The Academy - Small Luxury Hotels of the World

Hotels
•
Small Luxury Hotels of the World
8.3 (3275 reviews)
21 Gower Street, Bloomsbury , London , gb

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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 3275 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
Astrid B. • couple • nl
7
London 24 hours
Pros:

The room annex to the lobby

Cons:

Difficult rooms… bad shower
Non functioning aircon after already have been installed in a different room because in the first the aircon was leaking and non functioning

2026-06-20 • via Nuitee
L
Leigh • couple • gb
9
Very friendly, helpful staff, comfortable bed and would definitely stay again.
Pros:

It is a small boutique hotel, with a lovely bar and garden area, would be great in the summer months. Breakfast was good with a large variety of foods.
The area is quiet and pretty but only a 10 minute walk to Mayfair/Covent garden areas.

2026-06-20 • via Nuitee
N
Neil • couple • au
9
Very good , but the stairs are a killer
Pros:

Location

Cons:

Building

2026-06-18 • via Nuitee
Y
yefim • solo_traveller • il
9
2026-06-18 • via Nuitee
L
Latonya • couple • us
7
Pros:

The staff during breakfast was attentive and made sure I had vegan options.

Cons:

Not sure why it was so expensive.

2026-06-17 • via Nuitee
E
Emile • couple • nz
8
2026-06-17 • via Nuitee
S
Santiago • couple • ar
9
2026-06-17 • via Nuitee
C
Courtney • solo_traveller • us
7
Not worth the price.
Pros:

The staff were all incredible friendly. The location is central to fun parts of the city. The breakfast was lovely.

Cons:

It was very expensive for the quality. I was hoping for London charm, which you get at first glance. But once you spend a bit of the time in the room you realize it’s just not worth the price.

2026-06-17 • via Nuitee
M
Maud • couple • nl
10
Nice gettaway!
Pros:

Perfect location and lovely room.

Cons:

N/A

2026-06-16 • via Nuitee
D
Dave • couple • gb
3
Not a 5 star
Pros:

Nothing outstanding. Breakfast ok. Staff we saw were good. Friendly and helpful.

Cons:

Listed as 5 star with parking. Parking was 10 minutes walk away in an NCP costing £38 overnight. No lift. 4 flights to our room. Only one member of staff visible from 4pm to 11pm trying to cover reception, bar and seemingly everything else. Often not around at all. No answer on phone calls to room service and reception had to go back down the flights of stairs. Batteries in TV controller dead - had to go down 4 flights of stairs again. Air con was either super cold - blowing straight in your face all night in bed or off.

Nice hotel as a 2 or 3 star. Not a 5 star.

2026-06-16 • via Nuitee
B
Benedict • solo_traveller • ch
9
2026-06-16 • via Nuitee
K
kristin • couple • us
9
2026-06-15 • via Nuitee
O
Olga • couple • pl
9
Excellent location and a peaceful stay within walking distance of everything London has to offer.
Pros:

The hotel is very well maintained, with a lovely patio that is perfect for a coffee or a drink. The staff are extremely helpful and welcoming. The location is outstanding – the area is quiet and peaceful, yet just a 5-minute walk from the city centre with its restaurants, theatres, and bars.

Cons:

The hotel has three floors and no lift, which may be challenging for guests with limited mobility. The breakfast is made with high-quality ingredients but can feel a little repetitive during a longer stay.

2026-06-14 • via Nuitee
D
Dafna • couple • il
2
Pros:

המיקום בסדר גמור , אך הבעיה שאין מעלית ואם 3 מזוודות לעלות במדרגות זו לא חוויה ממולצת לאנשים בכלל , הצוות עזר אמנם אך צריך כסף לתת טיפים , מן הראוי לציין שאין מעלית במלון , ואתם הייתם צריכים לעדכן וחבל שלא אמרתם מלכתחילה .

Cons:

מדרגות אין מעלית

2026-06-14 • via Nuitee
J
John • solo_traveller • gb
9
2026-06-14 • via Nuitee
M
margarethe • couple • de
6
Ok
Pros:

Wirklich super Nettes Personal -
hat uns ein anderes Zimmer gegeben weil ich keine engen Treppen gehen wollte
Ruhige Lage

Cons:

Viele enge Treppen -
Souterrain frühstücks Raum
5 Sterne?

2026-06-14 • via Nuitee
S
Simon • solo_traveller • gb
9
2026-06-14 • via Nuitee
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
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