The Academy - Small Luxury Hotels of the World

Hotels
•
Small Luxury Hotels of the World
8.3 (3307 reviews)
21 Gower Street, Bloomsbury , London , gb
+44 20 7631 4115

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Children allowed

Facilities

WiFi available
Free WiFi
Parking
Non-smoking rooms
Air conditioning
24-hour front desk
Restaurant
Room service
Business center
Heating
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Review Highlights

Pros:
Hotel has a cozy decor
Friendly and accommodating staff
Excellent central location
High quality breakfast options
Cons:
Noise issues from neighboring rooms
Comfort level of beds varies
Stairs and uneven floors in an old building
Additional charges for breakfast items

Categories

Cleanliness
8.13
Some reviews mentioned cosmetic issues in rooms, affecting the perception of cleanliness.
Service
9.1
Staff received high praise for their kindness and consideration in several reviews.
Location
8.84
Guests highlighted the ideal location for central London, contributing positively to their stay.
Room Quality
7.59
Mixed feedback with mentions of discomfort in rooms and structural quirks, affecting overall comfort.
Amenities
8.12
Good amenities were noted, but some guests found certain aspects lacking, such as noise control.
Value for Money
7.58
Several reviews indicated that the price point did not align well with the experience provided.
Food and Beverage
8.63
Breakfast quality was praised, although some guests noted additional charges as a downside.
Overall Experience
8.4
Overall positive experiences with a few noted drawbacks impacting individual aspects.
* This sentiment is summarized by AI based on user reviews.
Updated at: 2026-01-11 01:16

Property Description

Luxurious Georgian Townhouses Turned Boutique Hotel

Award-Winning Design and Gourmet Dining
Indulge in rooms crafted by New York's Champalimaud Design, featuring marble en-suite showers and bespoke furniture. Start your day with an extensive Continental breakfast buffet or opt for a delicious a la carte breakfast for a small fee. Explore nearby dining options or unwind at the Alchemy Bar's Terrace with Mr. Ma's Afternoon Tea and unique cocktails.

Prime Location for Exploring London
Located just a 5-minute walk from The British Museum, The Academy is your gateway to London's iconic landmarks. Discover Leicester Square, Piccadilly Circus, and Covent Garden within a leisurely 15-minute stroll. Immerse yourself in the vibrant culture of Oxford Street, Soho, Chinatown, and Trafalgar Square, all within a mile from the hotel.

Ready to experience luxury and convenience in the heart of London? Book your stay at The Academy - Small Luxury Hotels of the World now!

Important information:

Please note, this property does not have an elevator, and rooms are only accessible via stairs.
A deposit may be required at the property.

Check-in and check-out hours:
Check-out: 11:00 AM
Airport code: LHR

Property Policies

  • Groups

    When booking more than 5 rooms, different policies and additional supplements may apply.

  • Internet

    WiFi is available in all areas and is free of charge.

  • Pets

    Pets are not allowed.

  • Children and extra bed policy

    Children of any age are allowed.
    Children up to and including 2 years old stay for free when using an available cot.
    Children up to and including 16 years old stay for free when using an existing bed.
    Children up to and including 16 years old stay for free when using an available extra bed.
    Any type of extra bed or child's cot/crib is upon request and needs to be confirmed by management.

  • Parking

    Public parking is possible at a location nearby (reservation is not possible) and costs GBP 32.50 per day.

Location

Guest Reviews

8.3
Based on 3307 reviews
Cleanliness: 8.13
Service: 9.1
Location: 8.84
Room Quality: 7.59
Amenities: 8.12
Value for Money: 7.58
Food and Beverage: 8.63
Overall Experience: 8.4
K
Kirsten • couple • li
7
2026-07-25 • via Nuitee
M
Marina • family_with_children • ae
8
2026-07-25 • via Nuitee
A
Adrianus • solo_traveller • nl
10
Kleinschalig comfortabel schoon hotel
Pros:

Comfortabel hotel. Lekker ontbijt. Kleinschalig en schoon. 5min lopen naar Northern line en 10 min naar Victoria line

2026-07-25 • via Nuitee
C
Claire • couple • gb
5
Definitely not a small luxury hotel
Pros:

Good location
It has a courtyard garden

Cons:

Definitely would not class it as luxury
Small room tiny bathroom
Tired decor

2026-07-25 • via Nuitee
M
Mariangela • solo_traveller • it
10
Week end in the city
Pros:

Posizione, in reception un ragazzo che parla italiano e ci ha dato molte info, colazione.

Cons:

Nulla

2026-07-25 • via Nuitee
G
Göran • extended_group • se
8
2026-07-25 • via Nuitee
M
margherita • solo_traveller • it
9
2026-07-24 • via Nuitee
S
Suzanne • couple • gb
9
Welcoming staff, great and quiet location
Pros:

Breakfast was very high quality. Location perfect and we walked everywhere from here.
Bed extremely comfortable

Cons:

Air con could have been a little more efficient

2026-07-23 • via Nuitee
D
Dan • couple • gb
10
2026-07-22 • via Nuitee
M
mustafa • family_with_children • tr
10
2026-07-21 • via Nuitee
Y
Yong • couple • cn
10
Staffs are very friendly and helpful, very good experience of staying in the hotel.
Pros:

Good room, nice garden and bar. Friendly staffs!

2026-07-21 • via Nuitee
Y
Yin • solo_traveller • hk
9
2026-07-20 • via Nuitee
R
Rachel • couple • gb
9
perfect base for our trip
Pros:

fabulous location and wonderful staff. Large comfortable room with sofa area, powerful shower.

Cons:

Didn't realise at the time of booking that the fee included only continental breakfast ( cooked available with supplement) - but i probably missed that...

2026-07-20 • via Nuitee
V
Vanessa • couple • ch
7
2026-07-20 • via Nuitee
H
Hubert • couple • de
9
2026-07-18 • via Nuitee
A
Adam • couple • no
7
2026-07-18 • via Nuitee
N
nicoletta • family_with_children • it
8
Pros:

The room was clean, spacious, and very comfortable, with a very comfortable bed. The breakfast was good, offering a good selection of food. The staff were warm and welcoming. The location was also nice, close to many popular tourist attractions, making it easy to explore the area.

Cons:

Our room was on the third floor, and since there was no elevator, it was a bit challenging for my parents. The hotel also has carpets throughout, which may not suit everyone’s preference, although this is quite common in the UK.

2026-07-18 • via Nuitee
W
Wai Yee • couple • hk
8
Walking distance to British Museum, good breakfast, a decent hotel overall
Pros:

Only 4 minutes walk to the British Museum and under 20 minutes walk to the National Gallery.
Lots of good restaurants nearby
On a quiet street
The breakfast was good in general and the breakfast staff particularly pleasant- remember what we drink already on our 2nd day - we stayed there for 5 days. Very pleasant and smiling all the time.

Cons:

The room of our type is either on the ground floor or high floors but the property has no elevator. We were given a room on the G/F. Meaning we have to close the blinds all the time to protect our privacy. We wanted to upgrade to another floor and pay the difference but rooms only available next day so we decide to stay on the G/F. The restaurant is small with limited menu. Lucky there are lots of good restaurants nearby - but it means there were no decent choice when we wanted to stay and eat in the hotel

2026-07-18 • via Nuitee
M
Markus • couple • at
8
2026-07-17 • via Nuitee
C
Corinne • solo_traveller • au
5
Poor value for money. Small, awkward or dark rooms, difficult staircases, no lifts.
Pros:

Attractive public spaces. Nice outdoor garden with tables.

Cons:

I was first shown to a tiny room with an odd shape. I was then moved to a larger but dark basement room, with a basement window. The stairs in the hotel were steep, narrow and awkward, and there was no lift.

2026-07-17 • via Nuitee