The elaborate Edwardian exterior of One Aldwych belies the the newly refreshed hotel you find inside, where a fantastic 400-piece contemporary art collection seamlessly melds into the décor. A canine sculpture, Beano Dog, made of colorful comics, stands guard at the entrance, and Boatman with Oars anchors the lobby with paddles stretching to the ceiling.
Within the recently reimagined hotel, you’ll find a private screening room with 30 large leather armchairs where One Aldwych often offers movie nights complete with a glass of champagne (as well as dinner at the onsite Indigo restaurant). However, the hotel is better known as a pre- and post-theater drinks spot.
One Aldwych is situated amid the bustle of Covent Garden and mere steps from the West End theaters. The hotel’s Lobby Bar is easily one of the city’s most glamorous places to sample modern mixology. It’s just as artful as the rest of the hotel.
Our Inspector's Highlights
- The stark, open spaces of One Aldwych act as the perfect backdrop to the stately and impressive floral displays created by the hotel’s on-staff florist. You’ll be awed by the creations in the Lobby Bar, and the simple arrangements of orchids in The Library.
- The Library is a guests-only space with plenty of seating, lots of silence and amenities like a host who is at your beck and call for food, drinks and even an iPad to play with.
- One Aldwych boasts an impressive 56-foot chlorine-free lap pool that takes the “work” out of your workout thanks to mood lighting and an underwater sound system that pumps in soothing music for all of your hard-earned strokes.
- The London hotel puts a fanciful spin on afternoon tea. Inspired by Roald Dahl’s iconic Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, the mouth-watering ritual features fizzy lifting drinks, snozzberry jam and a chocolate swudge milkshake mixed by waterfall.
- The art-filled property is like a gallery, featuring works like Justine Smith's Spencer the Beano Dog sculpture and Philip Diggle's Domestic Scene painting.
Things to Know
- One Aldwych isn’t shy about encouraging guests to go further afield and explore the West End, with concierges who are eager to book shows or tell you about the latest exhibit at the nearby British Museum.
- Turndown service includes a note about what’s happening around the neighborhood, and you can expect to be torn as to whether you should stay in and enjoy the luxury hotel’s lap pool with underwater sound system, or cruise the quirky boutiques of Monmouth Street.
- There’s no need to leave One Aldwych for a movie when you can nab a spot in its screening room and enjoy a cocktail or glass of champagne while taking in the latest blockbuster.
- Try the show-stopping Origin, mixed with Dalmore 12 whisky, Merlet cherry liqueur, cherry purée, grapefruit juice, chocolate bitters and champagne.
The Rooms
- The 102 refreshed guest rooms at Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star One Aldwych are soothing, simple and sophisticated, providing a nice counterbalance to the busy and exhausting city outside.
- The Robert Angell-designed rooms boast original pieces of artwork in each room, along with a plate of fruit and fresh flowers that provide bright spots of color. Bag & Olufsen Bluetooth speakers and Smart TVs are helpful tech touches.
- The adjoining bathrooms are filled with soothing grey granite and modern fixtures like a bright stand-alone bowl sink and luxurious rainforest shower.
- The rooms themselves are not large — a Deluxe Room averages 344 square feet — but the space is used smartly and there’s little chance you’ll feel cramped. Large windows overlooking busy city streets promise all the natural light London has to offer.
The Restaurants
- Savor Northern Spanish cuisine at trendy Eneko Basque Kitchen & Bar. Dig into renowned chef Eneko Atxa's shareable dinner creations like beetroot tartare with pickled onions, and coriander-marinated grilled octopus or stop by for Saturday brunch for plates like Basque-style scrambled eggs with potatoes, onions and Iberico ham.
- Start your day with hearty avocado toast or light and fluffy blueberry pancakes at Indigo, the hotel's chic, purple-hued breakfast spot. Those with food allergies or sensitivities can indulge here, too — the majority of the menu items are (or can be made) gluten- and dairy-free.
- Theatergoers will appreciate the special two- and three-course dinners available at Indigo from 5:30 to 7 p.m. and 10 to 10:15 p.m. that let you see the show and still have a bite to eat in style.
- If you want to witness the pure artistry that is modern mixology in classic drinks, then pull up a seat at the Lobby Bar with a view of the bar and enjoy the show the bartenders put on with each drink. You’ll witness rims being swept with rinds and exacting shots poured with ease.
Getting There
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