The Montague on The Gardens

The Montague was one of the first hotels acquired by the Red Carnation Group, whose philosophy of premium hospitality and superior service certainly demonstrates itself with this hotel. Staff are trained at exceptionally high standards, resulting in a hotel that’s both efficiently run and always well-presented. The lobby is lavishly swathed in a pleated silk ceiling and black-and-white marbled walls, but the lack of natural daylight might come off as a bit oppressive to some. Overall, the place exudes Victorian luxury, and there are abundant spaces in which to relax, including a breezy outdoor terrace that doubles as a cigar terrace during evenings; an intimate, contemporary styled conservatory; and a traditional oak and plaid-quilted bar. Plenty of lounge facilities and a unique character distinguish this boutique hotel from London’s many others.

The local neighborhood of Bloomsbury, which stretches from Euston Road at its north border to Holborn at its southern border, is most famed for its strong literary heritage: The Bloomsbury Group, active throughout the 20th century, was an intellectuals’ collective that included notable members such as Virginia Woolf, and together promoted modern attitudes toward feminism, pacifism, the nature of consciousness, and sexuality. Other notable residents of the area included Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Charles Darwin, Charles Dickens, Bob Marley, and William Butler Yeats. Bloomsbury also houses a lovely array of garden squares, as well as the simultaneously fantastic and odious British Museum, where you can view centuries’ worth of relics from all over the globe -- collected primarily as a result of British colonialism.Stroll through the area now, and you will notice a vague mixture of academics, doctors, tourists, and businessmen -- a direct consequence of the central location, and the presence of nearby hospitals and esteemed academic institutions such as the London School of Economics. Bloomsbury also conveniently borders Covent Garden and Soho on the south, the West End shopping district on the west, great dining options in Clerkenwell on the east, and national and international rail connections via King’s Cross on the north.- 39-minute drive to Heathrow Airport

• 3-minute walk to the British Museum
• 13-minute walk to Covent Garden
• 13-minute walk to Soho
• 13-minute tube ride to Bond Street Station and West End shopping districts including Selfridge’s
• 13-minute tube ride to Piccadilly Circus station, Piccadilly Circus and theatre district
• 14-minute bus ride to Farringdon station and the Clerkenwell dining scene
• 15-minute tube ride to Green Park, Mayfair, and Buckingham Palace
• 15-minute tube ride to Embankment, Trafalgar Square, and the South Bank
• 19-minute tube ride to Regent’s Park
• 19-minute tube ride to Hyde Park
• 19-minute tube ride to Knightsbridge station and shopping district including Harrod’s
• 20-minute tube ride to Notting Hill Gate station, Notting Hill, and Portobello Market
• 22-minute tube ride to Westminster station, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, Houses of Parliament, and scenic walks along the Thames

There are 100 individually designed rooms and suites, and as with all of the Carnation group hotels, charming traditional decor meets comfort and practicality -- but that's the only unifying decor factor. Each room decor varies drastically -- for instance, one room features rosy pink drapery and matching floral linens and wallpaper, while another is decorated in busy black and white with pin-stripe wallpaper and old-Hollywood-style furnishings. For the ultimate upgrade, check out The Guv'nor's Suite, a stunning two-bedroom apartment with luxurious, unique touches such as a lavish copper tub and a dining table handcrafted from a retired pool table.- Flat-screen TVs, movies on demand

• Plush his/her bathrobes and slippers, and free mineral water
• Beautiful limestone-clad bathrooms with glass-door shower/tub combo with ceiling-mounted rainfall showerhead
• Gilchrist & Soames toiletries
• 24-hour Room Service
• Free Wi-Fi
• In some rooms, Buddhist handbooks replace the conventional Christian bible
• No minibar in standard rooms

In evenings the outside terrace transforms into the Cigar Terrace, offering a humidor cabinet from which to select the latest and the exotic from the cigar world. A cognac menu accompanies the selection and ample heating and lighting are provided for cold evenings.- Private deck overlooking a secluded garden

• Summer BBQs, and free "delicious cheesy toast" served in evenings
• Notably friendly staff
• Special kids’ amenities such as board games, kids’ slippers and bathrobes
• Baby-sitting service, for a fee
• Free Wi-Fi throughout
• Free computer for guests' use

• The Blue Door Bistro has rich mahogany paneled walls, and offers freshly sourced ingredients, as well as herbs plucked from the chef’s own herb garden.
• Terrace Bar hosts live entertainment most evenings.