You’re never far from history at Hazlitt’s. William Hazlitt was a renowned essayist and critic who lived at 6 Frith Street, now one of 4 Georgian townhouses that make up the hotel. The buildings date from 1718 and are just off Soho Square – you can't get more London central. It was a fashionable address for the literati of the time, and all 30 very indvidual rooms at Hazlitt’s are named after distinguished residents and visitors to the houses.
Of course, there were no dimmer lights or power showers when Jonathan Swift dropped by to see his protégé poetess Mary Barker. But, like him, you can still walk along the delightfully wonky floors to her room. Every room is adorned with period furnishings and rugs, antique beds, and richly painted walls hung with original artworks. And, pleasingly, expect 21st-century comforts including the most comfortable mattresses and top-of-the-range linen, cleverly concealed flatscreen TVs and mini-bars. Enjoy an indulgent breakfast in your room whenever suits you; or complimentary tea and cake at weekends in The Library. Staff are unfailingly friendly and helpful. And when you need a blast of the present, the bustling streets of London’s shopping and theatre districts are just outside the discreet front door.
Highs
- A real 18th-century ambiance – the rooms have been lovingly restored with antique furniture and art
- Each house is accessed via a separate staircase, adding to the feeling that you're staying in your very own historic London home
- You can order delicious breakfasts delivered to your room every morning
- Hard-to-beat Soho location, with no shortage of restaurants, shops and London attractions on your doorstep
- We loved the deep bathtubs and spoiling REN toiletries, which make bathing a pleasure
Lows
- Restoration work is underway until October 2024 on the hotel's exterior, and there may be some noise during the week
- Not ideal for less agile guests: stairs are steep, some floors slant and only one house has a lift
- Some rooms have limited natural light (but plenty of indoor lighting)
- Rooms facing Frith Street get some noise filtering in from buzzy Soho, though it's muffled by double-glazing
- No twin rooms; and some bathrooms have tub only (no shower)
- Club and Superior Rooms are cosy – we recommend splashing out on a Deluxe Room or a Suite if you'd like extra space
Best time to go
London is great all year round, but at its best and most vibrant in the spring and summer months. The hotel is busy throughout the year, but sometimes less so in summer and late autumn.
Our top tips
This is a fantastic hideaway for a loved-up city break – the antique furnishings are supremely romantic, and the breakfast set-up means you won't even have to leave your room if you don't want to.
- Boutique Hotel
- 30 rooms
- Breakfast (+ restaurants nearby)
- All ages welcome
- Open all year
- Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Beach Nearby
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Car not necessary
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
- Concierge Service
- Laundry service
Rooms
The distinctive charm of Hazlitt’s is the picture-perfect restoration of its past. Expect vintage canopied beds, antique writing desks, bathrooms with free-standing claw-footed baths (most have oversized rainfall showerheads) and Victorian brass fittings. Rooms are grouped into categories, from smaller Club Rooms up to lovely big Suites; but each one has its own unique décor – expect mellow antique furniture, fine pictures and rich fabrics.
Of the Superiors, pretty pink Lady Frances Hewitt is J.K. Rowling's favourite; sage green Joel Johnson has an ornate bust in the fireplace. In Prussian Resident (the Spoonerish name typical of the hotel's sense of humour) you'll find gilt-framed mirrors.
Deluxe Rooms get a sitting area and an ante-chamber off the bathroom, some of which have shower cubicles. On our first visit we stayed in Jonathan Swift, with its red squishy sofa, marble fireplace and massive 1740 oak headboard. With the chandelier dimmed and the silk curtains drawn over the Soho-facing windows, we could easily imagine we were back in gentler Georgian times. Until, of course, we donned fluffy white bathrobes and curled up with a bottle of wine (for booking through i-escape). More recently, we stayed in spacious Dr John Snow, with its large rear-facing bay window and smart lighting solutions. The longer we looked, the more treasures and witty details we found – including the minibar inside the wall-to-wall wardrobe or the TV cleverly concealed behind a mirror.
Of the three Suites, ground-floor Baron Willoughby has a carved oak bed and sitting room with a fireplace, while Teresa Cornelys has a private staircase leading to a period 'bathing machine'. Two-storey Duke of Monmouth has a fab bath filled with water from the beak of an enormous eagle, and a private terrace with sliding glass roof for inclement London days.
Note that only one house (House 8) has a lift, which serves eight of its rooms.
Features include:
- Bathrobes
- Hairdryer
- Minibar
- Safe box
- WiFi
Eating
A quiet tap on our door meant that breakfast (which we'd ordered the night before) had arrived. Waking to a pot of Earl Grey tea and a cafetière of fresh coffee with warm bread, hot chocolate croissants and muesli with yoghurt certainly beats scrambling down to a common breakfast room before the orange juice runs out. The breakfast menu is short but sweet – maybe fruit crunch, bacon sandwich, bakery basket, cereals – accompanied by juice and a hot drink. If celebrating or recuperating, you can add Bucks Fizz or a Bloody Mary. There are no in-room tea or coffee facilities, but if you'd like a tea or coffee tray brought to your room, please ask reception.
Hazlitt’s doesn't have a restaurant but room service is available round the clock, with dishes such as smoked salmon, lobster and crab ravioli or chicken and asparagus pie, as well as baguettes and soup. But undoubtedly you’ll be sampling the bountiful surfeit of Soho restaurants nearby. Just opposite is cosy Sussex Bar & Restaurant, while a few streets over is the romantic Andrew Edmunds.
Features include:
- Bar
- Breakfast
- Restaurants nearby
- Room service
- Vegetarian options
Activities
- Hazlitt's is ideal for shopaholics: the department stores and high street brands of Oxford Street and the luxury labels of Regent Street and Bond Street are all nearby
- First-timers to London will appreciate the proximity to major sights such as Piccadilly Circus, Big Ben, Buckingham Palace and Trafalgar Square, all easily accessible
- Theatre-goers will be spoilt for choice at the playhouses of Piccadilly and Shaftesbury Avenue
- Night-hawks should head to the bars of Soho and Covent Garden
- Culture-vultures will enjoy the British Museum, the National Gallery and the Royal Opera House
- Those in search of fresh air can take a stroll around one of London's royal parks. Hyde Park, Regent's Park and St James' Park are all within a 20-minute walk or an easy Tube ride
- Literature lovers won’t even have to leave the hotel: the cosy reading room is filled with signed tomes by the illustrious authors who have stayed here, from Michael Ondaatje to J.K. Rowling
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Historical sites
- Museums / galleries
- Nightlife
- Shopping / markets
- Traditional cultures
Kids
Children are very welcome, and baby cots and extra beds are available on request, best placed in the Suite and Junior Suites. Kids of all ages will love being so close to the restaurants, theatres, shopping and sights of the West End.
Best for:
Babies (0-1 years), Children (4-12 years), Teens (over 12)
Family friendly accommodation:
The Junior Suites have a double sofa bed each so can sleep a family of four, the Suite can take a family of three.
Cots Available, Extra Beds Available
Baby equipment:
Baby cots are available on request
Remember baby and child equipment may be limited or need pre-booking
Distances:
- Airport: 60 minutes
- Shops: 1 minute
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Location
Hazlitt's is just off Soho Square in central London. It's two mins' walk to Tottenham Court Road tube station, 5 mins to Leicester Square.
By Air
London City (15km) is the closest airport, but most scheduled airlines fly into Heathrow (28km) or Gatwick (50km), while budget airlines often use Stansted or Luton (both 55km). All airports have train links into London; or you can take a taxi or arrange a private transfer with the hotel.
By Train
Paddington, Marylebone, King’s Cross, Euston, Waterloo, Victoria and St Pancras (Eurostar terminal) are all an easy Tube ride away.
By Car
You really don't need a car in central London, and parking is a nightmare. Much better to use public transport, a ride-hailing app or your feet!
Detailed directions will be sent when you book through i-escape.
Airports:
- London Heathrow 28.0 km LHR
- London Gatwick 50.0 km LGW
Other:
- Beach 90.0 km
- Shops 0.1 km
- Restaurant 0.1 km
Our guests' ratings...
Based on 3 independent reviews from i-escape guests
Feedback is only from guests who have booked and stayed through i-escape