Bustling Covent Garden features a relatively modest number of hotels compared with other London districts, but among them are some of the city’s most luxurious accommodation options.
(Photo: St Martins Lane / Courtesy Booking.com)
The epicentre of London’s theatre and entertainment district, Covent Garden is a constant hubbub of activity. It is perhaps best known for its elegant, pedestrianized Piazza which provides the stage for a diverse mix of street entertainers who command large crowds with their often amusing spectacles. When it comes to places to stay, those with a taste for luxury – and a budget to match – have plenty of upscale hotels to pick from. Here are 5 of the best.
St Martins Lane
This hotel offers a masterclass in contemporary luxury. Guest rooms are designed by the legendary French designer Philippe Starck and feature floor-to-ceiling windows and avant-garde interactive light installations that are straight out of the Starck playback. Elsewhere in the hotel, some of its lavish amenities include a huge gymnasium, an acclaimed Asian-themed restaurant and a chic bar. Cycling enthusiasts can hire complimentary bikes directly from the hotel. The hustle and bustle of Covent Garden is just minutes away on foot and Charing Cross station is also nearby, offering easy access to the rest of the city. From £271 per night.
Covent Garden Hotel
(Photo: Covent Garden Hotel / Courtesy Booking.com)
Another ultra-luxurious option is the Covent Garden Hotel, part of the Firmdale hotel group. Here, the amenities are similarly impressive and include a well-equipped gym, a treatment room offering massage and beauty services, a stylish bar serving exotic cocktails, wines and whiskies, a wood-panelled drawing room and a brasserie-style restaurant. Guest rooms are air-conditioned and come with a flat-screen TV and minibar. For views across London’s rooftops, ask for a room on one of the higher floors. Attractions close to the hotel include the Royal Opera House and the famous Ivy restaurant. From £486 per night.
NoMad
Just seconds from the prestigious Royal Opera House, this 5-star hotel is housed in a grand old building close to the heart of the Covent Garden action. An on-site restaurant and a fitness centre are among the notable amenities and there’s also a concierge service to help guests make the most of their time in London. Stylishly designed guest rooms are dotted with tasteful wall art and feature a flat-screen TV, a coffee machine and a private bathroom. A choice of à la carte, Full English/Irish or American breakfasts are served in the hotel’s dining area each morning. From £473 per night.
Fielding Hotel
(Photo: Fielding Hotel / Courtesy Booking.com)
For a slightly more affordable Covent Garden hotel, this 4-star option is a fine choice. Tucked away on a pedestrianised street and housed in a 19th-century Georgian building furnished with window boxes and fairy lights at night, the hotel isn’t short on character, and that extends to its more contemporary features too, including the guest rooms. Here you’ll find bright décor, an en-suite bath or shower room, and tea/coffee-making facilities. Free WiFi is available throughout the property, too. There are no dining facilities at the hotel, but guests will find endless options on the hotel’s doorstep. Convent Garden tube station is just 150 yards away. From £127 per night.
The Henrietta
If you’re seeking an intimate guest experience, this 18-room boutique hotel may well fit the bill. Set in two elegant Victorian townhouses, and inspired by the surrounding streets of Covent Garden with a nod to Italian design, the hotel’s guest rooms feature fabric panels, marble, carpet and hand built bedheads. There’s 24-hour room service and mini bars stocked with products, including house made cocktails. Elsewhere in the hotel, there’s a restaurant serving European cuisine, a 24-hour front desk, concierge services, and continental and buffet breakfasts offered daily. The Arts Theatre is just 300 metres away. From £291 per night.