Henrietta Hotel, London

Tucked behind a swathe of townhouses in the heart of London’s Covent Garden is the Henrietta Hotel. This buzzy, charismatic bolthole is the brainchild of the Experimental Group, which ran quirky cocktail bars across New York, Ibiza, Paris and London before turning its talents to hip, exuberant boutique hotels.

As you’d expect, there is a stellar drinks list, and you’ll find a creative crowd at the Henrietta’s bar. The downstairs area and mezzanine have a more traditional feel, while the decor gets more experimental once you move upstairs. 

The hotel has 40 bedrooms spread across two buildings on the same street. The 18 rooms in the main building are created with maximalist European flair by interior design whizz Dorothée Meilichzon. The front-facing rooms overlook quintessential central-London streets (Jane Austen stayed two doors up while working on Mansfield Park and visiting her publisher, while novelists Kingsley Amis and Daphne du Maurier were published from the Henrietta’s main building). Meanwhile, those at the rear have surprisingly tranquil views of the gardens of St Paul’s Church, a hidden oasis unknown even to most Londoners.

On checking in to the Covent Garden Superior Room, you’re greeted with 20 square metres of art deco-inspired elegance. These relatively compact rooms punch above their weight stylistically: Midnight blue walls are met by blush pink velvet, marble and brass accents, with high quality retro touches throughout. Contrasting patterns and colors are everywhere, from the furniture to the tiling.  

The supremely comfortable double bed is topped by a soaring curved headboard, while the cocktail-shaking spirit of the hotel founders lives on through the minibar, which comes loaded with a wide range of miniatures and mixers for your in-room entertaining. The bathroom’s products are from Swedish organic makers L:A Bruket, while a clever use of mirrors throughout the room makes it feel more spacious. It all makes for the perfect base, whether you’re exploring the city—or taking a breather from it.   

Henrietta Hotel

14-15 Henrietta Street, London, England, WC2E 8QH

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Justin Quirk

Author

Justin Quirk is Associate Creative Director of Editorial at Expedia Group, as well as a writer and editor who has worked for titles including The Sunday Times, The Guardian and Esquire covering music, design, and current affairs. He is also the author of Nothin’ But a Good Time, an acclaimed cultural history of 1980s heavy metal.