Weekend Away - One Aldwych
Blending a heady fusion of contemporary art, cocktails and British cuisine, Craig Hough discovers that One Aldwych offers a relaxed, elegant stay
Location
Perfectly positioned where the City meets the West End, One Aldwych enjoys a prime location in the heart of theatreland. Easily accessible, with Covent Garden and Embankment underground stations close by, the hotel makes an ideal base for both business and leisure. The hotel offers a wealth of on-site options to keep you entertained; however, if you are looking to explore the city and enjoy some festive time in the capital, you have an abundance of choices. For something super festive, nearby Somerset House has once again transformed its courtyard into a skating rink for the season or you can enjoy over 20 West End shows. You can also eat, drink and be merry in the area’s countless bars and restaurants or pick up some Christmas treats from one of Covent Garden’s eclectic mix of luxury stores, high-street favourites and independent traders in the famous Market Building.
History
Built in 1905, the hotel is as unique as it is striking, with a triangle shaped Edwardian building that overlooks Waterloo Bridge and Lyceum Theatre. The privately owned building has a rich history and once served as the headquarters of the Morning Post. The popular newspaper was written and printed there until 1927 before being sold to Inveresk Paper Company where it became home to magazines such as Illustrated London News and The Tatler. Following that, the building housed the Ministry of Defence and Lloyds Bank amongst others, before being sold to private independent owners in 1998 where One Aldwych was born.
Rooms & Suites
The wonderful Front Desk Receptionist, Marta, ensured a seamless check-in, which concluded at our home for the weekend - The Waterloo Bridge Suite - which she commented was one of her favourites. The suite is one of four ‘Signature Suites’ in the hotel (alongside The Terrace, The Somerset and The Dome) and perfectly encapsulates the hotel’s celebration of British craftsmanship. Designed by leading British designer Robert Angell, the suite features exclusively British-made and designed furniture. Independent British suppliers are also supported at the hotel with everything from the handmade throws made by Skye Weavers in Scotland, to the Mitchell and Peach products in the impressively sized marble master bathroom and separate WC.
The living area had a stately, almost Presidential feel and was filled with natural daylight, offering stunning views of Waterloo Bridge. Fresh flowers by resident florist Mark Sireduk added a touch of vibrancy to the room, which complemented the striking collection of contemporary art that adorned the walls. The thoughtful decor included a collection of London-focused literature and whimsical pieces from American potter and designer Jonathan Adler, adding further character to the room.
Facilities
For those who prefer not to miss their workout whilst away, the hotel boasts an impressive Health Club. tucked away under the hotel. The pool area hosts a steam room and sauna - perfect for unwinding in between treatments - plus a 18-metre lap pool that uses an innovative mineral cleaning system, meaning the pool is chlorine-free. The spa area offers a wide range of treatments plus a spacious gym, fitted with the latest Technogym equipment, free weights and stretching space that is available to hotel guests 24 hours a day.
The Library on the ground floor is a peaceful haven only available to hotel guests, which offers a quiet space to unwind, read or play a board game.
Food & Drink
One of the true highlights of the stay was a visit to the newly renovated restaurant, Indigo, which sits on a mezzanine level above the Lobby Bar. Our server, Eric, was wonderfully personable and described the menu as offering “British dishes with a modern flair”. As we perused the options, French-born Eric served us a glass of British-made Chapel Down Brut, which he confidently declared was “as good as Champagne”, and he wasn’t wrong.
We opted for an early lunch, enjoying the restaurant’s calm and unhurried atmosphere, though Eric noted that before a show the pace picks up dramatically and the restaurant can easily do 55 covers in an hour. Impressive. Intimate and inviting, the restaurant offers a completely gluten and dairy-free menu that champions seasonal British produce. Weekend favourites include a tender roast sirloin of Irish beef, served with Horseradish cream, Yorkshire pudding, deliciously crunchy roast potatoes and a medley of seasonal vegetables.
Below the restaurant, the Lobby Bar offers a gorgeous little corner of central London to kick back and sip a cocktail. Like Indigo, the bar has recently undergone a renovation and is now crowned by a large-scale metallised ceiling sculpture that adds depth to the bar’s elegant interior. The bar also serves two cocktail menus, one for classic cocktails and a special ‘Gallery Cocktail’ list of drinks inspired by individual pieces from the hotel’s art collection. On earlier advice from Marta, we sampled 'The Lizzie', named after a paper sculpture of a puppy by artist Justine Smith. Made with Hendrick's Gin, Earl Grey tea distillate, Capreolus Quince Eau de Vie, honey, and lemon, it was unexpectedly light and incredibly refreshing.
It’s also worth noting One Aldwych is wonderfully family-friendly and hosts an incredibly popular Charlie and the Chocolate Factory-inspired afternoon tea on the lower ground.
Final Thoughts
The friendly team at One Aldwych elevated our entire experience. Every team member - from Head of Concierge Alan who’s been with the hotel since the beginning, to Front of House Receptionist Marta, whose passion for the hotel’s 400 plus pieces of art shone through, to our server, Eric, who shared that he moved from working in the Lobby Bar to the Indigo purely because he enjoys spending more time getting to know guests, embodies the spirit that defines this hotel.
Visiting London at Christmas can be a truly magical experience and One Aldwych makes for the perfect central base, offering Thanksgiving celebrations, exceptional Christmas dining, an indulgent afternoon tea for the little ones, plus a serene spa to unwind after a long day of festive fun.
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