On Saturday April 15th 1950, Monsieur Ferdinand Gillet flew to England to meet with several Head Hall Porters, including Jimmy Stewart of The Dorchester Hotel, Joseph Cullen of The Grosvenor House Hotel, and Joseph Regazzoni of The Grosvenor Hotel Victoria, amongst others.
They all travelled to Eastbourne located on England’s south coast, and were welcomed by the local mayor and Robert Cook, the Head Hall Porter of The Cavendish Hotel in Eastbourne who was a member of Les Clefs d’Or.
Monsieur Gillet visited numerous hotels on his visit, and spoke of the 1200 Head Hall Porters in France and the French union who were already members of Les Clefs d’Or, and he emphasised the “importance of the hotel industry to France and England, both of which depend a good deal on tourists for their prosperity. He hoped their mutual interests would lead to the tightening of the bonds of friendship between themselves, and other European countries.
The Society of the Golden Keys of Great Britain was represented in Cannes in April 1952 for the first Congress and creation of L’Union Europeenne des Portiers de Grands Hotels “Les Clefs d’Or” (UEPGH Les Clefs d’Or) and the formal date of Great Britain joining is recorded as June 6th 1952.
The founding principles of the Society of The Golden Keys remain to this day and are encapsulated in our motto ‘Service through Friendship’. The British section has more than 380 members under its wing currently from UK and other adherent member countries.
Great Britain has a wealth of history, with visitor attractions ranging from a sightseeing tour on an iconic double-decker bus in London, to discovering centuries of history at one of the many castles, palaces, cathedrals or museums. Enjoy a traditional afternoon tea, a West End show or dining in one of our internationally renowned restaurants the possibilities are endless.
The UK’s other cities and towns have a plenty to offer; from the trendy indie scene of Manchester to the amazing Balti food of Birmingham. Liverpool rides a tide of maritime and musical history beside the River Mersey, or maybe you prefer the dreaming spires and colleges of Oxford. The medieval passageways of York could be you preference, or why not venture north of the border to the lively art scenes of Glasgow and the culture of Edinburgh.
For any more suggestions, please get in touch with the friendly Les Clefs d’Or Concierge at the hotel you will be staying in Great Britain via www.lesclefsdorgb.org who will be more than happy to personalise your travel plans.
We take the motto of “Service Through Friendship” very seriously and this is reflected in our welcome as well as in our interactions with you.
We look forward to welcoming you as our guest and sharing with you the best in British Hospitality, from your arrival at the airport, port or station to when you arrive to our hotel, we will be at hand to ensure you have a great time in Great Britain and leave with fantastic memories.
In service through Friendship
Toru Machida
President of The Society of the Golden Keys of Great Britain and the Commonwealth.
1952
Toru Machida
President / Head Concierge
The Belmond Cadogan Hotel
1st Floor, Cromwell House
14 Fulwood Place
London WC1V 6HZ
United Kingdom
Phone : +44 20 7316 1600
London, England
30 Portman Square, London, England (United Kingdom)
Hyatt Regency London - The Churchill, tucked away in Marylebone, the chic heart of London’s West End and a stone's throw from London's iconic Oxford Street and Hyde Park, boasts 440 guestrooms, 3 award-winning restaurants and bars including the renowned Churchill Bar & Terrace, and 11 flexible meeting and event spaces. The hotel’s sophisticated new contemporary-classic guest rooms, suites and refurbished meeting spaces, all have a quintessentially British interior design inspired by Sir Winston Churchill’s renowned character and personal life. Award-winning dining options include seasonal, beautifully cooked, modern British dishes at The Montagu; bespoke spirits, craft cocktails & signature snacks at The Churchill Bar & Terrace; or Michelin star Italian cuisine at Locanda Locatelli.
London, Great Britain
252 High Holborn, Holborn, London WC1V 7EN, United Kingdom
Rosewood London, centrally located in the heart of London on High Holborn and housed in the original headquarters of the Pearl Assurance Company, showcases a sensitive renovation of the 1914 Edwardian, Grade II-listed building. Combining English heritage with contemporary sophistication, the retained Belle Époque architectural features include the original carriageway entrance to the grand courtyard and a spectacular Pavonazzo marble staircase, which rises over seven storeys. The hotel has the feel of a stylish London residence and houses 263 guestrooms and 45 suites including the Grand Manor House Wing, an exclusive seven-bedroom suite with its very own postcode. Tony Chi and Associates created the interiors of the public areas including 11 event spaces and the Mirror Room, serving elegant, innovative cuisine and afternoon tea. The Martin Brudnizki-designed Holborn Dining Room and year-round outdoor terrace offer British classics with a twist whilst Scarfes Bar serves creative cocktails alongside live jazz.
