A Visit to the East India Club, London

I was in London, England last weekend and stayed at one of our reciprocal clubs - The East India Club in St. James Square.

St. James Square is the heart of London's "clubland", with the Naval & Military Club (the "In & Out") across the square and half a block north of The Royal Automobile Club and a half dozen others on Pall Mall. It is a block south of Jermyn Street and two from Picadilly and Fortnum & Mason.

The East India was originally home to officers of the East India Company on their trips back to England. The main dining room is decorated with portraits of India's British administrators and military leaders.

The guest rooms are small but comfortable. The double rooms have been recently renovated, but the single rooms with bath are good for the business or single traveller. It is London, after all, and you are not there to stay in the room. Not only that, but you have the entire club as your living room, including a cosy library, an enormous reading room (where you can catch up on your horse & hounds, shooting and estate management magazines) and several lively bars.

The Library

The reading room

London is notorious for its hotel prices, but over a weekend the East India Club charges its reciprocal members just £78 a night, including a massive English breakfast (think kippers & sausage) and free WiFi. Clearly the best bargain in London. Drinks at the bar were a mere £3.20, rivalling our own $5 martini night (although ours are bigger).

Second floor bar. In this room the Prince Regent received news
of Wellington's victory over Napoleon at Waterloo. The
window is the balcony where he first announced it to the crowds.

For a reservation at any of The National Club's 250+ reciprocal clubs around the world, please contact the office.

Best regards,

Stephen

Stephen Lautens
President