Central London location close to Covent Garden and Holborn Tube
Bright, airy lobby with orchestral heritage
Mosaic-finished basement spa with whirlpool and steam rooms
Restaurant serving traditional British favorites
Homey rooms with tea and coffee facilities
Bathrooms include marble accents and high-end toiletries
Extensive event space and meeting rooms
Hotel might be a little old-fashioned for some tastes
Wi-Fi incurs a surcharge
Street-facing rooms can be a little noisy (though windows are double-glazed)
This upscale hotel is located well in the throbbing heart of London, with most of the capital's center within easy walking distance. Behind its original 1912 facade it maintains a mostly traditional ambience, which continues into the rooms, with only the occasional nod to modernity. The basement spa is impressive for a four-star property, but a steep charge for access to the hotel's Wi-Fi is a turn-off. The nearby Radisson Blu Edwardian Bloomsbury Street has comparable rates but more contemporary feel.
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Scene
Orchestral heritage and original 1912 facade
The Kingsway Hall Hotel is housed in what was originally a Methodist Church built in 1912 and, due to its excellent acoustics, became the recording space for the London Symphony Orchestra and the first studio to record the voice of Luciano Pavarotti. A multi-million pound refurbishment in 1998 kept the original facade and completely remodeled the interiors. The reception desk now occupies the space where the orchestra once played and the lobby area has been maintained as a bright open space with glass paneling and a sweeping staircase. The hotel has blends modernity with a somewhat staid, traditional corporate style, and appeals to business guests and the slightly older tourist.
Location
Central London location, a short walk from Covent Garden
Set off the busy Kingsway road in central London's Holborn area, this hotel is located within walking distance of most of the city's attractions. It's just a five-minute walk from the tourist draws of Covent Garden, the British Museum, and West End theaters, and 10 from bustling Soho and Oxford Street shopping. The nearest tube station is Holborn, a block away, while the Thames, with river transport connections, is a few blocks to the south.
Rooms
Traditional, homey rooms and attractive white tile bathrooms
The hotel's 170 rooms are decorated firmly within the camp of traditional and homey -- most have floral print fabrics, matching plaid armchairs, and ornate bedside lamps. Amenities are what you'd expect from this caliber of hotel -- flat-screen TVs, minibars, and tea and coffee facilities. Sleek bathrooms have white tile, Grohe fixtures, striped black and white marble accents, Gilchrist & Soames or Molton Brown toiletries, and shower/tub combos. Wi-Fi is available in the rooms but isn't free.
Features
Impressive basement spa with mosaic finish
Guests of the Kingsway Hall Hotel have access to its beautifully finished basement spa area and gym, offering a whirlpool tub and steam baths in mosaic surrounds. The hotel's Harlequin Restaurant serves up a traditionally British menu in a space with specimen trees and glass walls, while the mezzanine Lounge Bar offers drinks and snacks in slightly funkier surrounds. Ten fully equipped function and meeting rooms are also available and as well as a private dining option.
