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The Academy - Small Luxury Hotels of the World

Property class: 5 and above

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Photo gallery for The Academy - Small Luxury Hotels of the World

Courtyard
Library
Alfresco dining
Lobby
Front of property

Reviews

8.8 out of 10
Excellent

Popular amenities

  • Free WiFi
  • Air conditioning
  • Business services
  • Bar
  • Laundry

Explore the area

View in a map
21 Gower Street, Bloomsbury, London, England, WC1E 6HG
  • Place, University College London
    ‪2 min walk‬
  • Place, Russell Square
    ‪4 min walk‬
  • Place, The British Museum
    ‪5 min walk‬
  • Airport, London (LHR-Heathrow)
    ‪65 min drive‬

Room options

View all photos for Townhouse Single Room

Premium bedding, in-room safe, individually furnished, desk

Townhouse Single Room

9.4 out of 10
Exceptional
(17 reviews)
  • 151 sq ft
  • Sleeps 1
  • 1 Twin Bed

View all photos for Bloomsbury King Room

Bloomsbury King Room | Premium bedding, in-room safe, individually furnished, desk

Bloomsbury King Room

8.0 out of 10
Very good
(6 reviews)
  • 226 sq ft
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for Bloomsbury Studio

Bloomsbury Studio | Premium bedding, in-room safe, individually furnished, desk

Bloomsbury Studio

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(3 reviews)
  • 344 sq ft
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

View all photos for Townhouse Double

Townhouse Double | Premium bedding, in-room safe, individually furnished, desk

Townhouse Double

8.4 out of 10
Very good
(11 reviews)
  • 226 sq ft
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

View all photos for Bloomsbury Twin Room

Bloomsbury Twin Room | Premium bedding, in-room safe, individually furnished, desk

Bloomsbury Twin Room

9.4 out of 10
Exceptional
(3 reviews)
  • 226 sq ft
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 2 Twin Beds

View all photos for Bloomsbury Single

Bloomsbury Single | Premium bedding, in-room safe, individually furnished, desk

Bloomsbury Single

  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 1
  • 1 Large Twin Bed

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About the neighborhood

London

With a stay at The Academy - Small Luxury Hotels of the World, you'll be centrally located in London, just a 4-minute walk from Russell Square and 6 minutes by foot from The British Museum. .This luxury hotel is 0.8 mi (1.2 km) from Leicester Square and 0.7 mi (1.2 km) from Covent Garden Market.

What's nearby

  • University College London - 2 min walk - 0.1 miles
  • Tottenham Court Road - 3 min walk - 0.2 miles
  • University of London - 3 min walk - 0.2 miles
  • Russell Square - 4 min walk - 0.3 miles
  • The British Museum - 5 min walk - 0.3 miles

Getting around

  • Goodge Street Underground Station - 4 min walk
  • Tottenham Court Road Station - 8 min walk
  • Heathrow Airport (LHR) - 54 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Eggslut - ‬4 min walk
  • ‪Great Court Restaurant - ‬3 min walk
  • ‪GAIL's Bakery - ‬4 min walk
  • ‪British Museum Members' Room - ‬3 min walk
  • ‪The Jack Horner, Holborn - ‬4 min walk

About this property

The Academy - Small Luxury Hotels of the World

The Academy - Small Luxury Hotels of the World offers 50 accommodations with espresso makers and safes. Each accommodation is individually furnished. Beds feature premium bedding. 28-inch flat-screen televisions come with digital channels. Bathrooms include showers, bathrobes, slippers, and designer toiletries.

Guests can surf the web using the complimentary wireless Internet access. Business-friendly amenities include desks, complimentary newspapers, and phones. Additionally, rooms include complimentary bottled water and coffee/tea makers. Hypo-allergenic bedding and irons/ironing boards can be requested. Housekeeping is provided daily.

Make yourself at home in one of the 50 individually furnished guestrooms, featuring iPod docking stations and flat-screen televisions. Complimentary wireless internet access keeps you connected, and digital programming is available for your entertainment. Bathrooms feature showers, designer toiletries, and hair dryers. Conveniences include phones, as well as safes and desks.
Take in the views from a terrace and a garden and make use of amenities such as complimentary wireless internet access. Additional features at this Georgian hotel include concierge services, a fireplace in the lobby, and a banquet hall.
Enjoy a meal at the restaurant, or stay in and take advantage of the hotel's 24-hour room service. Quench your thirst with your favorite drink at the bar/lounge.
Featured amenities include a business center, complimentary newspapers in the lobby, and dry cleaning/laundry services.
The Alchemy Bar - This lobby lounge serves light fare only. Guests can enjoy alfresco dining (weather permitting).
24-hour room service is available.

Awards and affiliations

The property is a member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World.

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • No onsite parking available
  • Offsite parking; discounts available

Food and drink

  • A bar/lounge
  • A restaurant
  • Coffee and tea in common areas

Restaurants on site

  • The Alchemy Bar

Things to do

  • Library
  • TV in common areas

Family friendly

  • Laundry facilities

Conveniences

  • 24-hour front desk
  • Free newspapers in lobby
  • Laundry facilities
  • Luggage storage
  • Safe at front desk

Guest services

  • Concierge services
  • Dry cleaning/laundry service
  • Housekeeping (daily)
  • Multilingual staff
  • Porter/bellhop
  • Tour and ticket assistance

Business services

  • Business center
  • Meeting rooms

Outdoors

  • Garden
  • Terrace

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Assistive listening devices
  • No elevator

More

  • 3 floors
  • Banquet hall
  • Built in 1775
  • Fireplace in lobby
  • Georgian architecture
  • Smoking not allowed

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Blackout drapes
  • Hypo-allergenic bedding
  • Premium bedding

Bathroom

  • Bathrobes
  • Designer toiletries
  • Hair dryer
  • Shower
  • Slippers
  • Towels provided

Entertainment

  • 28-inch flat-screen TV with digital channels
  • iPod dock

Food and drink

  • 24-hour room service
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Electric kettle
  • Espresso maker
  • Free bottled water

More

  • Air conditioning (climate-controlled)
  • Desk
  • Free daily newspapers
  • Individual furnishings
  • Iron/ironing board on request
  • Laptop workspace
  • Phone
  • Safe

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; Check-in end time: 2 AM
Minimum check-in age: 18

Check-out

Check-out before 11 AM

Special check-in instructions

Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Access methods

Staffed front desk

Pets

Pets not allowed (service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees)

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome

Property payment types

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards and cash
Safety features at this property include a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, a security system, a first aid kit, and window guards
Please note that cultural norms and guest policies may differ by country and by property; the policies listed are provided by the property

We should mention

This property does not have elevators

Property is also known as

Academy Hotel London
Academy London
The Academy Hotel London
The Academy London, England
Academy Hotel
The Academy
The Academy Small Luxury Hotels of the World
The Academy - Small Luxury Hotels of the World Hotel
The Academy - Small Luxury Hotels of the World London
The Academy - Small Luxury Hotels of the World Hotel London

The Academy - Small Luxury Hotels of the World Reviews

Reviews

8.8

Excellent

Rating 10 - Excellent. 418 out of 700 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 176 out of 700 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 72 out of 700 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 25 out of 700 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 9 out of 700 reviews

9.4/10

Cleanliness

9.4/10

Staff & service

8.6/10

Amenities

8.8/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

8/10 Good

Debbie

Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026

8/10 Good

Claire

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Great location and the reception areas are well decorated and look lovely. We only arrived late so didn't see the other rooms such as the library or bar. It was a good price and value for money. Room on the small side and shower small and on 4th floor. no issue for us, but could be a problem for access issues. Beautifully decorated and nice touches of complimentary water and soft drinks in the room. Helpful staff.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026

6/10 Okay

TONY

Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026

10/10 Excellent

Esther

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I was blown away by the kind, caring, and supportive staff at the Academy. Their food was delicious, the bed so comfortable, and my stay was fantastic! It was the perfect location as it was close to all the major sites within walking distance and it was calm, quiet, and tranquil. I would highly recommend!
Stayed 5 nights in Jan 2026

10/10 Excellent

Averil

Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2026

10/10 Excellent

Averil

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
From the moment we arrived to the moment we left the staff were so helpful and accommodating. We were supposed to stay for 2 nights but ended up extending our stay for another 2 nights! The rooms were lovely and warm during the cold weather, cleaned every day and mini bar restocked. The continental breakfast was amazing and with endless cups of coffee. Very close to Covent Garden and West End, perfect location and felt safe walking about at night as lovely area. Would definitely stay here again!
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2026

10/10 Excellent

Claire

Business traveler
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Really friendly staff and excellent service. Great central location and comfortable room. High quality breakfast.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026

10/10 Excellent

Purvi

Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2025

6/10 Okay

Dale

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
The bathroom was very small. The hotel provided a hairdryer but there was no plug socket close enough to a mirror to be able to see into the mirror
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025

2/10 Terrible

markus, London

Liked: Cleanliness
Disliked: Amenities, property conditions & facilities
Checkin: yes it’s at 3pm but 5* Hotel have normally your room earlier ready - not here I asked for a room to change, but not available and needed to change in a tiny toilet. Remember this supposed to be 5*. Carry your luggage yourself is included Breakfast: I wanted eggs for my prepaid breakfast and was asked a extra £15… every 3* hotel in UK offers for a paid breakfast eggs… and the worst I tried to sleep but couldn’t it’s so terribly noise. The room is next to a major motorway. Literally 1 meter away… this room should be forbidden to rent out to any customers. I feel so sick haven’t been able to sleep till now. I will talk this morning if I survive tonight to change this room since I made a terrible mistake to book this hotel for another 4 nights ..: I would rather forfeit all this money than stay in this place another night! This is no 5* with all due respect. Any decent 3* or 4* for half the price is much better. I will see if there is any Manager tomorrow to stop this insanity
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025

10/10 Excellent

Nicholas

Business traveler
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Excellent check-in, friendly team, lovely room.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025

6/10 Okay

Paul

Business traveler
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Nice hotel, good location. Room was far too hot & therefore made sleeping difficult. Would stay in double room next time as single was far too small and bed not as comfortable as I’d hoped. Friendly staff as well as decent breakfast.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025

10/10 Excellent

Diana

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very comfortable room, great location, super helpful staff.
Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2025

10/10 Excellent

Sian, Spearfish

Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025

8/10 Good

Emma

Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2025

10/10 Excellent

Julia

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
It was a fabulous stay by every metric. The room was delightful and the bed and linens so perfect for sleep after a long day out walking and the breakfast was delicious with many options. One of the best features of the hotel were its numerous public spaces including a garden - and one could sit and read while having a coffee or tea or cocktail. Truly a gem of a place - looking forward to returning soon.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

C

Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

David

Stayed 1 night in Nov 2025

10/10 Excellent

Sujatha

Business traveler
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Staff was amazing
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2025

8/10 Good

Cindy

Business traveler
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
The room is spotless and the staff is very courteous. The bathroom was just renovated recently. However the room is quite so small.
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2025

8/10 Good

Kate

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Delightful but cramped. No elevator and four flights to walk. Staff couldn’t be lovelier. Lication perfect.
Stayed 9 nights in Oct 2025

8/10 Good

Nesserine, Wolvertem

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Nice hotel but more 4* than 5*. Breakfast was below expectations. Very limited choice and special warm dishes were extra and expensive. Would not recommend price-value
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

4/10 Poor

Nandini, New Delhi

Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Cara

Business traveler
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Alex

Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025