A Review Of: One Aldwych

What comes to mind when you think of Covent Garden? The beautiful piazza perfect for an afternoon of shopping? The ultimate destination for lunch with friends or the ideal spot for a first date? Maybe the famous Christmas tree installed late November is what you immediately think of. Covent Garden is a magical place and if you’re searching for somewhere to rest your head after a busy day in the West End, One Aldwych comes at the very top of our list of recommendations.

Located at the centre of Covent Garden, London’s most exciting neighbourhood and opposite the Lyceum Theatre – home of The Lion King, One Aldwych is one of the very few hotels in London that can say it is truly independent. They have full autonomy on what goes into making each guest experience so memorable with a focus on using sustainable British suppliers throughout. As an institution, they strive to lead and innovate with beehives on their rooftop and energy saving features such as heat reclaim and water efficiency. Their distinct passion for preserving the environment influences all operational decisions yet they are dedicated to continually seeking to evolve and improve – sustainable innovation remains at the top of their list.

Opened in 1998 and very recently renovated One Aldwych is designed to be more than just a place to stop overnight and instead embraces a stylish art-nouveau character ready to host, curl up and inspire. Art and carefully curated design is an integral part of the hotel’s interiors, with original pieces in every room and suite along with fresh flowers from the incredible in-house team. The hotel offers 101 suites and bedrooms with flexible configurations to allow for business meetings and overnight stays in one space, split into multiple areas. Interconnecting options are also available for families and groups of all sizes and accessible rooms with wheelchair access making it a venue suited to all guests – corporate or personal.

Earlier this year we had the pleasure of spending one night at One Aldwych in a Bridge View Studio Suite. With a stunning view overlooking Waterloo Bridge, one of the biggest and by far the comfiest bed we have slept in at a London hotel and incredible service by the team from check in to check out, One Aldwych has earned it’s place in our books as one of the best hotels in London.

Dining that evening at the fully booked Indigo restaurant, we learnt that the menu and service is overseen by Head Chef Dominic Teague, an imaginative chef who in keeping with the theme of the hotel utilises the best of British ingredients crafted into incredible dishes. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner they also provide an afternoon tea option with classic scones and lemon and black sesame cake topped with honeycomb made with honey from the rooftop bees.

Overlooking One Aldwych’s buzzing Lobby Bar, restaurant Indigo is informal not stuffy, with a consistent focus on fabulous food and the simple pleasure of having an unforgettable night. We chose from the a la carte menu opting for the glazed pork cheek with heritage carrot, crackling and sea purslane followed by Irish pave of beef cooked over charcoal with braised shin, watercress girolles and red wine jus. It’s worth noting that it’s a menu that can be adapted to private functions and occasions in their private dining come meeting rooms that can hold up to 50 guests. The wine list is exceptional and the service was enough to feel looked after yet hands off enough to not be overwhelmed, attentive but not OTT – it was utterly fantastic.

So what do their other options for dining/entertaining include? Here’s a breakdown to get you familiar with the venue quickly –

The Library – the guest-only lounge located on the ground floor of the hotel. Tons of seating and
an array of beautiful books, it’s the perfect spot for a quiet coffee after a day in London, or a calm space to get some work done. Available for private events and chic cocktail parties.

Press & Type Rooms – Can be utilised on a day delegate rate for meetings with full and impressive AV along with dinners and other corporate events. This space is the ideal canvas for your ideas and imagination and can accommodate up to 50 guests.

Downstairs at One Aldwych – Through its own entrance, guests can head downstairs to this stylish and informal setting for exclusive entertainment. Holding up to 120 guests it’s another perfect space for corporate events, launches, parties and more.

Screening Room – One of the sweetest spaces we have seen offering a unique cinema space for screenings of old classics and new films, as well as presentations and live broadcasts. Accommodating up to 30 guests, you can either hire the space exclusively or attend one of their ‘Films and Fizz’ evening for an intimate film experience.

Along with facilities that serve almost every purpose, One Aldwych also possesses a discreet and spacious gym, fitted with the latest technical equipment from Technogym and Peloton, free weights and a stretching space. Featuring a beautiful and chlorine-free 18m/60ft lap pool with underwater music, it was the perfect way to start our day post evening stay. Spa days/treatments can be paid for and enjoyed by guests who do not stay overnight and therapists approach each session as a highly‑personalised ritual, with products from the Spanish skincare specialist, Natura Bissé and the leading British skincare brand, OSKIA.

So what’s our final verdict? It’s rare we find a hotel that offers a solution to every corporate brief and it’s even rarer that we have already returned for cocktails and dinner since our original stay. How can we truly summarise our One Aldwych experience? Beyond expectation with magic and luxury around every corner. Bravo One Aldwych, we adore you.

Website: https://www.onealdwych.com/