“Following various press reports, we can confirm that The Ritz London has been acquired by a private Qatari investor,” Jackie McDevitt, head of public relations at the property told HN. The name of the buyer remains undisclosed.

The hotel has been reportedly sold for approximately £800 million.

McDevitt explained the hotel will remain closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. “As soon as it is safe, the new ownership together with the hotel’s team look forward to reopening the revolving door, and to the next chapter of Piccadilly’s iconic Grande Dame hotel,” she said. She added: “In the meantime the new owners have confirmed their wish that all employees continue to receive their full salaries during this period of forced closure.”

This is the first time in the history that the hotel has closed its doors since its opening in 1906.