Just off Soho Square in a row of Georgian Houses, it’s easy to miss Hazlitt’s. The more observant may notice a blue plaque outside, commemorating the essayist William Hazlitt, who died here in 1830.
Going inside is like stepping back in time, with dark wood antique furniture and books left as gifts from past visitors. Hazlitt hosted the likes William Wordsworth and Jonathan Swift, while more recently JK Rowling has become a regular.
Location
It doesn’t get more central than this. All the theatres, restaurants and clubs of Soho are right on your doorstep but once you’re inside, this is a relaxing retreat to a calmer time of sherry and reading by fires.
If you have a street facing room it’s fun to peek out the window and see the Soho waking up in the morning.
Style
There are 30 rooms, including three suites. Furniture is antique, meaning that each room is unique, although they all have freestanding bathtubs (with Ren toiletries). Rooms are named after past visitors to the hotel – from Swift to Charles Lamb. We stayed in Baron Willoughby’s suite, which had beautiful chandeliers and dark wooden heads carved into the bed but there’s another room with a bed from the House of Commons (try to forget about Brexit as you sleep – the comfortable mattresses help).
There’s plenty to look at, with more than 2,000 paintings and prints, sculptures, and an impressive book collection. Preserving the Georgian feel means that it’s perfectly imperfect – not all the floorboards are straight and some walls slope. But there are still modern touches like flatscreen televisions and Robert's Radios.
Facilities
In keeping with Hazlitts's original owner there is a library, complete with a real fire and a resident tabby cat, Sir Godfrey. The book collection is eclectic and includes two signed first editions of Harry Potter from Hazlitt’s regular JK Rowling, a signed collection of Seamus Heaney poetry and first editions of Charles Dickens novels.
There's no shortage of places to drink nearby but if you want to stay in the building there is also a comfortable Honesty Bar with an impressive selection of spirits and port.
Food & drink
You have no choice but to be leisurely here; breakfast is served to your room on a vast tray. Any Soho hangover will be eased by the bacon sandwiches - generous slabs of good quality Cumbrian bacon come in warm, crusty baguette, served with plenty of butter, and mini pots of brown sauce and ketchup. The bread basket comes piled high with buttery croissants, mini pain au chocolate and pain au raisin. Lighter options include revitalising juices, granola, muesli, porridge and fresh mint tea.
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There's a short evening menu too, featuring pasta, seafood and traditional British dishes made with more Cumbrian meat. The wine list is extensive.
Which room?
If you want space to stretch out, look no further than The Baron Willoughby. It’s like a self-contained flat, with plenty of places to recline and waft around. But each room has its own charm. If you get the Mrs Teresa Cornelys look out for the secret television and Jacobean features in the bathroom.
Best for...
A base in the centre of London that is unlike any other hotel. Or a pied a terre to relax in after a night out in Soho.
Prices
From £169 per night excluding breakfast. 6 Frith Street, W1D 3JA, hazlittshotel.com