You know those hotels that somehow manage to feel both impossibly chic and genuinely welcoming? The Soho Hotel is exactly that. Tucked away on this tiny cobblestone mews just off Dean Street, it’s one of those places you’d walk right past if you didn’t know it was there – which honestly makes finding it feel like discovering some secret London hideaway.
Kit Kemp’s design here is absolutely stunning without being intimidating, if that makes sense. I mean, you’ve got these bold fabrics and colors that shouldn’t work together but somehow create this warm, lived-in elegance. The lobby has this gorgeous granite and oak staircase that curves up dramatically, and there’s always this subtle buzz of creative types having meetings over coffee. What I love is that it feels properly British but not in that stuffy, intimidating way – more like staying in the incredibly stylish home of someone who actually has excellent taste rather than just expensive furniture. The rooms themselves are these perfect little sanctuaries with massive windows (some overlooking the courtyard, others facing the mews), and the bathrooms have the kind of deep granite tubs where you can actually soak properly after walking around London all day.
The location is pretty much perfect for exploring central London. You’re literally in the heart of Soho – Ronnie Scott’s is practically around the corner, you can walk to Covent Garden in about five minutes, and Oxford Street is right there when you need proper shopping. But here’s the thing about Richmond Mews – it’s this quiet little pocket that feels completely removed from the madness of Leicester Square and Oxford Circus. I’ve stayed here during the Edinburgh Festival when London gets completely mental, and you’d never know it from inside this peaceful little courtyard. The Refuel bar downstairs gets lively in the evenings (it’s actually become quite the scene), but the rooms are well-insulated so you won’t hear much. Parking is basically impossible around here – I mean, it’s central London – but the tube is everywhere and honestly you’ll want to walk most places anyway. The staff genuinely seem to enjoy their jobs, which you notice immediately, and they know the neighborhood inside out. Ask them about restaurant recommendations and you’ll get actual local spots, not just the touristy places everyone suggests.