The Courthouse That's Now a Doubletree by Hilton Hotel in London

Aug 20, 2010
Mike Gerrard

Courthouse Doubletree by Hilton Hotel London - Courthouse Doubletree by Hilton Hotel London

The Great Marlborough Street Magistrates Court close to Carnaby Street and Oxford Circus in London's West End is now a 5-Star luxury hotel with a spa.

The Courthouse Doubletree by Hilton Hotel just off Regent's Street is a 5-star luxury spa hotel in the heart of London's West End, with a quirky charm all of its own. It owes many of the quirks to its previous existence as the Great Marlborough Street Magistrates Court where famous names like Oscar Wilde, John Lennon, Johnny Rotten, Christine Keeler, Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Bob Monkhouse, and even Napoleon have all made appearances.

History of the Courthouse Doubletree by Hilton in London

The Courthouse is a Grade II Listed Building, thanks to its long and very special history. It was built in the early 1800s when it became the second-oldest Magistrates Court in the country. In 1835 Charles Dickens worked in the building as a court reporter, and it went on to become one of the most famous magistrates courts in England with many celebrated cases heard there. It re-opened as a luxury London hotel in 2005, but cleverly retained many of the building's original features.

Original Features of the Courthouse Doubletree by Hilton in London

The Waiting Room where famous names from Oscar Wilde to John Lennon would have entered and been processed, before moving on into the courtroom itself, has been retained very much as it was and is used as a small function room and as the Breakfast Room. Some of the courthouse cells have been retained and now make private drinking booths off the bar, though the WCs in the corner are now merely decorative so don't try flushing them.

Famous Cases at the Courthouse Doubletree by Hilton in London

Some of the famous trails here over the years have included:

1847: Napoleon Bonaparte was a witness in a fraud case.
1895: Oscar Wilde took the Marquess of Queensberry to court here on a charge of criminal libel.
1963: Christine Keeler appeared here in the sex allegations which began the Profumo Affair.
1969: Mick Jagger was up before the beak on drugs charges. Fined £200.
1973: Keith Richards fined £205 on various drugs charges and for possession of a revolver and a shotgun.
1970: John Lennon charged with exhibiting sexually explicit pictures. Case dismissed.
1977: Johnny Rotten charged with possessing amphetamine sulphate. Fined £40.

Modern Features of the Courthouse Doubletree by Hilton in London

Today the Courthouse has 112 rooms and suites including some of the most original accommodation in London. Several high-ceilinged Magistrates Suites are in what were the judges chambers on the first, second and third floors. They have the original Robert Adams fireplaces and oak flooring, and provide guests with views over Carnaby Street. The 2-bedroom Lalique Penthouse Suite is very different, with original Lalique Crystal pieces throughout the rooms.

The Sanook Spa has a sauna, gym and heated indoor pool, while dining options at the Courthouse include the casual Carnaby all-day brasserie and the Asian-fusion Silk Restaurant. This takes pride of place in the former courtroom, complete with the original judge's bench, dock and witness stand.

Further features include the chance to enjoy cocktails on the Soho Sky Terrace, and one of the biggest private cinemas in London.