The Academy Hotel Review, London
(My experience was complimentary but all opinions are my own.)
As someone who’s been a Londoner for nearly 3 years, this city has become my playground, workplace and above all, my home. Something that it hasn’t been for me yet is a holiday spot - so I jumped at the chance to stay at one of Bloomsbury’s gorgeous boutique hotels, The Academy, for a night away with my boyfriend Tom.
Comprised of 5 gorgeous Georgian townhouses, The Academy hotel is based in one of my favourite parts of the city, Bloomsbury; an attractive area in the heart of London’s West End. It’s also a literary hub made famous by a group of authors called The Bloomsbury Set, who lived in the area during the 20th century. You may have heard of them. Virginia Woolf, John Maynard Keynes and E.M. Forster, among others, once called this corner of London home.
Checking into The Academy, it’s clear that this place is no run-of-the-mill hotel. Each corner oozes luxury, from the doorman who let us into their stylish lobby, right up to the decadent Bloomsbury Suite fitted with all of the trimmings we might need. I’m talking about our own personal Nespresso machine, complimentary mini bar and in-room climate control, all included as standard. I must admit, I was slightly in awe of the bathroom which housed the biggest shower I’ve ever seen. The shower head itself even had a variety of settings which, quite frankly, blew my mind.
Of course, one of the things that initially drew me to this wonderful hotel was their gorgeous in-house library, which can be found down on the ground floor. A compact yet beautifully designed space, the shelves are filled with an eclectic mix of books, both classic and modern. It’s a lovely addition to the hotel and an oasis of calm in the midst of a bustling city.
Mr Ma’s Afternoon Tea
As part of our stay Tom and I were treated to The Academy’s bookish afternoon tea, which is based on a book written by Lao She called Mr Ma & Son. The story is set in the 1920s and follows two fictional Chinese immigrants, a widower and his son, who move to England to run an antiques shop near to St Paul’s Cathedral.
To reflect the book, the restaurant manager explained to us that this afternoon tea is a blend of Chinese sweets and British tradition. Alongside fluffy cinnamon scones we found delicious mochi filled with red bean paste, and traditional finger sandwiches next to yummy egg tarts. The two very different cuisines made a divine combination and the mochi were easily my favourite treat on offer! Served in their stylish Alchemy Bar, which is decorated in a deep emerald green, and with gentle music playing in the background, this really was the perfect place to enjoy an indulgent treat on a cosy Sunday afternoon.
Things to do in bookish Bloomsbury
If you can bear to leave your beautiful hotel room, you’ll find that The Academy is ideally located for some bookish sightseeing. Just a short walk away is the gorgeous Persephone Books, who reprint and sell out of print works written by women, Gay’s the Word, a specialist LGBT+ bookshop, Foyles Charing Cross, which has the most extensive YA selection that I’ve ever seen, as well as the gorgeous Waterstones Gower Street. And there’s more: Skoob Books, London Review Bookshop, Bookmarks, Judd Books and Jarndyce Antiquarian Booksellers are all in the immediate area. If you fancy a rummage, I’d also recommend heading over to the local Oxfam Bookshop; it’s the charity’s flagship store and is a great place to find new releases at bargain prices.
If you fancy an intellectual afternoon, The British Museum is right on your doorstep, and the British Library is just a short walk away towards London St Pancras. While you’re having a wander, look out for the blue plaques dotted around the buildings in Bloomsbury - they signify notable men or women who have lived or worked in them, and many are authors! You should also watch out for Charles Dickens’s former home on 48 Doughty Street, which has now been turned into a museum.
Just like any other area in London, you’re only a tube journey away from your next adventure. The nearest underground station is Tottenham Court Road which serves the Central and Northern lines.
Pricing
Rooms start at £144 for a Townhouse Single, and from just over £200 for a night’s stay in the Bloomsbury Suite - which is a pretty good rate for a boutique hotel in central London! Prices fluctuate, which is useful to know if your dates are flexible.
You don’t have to be a resident, however, to sample The Academy’s delicious afternoon tea. You can pop in for just £25 per person, which includes a glass of Prosecco. For £35 each you can swap out that Prosecco for a glass of sparkling wine or a gin and tonic cocktail, should it take your fancy. I’d say that’s extremely reasonable! (Prices correct as of the day this was published)
Back to reality
To say that I was reluctant to check out on Monday morning and head off to work was an understatement. However, with the help of a sound night’s sleep in my sumptuous hotel bed and fuelled by multiple pastries carefully selected from the continental breakfast bar, I felt ready and prepared to face the day bossing it as a career girl in central London.
And so I set off with my overnight bag in hand, ready for a day in the office and dreaming of my next stay at a boutique London hotel (please let it be soon!).
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