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We honestly can’t think of a better location for a London hotel than the site of the newly-opened Zetter Bloomsbury. One of the city’s chicest mini-chains has expanded its small roster of boutique pads in the most cutesy and village-like areas of central London (they have hotels in both Marylebone and Clerkenwell) to dreamy Bloomsbury. Right next door to the British Museum, and with Russell Square moments away, this surprisingly large hotel boasts 68 rooms spread across six Georgian townhouses on the grand, but certainly not intimidating, Montague Street. Imagine yourself a fully fledged member of the area’s historic literary set as you stroll to the far more hectic likes of Soho and Covent Garden, then return to the comparative solace of Bloomsbury.
What are the rooms like at The Zetter Bloomsbury?
Rooms range from cosy, through superior and deluxe, and there are eight suites. We stay in a junior suite on the first floor, which has super high ceilings, a freestanding bath, three curved bay windows which look out onto the garden and the back of the British Museum, and a grand, four poster bed that’s certainly big enough for any Bloomsbury Group-inspired romantic assignations. The room’s modern design pays tribute to those Arts and Crafts-adjacent creatives of the early 20th century, but doesn’t make you feel like you’re tucked away in an elderly relative’s spare room. Fabric wallpaper is in a comforting shade of rust, there are global nick-nacks inspired by the British Museum’s bounty and weighty drapes across the huge windows. There are Verden toiletries in the bathroom which comes complete with a walk-in shower, a coffee machine, mini bar, kettle and television, as well as a small desk in case you need to dash off a Virginia Woolf-inspired short story and lots of lamps.
What are the facilities like at The Zetter Bloomsbury?
There isn’t a spa or a swimming pool, but there is a 24 hour gym.
What is the food and restaurant like at The Zetter Bloomsbury?
One of the hotel’s loveliest spaces is The Orangery, where breakfast and afternoon tea is served. This stunning, plant-laden atrium looks out onto the walled courtyard garden which backs directly onto the British Museum, and feels like a whimsical countryside conservatory. Central London feels a million miles away, despite being on your doorstep. Breakfast is included with your stay, and as well as a buffet of fresh fruit and pastries, there’s omelettes and eggs to order, as well as granola and a full English. On a sunny day you might want to take breakfast outside on the terrace, where it’ll be tempting to stay all day. For food later in the day (as well as cocktails), there’s The Parlour, where you can order hearty bar snacks such as rarebit, cheeseburgers, and meat and cheese boards, as well as drinks late into the night.
What’s the area like around The Zetter Bloomsbury?
Ideal! You’ve got some of the best bits of London within stumbling distance. As well as the British Museum next door, there’s the lovely London Review Bookshop and its adjoining branch of St John for day-time wines, coffee and pastries. The fabulous Fortitude Bakehouse is on the other side of Russell Square, and specialises in inventive, Moroccan-inspired bakes and internet-breaking beignets. Venture a tiny bit further to Bloomsbury’s Lamb’s Conduit Street, which is home to authentic old school trattoria Ciao Bella, wine-focussed restaurant Noble Rot (check out the bargainous lunch deal), the historic Lamb pub (a favourite of Sylvia Plath and Ted Hughes), and chic, functional clothing at the street’s two branches of Folk.
DETAILS
Address: 2-7 Montague Street, London, WC1B 5BP
Expect to pay: Rooms start at £400
Closest transport: Russell Square tube station