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

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.