Our Verdict: “Design flair in Covent Garden, but details fall short of five stars.”
St Martins Lane hotel is one of those places that trades in bold style and unbeatable location. A design-led boutique in the heart of London’s Covent Garden, it promises quirky elegance with a touch of stylish flair. Think mood lighting, floor-to-ceiling windows, and rooms that look like they’ve been prepped for a photoshoot. But once you’ve admired the vibes, does it deliver a five-star stay? Read on
In this review:
- Hotel Summary
- Location
- Check-in
- Our Room
- Facilities & Services
- Food and Beverage
- Check-out
- BG1 Verdict
Hotel Summary
Name: St. Martins Lane
Location: Covent Garden London
Hotel Class: ☆☆☆☆☆
Chain: ALL – Acor
Room Type: Standard
Price bracket: ££££
Competing brands: Nomad, Bloomsbury
Good for: Solo travellers
Location
If your idea of a perfect London base is somewhere you can roll out of bed and into the West End, St Martins Lane hotel has you covered. Set between Covent Garden, Leicester Square, and Soho, it’s surrounded by some of the best restaurants, bars, and theatres in the city. Whether you’re here to catch a show, shop in Seven Dials, or just walk your legs off along the Thames, the location is unbeatable.
Check-in
Check-in was smooth but non-eventful. There was no real welcome, no explanation about where anything was, or what time breakfast was served. I was in a rush, so I didn’t have time to ask twenty questions — but surely a quick “here’s what’s what” wouldn’t go amiss? Is there a gym? Still Gymbox next door? Honestly, no idea. For a place as stylised as St Martins Lane hotel, you’d expect the basics to be covered and a warm welcome. Anyway…up to the room.
Room
Let’s just say the room was compact. Perfectly functional and beautifully clean, but very much designed for one. You could tell a lot of thought had gone into the look. The lighting system, for instance, was fun and dramatic, but sometimes you just want a lamp that doesn’t feel like you’re being interrogated or preparing for a rave.
The bed? Super comfortable. The sheets? Exquisite. But in a hotel at this price, the quirks are harder to ignore. No soft-close toilet seat. These little things add up, especially when you’re expecting five-star. That said, if you’re a London visitor who plans to be out all day and just needs somewhere stylish to crash, it works. Especially with so many brilliant places right on your doorstep.
The bathroom was perfectly formed with clean. The only thing that I’m working out is why they have a soft-close toilet? As you can imagine, in a fully tiled bathroom every bang sounds much louder!
Facilities & Services
Everything you need is in the room, if you know how to find it — including a very plush bed and sheets that make you want to stay in them far longer than your itinerary allows. Service wasn’t bad, just… absent. There’s a vibe of “figure it out yourself,” which works for some but may leave others Googling breakfast times while brushing their teeth.
Bars & Dining
No meals sampled on this visit, but the in-house restaurant has shifted from Asia de Cuba to a more contemporary British menu in recent years. If you’re staying here, odds are you’ll be heading out anyway with Covent Garden all around you, you’re spoilt for options.
Breakfast
Breakfast at St Martins Lane hotel was the highlight. A generous spread, good quality ingredients, and strong coffee. The kind that actually wakes you up rather than just existing in a cup. The English breakfast was a real highlight with high-quality ingredients. It felt well thought through, unlike some of the other parts of the stay. If only they’d mentioned when and where it was at check-in… I wouldn’t have had to Google it while brushing my teeth.
Check-out
Checkout was efficient, if slightly anonymous. Much like check-in, it did the job, but don’t expect fanfare or final flourishes. If you’re on a tight schedule, you’ll appreciate the speed. If you like a goodbye as warm as the sheets, it might feel a little clinical.
BG1 Verdict
St Martins Lane hotel delivers big on location and design — if you’re into bold style and being steps from London’s best bits, this place ticks the boxes. But once you look past the aesthetics, there’s a sense that the basics are a bit too backstage. For solo travellers or design lovers, it’s a sleek option. But if you’re paying full five-star prices, you might expect a little more direction… and a soft-close toilet seat.
For something even more luxurious try out the Nomad. Or something cheaper in the area try the Waldorf Hilton.
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