Sofitel London St James:
Waterloo Place is one of the quieter corners of central London, which is part of what makes it special. The building here originally opened as a bank in the 19th century. Buckingham Palace is at the end of the road and the Reform Club is opposite. It became Sofitel London St James in 2002 and was significantly refurbished in 2019 by Paris-based designer Pierre-Yves Rochon, who redesigned all 183 rooms and suites.
For weddings, it works at an intimate scale. Two suites accommodate up to 120 guests. The French approach to hospitality, attentive, warm and precise, runs through every element of the day. Additionally, the location is one of its genuine strengths. St James’s Park, The Mall and Buckingham Palace are all within walking distance, which gives couples and their guests a backdrop that most London hotels simply cannot offer.
The Wedding Suites
The Westminster Suite is the main event space. It holds up to 120 guests, with chandeliers above and a lit floor for dancing. Ceremony and wedding breakfast can both take place in the same room, which keeps the day flowing without guests needing to move between spaces. The Mayfair Suite works alongside it for larger numbers or independently for something more intimate. In addition, both suites carry the same French-influenced design sensibility as the rest of the hotel. They feel considered and refined without being overly formal.
A dedicated wedding coordinator manages the planning from initial enquiry through to the day itself.
Wild Honey and the Bars
Wild Honey St James holds a Michelin star under chef Anthony Demetre, who combines classical French technique with seasonal British ingredients. The standard of cooking carries directly into wedding menus, which matters when the meal is one of the things guests will remember. The Rose Lounge suits afternoon teas and pre-wedding gatherings well, and Bistrot at Wild Honey provides a more relaxed option for rehearsal dinners and post-wedding lunches. Furthermore, the St James Bar is well regarded in its own right and suits evening drinks and after-dinner gatherings throughout the stay.
Spa and Accommodation
The Sofitel Spa runs across three floors and holds award-winning status. Treatments draw on Codage, Su-Man, HydraFacial and Sothys. It suits pre-wedding preparations as well as a broader wellness stay for the wedding party. Moreover, a fully equipped Technogym gym is also available throughout any visit.
The hotel has 183 rooms and suites, all redesigned by Pierre-Yves Rochon in 2019. Each room has its own character within a consistent design language. As a result, a wedding party spread across several rooms will find variety without any drop in quality. The hotel holds both Green Key and EarthCheck Silver certification for its sustainability commitments. Wild Honey St James also uses honey from the hotel’s own rooftop beehives, which is a telling detail about how seriously the kitchen takes its ingredients.
Is Sofitel London St James Right for Your Wedding?
Sofitel London St James is a good option for couples who want a five-star London wedding on a more intimate scale. The quality of the food, the service and the surroundings matter more here than the size of the ballroom. The Michelin-starred dining, the three-floor spa and the St James’s address work well together. In addition, having Buckingham Palace, The Mall and St James’s Park within a short walk adds a lot for guests staying across the weekend.
It is not the right choice for couples wanting a large wedding above 120 guests, an exclusive use property or a grand ballroom setting.
For couples exploring other options in the capital, browse our wider collection of luxury wedding venues in London, our guide to grand hotel wedding venues in London and our overview of getting married in the UK.
- Grade II listed neoclassical building on Waterloo Place, St James’s
- Five-star hotel with French-influenced hospitality
- Westminster Suite: up to 120 guests, chandeliers, lit dancefloor
- Mayfair Suite: works alongside Westminster or independently
- Dedicated wedding coordinator
- Wild Honey St James: Michelin-starred, chef Anthony Demetre
- Rose Lounge for afternoon tea and pre-wedding gatherings
- Bistrot at Wild Honey and St James Bar on site
- Sofitel Spa: three floors, award-winning, Codage, Su-Man, HydraFacial and Sothys
- 183 rooms and suites redesigned by Pierre-Yves Rochon in 2019
- Green Key certified and EarthCheck Silver certified (both 2025)
- Steps from Buckingham Palace, St James’s Park and The Mall
Full details, civil ceremony licensing and package pricing on enquiry.
Getting There
Sofitel London St James is at 6 Waterloo Place in St James’s. Piccadilly Circus Underground station is a four-minute walk, served by the Bakerloo and Piccadilly lines. Green Park and Charing Cross are also nearby, and Victoria is around ten minutes by taxi for guests arriving by national rail. In addition, Heathrow is accessible via the Piccadilly line direct to Piccadilly Circus.
Other Luxury Wedding Venues in London
Sofitel London St James is one of a number of five-star hotel wedding venues in central London. Explore our grand hotel wedding venues in London guide and our full collection of luxury wedding venues in London to compare heritage hotels, landmark spaces and five-star venues across the capital.