Batty Langley’s

Hotel Description

You know what? I’ve stayed in plenty of boutique hotels, but Batty Langley’s actually made me feel like I’d stumbled into someone’s incredibly well-preserved Georgian townhouse – which, honestly, is pretty much exactly what happened. Tucked away on Folgate Street in Spitalfields, this place sits right in the heart of one of London’s most atmospheric corners, where you’re literally walking the same cobblestones that Jack the Ripper would have known. I mean, that sounds dramatic, but when you step out the front door at dusk and see those narrow medieval streets stretching toward Christ Church Spitalfields, you get it.

The hotel itself is this fascinating mix of 17th and 18th-century buildings that have been restored with an almost obsessive attention to period detail. Each room is completely different – mine had this massive four-poster bed with heavy brocade curtains and genuine antique furniture that looked like it belonged in the V&A (though thankfully more comfortable than museum pieces usually are). The bathrooms are where they’ve cleverly modernized things without breaking the spell – heated floors and proper water pressure, but housed in what feels like a gentleman’s private chambers from 1720. Actually, the whole place has this slightly theatrical quality that could easily tip into theme park territory, but somehow doesn’t. Maybe it’s because the staff treat it all so matter-of-factly, or because you can hear the rumble of the City just a few streets over, reminding you this is still very much living London.

What really sold me on the place was how it sits in the neighborhood. You’re a two-minute walk from Dennis Severs’ House (if you’re into that sort of immersive historical experience), and Brick Lane’s curry houses and vintage shops are right around the corner. The Sunday markets at Spitalfields literally happen on your doorstep – which means Sunday mornings can get a bit lively if you’re hoping for a lie-in, but I actually loved being able to grab coffee and pastries from the market stalls before most of the tourists showed up. Liverpool Street station is close enough that you don’t need to think about transport, but far enough that you’re not dealing with commuter chaos. Parking is basically impossible around here (this is proper old London, where streets were designed for horses), but honestly, you won’t need a car. The 9.3 rating makes perfect sense – this isn’t for everyone, especially if you prefer sleek modern hotels or need loads of amenities, but if you want to feel like you’re sleeping inside a piece of London’s history while still having access to everything the city offers, Batty Langley’s delivers something genuinely special.

Rooms

• Club Double Room with 1 double bed for 2 adults
• Superior Double Room with 1 large double bed for 2 adults
• Deluxe Double Room with 1 large double bed for 2 adults
• Suite with Sitting Room and Balcony with 1 large double bed and 1 sofa bed for 2 adults, 1 child
• Junior Suite with 1 large double bed and 1 sofa bed for 2 adults, 1 child
• Duplex Suite with 1 large double bed for 2 adults
• Deluxe Double with Terrace with 1 large double bed for 2 adults
• Single Room with Shower with 1 single bed for 1 adult
• Luxury Double Room with 1 large double bed for 2 adults

Facilities