St. Ermin’s Hotel in London: An Incredible Story of Spies, Style, & History

Ding Dong! You have arrived in London.

We ask passengers to unbuckle their seatbelts... step out of the vehicle, and walk towards the pride of London.

St. Ermin's Hotel, Autograph Collection.

When you step inside this luxury hotel in the heart of Westminster, London, you'll witness Victorian elegance seamlessly blending with modern hospitality.

Every direction holds a story, and every corner whispers secrets of the past.

But its journey to becoming part of Marriott’s prestigious Autograph Collection is another tale—one as iconic as the property itself, standing proudly in one of London’s most historic areas.

The Beginning: A Love for Heritage and Architecture

In the late 19th century, St. Ermin’s was originally constructed as a horseshoe-shaped mansion block in St. James’s Park, designed by architect Edwin T. Hall.

By 1894, the building had expanded along Broadway to St. Ermin’s Hill.

In 1899, new owners transformed the mansion block into a hotel, commissioning Victorian theatre designer J.P. Briggs to redesign the interiors.

Briggs introduced dramatic reception rooms adorned with rich plasterwork, much of which remains today.

A Neo-Baroque interior design.

Unlike many developers, the new owner saw the building as a canvas waiting to be restored—a story worth celebrating.

And celebrate they did: in 1899, the world welcomed the opening of a new kind of hotel—St. Ermin’s Hotel.

The Restoration Journey: A Labor of Love

After decades of welcoming guests and witnessing history unfold, the hotel entered a new chapter under the ownership of Tei Fu Chen and Oi-Lin Chen.

With a deep appreciation for heritage, they embarked on an extensive restoration to preserve the hotel's architectural integrity while upgrading it for the modern traveler.

The Taiwanese couple went above and beyond to maintain the hotel’s legacy, ensuring it remained an iconic symbol of London’s historical past.

This marked a renewal—seamlessly blending the past with contemporary expectations.​

Their restoration vision demanded a delicate balance.

Thus began a journey where skilled artisans and architects collaborated to preserve the hotel's essence.

From the sweeping Victorian-era twin staircases to the elegant balconies, each detail stands as a testament to its storied past.​

The Headquarters of Spies

In 1940, Winston Churchill convened a pivotal meeting at St. Ermin's Hotel, gathering a select group of remarkable individuals to assist in his directive to "Set Europe Ablaze."

This group became the founding members of the Special Operations Executive (SOE), a covert unit established to conduct espionage, sabotage, and reconnaissance during World War II. ​

The SOE, often referred to as Churchill’s Secret Army, established its headquarters on an entire floor of St. Ermin's Hotel during the war. ​

As you explore the hotel's interior today, you'll discover the Caxton Bar, a place where Churchill himself was known to enjoy a glass of his favorite drink.

A Look Inside the Owners

For Tei-Fu Chen, born in a poor village in Taiwan, this was more than just a restoration project—it was a tribute to heritage and perseverance.

After attending Brigham Young University, Chen went on to build a successful pharmaceutical and wellness company.

In 2010, he and his wife, Oi-Lin Chen, purchased St. Ermin’s Hotel for an undisclosed sum.

Fast-forward to April 2011, and the doors of the fully refurbished St. Ermin’s Hotel opened once again.

Step inside, and you’ll see intricate white plasterwork, lovingly restored.

And don’t forget the now-famous bees living on the rooftop—an unexpected, charming touch that guests continue to talk about.

Tei-Fu Chen and Oi-Lin Chen wanted only one thing: to create a lasting legacy—one that honors the past while paving the way for the future.

Through their vision, St. Ermin’s continues to be a beacon of timeless elegance and modern luxury, embodying everything that makes London one of the most historic yet vibrant cities in the world.

Stories like these inspire my curiosity more and more.

They fuel my desire to open hotels around the globe—and along the way, help others build their own legacy.

I hope you’ll join me in this curiosity.

Oh, almost forgot!

I recently created a video about St. Ermin’s Hotel that you can check out ​here​.