There’s no shortage of hotels in London. As the most tourist visited city in Europe, a traveler can choose everything from high rise, business-centric monoliths to tiny boutiques tucked away off the high streets.
The One Aldwych London is neither of those. As a privately owned and operated, five star luxury space doing business in the heart of Central London, it offers all the in-house amenities in the midst of endless attractions for the interests of any traveler.
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One Aldwych is quite literally around the corner from Covent Garden, a stone’s skip from the Thames and an easy walk from The Strand, Shaftesbury Avenue, The Seven Dials, countless restaurants, ballet, opera, several West End theaters and multiple museums. But, should the visitor choose to kick back for a day, the hotel offers a safe, attentive haven.
I visited the hotel in the past, but stopped by for a short stay again as the venue was undergoing some changes. A new restaurant space is inbound, and there are some adjustments to the Lobby Bar and on site Indigo Restaurant menus. Meanwhile, I found all operating aspects of the hotel well in order.
It’s the independent nature and atmosphere of the hotel that makes One Aldwych special. Any hotel smack in the neighborhood this venue occupies would be desirable. The traveler sits in a center of activity in one of the world’s greatest cities. The Aldwych could offer basic service and do perfectly well.
But, from the doormen to the valet to the bar staff, the One Aldwych crew looks to establish a friendly connection with the guests coming through the doors. The best example of the welcoming atmosphere dedicated to guests has to be the secret private lounge.
The hotel offers a very comfortable and well oiled lobby bar available to travelers and locals alike. But, behind the scenes, there’s a sizable, luxurious lounge hidden off the lobby available only to those staying at the hotel. The One Aldwych could use that space for a public amenity and generate more for the bottom line. The fact that the hotel offers such a stretch of the building as non-obtrusive attraction says a lot about their service attitude.
In addition to the Lobby Bar and Indigo, the hotel offers a full gym, onsite spa treatments and an indoor pool. The latter is somewhat of a rarity in a London city hotel.
As for dining, we’ll have a review of the hotel’s Indigo space in the following days. But, One Aldwych gets high marks for its breakfast — including the best American style bacon in the city.
Here’s hoping this hotel remains under its current private membership for a long time to come. That’s the best way to insure it maintains its professional, yet friendly service invested throughout the property.
