St Martins Lane London

Hotel Description

Okay, so St Martins Lane is one of those hotels that somehow manages to feel both very London and completely unexpected at the same time. I mean, you walk past this sleek glass facade on what’s honestly a pretty chaotic street (hello, tourist crowds heading to Leicester Square), and suddenly you’re in this minimalist white lobby that feels like stepping into a different dimension. The contrast is actually pretty brilliant – it’s Philippe Starck’s design, and you can tell he was having fun with the whole “urban sanctuary” concept.

The location is honestly hard to beat if you want to be in the thick of things. You’re literally a two-minute walk from Covent Garden’s covered market, and Trafalgar Square is right there when you step out the front door. What I really appreciate is how close you are to the good stuff without being directly on the main drag – so you get access to everything (the National Gallery, West End theaters, decent pubs) but your street isn’t completely overrun with those hop-on-hop-off buses. Though I’ll be honest, it can get pretty lively outside on weekend evenings since you’re so close to the entertainment district. The rooms facing St Martin’s Lane itself pick up some street noise, but nothing too crazy if you’re used to city life.

Inside, the rooms have this sort of zen-meets-urban vibe that works better than it probably should on paper. Everything’s clean lines and muted colors, but it doesn’t feel cold – more like a really well-designed friend’s apartment if your friend happened to have excellent taste and unlimited funds. The bathrooms are particularly nice, with those deep soaking tubs that you actually want to use after walking around London all day. What really impressed me was the attention to practical details – plenty of outlets in useful spots, blackout curtains that actually work, and the kind of shower pressure that makes you want to stay in an extra ten minutes. The service feels genuinely warm rather than stuffy, which can be hit or miss at five-star places in central London. Staff seem to know the neighborhood really well too, so they’re great for restaurant recommendations that go beyond the obvious tourist spots. You know what’s also nice? They handle the whole “we’re popular with creative types and media people” thing without being pretentious about it – it just adds this subtle energy to the place rather than feeling exclusive or intimidating.

Rooms

• Superior Double Room with 2 double beds for 4 adults, 3 children
• Deluxe king bed room with 1 extra-large double bed for 3 adults, 2 children
• Deluxe King Room with Garden View with 1 extra-large double bed for 2 adults, 1 child
• Studio King with 1 extra-large double bed for 3 adults, 2 children
• Superior Queen Room with 1 large double bed for 2 adults, 1 child
• Standard Queen Room with 1 large double bed for 2 adults, 1 child
• Loft Double Double with 1 double bed for 4 adults, 3 children
• Loft Junior King Suite for 3 adults, 2 children
• Standard Accessible Room for 2 adults, 1 child

Facilities