Kula London – Holborn

Hotel Description

I’ll be honest – when I first walked down Emerald Street looking for Kula London, I almost missed it. It’s tucked into this quiet pocket of Holborn that feels worlds away from the chaos around Russell Square, even though you’re literally a five-minute walk from all that tourist madness. The building itself has this understated thing going on, sort of industrial-chic but not trying too hard, you know?

What actually got me was how they’ve managed to nail that sweet spot between boutique hotel charm and actually functioning like a proper place to stay. The lobby’s got this warm, lived-in feeling – dark wood, brass fixtures that look like they’ve been there forever but probably cost a fortune, and honestly the best part is you can tell the staff actually know the neighborhood. I mean, when I asked about getting to Borough Market without dealing with the tube crowds, the guy at reception didn’t just point me toward London Bridge station – he walked me to the window and showed me this back route through the Inns of Court that cuts fifteen minutes off the walk. That’s the kind of local knowledge you can’t fake.

The rooms are what you’d expect from a solid 4-star place, but there are these little touches that make it feel less corporate. Mine had this huge window facing toward Coram’s Fields (which, if you’ve got kids, is basically a hidden gem with actual farm animals in the middle of London), and the afternoon light was incredible. The beds are properly comfortable – not too soft, not like sleeping on concrete – and the shower pressure is strong enough that you’ll actually want to spend time under it after walking around London all day. One thing though – if you’re a light sleeper, maybe pack earplugs. It’s generally quiet, but you do get the occasional late-night delivery truck rumbling down Gray’s Inn Road, and the walls aren’t exactly soundproof.

What really won me over was the breakfast situation. Instead of some sad continental spread, they’ve got this partnership with a local bakery, and I swear their croissants are better than half the places I tried in Paris last year. Plus, they’ll actually make you a proper flat white, not that burnt coffee nightmare you get at most hotel chains. The whole dining area has these big communal tables that somehow don’t feel awkward – maybe it’s because everyone’s either buried in their phones planning their day or genuinely excited to be exploring London.

Location-wise, you’re perfectly positioned without being in the thick of tourist central. Holborn tube station is about a seven-minute walk, British Museum is close enough that you could pop over for an hour without it being a whole expedition, and you’ve got some genuinely good pubs within stumbling distance – The Lamb on Lamb’s Conduit Street does Sunday roasts that’ll ruin you for anywhere else. The whole Bloomsbury area has this literary, slightly academic vibe that feels more authentically London than staying near Leicester Square or whatever.

Look, it’s not going to change your life or anything, but Kula London does exactly what a good hotel should do – gets out of your way so you can actually enjoy being in London, while giving you a comfortable base that feels like someone put actual thought into the details.

Rooms

• Superior Studio with 1 double bed for 2 adults
• Superior Apartment with 1 double bed for 2 adults
• Two-Bedroom Apartment with 2 × 1 double bed for 4 adults, 3 children
• Apartment with 1 double bed and 1 single bed for 2 adults, 1 child
• Three-Bedroom Apartment with 3 × 1 double bed for 6 adults, 4 children
• Two-Bedroom Apartment with 2 × 1 large double bed for 4 adults

Facilities