You’d almost miss Middle Eight amid the hustle and bustle of Covent Garden, whether you’re visiting the famous Christmas lights at The Piazza or catching a matinee in the West End.
This luxury hotel is located on Great Queen Street, just a stone’s throw from the Royal Opera House. It’s within easy walking distance of the British Museum, Soho’s artisan boutiques and art galleries, and Chinatown’s culinary delights. The site is built upon the foundations of the Kingsway Hall, a revered recording venue for the London Symphony Orchestra and Philharmonic Orchestra. Prior to that, it was a Methodist Church.
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The hotel has 180 rooms spread across five categories, but it’s the suites where the narrative truly stands out. Each of the 12 signature suites are named after songs with a famous middle eight. Mine was called ‘Changes’, honouring British legend and the late David Bowie’s famous song with the same title, from his 1971 album Hunky Dory. Changes was the last song Bowie performed on stage before passing away in 2016. Coincidentally, it was originally recorded not far from the hotel, at Trident Studios.
The space consists of four main living areas: the bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, and lounge. The suite has a stylish library wall with a great selection of books, some on the legacy of Ziggy Stardust, another by David Byrne of Talking Heads, and modern art and fashion guides.
The suites come with a free-standing over-sized bath
The suite has a skylit bar that lights up the kitchen space, an eye-catching living moss wall with customisable lighting, an electric pebble fireplace, and a freestanding marble bathtub where you can relax and soak in the entire experience. Add to that a handcrafted cocktail from the kit in your private bar. It’s elaborate, yet relaxed.
You can mix your own drinks in your private minibar
Come evening, you’ll find a host of dining and entertainment options. Don’t miss Sycamore Vino Cucina, where executive chef Paul Robinson serves Italian-inspired dishes that pack a punch. The tomato bruschetta is colourful and flavoursome, while the crab linguine with black ink squid and Devonshire crab is a standout. It’s a menu that suits all palates.
Guests can indulge in a decadent and traditional afternoon tea at The Balcony
Alternatively, guests can choose to dine upstairs at The Balcony for a leisurely lunch, perhaps even paired with cocktails. There’s also the QT Bar, a New York speakeasy-style basement bar with live jazz and cabaret performances, perfect for late-night adventures. The space hosts cinema screenings, fashion shows and private events.
London’s wide range of luxury hotels fills up the streets, but what sets Middle Eight apart is both its proximity and provisions. For first-timers in the capital, it can be an excellent base to visit landmarks like the London Eye and St. Paul’s Cathedral, or shop on the high street. Frequent visitors who want to relax in a single space will find the hotel’s many dining and entertainment options keep them busy. Either way, it strikes the right chord.
Oojal was a guest of Middle Eight in Covent Garden, London. Rates start at £224 per night. For more information, visit uk.hotels.com.
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