Maybe it’s because it’s The Londoner, or maybe we’ve heard countless stories on how amazing the latest five-star hotel to open in Leicester Square is. But, we just had to see what all the commotion was about.
The super boutique hotel, located on the edge of Leicester Square in Soho, is a work of art in itself. The giant mirrored front doors open up to provide you with six restaurants and bars, a roof-top lounge, a retreat with a pool, gym and beauty salon and chic suites with incredible views of the city. From the artwork to the air fresheners, every last detail is carefully considered by interior designer Yabu Pushelberg.
With rules on travelling outside of the UK still a minefield, we decided to pack an overnight bag and head to the hotel du jour. The self-titled ‘Iceberg Hotel’ is more than 52 percent below ground level, which is incredible considering how tall the building is. Below ground you’ll find the inviting spa (aptly named The Retreat), as well as event spaces, two private club rooms, a whisky room and seven meeting spaces. Whereas above you’ll find the restaurants, ballrooms, bars and bedrooms.
After a wonderful greeting at the hotel reception and a guided tour of the city resort, we were ushered towards our Deluxe King Room where we were welcomed with classical music and a bottle on ice.
The Room
After a short walk through the hallways, decorated with the artwork of Tim Walker and Donovan Davis, we entered our luxurious hotel bedroom. Coming in at a cool £615 a night, the Deluxe King room was exquisitely decorated using a clean, neutral palette with the occasional dash of wood or velvet.
The room came complete with a dusty rose chaise longue, flat-screen TV and wetroom with a state-of-the-art heated toilet. The decor delivered a luxurious yet welcoming environment. And, after having a post-dinner bubble bath using the Miller Harris products, we got into a fluffy robe and slippers and picked up the binoculars provided to enjoy the spectacular views of London – and spy on a few passersby, too.
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The Retreat
With only an evening to enjoy the hotel, we didn’t get a chance to really make use of the incredible spa at the bottom of the hotel. But we did manage to have a look to see what all the fuss was about, and boy was it worth having a peek.
The peacefulness of the pool is the first thing that we noticed. Even a couple whispering about their treatment experience to one another didn’t ruin the ambiance.
The tranquil treatment rooms themselves looked like they were picked up from a quaint street in cobbled York and placed in the basement of The Londoner. Passing by, each room had a different beauty brand to choose from – it was pure luxury.
And, for those who want to lift a few weights before a dip in the pool, the state-of-the-art gym is the epitome of cool and the perfect place to sweat away a cocktail or two from the night before.
The Restaurant
Greeted by a whole host of grinning faces, we made our way for dinner at the hotel’s ground-floor restaurant, The Whitcomb’s. Decorated to complement the rest of the hotel’s decor, the restaurant continued the warm, neutral tones but also incorporated its own fashion artwork and an unusual metal sculpture mounted to the ceiling.
The restaurant is modern Mediterranean with a simple menu; however, each dish had an incredible symphony of flavours.
What’s more, there is an extensive wine menu, so make sure you ask the waiter what works with each dish. They are more than happy to suggest a couple of options from the terroirs of France.
To start, we had the fresh tuna tartare, which was delicious and an instagrammer’s kryptonite. For main, we tucked into the deliciously comforting lobster thermidor with a side of sizzling garlic mushrooms and layered chips, all washed down with a glass of white from the Loire Valley. We finished feeling full and utterly considered, which is exactly how we continued to feel throughout the stay at The Londoner.
To book your stay, visit thelondoner.com
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Main image: 8 at The Londoner. Photo by Henry Bourne
