £1 billion transformation led by Hilton’s Waldorf Astoria brand. The project brings together British craftsmanship and modern luxury, ensuring that the building’s historic bones remain at the heart of its rebirth.
Inside, the hotel will feature around 100 rooms and suites, a signature restaurant and bar, a holistic spa and wellness centre, and private event spaces that echo the elegance of early 20th-century London. Many suites will look directly down The Mall toward Buckingham Palace – a view once reserved exclusively for monarchs during royal ceremonies.
While preserving its neoclassical architecture, the refurbishment will introduce interiors such as polished marble, sculptural light fittings, and bespoke furnishings that pay homage to both the arch’s Edwardian heritage and Waldorf Astoria’s timeless sophistication.
Rooms will overlook Buckingham Palace, giving visitors the same royal views once enjoyed only by monarchs
The Waldorf Astoria London Admiralty Arch promises more than just a luxurious stay; it’s a chance to experience London’s royal and architectural legacy up close. From this summer, guests can walk the same corridors once used by military commanders and government officials and step through the same arches that have watched royal carriages pass for generations.
This transformation also highlights a larger movement in London’s hospitality scene, one that fuses heritage with modern travel culture. Landmarks such as the Old War Office (now Raffles London) and Battersea Power Station have already showcased this trend, but Admiralty Arch may be the most symbolic. Its reopening represents both a celebration of British history and a reimagining of how the city’s past can shape the experiences of its future visitors.
