Guillaume Marly is the General Manager of Waldorf Astoria London Admiralty Arch, bringing one of the world’s great hotel names to one of London’s most famous landmarks, at the top of The Mall.
1. Admiralty Arch has stood between Trafalgar Square and The Mall since 1912. What did it mean to you personally to be asked to open a hotel inside such an important London landmark?
It is a great privilege. Admiralty Arch is such an integral part of London’s identity, and the opportunity to open it as a hotel is quite extraordinary. What makes it particularly special to me is the contrast between its monumental, ceremonial exterior and the more intimate world within. It is a building people may have passed countless times, yet few will have had the opportunity to experience it from the inside. We can offer that discovery, and I think there is something rather rare about it.
Of course, that comes with a responsibility to respect the character of the building as it takes on a new life. But I find myself thinking just as much about the guests who will walk through its doors: what they might discover, the details that stay with them, and how it feels to experience London from somewhere quite unlike anywhere else. To be part of creating those moments, in a place with such a distinctive presence, is something the team and I feel very fortunate to do.
2. Converting a Grade I-listed building is a delicate balance. How has the team honoured the Arch’s history while creating a hotel that feels genuinely of today?
The restoration of Admiralty Arch has always been about more than preserving an extraordinary building; it has been about giving its history a meaningful future. What makes the project so special is the opportunity to respect the character and significance of each space while allowing it to become part of a new guest experience.
The former Dining Room of the First Sea Lord is a wonderful example. It is now the dining room of Coreus by Clare Smyth MBE, and there is something very natural about that connection – a room that was once associated with hosting at the highest level now becomes a setting for another expression of exceptional hospitality and dining.
Throughout the hotel, we have looked at how each space can add something distinctive to the experience. The architecture, the history and the details are not simply there to be admired; they give every room and every encounter a sense of place and meaning. It is this balance of preservation and reinvention that allows Admiralty Arch to feel like a living landmark – one that honours what came before while creating something entirely new for guests to discover.
3. You joined from Hotel Café Royal. What drew you from one London landmark to another, and to opening London’s first Waldorf Astoria?
Having worked at Hotel Café Royal, I know how special it is to be part of a London landmark with its own identity and history. So, when the opportunity came to open the capital’s first Waldorf Astoria at Admiralty Arch, it really appealed to me. There is something quite extraordinary about this building. It has been part of London’s story for more than a century, and the thought of welcoming guests through its doors and allowing them to experience it in an entirely new way is incredibly exciting.
What I love most about the project is the contrast between the grandeur of the exterior and the intimacy we are creating inside. Despite its monumental scale, the hotel will feel personal, warm and considered. With just 114 guest rooms and suites, every space has its own character, and there is a real opportunity to get to know our guests and understand what makes their stay meaningful to them. For me, that is what exceptional hospitality is all about.
I am also incredibly excited about the dining experiences we are bringing together. Having chefs of the calibre of Clare Smyth MBE and Daniel Boulud under one roof is remarkable, but what matters just as much is that each restaurant will have its own personality and sense of place. We want the hotel to feel like a destination in its own right, not simply somewhere to stay, but somewhere people will want to return to, whether they are visiting London or live here.
Ultimately, I feel very fortunate to be part of a project with such a strong sense of purpose. We have a responsibility to respect the history of Admiralty Arch, but also to make it relevant and alive for a new generation. If we can create a place that feels unmistakably London, while making every guest feel genuinely welcome, then I think we will have achieved something truly special.
4. The hotel will open with restaurants by Clare Smyth and Daniel Boulud. What will each bring, and is there a space you think will become a destination for Londoners as well as hotel guests?
What excites me about bringing Clare Smyth and Daniel Boulud to Waldorf Admiralty Arch is that, while their approaches are distinct, both share an extraordinary respect for ingredients, craftsmanship and the experience of dining.
For me, Coreus feels particularly connected to the spirit of the building. Located in the former First Sea Lord’s Dining Room, it draws on Admiralty Arch’s maritime heritage to celebrate the best of Britain’s seas, coastlines and farms. Clare has a remarkable ability to take exceptional ingredients and give them a real sense of identity on the plate. Sustainability and provenance are central to her approach, and I love the idea of that philosophy finding a home in a building so closely connected to Britain’s naval history. Her Whiskey & Seaweed bar offers another expression of her creativity, bringing together carefully selected whiskies from across the UK with cocktails and wines inspired by her distinctive culinary perspective.
Daniel brings a different energy. Café Boulud marks his return to London, combining his deep understanding of French cuisine with the warmth and familiarity of a brasserie you want to return to time and time again. From breakfast and lunch to afternoon tea, dinner and late-night dining, it is designed to become part of the rhythm of the city, offering something for every moment of the day.
Its rooftop setting offers an extraordinary vantage point, and one that is unique to Admiralty Arch. With views along The Mall towards Buckingham Palace, across to Big Ben and back towards Nelson’s Column in Trafalgar Square, it offers a rare and quintessentially London perspective. I can imagine Café Boulud becoming a place Londoners return to throughout the day, whether for a leisurely lunch, afternoon tea or a drink on the terrace.
Ultimately, I would love both restaurants to become destinations in their own right, each with its own personality and following, while feeling deeply connected to London. My hope is that people come not only for the food, but for the atmosphere, the setting and the sense of occasion, making both restaurants an integral part of the city’s dining scene.
5. Suites such as the Nelson Suite and the Victory Residence nod to the Arch’s naval heritage. Which artisans, makers or design details are you most proud of?
One of the things I find most rewarding about this project is the way the building’s history has informed so many of the decisions we have made. It has been important to us that the naval heritage of Admiralty Arch feels woven into the experience, rather than simply something we tell guests about. The names of the Nelson Suite and Victory Residence are a lovely example of this. They carry a real sense of history, but each space has its own identity and character. HMS Victory was Admiral Lord Nelson’s legendary flagship, and the Nelson Suite pays tribute to the admiral himself. With unrivalled views of Trafalgar Square and Nelson’s Column at its centre, the hotel is intrinsically connected to the story of Nelson’s victory at the Battle of Trafalgar and Britain’s rich naval heritage. For me, this is central to creating a genuine sense of place at Admiralty Arch. The history within the building and the landmarks beyond its walls are inseparable; they are part of the same story. We have sought to reflect that connection throughout the guest experience, so that the architecture, the names of our suites and the views across London all contribute to a deeper understanding of where we are. It is this relationship between the building and its surroundings that makes Admiralty Arch so distinctive.
It is almost impossible to single out one artisan, maker or design detail, because the craftsmanship and meticulous attention to detail are evident throughout the entire restoration. Working with a building of this significance demands an exceptional level of care and respect for its history. Admiralty Arch was never an ordinary building, and its transformation has required an equally considered approach. Every decision has been informed by an understanding of its architecture, its history and its relationship with its remarkable setting. From restoring original architectural features and employing traditional techniques to introducing colour palettes inspired by the landscape of nearby St James’s Park, the work of exceptional British artisans has been central to bringing this vision to life.
The ambition has been to preserve what makes Admiralty Arch so significant while giving it a new purpose. It will remain an important London landmark, but it will also become a place to experience from within, where its history and architectural character are part of a new chapter of exceptional hospitality. For me, the success of the project lies in striking that balance: honouring the past while creating somewhere people genuinely want to spend time, a place that retains the grandeur and character of Admiralty Arch while feeling welcoming, relevant and connected to London today.
6. Waldorf Astoria is known for its legendary service. How will that translate here, and what will make the London experience distinctly British?
This opening marks a defining chapter for Waldorf Astoria, bringing the brand to one of the world’s great luxury destinations. Exceptional accommodation, restorative spa experiences, a remarkable culinary offering, elegant event spaces and extraordinary views provide the foundations for a truly singular stay. Yet what will set us apart is the way these elements come together, shaped by service that is intuitive, thoughtful and deeply personal.
As a relatively intimate hotel, we have the opportunity to get to know our guests, understand their individual preferences and anticipate their needs. For me, exceptional service is about more than attention to detail; it is about creating a genuine sense of connection, so that every guest feels recognised, welcomed and cared for.
The building itself is central to what makes this experience unique. Admiralty Arch occupies a remarkable place in London’s history, with a ceremonial significance and architectural character that few buildings can rival. Reuben Brothers, in partnership with Hilton, have invested considerable care in restoring this Grade I-listed landmark and giving it a new purpose, preserving its heritage while creating a setting for a new chapter in its story. In many ways, this feels a natural partnership with Waldorf Astoria, a brand whose own heritage is rooted in a longstanding tradition of exceptional hospitality.
The distinctly British character of the experience will emerge from this sense of place: the architecture and craftsmanship, the traditions of service and the opportunity to experience London from one of its most historic settings. Through our culinary offering and carefully considered experiences that connect guests with the city, we want to offer something that could only exist here. Our ambition is to create a hotel that feels unmistakably London, with its own identity and sense of occasion, while remaining true to the warmth, individuality and legendary service of Waldorf Astoria.
7. Finally, what do you hope Waldorf Astoria London – Admiralty Arch adds to London’s luxury hotel scene in the years ahead?
For the first time in its history, Admiralty Arch will open its doors as a hotel, inviting guests to experience this extraordinary landmark from within. I hope we can offer something genuinely distinctive to London’s luxury hotel scene: a place where the city’s history, architecture and sense of ceremony are inseparable from the experience of staying here.
From Coreus by Clare Smyth MBE, celebrating the finest British produce, to rooms and suites overlooking The Mall and Trafalgar Square, every element is rooted in the character of this remarkable setting. There are very few places where guests can stay within a landmark of such national significance, surrounded by so much of London’s history, yet enjoy an experience that feels intimate and deeply personal.
Ultimately, I hope Waldorf Astoria London – Admiralty Arch offers a new perspective on a city people may already know well. Not simply a place from which to explore London, but a place through which to experience it differently: through its heritage, its culture, its culinary excellence and the warmth of truly individual service. If we can create something that feels both unmistakably London and entirely its own, then I believe we will have made a lasting contribution to the city.
