The Academy - Small Luxury Hotels of the World

Hotels
•
Small Luxury Hotels of the World
8.3 (3430 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 3430 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
D
Deborah • solo_traveller • es
8
Pros:

Ubicación, limpieza, decoración, habitaciones acogedoras y camas confortables. Personal de restaurante y recepción amabilísimo.

Cons:

Ausencia de ascensor ( con equipaje pesado es un inconveniente llegar a los pisos superiores).
Habitaciones con paredes finas, se oye a los huéspedes colindantes así como a los del piso superior durante el sueño y el baño.

2026-09-19 • via Nuitee
L
Lesley • couple • gb
9
Charming small hotel, excellent location and friendly helpful staff.
Pros:

Very quiet but only 10 mins walk to Tottenham Court Rd tube station.

Cons:

All good

2026-09-19 • via Nuitee
S
Sarah • solo_traveller • gb
7
2026-09-19 • via Nuitee
S
Susan • couple • ca
10
Extremely pleasant and great location.
Pros:

Friendly and convenient.

2026-09-19 • via Nuitee
S
Sara • couple • gb
6
A great business bolt hole in central London!
Pros:

Friendly staff.. delicious curry for dinner in the bar and lovely outdoor space.

Cons:

Unfortunately my bathroom/
Room had a damp issue so it really smelt but cleared once the air conditioning had been going for a while. Very comfy bed, complimentary water tea coffee and biscuits.

2026-09-17 • via Nuitee
S
Stefano • solo_traveller • it
9
2026-09-16 • via Nuitee
S
Shelley • solo_traveller • gb
10
2026-09-16 • via Nuitee
Šumelj • couple • hr
5
2026-09-15 • via Nuitee
W
William • extended_group • us
9
2026-09-15 • via Nuitee
S
Sophie • solo_traveller • be
9
Séjour plein de charme
Pros:

Beaucoup de charme et très bien situé (gare accessible à pieds ainsi que soho et covent garden )

Cons:

Pas d’ascenseur, pas dérangeant mais à noter

2026-09-14 • via Nuitee
I
ismail hakkı • solo_traveller • tr
9
2026-09-14 • via Nuitee
W
Wafa • extended_group • kw
3
Friendly and helpful staff, but unfortunately a very stressful and uncomfortable stay
Pros:

The staff were friendly, polite and helpful. When problems arose, they tried their best to assist us. I especially appreciated the staff member who arranged another room for me and did not charge the additional cost even though the room was more expensive. The location of the hotel was also very convenient

Cons:

Unfortunately, my stay was very stressful and uncomfortable. I had to change rooms three times. I also asked for an additional room and was told that none were available, although I found one available online. I agreed to pay the difference and the move was confirmed, but the following day I was told that the room had been booked by someone else due to an issue with the booking system.

The most stressful incident happened while the hotel staff were moving our luggage between rooms. One of my bags, containing my passport and the passports of the people travelling with me, went missing. We spent almost an hour searching for it before it was eventually found behind a door. There were also issues with noise and the air conditioning on our final night. Although the staff were kind and tried to help, the repeated room changes and these problems made the overall stay far more stressful than expected.

2026-09-13 • via Nuitee
N
Nicoline • couple • nl
9
2026-09-13 • via Nuitee
L
LUIZ • couple • br
9
2026-09-12 • via Nuitee
S
Sarah • couple • us
8
Very pkeasant stay for 3 days. Great location!
Pros:

Great bathroom

2026-09-12 • via Nuitee
A
AMBA • couple • gb
7
Nice location, lovely car and cute courtyard, comfy beds, quite small rooms, lots of stairs and added costs which were t
Pros:

Location
Comfy bed and great pillows
Communal areas are really stylish
Feels secure as door is on a lock system so it travelling alone it feels safe.

Cons:

The room was slightly tired, in places, didn’t feel quite a luxe as the photos.
I searched for a good deal in booking.com but at reception they add 5% service charge which I think is cheeky and didn’t want to pay.
It clearly stated breakfast is included but it’s only continental, a hit breakfast was £15 per person which again is a bit misleading.
Feels like they put last min offers but try and get fill cost in other ways and I didn’t like that.

2026-09-12 • via Nuitee
S
Sascha • couple • de
5
2026-09-11 • via Nuitee
A
Ada • family_with_children • il
8
Overall, we really enjoyed our stay in this central, but quiet location
Pros:

The location was ideal for us, quiet but central
Breakfast was really good
Bed was super comfy

Cons:

It was a bit strange that the bathroom was downstairs

2026-09-07 • via Nuitee
S
Samantha • family_with_children • gb
9
Charming hotel enchanced my important family trip
Pros:

Excellent location. Elegant decor felt like an oasis of calm in central london. Cosy little bar area and delighfull outside seating area. Very polite and helpful staff. We dropped our luggage off pre check in and it was waiting in our rooms when we checked in. Impressive breaskfast included with top quality and varied choices. Would definitely return

Cons:

Steep staircases and no lift due to period property but this was advised at booking.

2026-09-07 • via Nuitee
S
Sam K • solo_traveller • nl
7
2026-09-07 • via Nuitee