Radisson Blu Edwardian Mercer Street Hotel

This upscale hotel sits on one of the seven interconnecting streets that make up the vibrant Seven Dials village. Its privileged position means that the immediate surroundings consist of quaint boutiques, historic pubs, and beautiful theaters. Inside, however, it’s all calm, clean lines and natural materials. The impactful lobby lounge has exposed stone columns and piping, offset by the plush velvet chairs and soft fabric curtains, done in soothing gray and black tones. It's a look reminiscent of New York lofts, with a floating bookcase allowing light to stream through the space. As of our early 2018 visit, the hotel had recently undergone refurbishment, and communal areas look particularly slick. Guests tend to make the most of this lounge area, working on their laptops, making calls, or socializing over drinks. The Radisson Blu appeals to a huge range of guests, including business people drawn by the state-of-the-art tech plus theatergoers and sightseers seeking proximity to Covent Garden. 

This hotel’s location is undeniably one of its main draws. You’re just minutes from the bustling theater district, trendy Soho nightlife, and plenty of sights. For those going to see West End shows, the hotel could hardly be better placed. In fact, the Cambridge Theatre is just across the road. There's plenty of boutique shopping all around the hotel, as well as cafes and restaurants, all easily reachable on foot. Covent Garden Tube station and the market are both a short four-minute walk away (keep in mind that this station is mobbed on the weekends). In terms of nightlife, Leicester Square is only a six-minute walk away and has plenty of busy bars. For culture aficionados, Trafalgar Square is 10 minutes away on foot and is home to the British Museum. It’s only a short 12-minute train ride to Oxford Street and its big-brand shopping. Heathrow is the closest airport and takes just over 40 minutes to get to by car. Alternatively, Covent Garden Station’s Piccadilly Line also goes to Heathrow, but will take about 50 minutes. Budget an hour to reach Gatwick Airport by public transit. 

When compared to the hotel's public areas, rooms can feel a bit more stripped down. They do employ the same relaxing color palette of soft neutrals and a bit of shimmer, but none of the urban-industrial design found elsewhere in the hotel. Instead, the look is elegantly simple. The seductive artwork, inspired by opera house dancers and singers, does add a little flare. However, it’s very much substance over style, with guests often praising the hotel’s comfortable beds, premium linens, and and Samsung Smart TVs. The attention to detail goes as far as purifying the air with sweet smelling oils rather than harsh chemical products. Other standard features include air-conditioning, heating, free Wi-Fi, and electric kettles, though higher-category rooms also have Nespresso machines. Sleek gray bathrooms include showers or shower/tub combos, plus a decent amount of counter space and toiletries. Generally, the larger the room, the bigger the seating area and workspace, although most guests can be found working in the lobby. And while some entry-level rooms can be snug, there are also seven suites, and these are far larger and more interesting. Each has its own distinct character, there’s a Union Jack Smeg fridge in one, and an exotic green color scheme in another. These rooms also have triple aspect windows that make the most of the fantastic views of Seven Dials. Separate dressing areas and marble bathtubs are another bonus to these large spaces.

Features at this hotel are particularly impressive for a city-center property. Serving Italian and Peruvian small plates, the Monmouth Kitchen has become a destination in its own right. You’d be hard-pressed to find a table here on a Saturday night and it’s easy to see why. With its architectural brick partition walls, ever-changing zinc table tops, and views out over the cobbled streets of Covent Garden, it’s become a fashionable choice for locals as well as guests. Everything is made in-house, from dehydrated fruit for the signature cocktails to the much-loved tacos. Elsewhere, this attention to detail continues in the modern meeting rooms. During our 2018 visit, they were extremely popular and it's clear these are not your standard meeting room. Everything is high-spec, from the interactive touch-screen whiteboards to the fabric walls and Sony projectors with LCD technology. Business guests can even ask for their own dedicated Wi-Fi network and broadband connectivity, should they want added privacy and security. Even so, you'll see plenty of guests here doing work in the hotel's impressive lounge Other features are standard, with a well-liked breakfast (fee), a small no-frills gym, and various shopping packages.