What it’s like to stay at The Londoner, a huge “boutique” hotel in central London

London has one of the best hotel scenes in the entire world, and nearly every major hotel chain, from playful lifestyle properties to high-end luxury brands, is represented in the capital. But when a new hotel that describes itself as “the world’s first super boutique hotel” opened in 2021, we wondered… what does that mean?

On a recent trip to London, I finally had the chance to step inside the “super boutique” to see what all the fuss was about. Here’s everything you need to know about staying at The Londoner, and whether or not it lives up to its lofty title.

What is The Londoner?

Situated in the ultra-tourist Leicester Square, The Londoner is a cutting-edge design hotel with 350 rooms and suites, multiple bars and restaurants, an indoor pool, a spa and plenty of chic nooks and crannies to hide away in or explore. Popular with both guests looking to stay close to the city centre attractions and locals looking for a luxury cocktail, The Londoner has a lot to offer.

How to book The Londoner

Hotel rates in London, especially in central London, are almost always quite expensive. Rates at The Londoner usually start at over $500 per night or more.

The Londoner may not have its own loyalty program to help you recoup some of that nightly fare, but there are some great ways to get elite perks. If you bring The Platinum Card® from American ExpressYou can book The Londoner through Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts to get a guaranteed 4pm checkout, daily breakfast for two, a $100 amenity credit, potential room upgrades, and early check-in.

The hotel is also part of Chase’s luxury hotel program, The Edit. When you book through this channel using a qualifying card (like the Chase Sapphire Reserve®), you’ll get elite-like benefits, including up to $100 in statement credit, daily breakfast for two, and room upgrades based on availability and early check-in and check-out.

The Londoner also participates in the Preferred Hotels I Prefer loyalty program, with nights starting at 20,000 points. Or, if you book with cash through Preferred, you can find rooms starting at $359 and earn I Prefer loyalty points to use toward future stays at Preferred Hotels & Resorts.

A suite I would like to live in

For my two-night stay, I stayed in a spacious Corner Suite filled with eclectic patterns and prints. It was trendy and cozy at the same time, exactly what you would expect from a boutique hotel (and what I want my real home to be).

My room, number 232, was at the end of an elegant, monochromatic yellow hallway, behind a shiny yellow door with an ornate center handle. The door had a bell with a light to signal if I needed privacy or wanted my room tidied.

Inside the suite, I was greeted by a gorgeous wooden wall with square panels that contrasted with the lighter wooden floor, a modern pink velvet sofa and an umbrella hanging from a peg by the door, handy for rainy London days.

Near the door was a small desk with several power outlets and USB ports, as well as some travel magazines.

A coffee table and chair sat in front of the pink lounge chair. There was also a full-length mirror and my first glimpse of floor-to-ceiling windows that looked out onto a public library across the street.

A mini fridge and tea and coffee station were tucked away in a wooden cabinet next to the desk. The offerings included soft drinks, wines, beers, Nespresso pods and various teas.

The king size bed was soft and comfortable, and I loved being able to control the lights and the “do not disturb” sign right from the bedside table. A bottle of water and glass waiting by the bed was a nice touch of luxury.

One thing I didn’t find luxurious: the curtains that covered the floor-to-ceiling windows were not automatic, so guests had to get out of bed to adjust them.

The large, functional closet had plenty of room for my carry-on and backpack. It contained two robes, slippers, a Dyson hair dryer, and a vaporizer.

At the far end of the room was the bathroom, lined with subway tiles from head to toe, a mix of deep green and blue. I love hotel bathtubs, and this one looked like a deep bathtub at first glance. However, I realized that once I was in and tried to soak, it was actually a little shallow.

The rest of the bathroom consisted of an equally spectacular green sink, stocked with numerous toiletries (e.g. toothbrush, cotton swabs, nail file) and Miller Harris Tea Tonique soaps, shampoo, conditioner, and lotion.

The Toto electric toilet was separate from the rest of the bathroom, as was the powerful shower that was activated at the push of a button.

Eating and drinking at The Londoner

The Londoner features a French-Mediterranean restaurant called Whitcombs, a Japanese izakaya rooftop bar called 8 (which was unfortunately closed the nights I stayed), and a pub-style gin bar called Joshua’s Tavern. Additionally, a lobby Champagne bar called The Stage serves breakfast, afternoon tea (with Champagne), and light snacks and drinks until late at night.

I stopped in for dinner at Whitcombs on the Sunday night of my stay and while the restaurant was absolutely gorgeous, it was also nearly empty. It also looked like they were missing a designated host. I stood there waiting for over 10 minutes for my table before finally heading into the dining room to ask for help.

Overall, Whitcombs was a mixed bag for me. Considering the restaurant was so empty, it took a long time just to get water and a menu, and even longer to get a mediocre martini. After those initial hiccups, though, the staff was much more attentive and very helpful in navigating the menu.

I ordered a light, fresh green bean salad with datterini tomatoes and balsamic vinegar ($18); two rock oysters ($18) that I found over-dressed (with Veuve Clicquot and green Tabasco, which overpowered the delicate flavor of the oysters); a masterfully prepared filet mignon with chanterelle mushrooms and a rich, delicious parmesan cream ($54); and a side of delicately sliced ​​portobello mushroom carpaccio with Dijon mustard and aged balsamic vinegar ($12).

I also stopped at The Stage for a nightcap after spending a few hours browsing the lively pubs of nearby Chinatown. Although I missed the music (it’s afternoon on Sunday), I enjoyed a delicious but pricey Dirty Oxley Gin Martini ($36); I sipped it while listening to the late-night crowd recount their sunny Sundays exploring one of the world’s most cosmopolitan cities.

Another home away from home

Guests at The Londoner have access to three special rooms called “The Residence.” Its library-like space called The Drawing Room is filled with coffee table books, board games, couches and tables, as well as snacks, drinks and coffee. The Y Bar has a real Y-shaped bar where you can order cocktails and food (for a fee). The Whisky Room is a speakeasy-style whiskey bar with a collection of over 50 whiskies from around the world.

My busy schedule during my short trip to London didn’t allow me to spend much time here, but I quickly stumbled upon it. I realized that this would be a great place to work on my laptop, because it looked like a trendy coworking space that people pay big bucks for.

Inside the hotel there is also a wellness centre “Retreat”

In the basement of the hotel, guests will find “The Retreat,” which is an indoor pool, gym, and spa open to guests and non-guests. It even offers a membership program for locals.

The pool area is relaxing and elegant, with private cabana areas, a hot tub, and a slightly larger main pool.

Although the area has a relaxed and refined atmosphere, there are specific times when children can splash around without disturbing those who prefer to relax and read a book.

The large gym is equipped with Technogym equipment, such as exercise bikes and treadmills, free weights, mats and a separate fitness room.

At the spa, guests can book facials by Omorovicza, body treatments by Ishga, massages by Ila, and treatments designed especially for men by Gentlemen’s Tonic. There is also a salon offering hair and beauty treatments, as well as grooming services for men.

The location is in the center of all the action

The Leicester Square area surrounding The Londoner is very touristy. However, there’s no denying that the hotel’s location puts guests in the center of the city and within walking distance or a short tube ride of most major attractions. Chinatown is practically across the street, West End theaters dot the area, and tourist hotspots like Covent Garden, SoHo, and Piccadilly Circus are all super easy to reach on foot.

Reasons Why The Londoner Might Not Be For You

• Those looking for an affordable price may find The Londoner too expensive.
• Leicester Square is a lively and touristy area, but it may be too chaotic for travellers looking for a quiet escape in the city.

Accessibility

The Londoner offers a variety of accessible rooms, although this information is nearly impossible to find on its website. As a new, modern hotel, guests with varying physical needs can expect convenient and convenient accessibility features such as grab bars in accessible rooms and public spaces, wheelchair-friendly elevators, wide hallways, and accessible entrances.

As always, I highly recommend calling the hotel before booking to confirm that rooms are available for your specific needs.

Check out

The Londoner is a fabulous hotel with fun and chic design elements, a great location, and tons of amenities (like a spa and indoor pool) that make it feel more luxurious than your typical boutique hotel. While all the public spaces were stunning, my suite felt downright palatial for a London hotel. At the end of the day, it was a comfortable place to escape from the hustle and bustle of a big city.

But is it a “super boutique”? Given its size and sheer number of amenities, from the many restaurants and bars to The Retreat and The Residence, I can see why The Londoner markets itself as such. Kudos to the marketing team who coined the term.

Personally, I think it’s a pretty good hotel that I would happily return to, just for the room and location.

Related readings: