Zen Sanctuary – Soho – by Frankie Says

Hotel Description

You know what caught me off guard about Zen Sanctuary? I was expecting another trendy Soho hotel trying too hard to be hip, but this place actually delivers on that whole “sanctuary” promise. Walking in from the chaos of Wardour Street – and trust me, it gets properly mental around there, especially when the theatre crowds are out – you hit this immediate wall of calm that’s almost disorienting in the best way possible.

The thing is, Soho hotels usually fall into two camps: either they’re completely sterile business places or they’re so aggressively quirky you can’t sleep through the noise. Zen Sanctuary somehow threads that needle perfectly. The rooms have this understated Japanese-inspired design that doesn’t feel like a theme park version of minimalism, if that makes sense. I mean, there’s actual thought behind the layout – like how they’ve positioned the bed so you’re not staring directly at the building across the narrow street when you wake up. Small detail, but it matters when you’re dealing with typical Soho sightlines. The soundproofing is honestly impressive too, which is crucial because you’re basically in the heart of everything here. I could barely hear the weekend crowds stumbling between Ronnie Scott’s and the pub crawls, even with windows that actually open (rare find in central London).

What really sets this place apart is how they’ve nailed the location without making a big deal about it. You’re literally a two-minute walk from Oxford Street if you need proper shopping, but you’re also right there for the good stuff – I’m talking about those little record shops on Berwick Street, the actual local pubs that haven’t been completely touristified yet, and honestly some of the best late-night eats in the city. The hotel staff seem to get this too; they don’t just hand you a generic map, they’ll actually tell you which entrance to use for the Tottenham Court Road tube during rush hour (spoiler: not the obvious one) or where to grab decent coffee before 7 AM that isn’t a chain. Check-in was refreshingly straightforward – no forced conversation about your travel plans or pushy upselling, just efficient and friendly. The whole vibe feels like they understand their guests are probably here to experience London, not hide from it in some bubble. That 9.4 rating starts making sense when you realize how rare it is to find a place that’s genuinely relaxing without being disconnected from why you came to Soho in the first place.

Rooms

• Two-Bedroom Apartment with 2 × 1 extra-large double bed and 1 sofa bed for 6 adults, 5 children

Facilities