Top 32+ rare vintage shots taken at London’s famous Claridge’s Hotel

Nothing says British luxury quite like Claridge's, the elegant London hotel that dates back to the 1800s. As the story goes, the hotel's founders, William and Marianne Claridge, were running a hotel out of a single house until they decided to purchase a row of adjoining homes in the 1850s to grow their business... and grow it certainly did.

Over the last 150-plus years, the renowned hotel has been a favorite among celebrities, royalty, and politicians alike—classic Hollywood stars such as Cary Grant, Katharine Hepburn, and Audrey Hepburn made this British address their London residence during their careers. Its lively ballroom attracted flappers in the 1920s, and it was also where Winston Churchill decided to stay after his 1945 election loss. Claridge's is the perfect combination of luxury, design, and excitement—it's truly one of a kind.

Ahead, we look at some rare vintage photos taken at Claridge's through the years.

1898: A Grand Re-Opening

In the early 1890s, Claridge's was purchased by Richard D'Oyly Carte, who also notably owned the Savoy. The hotel was soon after redesigned by renowned British architect CW Stephens—who also designed the luxury department store Harrods—and reopened in 1898. The hotel was initially founded in the 1850s, but this redesign was ushering in an even more luxurious new era.

1899: Reception Hall

Here's a shot of the hotel's reception hall, which boasts an impressive skylight and plenty of room for seating.

1924: The Marchioness of Cambridge

Around 1924, Margaret Cambridge, the Marchioness of Cambridge, attended the annual Peter Pan theme party at the hotel with her young son.

1936: Hollywood Stars Spotted

German-American actress Marlene Dietrich and English actor Robert Donat spent this night out at Claridge's. The two starred in Knight Without Armor—an adventure romance film that follows the story of a Czarist British agent and a Russian countess—which premiered a year later.

1938: A Gorgeous Fashion Show Venue

The International Wool Secretariat put on a fashion show at the hotel two years later. A model poses here with a hooded, three-quarter length wool coat layered over gray belted slacks and a matching turtleneck. How chic!

1939: Tea for Two

British actress Jeanne Stuart and a friend enjoyed a party at the hotel in the late-1930s. The two were dressed to the nines that evening, wearing elaborate fur jackets, sculptural hats, and plenty of jewelry.

1943: Alfred Hitchcock

The revered film director Alfred Hitchcock, with more hits to his name to count, was also a guest at the hotel. He's pictured here enjoying a glass of wine in the hotel's restaurant.

1946: Eleanor Roosevelt

Eleanor Roosevelt, social activist and wife of Franklin Delano Roosevelt held a meeting at the hotel in 1946. She's pictured here laughing alongside her guests.

1949: Out and About

Marlene Dietrich was snapped leaving Claridge's in 1949. A year later, she would appear in Alfredo Hitchcock's Stage Fright, a mystery thriller that also starred Jane Wyman and Richard Todd.

1950: The Mudlark

The Oscar-nominated actress Irene Dunne, known for starring in movies like The Awful Truth with Cary Grant, stopped by Claridge's when she was in town filming The Mudlark.

1951: Katharine Hepburn

Another superstar, Katharine Hepburn, attended a press reception at the hotel in 1951. The event was for the John Huston-directed drama romance The African Queen, which starred Hepburn, Humphrey Bogart, and Robert Morley.

1951: Princess Margaret

Princess Margaret attended a children's fundraiser dance at the hotel that same year. The princess is pictured here shaking hands, wearing a beautifully beaded strapless gown with elbow-length gloves and a diamond necklace.

1952: A Fashion Show

Royal dressmaker John Cavanagh poses with model June Clarke, dressed in one of his embroidered chiffon creations. The duo was at the hotel for a private fashion show in 1952.

1953: A Piece of Cake

Legendary actress and fashion icon Audrey Hepburn attended a "Welcome Home" party at the hotel in 1953. The reception was held in honor of the actress when she returned to London after filming Roman Holiday.

1955: A Fancy Party

Lord Beaverbrook, famous for starting newspapers like The Daily Express and being a war cabinet member for Winston Churchill, poses with Margaret Campbell, the Duchess of Argyll. The Lord and Duchess are celebrating her daughter Frances Sweeney, also pictured, for her debutante party.

1955: High Society

Sweeney's debutante ball was a lavish affair. Attendees are pictured here at the hotel dressed in extravagant gowns and tailored black suits.

1956: Hats' Off

Model Bronwen Pugh, who later became an Astor when she married William Astor, 3rd Viscount Astor, is pictured here trying on hats with a fellow model at the hotel. Pugh was no stranger to the fashion world—she was a muse to Pierre Balmain, who considered her one of the most beautiful women.

1957: Louis Jourdan

Oh, the drama. French film actor Louis Jourdan spent time at Claridge's in the late 1950s while he was in town shooting a movie at England's Pinewood Studios.

1960: 5-Star Luxury

Here's a shot of the hotel's classy facade taken in 1960.

1960: Shirley MacLaine

Actress Shirley MacLaine poses in her hotel room in 1960. The Hollywood star released three films that year—Can-Can with Frank Sinatra, The Apartment with Jack Lemmon, and Ocean's Eleven with Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis Jr.

1963: Queen Frederika of Greece

Queen Frederika of Greece waved to onlookers while arriving at the hotel in 1963. The Queen and her husband, King Paul, were holding a banquet at the hotel for the British Royal family in the early 1960s.

1963: Tippi Hedren

Actress and fashion model Tippi Hedren posed for a photo at the hotel in 1963. Hedren may be most known for her role in Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds, and she was also a committed animal rights activist and humanitarian.

1965: A Film Premiere

French actress Irina Demick, who appeared in The Longest Day with Richard Burton and John Wayne, stayed at the hotel while in town for a film premiere in 1965.

1966: Torn Curtain

Hitchcock was a guest at the hotel in 1966, a few months before the release of his romance thriller Torn Curtain. The film stars Paul Newman and Julie Andrews, and it's an entertaining spy story set in the backdrop of Cold War-era East Germany.

1970: Jackie O

Of course, the ever-so-glamorous Jackie Kennedy Onassis stayed at the famous hotel. She's pictured here exiting the hotel in a knee-length collared jacket, matching flared bottoms, and her signature black turtleneck and oversized glasses.

1971: All Smiles

Oscar-nominated actress Rosalind Russell, known for films like His Girl Friday and Gypsy, waves outside the hotel in 1971.

1978: Cybill Shepherd

The great Cybill Shepherd looked longingly out the window at Claridge's in 1978 in this photo. The rising star appeared in The Lady Vanishes alongside Elliott Gould and Angela Lansbury a year later.

1978: Bianca Jagger

The human rights advocate, former actress, and first wife of rocker Mick Jagger was snapped outside of the hotel that same year.

1979: Sophia Loren

Sophia Loren proved she was the epitome of glamorous when she arrived at the hotel dressed in a long fur jacket and a button-down black blouse.

1980: Meryl Streep

Actress Meryl Streep smiled demurely for cameras waiting outside the hotel. She was fresh off her role as Joanna Kramer in the Robert Benton-directed picture Kramer vs. Kramer.

1983: Jamie Lee Curtis

Actress and recent Oscar winner Jamie Lee Curtis was also a guest at the hotel when she was in town to help promote her 1983 film Trading Places, which also starred Dan Aykroyd and Eddie Murphy.

1987: Princess Diana

Claridge's has an air of regality to it, so it's no surprise Princess Diana was an occasional guest. The princess is pictured here with Prince Charles while talking to guests at a state banquet thrown by the Prince of Monaco. How fabulous.