St. Ermin's Hotel

Inconveniences started at check-in when I was asked for a picture ID - hotel policy! In the UK, we don't carry IDs. To my question about potentially not being able to stay in a prepaid room costing nigh on £500 no answer was given. I was promptly told that my room was upgraded. This was followed by a lengthy description of every restaurant, bar, terrace, beehive, honey, gin... I had to stop this breathless litany to escape to my room. Was this room convenient? No! Instead of crabbing around one bed, I had to crab around two with a meander in the middle to avoid an unnecessary console under the fixed-to-the-wall TV. At the end of this sideways slalom, there was a bathroom. Small, with very little space for toiletries, no makeup mirror but with two(?) toilet paper dispensers, making using the loo awkward, to say the least. Shower was accompanied by a whine of an electric pump, seemingly on its last legs. More low but persistent noise was coming from the AC unit in the room, impossible to stop by switching off at the controls. The only elephantine chair was too low to sit at the desk. One of the beds had a lamp at each side, and the other had none. Is the idea that you read in one bed and sleep in the other? What else am I to do with two beds as a single traveller? The sheer curtain lowered unevenly and hung crooked, like an epitome of the room's 'comforts'. But the biggest surprise came when I decided to charge my mobile: there were NO power sockets above desk level! I had to climb under the desk to find one. Come on! We are quarter way through the 21st century! While under the desk, I found there was no recycling bin, really a must in this day and age. Of course, none of these issues is lethal. However, at £470 for the night, I expect a convenient room with everything working! The overall impression is of an overpriced hotel, which should concentrate on its main purpose of providing comfort to its guests rather than its beehives, honey and ponsy gin at £75 a bottle (as advertised behind the check-in desk). Value for money? Poor! Will I recommend staying there? No.

On a trip with my husband we combined business, pleasure and a bit of tourism. We love London but have not been in many years. St Ermin’s is in an excellent location for walking and for tube access. The breakfast was excellent and offered a very thorough menu, including very good gluten free options! (Much appreciated). We also opted for dinner at the hotel restaurant the first night and were pleasantly surprised by the quality of the food and service. I enjoyed the wine hour in the lobby as well the following evening. Also appreciated the water bottle refill stations on most floors. Everything about St Ermin’s is first rate and quite special in a world of hotels that are too often indistinguishable. We will absolutely stay again! Highly recommend.

Beautiful hotel in a perfect location. The staff were amazing and the hotel amenities very nice. Happy hour was a must with entertainment and drinks!

The food and tea time experience was exquisite. We enjoyed multiple teas and deserts. Will be back next time we are in London for sure. Ed

We stayed at St. Ermin's Hotel for our London family vacation, and it truly set up our trip for success! The family room was spacious and had two bathrooms; it was spotless, and it was wonderful to have complimentary water/chocolate each day. The hotel itself is gorgeous and in a perfect location to see all the London sights. Most importantly, the staff was amazing: incredibly friendly and accommodating. They could help with everything from booking an airport transfer to recommending a place for dinner. We also dined in the restaurant hotel each morning for breakfast, and it was delicious (as well as affordable). Highly recommend!