Look, I’ve stayed at my fair share of boutique hotels in London, but Middle Eight actually surprised me – and honestly, that’s getting harder to do these days. Walking up to the entrance on Great Queen Street, you might miss it at first glance (I mean, the signage is elegant but subtle), but once you’re inside, there’s this immediate sense that someone really thought about every detail here.
The thing about this spot is the location – you’re literally a two-minute walk from Covent Garden’s main piazza, but you’re tucked away on a street that feels refreshingly calm for central London. I stayed here during a busy October weekend, and while the tourist crowds were doing their thing around the corner, Great Queen Street maintained this almost village-y vibe that I wasn’t expecting. The rooms themselves have this warm, sophisticated thing going on – sort of mid-century modern meets London townhouse, if that makes sense. My room had these gorgeous floor-to-ceiling windows that actually opened (you know how rare that is in newer hotels?), and the bathroom… well, let’s just say the rainfall shower was generous enough that I didn’t feel like I was rationing water.
What really won me over, though, was how the staff seemed to genuinely know the neighborhood. When I asked about dinner recommendations, the concierge didn’t just hand me a generic list – he walked me through the pros and cons of three different spots within walking distance, including this brilliant little wine bar on Lamb’s Conduit Street that I never would’ve found otherwise. The hotel’s restaurant is solid too, especially for breakfast (their eggs Benedict is honestly perfect), and there’s something nice about not having to venture out first thing in the morning when you’re dealing with London’s unpredictable weather. Parking isn’t really a thing here – this is central London, after all – but the Russell Square tube station is close enough, and honestly, everything you’d want to see is walkable anyway. The British Museum is maybe a ten-minute stroll, and you can cut through these lovely residential squares that make you feel like you’re discovering secret corners of the city. I stayed on a weeknight and it was blissfully quiet, though I imagine weekend evenings might get a bit livelier given how close you are to all the action. If you’re the type who appreciates thoughtful design without the stuffiness that sometimes comes with five-star places, and you want to feel like you’re staying somewhere that locals might actually approve of, this place hits that sweet spot perfectly.