The Ritz London Reinvents Itself with £300m Refurbishment
The Ritz London Reinvents Itself with £300m Refurbishment
Key Takeaways
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The Ritz London is undergoing a £300m refurbishment and expansion under new ownership.
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The project includes new leisure facilities, restaurants, spa, pool and more bedrooms.
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Sustainability is a major focus, with aims to achieve a BREEAM Excellent rating and net zero carbon.
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Staff retention and career development remain central to the hotel’s success.
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Despite investment, the Ritz London is facing the same staffing shortages as the wider hospitality industry.
A New Era for the Ritz London
The Ritz London, one of the capital’s most iconic luxury hotels, has embarked on a £300m redevelopment project to compete with a growing number of new luxury openings in the city. With properties like Raffles London at the Old War Office, the Peninsula London and Rosewood Chancery Lane on the horizon, the Ritz is determined to maintain its position as one of the world’s leading five-star hotels.
Acquired in 2020 by Qatari businessman Abdulhadi Mana Al-Hajri, the project will modernise the Grade II* listed hotel while retaining its traditional elegance. The goal is to appeal to younger, more demanding guests while preserving the property’s heritage.
What the Project Involves
The redevelopment is split into two phases:
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Phase One: The extension will include a second entrance, new restaurant, winter garden, bar, spa with treatment rooms, swimming pool, gym, and additional bedrooms, raising the total to around 150. It also includes a new back-of-house flow and underground VIP parking.
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Phase Two: A full refurbishment of the existing building is planned, with the current décor enhanced but not fundamentally changed.
The project is due to complete by 2028, with Purcell as lead architect and interiors delivered by EPR Architects, David Collins Studio, Pierre-Yves Rochon and Studio Ashby.
A Focus on Sustainability
The Ritz London is seeking to become the first Grade II* listed hotel to achieve BREEAM Excellent status for new build and refurbishment. Measures include better insulation, underground machinery to reduce noise and emissions, and innovative partnerships with Transport for London to extract heat from nearby Green Park station.
People and Culture
General Manager Sal Gowili has emphasised that people are at the heart of the Ritz’s success. Staff were retained on full pay during the pandemic, and investment in career development remains a priority. Twenty-one staff members have more than 20 years’ service, while new recruits are encouraged to grow into senior roles.
However, the Ritz is not immune from the industry-wide staffing crisis. Around 70 vacancies remain across commis chefs, commis waiters and room attendants. To ease pressure, occupancy has been capped at 60 to 80 percent, and restaurant covers reduced.
Gowili is determined to offer better work-life balance, competitive wages and a fairer service charge to attract and retain talent.
Lessons for the Wider Hospitality Sector
The Ritz London’s reinvention highlights several key lessons for hospitality businesses:
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Invest in modernisation to stay competitive with new market entrants.
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Combine heritage with innovation to attract younger demographics.
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Prioritise sustainability to meet consumer expectations and regulations.
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Support and retain staff with fair pay, training and career pathways.
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Prepare for ongoing recruitment challenges and adapt operations accordingly.
FAQs
What is the total investment in the Ritz London project?
The refurbishment and expansion are expected to cost around £300m.
When will the project be complete?
Phase one is due to complete in 2026, with full completion expected by 2028.
How many rooms will the Ritz London have after the refurbishment?
The hotel will expand from 136 rooms to between 145 and 155.
What sustainability measures are being introduced?
The hotel is targeting BREEAM Excellent certification, net zero carbon and innovative heat reuse projects with Transport for London.
What staffing challenges is the Ritz London facing?
Like much of the industry, it is struggling to fill front-line roles such as chefs, waiters and room attendants.
Work with KSB Recruitment
The Ritz London is reinventing itself for the future, but staffing remains a challenge across the sector. At KSB Recruitment, we help hotels, restaurants and caterers find skilled hospitality professionals, from chefs to front-of-house teams.
If your business needs reliable staff, or if you are looking for your next opportunity in hospitality, we can help.
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