Central London may not have a shortage of stylish hotels, but a true gem combines style, history and convenience: all elements that One Aldwych has in spades.
Located right in the heart of Covent Garden, it's the perfect crash pad for theatre nuts with London's West End quite literally a short stroll away. And if theatre isn't your poison, the great delights of Covent Garden market and the historic grandeur of Trafalgar Square are close by.
Glamour stayed at One Aldwych this autumn, and we've broken down everything you need to know about staying there, from eco-friendly touches to unmissable culinary treats.
The Grade II-listed building screams Old London, in the most magical of ways. It was built back in 1905 to be the home of the Morning Post newspaper. The Anglo-French architects responsible for the stunner of a building also designed The Ritz. So it's in great company, and you can feel the weight of its history as you walk its halls.
One Aldwych was the first luxury hotel in London to become B Corp Certified – and remains to this day the only five-star hotel in the capital to hold this status – meaning that sustainability is very close to its heart and mission. So close, in fact, that they have beehives on the roof, the honey from which is used in their bars and restaurants. It's little touches like these that makes such a luxurious haunt homey and personal, in a city full of chains and gimmicks.
A tipple (or five) must be consumed at the hotel's guest-only Library Bar, where the drinks are flowing and the reads are 10/10, whether you want to settle in with the newspaper or comb through the bar's collection of fashion, design, architecture and travel books – we recommend a little bit of everything to help you unwind. The Lobby Bar also has an entire cocktail menu with drinks all inspired by iconic works of art, how high brow is that?
One Aldwych also offer champagne brunch, as well as in-house restaurant Indigo which serves up to-die-for British cuisine. Wherever you choose to dine during your stay, do not miss out on the simply divine room service breakfast. We recommend the poached eggs, but everything on the menu is presented to perfection.
Hidden under the hotel is one of One Aldwych's biggest treats. In line with its sustainable credentials, the One Aldwych pool is chlorine-free and accompanied by a sauna and steam room. Central London hotel frequenters will know that it's incredibly rare to find a hotel with a pool in a prime location, mostly due to the fact that there's not often space for one. So being able to take a morning, evening (or any time of day) swim while staying at One Aldwych felt like the ultimate luxury.
There's nothing quite like London at Christmas, and the hotels clustered around the festive centre pull out all the stops at the most wonderful time of the year. Our favourite element of One Aldwych's festive lineup? It's afternoon tea take on Charlie & The Chocolate Factory – also a West End classic – which consists of a very Roald Dahl vibes offering of mince-pie flavoured candy floss, cakes, sweets and beetroot and horseradish “hot ice cream for cold days”. A total trip for your tastebuds, which you must enjoy with chocolate or lemon sherbert tea or a mulled snozzberry cocktails, or a good old glass of champagne should you feel inclined.
So whether you're all about the retail therapy in the local area or the to-die-for proximity to Theatreland, One Aldwych is the place to lay your head.
