The Academy - Small Luxury Hotels of the World

Hotels
•
Small Luxury Hotels of the World
8.3 (3382 reviews)
21 Gower Street, Bloomsbury , London , gb
+44 20 7631 4115

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Paid
Children allowed

Facilities

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

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

Location

Guest Reviews

8.3
Based on 3382 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
P
Peter • couple • gb
10
2026-08-08 • via Nuitee
A
Anna Pauline • couple • au
6
Wouldn’t book again, not good value for the price
Pros:

Nice location, good restaurants and cafes nearby and not far from the tube

Cons:

This is not a 5 star hotel. There are many marks missing of your usual 5 star properties, there is neither a pool or wellness area, granted this is not advertised but I would argue any 5 star properties have these.

The breakfast buffet is quite underwhelming again for the price and star rating, there is a very small selection and you have to pay extra for eggs, which again seems like a massive expense given the price of the rooms, the servers were also being yelled at by the lady running the breakfast service which was incredibly uncomfortable, we skipped breakfast on the second day to avoid this

Then, the room. It would have been great to be given notice that the room is in the basement looking out into a dirty courtyard that’s connected to the kitchen? Doesn’t reflect the price paid and the advertised images
It was very clean and the staff overall was nice

2026-08-08 • via Nuitee
R
Rebecca • family_with_children • de
9
Wir haben uns sehr wohl gefühlt und würden das Hotel wieder buchen.
Pros:

Das Personal war sehr aufmerksam und es war sehr sauber. Das Zimmer war sehr geräumig und es gab ein sehr gutes Frühstück.

Cons:

Die Fenster waren nicht zu öffnen.

2026-08-08 • via Nuitee
W
Wendy • solo_traveller • gb
9
2026-08-07 • via Nuitee
W
Wendy • solo_traveller • us
9
2026-08-07 • via Nuitee
D
Dottie • extended_group • gb
10
2026-08-07 • via Nuitee
S
Susanne • solo_traveller • nl
9
Pros:

Personeel en ontbijt.

Cons:

Niets.

2026-08-06 • via Nuitee
E
Emma • solo_traveller • gb
10
Pros:

Friendly and helpful staff, comfortable, quiet room and great location. Breakfast was good with plenty of choice. Lovely little hotel.

2026-08-06 • via Nuitee
D
Dirk • couple • de
7
2026-08-06 • via Nuitee
S
Sarah • couple • gb
10
2026-08-06 • via Nuitee
C
CAROLINE • couple • gb
9
Fabulous, beautiful boutique hotel with welcoming staff
Pros:

Beautiful boutique style, comfortable beds, lovely breakfast & really friendly & charming staff on Reception. Able to leave our case before & after checking in & out.

Cons:

Bedside broken plug meant I had to choose between charging phone or having the lamp plugged in. Really minor but should be a simple fix as this was slightly annoying.

2026-08-05 • via Nuitee
E
Edward • solo_traveller • gb
10
Charming and relaxing retreat in central London
Pros:

A really unique place with beautiful elegant spaces and a lovely garden. My single room was comfortable and air conditioned. The staff were very kind and accommodating.

2026-08-05 • via Nuitee
S
Susan • couple • gb
10
Perfect stay again.
Pros:

Everything

Cons:

Nothing

2026-08-05 • via Nuitee
D
deborah • family_with_children • gb
8
2026-08-04 • via Nuitee
M
Maike • family_with_children • de
8
2026-08-03 • via Nuitee
A
Alanna • couple • gb
9
Location Location
Pros:

This hotel is small and perfectly formed . The gentleman on reception is welcoming and helpful. This hotel was in a perfect location to walk to Oxford Street and the Station.

Cons:

The A/C wasn’t working in our room but didn’t ruin our stay.

2026-08-03 • via Nuitee
G
Gillian • solo_traveller • gb
10
August stay
Pros:

Beautiful hotel in a lovely location. Photos don't do it justice. Facilities are excellent. Highly recommend staying here

Cons:

Nothing

2026-08-03 • via Nuitee
N
Nigel • couple • gb
9
2026-08-03 • via Nuitee
J
James • couple • nl
4
Pros:

Not much. Surprised it was listed as a 5 star hotel. I wouldn’t return or recommend.

Cons:

Our room was in the basement and you could smell damp in the hallways. Also very awkward to move luggage. Just too small.

2026-08-02 • via Nuitee
D
Daniel • solo_traveller • de
9
Pros:

Lage, Personal, charmantes Ambiente

Cons:

Service in der Bar verbesserungsfähig

2026-08-02 • via Nuitee