London is an amazing city and one I’ve visited quite a few times already, but with each visit I always discover something exciting and new. During my most recent visit in August, I stayed at the One Aldwych Hotel.
About One Aldwych
Initially built by architects Mewes and Davis for The Morning Post Newspaper in 1907, the building began operating as a hotel in the summer of 1998. The building’s shape bears a striking resemblance to New York’s iconic Flatiron Building. The beautiful interior is the work of interior designer Mary Fox Linton, and also includes a permanent, 350-piece contemporary art collection.
The hotel features 105 guestrooms and suites. There is a 24-hour gym available so that you can keep up with your routine while you’re away from home, but if you want something a little more exclusive, the hotel also offers two suites with private gyms.
The Location
One of my favorite things about this hotel was its terrific location. London is a huge city, so you’ll want to be in a good area that is near a lot of the top attractions. It’s located right in the theater district, and in just 10 minutes we were able to walk to Big Ben and the London Eye. London’s tube system is also incredibly simple and convenient, and getting to this hotel from the airport is very inexpensive and easy. It takes about 45 minutes and costs just a few bucks, and then it’s a very short walk from the Covent Garden station.
Food and Drinks
If you’re looking to dine onsite, you’ll have two options to choose from: Axis at One Aldwych and Indigo.
They also have a lobby bar where visitors can stop by for a light snack or a delicious cocktail.
This is also where they host their afternoon tea, which has a “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” theme.
I was in London for just one night, so I didn’t get to stop by Axis, but I did visit the Lobby Bar for a pre-dinner cocktail. I ordered something that was absolutely delicious and tasted just as good as it sounded: fresh strawberries and vanilla liqueur, which is then topped with Champagne. The atmosphere was quite enjoyable as well.
Following our visit at the hotel’s Lobby Bar, we had dinner at Indigo. I ordered the pappardelle, which was the perfect comfort food dish. But the best part of the evening was the dessert: a delectable sticky toffee pudding with clotted cream.
I’m not even into sweets that much, but… This. Was. Fantastic.
Other Things I Loved About One Aldywch
They are smoke-free. I haven’t encountered a lot of hotels that don’t allow smoking anywhere on their property, and as a non-smoker, it’s definitely appreciated.
Free Wi-Fi. This is a rarity in a lot of luxury hotels, especially in expensive cities like London.
Essential Travel Information
Flights: There a lot of direct flights to London from the Untied States. Look up airfare on FlightHub.com to compare flights from the airport of your choice.
Hotel information: Interested in staying at the One Aldwych during your visit to London? Excellent choice! Find rates for your upcoming stay and book your visit on Expedia.
Trains: Traveling throughout Europe is easier, often cheaper, and definitely more convenient than flying–especially if you book a sleeper car for longer journeys. Rail Europe is the best website to book your train tickets.
