Ritz Hotel (London) Limited

Who owns The Ritz London?
The Ritz London is owned by Qatari businessman Abdulhadi Mana Al-Hajri, who acquired the hotel from the Barclay brothers in March 2020 for approximately 700 million pounds. The ownership is structured through Ritz Holdco Limited. Al-Hajri is a member of the Qatari business community with interests in hospitality and real estate.

Is The Ritz London publicly traded?
No, The Ritz London is a private limited company. It operates through Ritz Hotel (London) Limited, incorporated in 1899. The company has no stock exchange listing and files accounts at Companies House as a private entity.

Who founded The Ritz London?
The Ritz London was founded by Swiss hotelier Cesar Ritz, who had previously established the Hotel Ritz in Paris in 1898. The London hotel opened on May 24, 1906, in a building designed by architect Charles Mewes in the Louis XVI style. Cesar Ritz retired due to illness in 1902 and died in 1918, after which his son Charles Ritz managed the hotel.

What is The Ritz London's revenue?
For the fiscal year 2023, The Ritz London reported turnover of 36 million pounds, unchanged from 2022. The hotel has not reported a pre-tax profit since 2019, when it posted a 2.4 million pound profit. Cumulative losses since 2019 exceed 75 million pounds, partly due to the 300 million pound renovation project and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

How many rooms does The Ritz London have?
The Ritz London has 111 rooms and suites, ranging from Superior King rooms to the Prince of Wales Suite. Room rates start at approximately 600 pounds per night and can exceed 4,000 pounds per night for suites.

When was The Ritz London renovated?
The Ritz London is currently undergoing a 300 million pound renovation that began in 2020 and is scheduled for completion in 2028. The project includes refurbishment of all guest rooms and suites, food and beverage outlets, and the construction of a two-storey subterranean spa with a 20-metre swimming pool. The Secret Garden, a new outdoor dining space, opened in June 2026.

What is The Ritz London famous for?
The Ritz London is famous for its afternoon tea service in the Palm Court, its Michelin-starred Ritz Restaurant, its Louis XVI-style interiors, and its Royal Warrant from HRH The Prince of Wales. The hotel celebrated its 120th anniversary in 2026.

The Ritz London was conceived by Swiss hotelier Cesar Ritz, who had already established the Hotel Ritz in Paris in 1898. Ritz partnered with architect Charles Mewes, who designed both the Paris and London hotels in a similar Louis XVI style. The Ritz Hotel (London) Limited was incorporated on November 17, 1899, and the hotel opened on May 24, 1906.

The site at 150 Piccadilly was chosen for its prominent location in central London, overlooking Green Park. The building was constructed with a steel frame, which was innovative for the time, and featured en-suite bathrooms in every room, a first for London hotels. The interior was designed with marble, gold leaf, and elaborate chandeliers, establishing the standard of luxury that would become synonymous with the Ritz name.

Cesar Ritz's involvement with the hotel was short-lived. He suffered a nervous breakdown in 1902 and retired to Switzerland, where he died in 1918. His son Charles Ritz took over management of the hotel and guided it through the challenging years of World War I and the interwar period. Charles Ritz was an avid fly fisherman and naturalist, and he introduced many of the hotel's traditions, including the emphasis on fresh ingredients and seasonal menus.

During World War II, The Ritz survived the Blitz largely intact, though parts of the building were damaged. The hotel continued to operate throughout the war, serving as a meeting place for politicians, military officers, and royalty. The Palm Court became famous for its afternoon tea dances, which continued even during wartime.

In the postwar decades, The Ritz London faced competition from newer luxury hotels and changing traveler preferences. The hotel underwent several renovations but maintained its traditional character and service standards. In 1976, The Ritz became the first hotel in Britain to be awarded a Royal Warrant by HRH The Prince of Wales as a supplier of hospitality services.

In 1995, the hotel was acquired by the billionaire Barclay brothers, Sir David Barclay and Sir Frederick Barclay, for approximately 75 million pounds. The Barclay brothers invested in a major restoration program, refurbishing the guest rooms, restaurants, and public spaces while preserving the hotel's historic character. Under their ownership, The Ritz underwent a 40 million pound restoration completed in 2002.

In March 2020, the Barclay brothers sold The Ritz London to Qatari businessman Abdulhadi Mana Al-Hajri for approximately 700 million pounds. The sale was one of the most expensive hotel transactions in UK history. Al-Hajri is a member of the Qatari ruling family's extended circle and has business interests in hospitality and real estate.

Under Al-Hajri's ownership, the hotel embarked on a 300 million pound renovation project in 2020. The project includes the complete refurbishment of guest rooms and suites, food and beverage outlets, and the construction of a two-storey subterranean spa with a 20-metre swimming pool, multiple treatment rooms, and a steam sauna. The renovation also involves expanding into an adjacent building on Arlington Street to provide additional accommodation during the main hotel's restoration. A temporary closure was expected, with the renovation scheduled for completion by 2028.

In June 2026, The Ritz London opened The Secret Garden, a new outdoor drinking and dining space designed by Marcus Barnett Studio and David Collins Studio. The Secret Garden features a botanical garden with irises, hydrangeas, crab-apple trees, and white wisteria, along with a water feature and live entertainment. The opening coincided with the hotel's 120th anniversary celebrations, which included the launch of the Ritz 120 cocktail made with gold-infused Belvedere Organic Vodka, Grand Marnier, and Champagne Barons de Rothsfield Reserve Ritz Brut.

The Ritz London has implemented sustainability initiatives focused on energy efficiency, waste reduction, and responsible sourcing, though the hotel does not hold independent third-party sustainability certifications such as Green Key or EarthCheck.

The hotel's renovation project includes energy efficiency upgrades to building systems, including heating, cooling, and lighting. The subterranean spa construction involves excavation and building work that has environmental impacts, though the hotel has not published environmental impact assessments for the project.

The Ritz London sources ingredients for its restaurants from British suppliers where possible, with a preference for seasonal and local produce. The hotel's culinary team has highlighted relationships with specific farms and producers, though the hotel does not publish comprehensive sourcing policies or supply chain audits.

Ethically, The Ritz London has faced scrutiny over its ownership structure. The acquisition by Abdulhadi Mana Al-Hajri, a Qatari businessman with connections to the Qatari ruling family, raised questions about transparency in luxury real estate ownership in the UK. The hotel's financial losses and late filing of accounts at Companies House have also drawn criticism regarding financial governance.

The hotel maintains a dress code requiring jackets and ties for gentlemen in most public spaces, which has been criticized by some as outdated, though the hotel maintains that the dress code is part of its heritage and ambiance.

The Ritz London has received numerous awards and recognition throughout its 120-year history:

• Royal Warrant: The Ritz is the only hotel in Britain to hold a Royal Warrant, awarded by HRH The Prince of Wales as a supplier of hospitality services
• Michelin Star: The Ritz Restaurant holds a Michelin star, awarded for the quality of its classical French cuisine under Executive Chef John Williams MBE
• Forbes Travel Guide: Consistently rated as a Five-Star hotel by the Forbes Travel Guide
• AAA Five Diamond Award: The hotel has received the AAA Five Diamond Award for luxury hospitality excellence
• World Travel Awards: Multiple recognitions including Europe's Leading Luxury Hotel and World's Leading Luxury Hotel
• Afternoon Tea Awards: The Palm Court's afternoon tea service is consistently ranked among the best in London by publications including Time Out, The Telegraph, and Condé Nast Traveller

The Ritz London has faced several controversies and regulatory issues in recent years.

The sale of the hotel in March 2020 to Abdulhadi Mana Al-Hajri for approximately 700 million pounds generated controversy due to the Barclay brothers' decision to sell without informing their own employees in advance. The sale was completed just days before the UK entered COVID-19 lockdown, raising questions about the timing and the new owner's awareness of the impending crisis.

The hotel's financial performance has attracted scrutiny. The Ritz has not filed its accounts on time at Companies House since June 2022, with the 2023 accounts filed more than five months late. The 2024 accounts were due by September 2025. The sustained losses, totaling over 75 million pounds since 2019, have raised questions about the financial viability of the single-property model and the cost of the renovation project.

The Barclay brothers' ownership period (1995 to 2020) was marked by a high-profile family dispute. Sir Frederick Barclay and Sir David Barclay had a falling out over the division of their business empire, including The Ritz. The dispute included allegations of commercial espionage, with family members reportedly recording private conversations at the hotel. The dispute was resolved as part of the sale to Al-Hajri.

The hotel's dress code has been a source of ongoing public debate. The Ritz requires gentlemen to wear jackets and ties in all public areas, and sportswear, ripped denim, and trainers are not permitted. While many guests appreciate the traditional standards, critics have called the policy elitist and out of touch with modern hospitality trends.

The renovation project has caused disruption to the hotel's operations and the surrounding neighborhood. Construction noise, scaffolding, and reduced room availability have affected the guest experience during the renovation period, which is expected to last through 2028.