A review of St Martins Lane Hotel, located in the Covent Garden area of London.
Modern & Minimalist. Fun & Funky. Don't be put off by the uninspiring office block exterior of St Martins Lane Hotel in London, as once you pass through the revolving front doors, you're in for a real treat.
Simple white walls and plain flooring in the lobby are adorned with an eccentric array of quirky artifacts that portray the vibe of the hotel perfectly. There's a an oversized vase of flowers, huge chess pieces, a mishmash of ornate seating, and even a hidden bar.
Following an overnight stay at this boutique style hotel, I've written this review of our experience. Including what we thought of the location, room, amenities, and service.
Location
St Martins Lane Hotel is situated on the street of the same name, in the Covent Garden area of London.
Located within the Theatre District, the hotel is adjacent to London Coliseum, with Trafalgar Square just a short walk away. All this makes it the perfect base for exploring some of London's main sights, as well as taking in a show.
For travelling further afield, Leicester Square and Charing Cross underground stations are nearby.
Hotel & Facilities
St Martins Lane Hotel offers a number of room categories across its 6 floors, including: Standard, Superior, Deluxe, Studio, and Suites.
The Restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, dinner and afternoon tea, as well as acting as a bar in the evening.
During the warmer months, guests are welcome on to the Summer Terrace to enjoy a drink and nibbles, or relax in the cosier surroundings of The Den. Alternatively, you can enjoy a cocktail and music in the hotel's hidden bar, Blind Spot London.
The hotel also has a Fitness Centre, as well as a Coffee Shop. Both of which can be seen and accessed from the front of the building.
Dining and Drinking at St Martins Lane Hotel
Restaurant & Bar areas
The Restaurant
The Restaurant is the main dining venue of St Martins Lane Hotel. Here you can enjoy breakfast from 7am - 10.30am, with a lunch and pre-theatre dining service beginning at noon until 2.30pm, then dinner from 5 - 10pm.
Breakfast ranges from Superfood dishes to Full English. Then meat, fish, vegetarian and vegan options are available on the A La Carte menu at both lunch and dinnertime, with a more limited selection offered for pre-theatre dining.
Summer Terrace
The Summer Terrace offers guests the chance to sip champagne and cocktails whilst enjoying lighter bites, such as calamari, chicken lollipops, bhajis, nuts and olives.
Tucked away on a pedestrianised street at the side of the hotel, the Summer Terrace can be accessed via the hotel lobby, or through the floral archway outside.
An abundance of greenery in large plant pots provides shelter and a pop of colour, making this a perfect place to relax during the warmer summer months.
Blind Spot London
To enjoy the same nibbles and a whole array of cocktails with a livelier atmosphere, ask the staff about the hidden bar.
At first glance, the entrance looks to be another unique area of the lobby. However, upon closer inspection, you'll notice a golden hand protruding from the wall, as if asking to be shaken. Pull this after 5pm (Tues - Sat) to gain access to Blind Spot London.
Inside the bar, low level lighting, drapes, and curved seating create a sense of opulence. The menu boasts a huge selection of cocktails from around the world, including the Cairo and New Orleans we enjoyed whilst listening to the DJ late on a Saturday night.
The Den
If you prefer a quieter atmosphere, The Den lounge is located just off the lobby.
Carpet, cushions and comfortable seating create a relaxing space. While the typical St Martins Lane Hotel quirkiness is evident in how the pictures are aptly displayed on the wall.
The Den is open for guests to use at their leisure, and is a great way to unwind after a busy day exploring the sights of London.
St Martins Lane Hotel Bedrooms
White walls, clean lines, and floor to ceiling windows made the St Martins Lane Hotel bedroom feel more functional than luxurious, but it was spacious and comfortable.
We booked a Deluxe room which housed a King size bed, bucket chair, desk area, and TV.
A coffee pod machine and kettle are provided for complimentary hot drinks. Plus there's a well stocked mini-fridge, and drawers full of snacks available to purchase as extras.
Robes, slippers, a safe, ironing board, and a hairdryer were also available to use.
The bathroom feels a little more grand, and is a good size with plenty of storage space. Frosted glass doors compliment the style perfectly, whilst providing privacy in the wet room type shower, which was one of the most powerful we've experienced. A real plus point!
Giel Spa products are supplied for guests to use. And there's even a small selection of emergency products such as razors, deodrant, and mouthwash to purchase if required.
Booking
As with most hotels, there are a number of different booking websites available. On this occasion, we found the best price through Agoda. However, it's always worth checking the hotel website for any special deals they may be offering before you make your reservation.
Service
We were treated to very friendly and efficient service throughout our stay at the hotel.
Check in was quick and easy, with the added bonus of being allocated a room upon our early arrival.
On our way out for dinner and a show, we were wished a pleasant evening. And the staff were fun when accomodating us in the hidden bar later that night.
Another surprise was the turndown service which had taken place while we were out enjoying ourselves. We returned to find the curtains had been closed, bed turned down, bins emptied, and mood lighting switched on. Great service!
St Martins Lane Hotel, London, at a glance:
Pros:
- Ideal location for sightseeing and shows
- Good room size with ample of storage
- Variety of in-house dining and drinking options
- Excellent service
Cons:
- You pay a premium price for location and facilities
Star Rating: (4.6 / 5)
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St Martins Lane Hotel Review Summary
St Martins Lane hotel is fun yet functional, offering great facilities, and a friendly, professional service.
As with many major cities, you pay a premium for a central hotel of this standard, but if the budget allows, I highly recommend checking out this unique venue as somewhere a little different to stay next time you're visiting London.