You know what struck me first about the Fielding Hotel? It’s tucked away on this tiny cobblestone court that feels like you’ve stumbled into a secret corner of London that most tourists completely miss. I mean, you’re literally a two-minute walk from the chaos of Covent Garden Market, but Broad Court is so quiet you can actually hear yourself think.
The building itself has this old-world charm – I’m talking original Victorian features mixed with rooms that actually acknowledge it’s 2024. The staff genuinely seem to care, which honestly surprised me after staying at some of those massive chain hotels where you feel like just another booking number. Check-in was smooth, and the guy at reception actually gave me decent restaurant recommendations that weren’t just the usual tourist traps on Russell Street. The rooms are what I’d call “London cozy” – not huge by American standards, but smartly designed with proper storage and a bathroom that doesn’t require gymnastic skills to use the shower. The beds are actually comfortable too, which matters more than people realize when you’re walking 20,000 steps a day around the city.
Location-wise, this place is brilliant if you want to be in the thick of things without the constant noise. You’re right there for the Royal Opera House (literally around the corner), and the West End theaters are all walkable – we caught three shows and never needed the Tube. Covent Garden station is maybe a three-minute walk when you do need it. What I really appreciated was being able to duck back to the hotel between afternoon sightseeing and evening plans without it being a major expedition. The area gets busy during the day with street performers and market crowds, but by evening it settles into this lovely London rhythm. Fair warning though – if you’re driving, forget about parking nearby. This is proper central London, so embrace the public transport or budget for taxis. The hotel doesn’t have its own parking, and the streets around here are mostly pedestrianized anyway. But honestly, you won’t need a car for anything – we walked to the British Museum, crossed over to Borough Market via the bridges, and even strolled down to Westminster when the weather was decent. The 8.2 rating feels about right – it’s not perfect, but it gets the important stuff right and the location really can’t be beat if you want that authentic London neighborhood feel while still being central to everything.