The Academy - Small Luxury Hotels of the World

Hotels
•
Small Luxury Hotels of the World
8.3 (3249 reviews)
21 Gower Street, Bloomsbury , London , gb

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Children allowed

Facilities

Parking
Non-smoking rooms
Air conditioning
Restaurant
Room service
Terrace
Family rooms
Luggage storage
Express check-in/check-out
Safety deposit box
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

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 3249 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
A
Adrian • couple • kz
9
A well located, cosy place ideal for exploring London
Pros:

Comfortable bed, great breakfast, well decorated and a great shower. The lay out of the place was cleverly thought out. Wonderful staff

Cons:

The room was a little stuffy. I wish we were able to have opened the bedroom window but that’s all

2026-06-13 • via Nuitee
S
Shazia • solo_traveller • gb
8
Beautiful hotel and rooms
Pros:

The staff were lovely, the decor is beautiful and the sitting areas are designed very well. The room had everything you would need, including luxury toiletries. The breakfast was very good.

Cons:

The bathroom was tiny! It was quite a squeeze just for one person! Although well resourced I expected a bigger room for the not inconsiderable amount I paid!

2026-06-11 • via Nuitee
R
Rochelle • family_with_children • gb
5
2026-06-11 • via Nuitee
E
elif • extended_group • tr
9
Harika konumu ve nazik personeliyle iyi hissettiren tekrar yapmak isteyeceğimiz bir konaklama
Pros:

Kahvaltı keyifli ve oldukça yeterliydi tabi ki çay servisleri özenliydi

Cons:

temizlik görevlileri biraz dikkatsiz ve özensiz oda da kirli temizleme bezi bırakılmıştı ancak genel temizlik gayet yeterliydi

2026-06-11 • via Nuitee
Z
Zoe • solo_traveller • gb
8
2026-06-10 • via Nuitee
O
Onna Jacinta • solo_traveller • nl
7
Nice little hotel on good location
Pros:

Great location in authentic building

Cons:

Breakfast options where limited

2026-06-08 • via Nuitee
B
Barbara • solo_traveller • it
7
2026-06-08 • via Nuitee
S
Seamus • couple • nl
7
2026-06-07 • via Nuitee
L
Linda Dwyer Joyce • solo_traveller • ie
8
Pros:

Location, garden restaurant, comfortable room, decor

Cons:

Nothing

2026-06-07 • via Nuitee
S
Stanislas • couple • fr
1
À éviter
Pros:

Le niveau est catastrophique et ne mérite certainement pas d’être qualifié en bel hôtel

Cons:

Extrêmement cher pour une chambre au sous-sol
Une vétusté totale de l’hôtel
Pas d’ascenseur ! Très heureux de porter les bagages dans un escalier miniature

2026-06-07 • via Nuitee
A
Aileen • solo_traveller • gb
9
2026-06-06 • via Nuitee
J
Julie • couple • au
10
2026-06-06 • via Nuitee
A
avsinan • couple • tr
8
konum şahane
Cons:

Kahvaltısı standartlarına göre zayıftı.

2026-06-05 • via Nuitee
G
Giuseppe • couple • gb
10
Pros:

Location and the gardens were very nice

2026-06-03 • via Nuitee
A
Almog • couple • il
10
2026-06-02 • via Nuitee
V
Victoria • couple • gb
7
Would not recommend.
Pros:

Great location.

Cons:

Tiny room in the eaves. Very little light. No lift and a lot of stairs to navigate. Breakfast is continental buffet - you pay extra if you want cooked. Hit us with a 5% service charge on departure.

2026-06-02 • via Nuitee
E
elisheva • solo_traveller • il
8
Pros:

מיקום מעולה, צוות אדיב.

Cons:

חדרים מאד קטנים. מאד יקר

2026-06-02 • via Nuitee
L
Lorenz • couple • be
7
Goed voor een kort verblijf, misschien te duur voor wat het is
Pros:

Vriendelijk personeel, goede locatie. Makkelijk bereikbaar

Cons:

Het heeft wat opfrissing nodig,
De muren zijn beschadigd
Stoffen zetels beschadigd
Airco maakt veel lawaai, ramen die niet allemaal volledig open konden,..

2026-06-02 • via Nuitee
J
Jean-François • solo_traveller • fr
8
2026-06-01 • via Nuitee
K
Kabir • couple • gb
10
Will definitely booking again
Pros:

The decor was beautiful

Cons:

Nothing

2026-06-01 • via Nuitee