Home Hotel reviews A cooling stay at The Bloomsbury hotel London

A cooling stay at The Bloomsbury hotel London

by Sarah Bridge
Bloomsbury hotel

A stay at The Bloomsbury hotel

When it’s hot in the city, your first instinct might be to head for the coast, but just a short walk from Tottenham Court Road tube station, The Bloomsbury hotel London is a great spot in which to cool down.

Bloomsbury hotel London Dalloway Terrace

The Dalloway Terrace at the Bloomsbury hotel is a lovely spot whatever the weather

Its hidden secret is the Dalloway Terrace which runs along the side of the hotel. From the outside it doesn’t look like anything special, but those who ascend the steps will find a lovely two-tiered terrace with lush plants  – the perfect place in which to shelter from the boiling sun and enjoy afternoon tea, a cocktail or two, or even an al fresco dinner as night descends.

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Bloomsbury hotel London entrance lobby

The grand lobby of the Bloomsbury hotel

Having endured a sweltering Tube journey across town, I was somewhat surprised to be asked: ‘Would you like a hot towel?’ when I checked in at reception.

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Rather than risk over-heating, I accepted a cooling mint water instead from the water coolers in the lobby and headed up to my room, a studio suite, which was on the fifth floor.

Bedrooms at The Bloomsbury

It was vast, especially by London standards, with a king-sized bed, desk, a bright pink chaise-longue, ample storage space and a massive TV on a clever swivel stand.

The bathroom was smart in a black and white art deco marble style, with walk-in shower, twin sinks, rolltop bath (with a TV at one end) and separate WC.

Bloomsbury hotel London double bedroom

My room was a great size, with big windows, no noise from outside and vivid splashes of colour everywhere

There were lovely touches such as an umbrella on a stand for if the weather turned and, as befits a hotel in the heart of literary Bloomsbury, an invite to a walking tour of the area, following in the footsteps of George Orwell, Charles Dickens and of course, Virginia Woolf.

 Bloomsbury hotel London roll top bath

The roll-top bath in my very smart bathroom. There was a TV at one end and twin sinks at the other

Cocktails at the Dalloway Terrace

The shaded terrace was calling so a quick turnaround meant I was soon in seated at the Dalloway Terrace, in cooler clothes  and about to dive into a cool drink. While there was a decent cocktail list, there was also a special pop-up bar and list of cocktails made with the French G’vine gin.

It seemed rude not to try them, so I went for a Bloomsbury Martini and my friend Duncan, who worked just round the corner, chose the Dalloway Spritz.

They were both very refreshing and tasty – possibly the menu could have hinted at size though, as Duncan’s was three times the size of mine, but sitting out in the heat without feeling hot and bothered was lovely.

cocktails at the Dalloway terrace the the Bloomsbury hotel London

A Dalloway spritz (left) and the smaller (but perfectly formed) Bloomsbury Martini

Bloomsbury Club Bar

If you fancy a cosier cocktail place than the terrace, there is the Bloomsbury Club Bar downstairs, which has a heated outside area (pictured)

The Bloomsbury restaurant

It’s always a good sign when it’s impossible to decide what you’re having and there was a good 20 minutes of dithering before we decided on our starters of Dorset crab on toast and seared tuna, followed by seared scallops with spinach and chanterelles, and the day’s special of roast hake with olive pesto.

Dorset crab on toast, with apple, egg and watercress

My starter of Dorset crab on toast, with apple, egg and watercress

callops with spinach, chanterelles and teriyaki dressing

The main course of hand-dived scallops with spinach, chanterelles and teriyaki dressing

The chef didn’t put a foot wrong with all dishes being extremely tasty and as the sun went down and the night lights came on, the whole effect was of a Mediterranean evening rather than one just steps away from the roadworks hell of Tottenham Court Road.

The Bloomsbury breakfast

Breakfast the following morning wasn’t as memorable as dinner, as even though the Dalloway Terrace was open, hotel guests weren’t allowed to eat there but were served downstairs in a low-ceilinged, claustrophobic room.

While the cooked option was fine, breakfast in the sun could have been a perfect end to my stay.

Bloomsbury hotel London lobby

The entrance shows the 1920s style elegance of the hotel

However the rooms are priced very reasonably for such a central location and smart hotel, and I will most certainly be back for another evening of cocktails and excellent food on the Dalloway Terrace, even after the summer is over.

Hotel information and to book The Bloomsbury

The Bloomsbury
16-22 Great Russell Street
London
United Kingdom WC1B 3NN
Phone: +44 20 7347 1000
[email protected]

Rooms at The Bloomsbury start from £225 and Studio Suites (like the one I stayed in) are from £420. 

Book The Bloomsbury on Booking.com

Read more reviews of The Bloomsbury on Tripadvisor

The Bloomsbury is part of The Doyle Collection which includes The Kensington and The Marylebone hotels in London and the Westbury in Dublin.

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