196-Room St. Regis London Opening Spring 2026, Maybe

London is one of the most premium hotel markets in the world, though it’s a city that has surprisingly few luxury points hotel options. That’s slowly changing, though we’re having to be really patient, given constant construction delays.

In this post, I want to take an updated look at the most anticipated new Marriott property in London, which is now running a few years behind schedule.

Westbury Mayfair Hotel will become St. Regis London

In February 2022, it was announced that Marriott signed a management agreement with Cola Holdings and the Westbury Hotel Limited to bring the St. Regis brand to London, with a 196-room hotel.

Specifically, the former Westbury Mayfair Hotel (which was a Marriott Luxury Collection property) is being rebranded as a St. Regis after an extensive $122 million redevelopment.

That’s a huge amount to spend, so this will be more than just a renovation — the hotel will be getting an eighth floor, plus the rear of the hotel will be extended, creating enhanced public areas, along with renovations to the facade of the building and the drop-off area outside the main entrance. Once completed, the hotel will feature a signature restaurant, speakeasy jazz bar, fitness center, and spa.

When plans for the St. Regis London were announced, we were told to expect an opening in 2023. Unfortunately that timeline didn’t stick, and the latest update is that the hotel is expected to open in spring 2026. Do any London locals who pass this area frequently have a sense of how construction is actually going, and if progress is being made?

I understand construction is complicated, but it’s kind of incredible how often hotels miss their opening deadline, and not just by a couple of months. So the project was initially supposed to take well under two years, but will now take well over four years, and that’s best case scenario?

While we’ll have to be patient for quite some time, this is a property I’m excited about. Personally St. Regis is my favorite Marriott Bonvoy brand, given that St. Regis honors elite perks better than Ritz-Carlton properties. Marriott Bonvoy Platinum members and above can receive free breakfast at St. Regis properties, and can also use nightly upgrade awards.

As of now renderings of the property are limited, so I’m curious to see what this property looks like. With the amount of money being spent, it better be good!

This actually won’t be the first time that there’s a St. Regis property in London. In the early 2000s, The Lanesborough was branded as a St. Regis. However, in 2014 it rebranded, and joined Oetker Collection.

London’s luxury points hotel scene is improving

Fortunately it’s not just Marriott bringing one of its flagship luxury brands to London, as Hyatt and and Hilton are also opening new properties in London.

In late 2024, we saw the opening of the Park Hyatt London River Thames. Physically, the 203-room hotel looks quite nice, though the location leaves a bit to be desired, especially for a flagship property. It’s located in the One Nine Elms development, which is a mixed-use skyscraper, which doesn’t exactly have a central location.

Perhaps the most exciting points hotel coming to the city is the Waldorf Astoria London Admiralty Arch. This 100-room property is expected to open in 2026, and will be located near Buckingham Palace, in a landmark that’s going to become a hotel for the first time.

Between Park Hyatt, St. Regis, and Waldorf Astoria, those of us who like redeeming points at luxury hotels in London should be happy campers in the next couple of years.

Bottom line

The St. Regis London is expected to open in the spring of 2026, representing a roughly three year delay over the initial timeline, which called for a 2023 opening. The former Westbury Mayfair Hotel is undergoing a significant redevelopment, including an expansion, and should reopen as a 196-room St. Regis.

What do you make of the upcoming St. Regis London?