Sofitel London St James

Set among the historical buildings of St James's, the hotel’s handsome aesthetic starts with its Neoclassical facade and Grade II-listed architecture. Though the building may have opened in 1923 -- as the headquarters of an army banking agency -- the Sofitel group saw its potential and reopened it as a hotel in 2002, retaining many of its striking architectural elements. The lobby is the perfect bridge between old and new, with an intricate tapestry-like rug, French black and white checkered tiling, and ruby red velvet seating -- which all feels decidedly classic yet chic and fashion-forward. The lobby is large and has a decent amount of comfortable seating, but most guests spend their time exploring the area or in the St James Bar, which has handsome furniture reminiscent of 1920’s Paris, highly decorative carpets, and oriental tapestries on the walls. The design throughout is self-consciously stylish and appeals to the well-heeled sightseers and locals who appreciate the aesthetic and lively atmosphere. 

The Sofitel London St James is close to some of the most popular and iconic landmarks of London's West End. Both Charing Cross Underground station and Trafalgar Square are a five-minute walk away. There are multiple theaters within a five-minute walk of the hotel, including Her Majesty’s Theatre, Theatre Royal Haymarket, and The Harold Pinter Theatre. The cinemas, casinos, and vibrant nightlife of Leicester Square can be reached on foot in under 10 minutes. It also takes just under 10 minutes to reach St James’s Park. Alternatively, a pleasant walk from the hotel through nearby Green Park ends up at Buckingham Palace 13 minutes later. Guests can reach Westminster and its attractions, such as Big Ben, on foot in about 15 minutes, or by train in about 10 minutes. The London Eye, London Dungeons, and London Aquarium are on the other side of the river and easy to reach in 13 minutes on the train or 18 minutes on foot. For guests making business trips into the city, it’s a 20-minute train ride away. A ride to Heathrow Airport takes around 45 minutes depending on traffic, or an hour on the train. Gatwick Airport takes 90 minutes to drive to, or an hour and fifteen minutes on the train. 

This is classy home from home living with some added French flair and sophistication. Well-appointed rooms make the most of often small spaces, with a design that maximizes space and creates a bright and light feel. Muted colors and luxury linens are lovely pairings for the monochromatic artwork, smooth black headboards, and uncluttered desks. The walls have a crisp white finish, the heavy curtains are chocolate brown and the furniture is all dark wood or black, which creates a cohesive, refined, and modern look. Rooms have plenty of lamps and most have large windows, which helps to keep things ambient and airy. From Classic Rooms all the way through to Royal suites, all rooms have TVs with Sky Sports, BT Sports, CNN, and an extensive movie library, iPod docking stations, two telephones, air-conditioning, refrigerated minibars, laptop-sized safes, and Nespresso coffee machines. Bathrooms are particularly beautiful, with French-inspired black and white tiled floors, bathtubs with overhead showers, high-end Hermes toiletries, hairdryers, and bathrobes and slippers. Upgrading will get you extra seating areas and writing desks, while the Suites have separate living rooms. Plus, some upgraded rooms have incredible views of London. 

The most impressive option is the Royal Suite which overlooks London and the statues of Waterloo Place. There’s a separate and spacious living room with a sectional sofa, dining room which seats 12, a separate guest toilet and main bathroom, plus a private kitchen. The bedroom is as luxurious as you’d expect with a super king-size bed and designer furniture. High-end extras include a shoe shine service and sleep menu.

Features are as upscale as the public spaces The hotel’s pretty Rose Lounge draws a discerning crowd of locals, tourists, and those with special occasions to celebrate. The atmosphere is social yet relaxed, with soft pink lighting, velvet armchairs, and ambient table lamps with dainty rose paintings. An exquisite afternoon tea is served here, which includes Parisienne pastries and pretty gin cocktails. Things take a slightly edgier turn in the endlessly cool St James Bar. Dark leather banquettes, velvet stools, and gilded chairs are particularly handsome and are modeled on Coco Chanel’s Parisian apartment. Beautiful tapestries on the walls and a decadent carpet with gold detailing finish the look successfully. A well-stocked bar and all-day bar menu makes this a popular spot for after work drinks or a pre-theater bite and tipple. Continuing with the Parisian theme, The Balcon features theatrical columns and two dark wood spiral staircases as well as leather seating. This French brasserie has a focus on seasonality and produce, think steak tartare and Sturia caviar. 

The hotel has an impressive spa and gym. soSPA occupies three floors of the hotel, with treatment rooms on each level, high ornate ceilings, and tall arched windows. It’s a destination in its own right and has heated massage beds, a variety of youth, hydration, and purity facials, manicures, and waxing. The spa uses renowned French skincare brands such as Carita and Cinq Mondes. SoFIT is the hotel’s extremely well-equipped gym, which even features a striking vertical garden. There’s Technogym equipment, a free weights area, and personal trainers available to book. For international guests, the AlphaSphere by Sha chair is a popular option for relieving jet lag. 

Finally, the hotel has a range of meeting and event spaces, which are unsurprisingly as stylish as the rest of the property. The Westminster Suite is a large space which can hold 200 guests. The Mayfair Suite is a smaller venue, holding 132 guests maximum for a dinner. The Piccadilly and Bloomsbury are the hotel’s conference rooms, and the Kensington and Belgravia are the hotels more intimate suites. There are also private dining options available. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel.