Soho, London, United Kingdom
Historic courthouse building where many famous faces have appeared
Spacious and bright guest rooms with minibars and marble bathrooms
Luxurious suites have whirlpool baths and open fireplaces
Features include gym, private cinema, spa, sauna, and swimming pool
Fine dining restaurant, brasserie, and two bars
The Sky Terrace serves cocktails on the roof
Centrally located in Soho, near a wealth of shops, bars, restaurants,
and theaters
Quick walk to Oxford Circus tube station
Wi-Fi is free throughout the property
Parking is available (there’s an extra fee though)
Some guest rooms and public areas need updating
Decor throughout is an odd mix of styles
Breakfast is not included in the room rate
Fee for parking
This luxury hotel has 116 rooms over six floors, and is notable for its unique history as a 19th-century courthouse, many original features of which have been retained. Prices are lower here than at other nearby luxury hotels, such as the
Sanderson or the Langham, but the decor isn’t quite as cohesive, and aspects feel disjointed -- such as the Union Flag rug alongside Japanese statues in
the lobby. However, the property makes use of interesting historic features in the restaurant and bar, and offers a private cinema, spa, and swimming pool. Rooms have minibars and marble bathrooms, but decor can be hit and miss,
as some have been recently renovated, while others show wear and tear.
The location is top-notch, right in the heart of central London, with
every type of shopping, dining, and entertainment on the doorstep.
Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.
Scene
Disjointed decor, but lots of history and original features
The hotel has a unique and fascinating history as a former courthouse
dating back to the 1800s. It retains many original features of the courthouse, including the judges' bench, witness stand, and dock, which are now part of the Silk restaurant. The prison cells are now private booths within The Bar, too. Adding to the history is the fact that many famous faces actually appeared in
court here, including John Lennon, Mick Jagger, and Oscar Wilde. Charles
Dickens worked here as a newspaper reporter, too. Nowadays, the hotel looks a little
worn in places, and the decor is slightly confused as the owners
gradually change and update it from its days as a chain hotel; now independently owned and managed, it used to be part of the Doubletree by Hilton chain. There are Asian-style bronze statues, which seem out of place with the rest of the decor, and clashing colors
like pink sofas on red carpet in the lounge. But the building’s character and period
architecture, with high ceilings and ample natural light, still shine through
and help give it a luxurious feel. The hotel seems equally geared towards
business guests and tourists, and attracts both due to its prime location in
Soho.
Location
In the heart of London’s bustling Soho
The hotel’s location in Soho is among its main draws. Within a 10-minute
walk are the main shopping streets of London, home to world famous stores like
Hamleys and Selfridges. There are independent boutiques around the corner on Carnaby Street,
high-end designer shops on Bond Street a half-mile away, and the major high street names within 10 minutes' walk on
Oxford Street. Soho is a busy, crowded area that's packed day and night with
tourists and trendy young Londoners, and is also noted for having many gay bars and clubs. Legendary
music venues, like the 100 Club and Ronnie Scott's, are within a five- to 10-minute walk,
as are a heap of trendy nightclubs, including The Box and Chinawhite. Some of London’s top dining options are within about five minutes on foot,
including Sketch, Quo Vadis, and Hakkasan; or for a more casual bite, there are
loads of sidewalk cafes. The famous Liberty department store and the Palladium
theater are within a couple minutes' walk from the hotel, too. And getting further
afield is easy, as the Oxford Circus tube station is just five minutes' walk away.
Rooms
Suites are extra special, but Standard rooms are hit and miss
Guest rooms are spacious -- particularly for a central London hotel.
The quality of the rooms varies wildly, though, as some have been refurbished in
recent years, while others have frayed carpets and worn furniture. Each room has air-conditioning, a minibar, flat-screen TV, laptop compatible safe, desk, and bathrobe
and slippers. For a really luxurious stay, the Magistrate Suites offer bags of
space and character. They have parquet flooring, modern patterned wallpaper and chandeliers, and sumptuous furnishings like velvet armchairs with silk
cushions. Some rooms have original features, like sash windows and open
fireplaces. All rooms and suites have elegant marble bathrooms with shower/tub combos; some suites have whirlpool baths. 24-hour room service is available, as is free Wi-Fi.
Features
Good dining options and a fantastic private cinema
For guests who don’t want to venture out of the hotel to eat, there are
a good range of dining options on-site. Silk restaurant serves Asian-fusion fine dining for dinner. The Carnaby
brasserie is open for lunch, dinner, afternoon tea, and snacks throughout the
day. Buffet breakfast is served in The Waiting
Room, once the pre-court
waiting area, and includes pastries, fruit, cereals,
and cooked items, like full English breakfast. For evening drinks, The Bar offers light snacks and cocktails, and there's also a popular outdoor cocktail bar, the rooftop Soho
Sky Terrace. The hotel has one of the
biggest private cinemas in London, with seating for up to 94 people, and showings of international cult
films; Friday night magic shows are put on, and the space is available for private functions. In the hotel’s basement is a
small spa with a treatment room, sauna, and swimming pool; beauty treatments are available. There's a fitness center with a few cardio machines and weight equipment. Parking is available on-site, and there’s a business center, too. Wi-Fi
is free throughout the property -- previous guests have had problems with the
Wi-Fi, but the hotel is making an effort to improve the service.
