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The Academy - Small Luxury Hotels of the World

5.0 star property
This urban London retreat blends artistic heritage with contemporary luxury, featuring a peaceful garden patio and easy access to iconic attractions.

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Courtyard - The Academy - Small Luxury Hotels of the World (London)
Lobby - The Academy - Small Luxury Hotels of the World (London)
Alfresco dining - The Academy - Small Luxury Hotels of the World (London)
Front of property - The Academy - Small Luxury Hotels of the World (London)
Library - The Academy - Small Luxury Hotels of the World (London)
The Academy, part of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, offers a tranquil garden sanctuary in central London. Guests can dine outdoors at The Alchemy Bar, browse the library, use free WiFi, or relax by the lobby fireplace. The attentive staff earns high praise.

Reviews

8.8 out of 10
Excellent

Popular amenities

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

Room options

Available filters for rooms
Showing 9 of 9 rooms

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)
  • 14 sq m
  • 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)
  • 21 sq m
  • 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)
  • 32 sq m
  • 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)
  • 21 sq m
  • 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)
  • 21 sq m
  • 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

View all photos for King Room

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

King Room

  • Sleeps 2

View all photos for Single Room

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

Single Room

  • Sleeps 1

View all photos for Suite

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

Suite

  • Sleeps 2

About the neighborhood

Located in London City Centre, a neighborhood in London, The Academy - Small Luxury Hotels of the World is near a metro station. The British Museum and Royal Albert Hall are cultural highlights, and some of the area's notable landmarks include Marble Arch and Big Ben. London Eye and ZSL London Zoo are not to be missed. Visit our London travel guide
Map
21 Gower Street, Bloomsbury, London, England, WC1E 6HG

What's nearby

  • Estação do metrô de Londres: Tottenham Court Road
    Tottenham Court Road
    3 min walk - 0.2 miles
  • Beautiful view of the garden in Russell square with residential buildings view
    Russell Square
    4 min walk - 0.3 miles
  • The British Museum
    The British Museum
    6 min walk - 0.4 miles
  • University College London
    2 min walk - 0.1 miles
  • University of London
    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
  • GAIL's Bakery
    4 min walk
  • Great Court Restaurant
    3 min walk
  • The Jack Horner, Holborn
    4 min walk
  • British Museum Members' Room
    3 min walk

About this property

The Academy - Small Luxury Hotels of the World

Luxury boutique hotel near Russell Square
Located close to The British Museum and Leicester Square, The Academy - Small Luxury Hotels of the World provides a terrace, a garden, and a library. The on-site restaurant, The Alchemy Bar, features al fresco dining and light fare. Free in-room WiFi is available to all guests, along with dry cleaning/laundry services and a fireplace in the lobby.
Other perks include:
  • Meeting rooms, smoke-free premises, and a banquet hall
  • A porter/bellhop, a 24-hour front desk, and coffee/tea in the lobby
  • A TV in the lobby, free newspapers, and luggage storage
  • Guest reviews speak highly of the helpful staff
Room features
All 50 individually furnished rooms offer comforts such as 24-hour room service and premium bedding, in addition to thoughtful touches like laptop-friendly workspaces and air conditioning.
More conveniences in all rooms include:
  • Bathrooms with designer toiletries and showers
  • 28-inch flat-screen TVs with digital channels
  • Wardrobes/closets, electric kettles, and daily housekeeping

Awards and affiliations

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

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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

Frequently asked questions

Is The Academy - Small Luxury Hotels of the World pet-friendly?

No, only service animals are welcome at the property.

How much is parking?

The Academy - Small Luxury Hotels of the World doesn't offer parking.

What time is check-in at The Academy - Small Luxury Hotels of the World?

Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; Check-in end time: 2 AM.

What time is check-out at The Academy - Small Luxury Hotels of the World?

Check-out is at 11 AM.

Where is The Academy - Small Luxury Hotels of the World located?

Located in London City Centre, this luxury hotel is within a 5-minute walk of University College London, Tottenham Court Road, and Russell Square. The British Museum and Covent Garden Market are also within 15 minutes. Goodge Street Underground Station is only a 4-minute walk and Russell Square Underground Station is 8 minutes.

Can I cancel my reservation for free and receive a full refund?

Yes, this property offers free cancellation on select room rates, because flexibility matters! Please refer to the property cancellation policy on our site for more details about any exclusions or requirements.

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Reviews

The Academy - Small Luxury Hotels of the World Reviews

8.8

Excellent

9.4

Cleanliness

9.0

Location

9.4

Staff & service

8.8

Property conditions & facilities
Rating 10 - Excellent. 421 out of 708 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 179 out of 708 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 73 out of 708 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 25 out of 708 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 10 out of 708 reviews

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Andrew

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Lovely room - tasty varied breakfast- friendly staff
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Claire

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
Verified

8/10 Good

Helen

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Staff were lovely and the room was exceptionally clean. Good linen in the bed and great shower pressure. Bathroom had nice Elemis toiletries but was a bit small. Breakfast was included as a continental breakfast, with lots of choice. It was quiet and the area was good
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2026
Verified

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
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Mark

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
So much shopping nearby and lots of good food. Gail’s Bakery, Cafe Nero, Salad Project, Waterstones, British Museum and more. The breakfast and coffee at the hotel was excellent. Lots of choices and really good coffee. A bonus for me. The staff was super friendly, accommodating, and filled with smiles. I had a large twin room, which was all I needed, and it was well appointed from room furnishings to the bathroom. The water pressure was perfect for showering. AC was just fine. The whole environment was quiet, delightful, and comfortable. I will definitely return when next in London.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Sujatha

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

10/10 Excellent

Averil

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
Verified

6/10 Okay

DR DOBBIE

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Very comfortable, clean, compact single room. I was not privilege to why this is a luxury small hotel, the room was as I would expect for this part of London. I had a very nice greeting, given my key and directed to my room. Breakfast was very standard, buffet style.
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2025
Verified

6/10 Okay

Arild

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Charming hotel, but I had a rather small room. Very good continental breakfast. When checking in they also added a strange kind of service charge to the bill so the price I got on hotels.com wasn't the price I actually paid.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Julia

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
Verified

6/10 Okay

Paul

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
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Maria

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
The staff was very attentive and the hotel is perfect! Breakfast was really nice too.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Terhi

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Beautiful historical property near the British Museum
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025
Verified

8/10 Good

Claire

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
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Elizabeth

Great hotel.. central location.. great staff
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Patty

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Fabulous hotel - walkable - nice bar, lounge, patio - and great staff.
Stayed 9 nights in Apr 2025
Verified

8/10 Good

Kate

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
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Shantel Flemming

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
This place was perfect for me. Had a bar, a gorgeous outside garden and the rooms were comfy. I enjoyed the staff and hope to come back soon.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Rodel

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The staff were so kind and accommodating.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2025
Verified

8/10 Good

Jonathan

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
I really enjoyed our stay. The staff was very helpful and the location is excellent. I would stay here agian.
Stayed 5 nights in Jan 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Bozena

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The Academy hotel is very cozy and it is beautifully decorated. The rooms are comfortable, and the breakfast is absolutely wonderful. It is located in a very nice neighborhood with pretty much walking distance to main attractions London has to offer. There is also plenty of restaurants and bars to choose from. The staff is wonderful! They are very responsive and making sure you have a wonderful stay. Highly recommend it!!
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Eva

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
A very nice hotel located within walking distance to Soho, Oxford street, Buckingham Palace etc. The bed was very comfortable and the breakfast was amazing. The best I have ever had in UK.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Lisa

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great hotel. Clean, attentive staff, lovely atmosphere. Nice little oasis.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Manuel

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Great staff and awesome property.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Melanie

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Absolute perfect location. Very tranquil area with many great small cafes and restaurants. Was quiet and calm at night and very walkable to everything. The room was large and very comfortable. We would stay again.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2025