The Ritz London: History of Favorite Gambling Spot of Monarchs & Millionaires 

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Xenia Luch

10 June 2024

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The Ritz London

Since 1906, when The Ritz London opened its doors to the public, it has been the place to be for the elite of the world. From royalty to celebrities, from politicians to gamblers, The Ritz has hosted them all, and witnessed their stories.

How César Ritz Brought Paris to London

The Ritz in London was the brainchild of César Ritz, a Swiss hotelier who had already made a name for himself in Paris. In 1896 he bought a fabulous palace, which later was been transformed into the Ritz Paris, a hotel that became synonymous with luxury.

César Ritz
César Ritz

César wanted to replicate his success in London, and he found the perfect spot: Piccadilly Street, in the heart of the city. He hired a French architect, Charles Mewes, to design the hotel in a neoclassical style, with a touch of Parisian flair.

construction of The Ritz
The Ritz was the 1st hotel in England to use a steel frame

It took 4 years to build the hotel, from 1902 to 1906. Londoners were eager to experience the new hotel, especially during the summer season, when the city hosted the famous horse races in 1905. The demand was so high that every hotel in London was 100% booked.

A Rocky Start and a Royal Boost

The Ritz in London welcomed its first guests on May 24, 1906. It promised a service that matched its 5-star rating, and it quickly won the favor of the aristocracy.

César was obsessed with cleanliness, and he made sure every detail was perfect. He even replaced the old-fashioned wardrobes with built-in closets that had no gaps for dust to collect.

But not everything was smooth sailing for the Ritz. It faced some serious financial problems in the beginning, because of 2 main reasons:

  •  Room rates were too high for most people. They ranged from £1.5 to £3.5 per night. That’s equivalent to about £200 to £500 today! 
  • French-style architecture was not to everyone’s taste. Some Londoners thought it was tacky. 

As a result, the Ritz lost more than £50,000 in its first 2 years. That’s a lot of money, even for a hotel. But things turned around when one of its loyal customers became the Prince of Wales

The Place to See and Be Seen

The Ritz was not just a hotel, but a social hub. Since 1908, it was the favorite spot of the Prince of Wales, who later became King Edward VII. He once said: “Wherever Ritz goes, I go”.

King Edward VII
King Edward VII

The Prince of Wales set the trend for the London elite, who flocked to the Ritz to dine, drink, and mingle. The Ritz was also a magnet for celebs, from politicians to musicians to actors. In 1921, Charlie Chaplin stayed at the hotel, and caused a frenzy among his fans. He needed more than 40 cops to escort him through the crowd.

The hotel also played a role in history, during World War I. From 1914 to 1918, the hotel hosted informal talks among European leaders, who tried to find a peaceful solution to the conflict. 

The Ritz London inside

During the war it lost a lot of money, but the government helped it survive.

The royal family continued to visit the Ritz, even after Edward VII’s death. Edward VIII, the son of Edward VII, was a regular at the Ritz, where he practiced his dancing skills in the ballroom.

The Ritz Club Casino: From Glory to Doom

The Ritz had its ups and downs, but it never lost its charm. It still had some loyal fans, who kept coming back for its service and style. Some of them were famous musicians, like The Rolling Stones, who stayed at the hotel during their tours.

But the hotel needed something new, something exciting. And in 1978, it found it: The Ritz Club Casino.

The Ritz Club Casino
The Ritz Club Casino

It opened in the basement of the hotel, and it was a hit. It had high stakes, high rollers, and high-class games. It offered the best of British gambling:

  • European Roulette
  • Blackjack
  • Baccarat
  • 3-Card Poker
  • Slots

It had a main hall, and 3 VIP rooms, for the most privileged guests. It was small, but cozy and luxurious. It also had a lot of celebs — Al Pacino, Johnny Depp, Bill Clinton.

Al Pacino - The Ritz London
Al Pacino is leaving The Ritz hotel

The casino was a success, and it became part of the hotel in 1998. For 15 years, it was one of the most popular and prestigious casinos in London.

But then, things changed. In 2014, the UK government imposed stricter gambling regulations. The rich gamblers from Asia stopped coming, and the casino started to lose money. So, in 2016, it was in deep trouble, and in 2020, it closed its doors for good.

The Ritz London
The Ritz now