One Aldwych

Review of One Aldwych

BusinessClass.com review by Jason Eckhoff
Updated 13. Jan 2023

One of the first contemporary designer hotels in the capital, hidden behind a Grade II listed Edwardian façade, the independently owned One Aldwych lies at the very beating heart of London. 

Adorned with a sterling collection of over 400 contemporary artworks, the property offers 101 clean-lined, elegant rooms and suites, decorated in soothing neutral tones, offering an oasis from the busy city outside. For quenching thirst and hunger, head to the all-day dining Indigo, overseen by Chef Dominic Teague and offering a seasonal British menu with sourced ingredients from across the UK; the Lobby Bar, commanding attention under the soaring double height ceilings of the property’s lobby and The Library, a private guest only abode complete with comfortable sofas and an array of books for a restorative coffee or cocktail.

For fitness, head to the Health Club and take a dip in the 18-metre lap pool with its underwater music system and mood lighting; work out in the 175 square metre 24/7 Fitness Studio with the latest TechnoGym equipment and a Peloton bike; use the sauna or steam rooms or simply relax and enjoy a therapy or spa treat with tailored treatments utilising Natura Bissé and OSKIA products. 

For special occasions, there is an intimate screening room for private film presentations, a wide range of family treats for junior VIPs and even better, small to medium sized dogs can visit too, with canine treats prepared for their arrival.

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Location

9/10

Located at the junction where Fleet Street turns into the Strand and Waterloo Bridge crosses The Thames, One Aldwych lies just a few steps away from Covent Garden, the former fruit and vegetable market, now turned tourism attraction, dining destination and boutique haven.  Somerset House, with its epic exhibitions, is just a two-minute walk away with the Courtauld Institute of Art close by, Trafalgar Square around a ten-minute stretch of the legs and Big Ben, Downing Street and St James’ Palace around a twenty minutes’ stroll. Theatreland is just around the corner along with the Royal Ballet and the English National Opera for classic culture.

London City Airport is the nearest to the property – a 30-minute drive away whilst London Heathrow Airport is around an hour away and London Gatwick a little bit further – a 75 minutes’ drive. St Pancras for Eurostar is relatively close – a 30-minute taxi ride away whilst Covent Garden Underground station is a five-minute walk away as is Embankment with Holborn a 10-minute walk. 

Accommodation

9/10

Behind an Edwardian Art Nouveau façade lies a transformed contemporary space, highlighted with a 400-strong contemporary art collection and 101 elegantly styled guest rooms and suites. There are 85 light and airy deluxe and superior guest rooms ranging in size from 23 to 32 square metres of space with the remaining accommodation turned into spacious suites, including four Signature abodes – The Dome, Somerset Suite, Waterloo Bridge Suite and the two-bedroom The Terrace suite. 

Every room has a complimentary curated mini bar of drinks and treats; a Nespresso coffee machine; bathroom products from Mitchell & Peach and easy to use technology including a Loewe UHD television with Google Chromecast. A neutrally toned colour palette complemented by soft pastels and custom furnishings with a touch of Art Nouveau style adds a residential feel whilst the marble bathrooms are styled to delight. Each room can be configured for family use with extra beds and cots available and miniature bathrobes, slippers, games and treats for junior VIPs. Small to medium sized house-trained doggies over the age of 12 months can also come to play with dedicated dog-friendly bedrooms and suites, plus dog beds, bowls, towels and treats from Bow Wow London.

With the suite selection, options range from the Classic to the open plan Bridge View, the top floor Loft and the one to three bedroomed Corner Suites facing the city and offering a separate living space and dining area. Size-wise, these range from 42 to a healthy 60 square metres of living area. The signature suites offer between 67 and 110 square metres of space, with the smallest being the original Dome Suite with its circular bedroom under the hotel’s cupula, ample dressing area, separate sitting room with a mini kitchen and bar. This can be easily reconfigured as a spacious three-bedroom suite, however.  The Waterloo Bridge Suite can also be expanded to a three bedroomed residence with this space enjoying those prized River Thames views. The Somerset Suite has its own circular sitting room also enjoying river views whilst the two-bedroom Terrace Suite is situated on the fifth floor with al fresco dining on its ample terrace, looking out over London’s rooftops. 

Service & Facilities

9/10

For a relatively small hotel, One Aldwych packs in a whole gamut of health and fitness facilities within their Health Club including an 18-metre chlorine-free swimming pool, a sauna and a steam room. The pool has underwater music to entertain swimmers and soft mood lighting whilst children aged one and above will enjoy the tropical fish projections whilst they take to the water. 

For keeping trim on the road, there is a 175 square metre, 24/7 Fitness Centre with the latest TechnoGym equipment, a free weights area, personal trainers on demand and a Peloton bike for online classes. For those who love to relax with a spa treatment or two, the Health Club also includes a menu of tailored treatments designed to nurture and to revitalise, utilising Natura Bissé and OSKIA products. 

Style

9/10

One Aldwych is one of London’s most stylish independent hotels, drawing in the crowds and the accolades when it first opened its doors in 1998. Located within the former Morning Post newspaper offices, built in 1905, their printing presses where the hotel’s swimming pool now sits, the Grade II listed building has hosted a number of departments and businesses over the years including the Ministry of Defense, the Prudential Assurance Company and a popular café restaurant known as the Aldwych Brasserie.

In 2019, the hotel underwent an extensive refurbishment under the talented hands of designer Robert Angell who has given the property’s guest rooms and suites a more residential feel with echoes of its Art Nouveau heritage with design firm Fabled Studio invigorating Indigo and The Lobby Bar, lending it a classic Art Nouveau feel with a touch of a Parisian brasserie with nods to its heritage as a newspaper office. The hotel is brought alive by its 400-piece original contemporary art collection, in turn enhanced by in-house florist Mark Siredzuk’s dramatic flower arrangements.

The property is a flag-waver for the community and has collected a team of local experts living or working in the area entitled The Curators to give a voice and insight into the locality. One of these Curators for instance has inspired a range of sensory cocktails in The Lobby Bar, inspired by Floral Street Fragrances. It is these detailed and well thought out little touches that ensures One Aldwych remains at the very top of its game – a luxury property for a cultured and knowledgeable clientele.

Restaurants & Bars

9/10

The hotel’s main signature restaurant, Indigo, has the feel of an all-day dining neighbourhood hangout, serving British favourites, innovatively presented and evolved by Chef Dominic Teague and his brigade. Seasonal menus and sustainable sourcing are key to his style, finding the very best suppliers across the British Isles and allowing the produce to shine. He occasionally produces special seasonal tasting menus and at the time of writing, is showcasing champagne and truffles, perfect for the Autumn season. 

The Lobby Bar meanwhile is situated right in the heart of the double height lobby, a metropolitan, art-adorned oasis adored by London’s workforce. It enjoys a bright bubbly atmosphere and serves a mean Afternoon Tea including one inspired by Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. 

Come the weekend, enjoy a traditional Saturday or Sunday roast whilst on special occasions, film buffs can enjoy a fizz and popcorn screening curated in conjunction with Curzon cinemas in the hotel’s 30 seat cinema followed by a three-course meal afterwards. For those who enjoy privacy, the hotel-guest-only Library is a hidden away treat, perfect for a peaceful cup of tea or coffee away from the madding crowd.

Sustainability

The environment & sustainability is a cornerstone of One Aldwych’s ethos with energy saving features, heat reclamation, LED lighting and water efficiency at its core. The swimming pool is chlorine-free, there is a comprehensive recycling programme in place and the property has recently installed rooftop beehives and a bee-friendly garden on its rooftop to support the urban bee population. Used glass is crushed and re-used as glassphalt, whilst the on-site bottling plant eliminates the need for single use plastic.

Produce, fish and meat is procured from like-minded businesses who value organic, free range, sustainable and low air mile practices whilst food waste becomes compost for a Kent farm who in turn grow vegetables for the restaurant. They use bio-degradable packaging and paraben free SLS bathroom amenities too, as well as supporting independent charities such as StreetSmart and, appropriately, Roald Dahl’s Marvellous Children’s Charity.

What We Love

  • Location - on the edge of Covent Garden and in one of the most wonderful parts of Central London. The hotel is close to theatreland - including the Royal Opera House, the River Thames - 1 Aldwych overlooks Waterloo Bridge and Covent Garden itself - complete with its market, upscale restaurants and boutiques.
  • Facilities - when it opened in 1998, 1 Aldwych was hailed a triumph - an accolade that has stood the test of time. Of note is its indoor 18-metre swimming pool complete with piped underwater music. This 1905 building was carefully and elegantly repurposed into this delightful hotel, filled with art, a private cinema and not to forget the superb Lobby Bar.
  • Sustainability - 1 Aldwych championed green issues - even before it was an “issue”! To that end, the pool is chlorine-free, bees thrive on the rooftop and have their own garden and all the ingredients in the food comes from sustainable sources.


Jason Eckhoff
Founder & CEO
BusinessClass.com

 

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About the author
Jason Eckhoff
CEO
Jason has been involved in the travel industry for nearly 25 years but has been a keen globetrotter all his life. As Founder and CEO of BusinessClass.com, Jason is an arbiter of the best that premium travel has to offer – from commercial air travel to luxury hotels. He seeks the finest experiences on business, family escapades, or solo adventures. Jason continues to redefine luxury travel, not...
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