You know what struck me first about the Haymarket Hotel? It’s this gorgeous Georgian townhouse that somehow feels both grand and intimate at the same time. I mean, you’re literally steps from Piccadilly Circus – which sounds like it’d be touristy hell – but Suffolk Place is actually this quiet little pocket that most people just walk past without noticing. The location is honestly ridiculous in the best way possible; you can stumble to the Theatre District after dinner, pop into Fortnum & Mason for proper tea, or just wander down to St. James’s Park when the city gets overwhelming.
The interiors are pure Firmdale magic – if you’ve stayed at any of their other London properties, you’ll recognize that bold, colorful British design style, but this one feels more sophisticated somehow. Think jewel tones and rich fabrics that actually make sense together, not the usual beige hotel blandness. The rooms aren’t huge (this is central London, after all), but they’re cleverly designed with these amazing custom furnishings and marble bathrooms that feel properly luxurious. I stayed in one of the superior rooms facing the courtyard, which was blissfully quiet – you’d never guess Haymarket is just around the corner with all its red buses and theatre crowds. The beds are seriously comfortable, and honestly, the Egyptian cotton sheets alone might justify the splurge.
What really sets this place apart is how the staff actually seems to enjoy working there – check-in was smooth, they remembered my name without looking at their computer every five seconds, and when I mentioned I was seeing a show at the National Theatre, the concierge gave me this whole spiel about the best route to walk along the Thames afterward. The Brumus bar downstairs gets properly busy with a mix of hotel guests and smart locals, especially on weekends, and their cocktails are excellent if you don’t mind paying West End prices. Fair warning though – parking is basically nonexistent around here, so either embrace public transport or budget for valet service. But really, once you’re settled in, everything you want is walkable anyway. The 9.3 rating makes total sense; it’s one of those places that just gets the details right without being stuffy about it.