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Claridge'sClaridge's is a luxury hotel in Mayfair, central London. Claridge's is a traditional grand hotel which is said to have an aristocratic ambiance. Its extensive connections with royalty have led to it being referred to as an "extension to Buckingham Palace". It was founded in 1812 as Mivart's Hotel, located in a conventional London terraced house and grew by expanding into neighbouring houses. In the 1854 the founder sold the hotel to a Mr and Mrs Claridge who owned a smaller hotel next door. They combined the two operations, and after trading for a time as "Mivart's at Claridge's" they settled on the current name. The reputation of the hotel was confirmed in 1860 when Empress Eugenie made an extended visit, and entertained Queen Victoria at the hotel. Richard D'Oyly Carte, theatrical impressario and founder of the rival Savoy Hotel purchased Claridge's in 1894 and shortly afterwards demolished the old buildings and replaced them with the present ones. This was prompted by the need to install modern facilities such as lifts and en suite bathrooms. The new Claridge's opened in 1898. After the First World War Claridge's flourished due to demand from aristocrats who no longer maintained a London house, and an extension was built in the 1920s. The King of Yugoslavia spent much of the Second World War at Claridge's and his heir Crown Prince Alexander of Yugoslavia was born in the hotel. Claridge's has two hundred and three rooms and suites. The main restaurant is currently (2004) run by the celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay.
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