THE ACADEMY - SMALL LUXURY HOTELS OF THE WORLD | Stay downtown in London

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Hotel Overview

21 Gower Street, Bloomsbury, London, United Kingdom, WC1E6HG

The Academy - Small Luxury Hotels Of The World, boutique hotel with Georgian townhouses near British Museum

The Academy occupies five combined Georgian townhouses in Bloomsbury, an area with grassy squares and grand Georgian buildings. The hotel offers 50 bedrooms and suites designed by Champalimaud Design, blending traditional features with modern city style. Located at 21 Gower Street, it is a 4-minute walk from the British Museum and a short drive from Euston, Kings Cross, and St Pancras International stations. Dining options include The Refectory for breakfast and The Alchemy Bar for cocktails. The Library features monkey wallpaper and a book club. The Genius Lab is available for small meetings. Nearby attractions include London Zoo, Royal Opera House, and St Paul's Cathedral.

Additional perks of the hotel

Complimentary Continental Breakfast served in The Refectory

A complimentary Alkkemist Gin & Tonic per person per stay in The Alchemy Bar or The Courtyard

Mr Ma's Afternoon Tea Experience with a glass of Prosecco

Exclusive tours of London provided by Travel Curious

Complimentary WiFi, USB charging ports, and international e-newspapers

Laundry services and in-room climate control

Rooms

The Academy offers Townhouse Single, Townhouse King, Bloomsbury Twin, Bloomsbury King, and Bloomsbury Suite accommodations. All rooms feature marble en-suite shower rooms, bespoke furniture, and complimentary WiFi. The Bloomsbury Suite includes a seating area with a sofa bed. Rooms are equipped with tea and Nespresso coffee-making facilities, flat-screen TVs with Freeview channels, Aromatherapy Associates toiletries, bathrobes, and slippers.

Other conveniences

Iron and ironing board in each room

Powered safe for valuables

Hairdryer and selection of international e-newspapers

Terrestrial freeview channels and USB charging ports

In-room climate control and laundry services

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Choose Your Room

Our listed hotels offer a variety of room types—double rooms, family suites, or deluxe options—all with features like breakfast, flexible cancellation policies, and exclusive deals.

Bloomsbury King Room

Max:

2 persons

230 sq. feet

Bed options:

1 King-size bed

Shower

Heating

room details

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Bloomsbury Suite

Max:

2 persons

345 sq. feet

Bed options:

1 Double bed

Shower

Heating

room details

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Superior Single Room

Max:

2 persons

155 sq. feet

Bed options:

1 Single bed

Shower

Heating

room details

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Room Rates & Availability Tracker

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Transportation Tips

Transportation Options

City Centre

London5000 ft

Airports

London City (LCY) 9.3 mi

London Heathrow (LHR) 17.7 mi

Train

Euston railway Station3000 ft

Underground

Goodge Street tube1000 ft

Bus

Bus stop1700 ft

Amenities

Thoughtful hotel amenities for a comfortable stay

Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi in rooms

Parking

GBP 32.50 per day

Luggage storage

24-hour services

24-hour reception

24-hour security

General

No smoking on site
Free Wi-Fi
Parking
Safe deposit box
24-hour reception
Express check-in/ -out
No pets allowed
24-hour security
Luggage storage
Allergy-free rooms
Coffee shop
Smoke detectors
Fire extinguishers
Key card access

Services

Paid airport shuttle
Room service
Housekeeping
Laundry
Dry cleaning
Tours/Ticket assistance
Welcome drink
Happy hour

Dining

In-room breakfast
Restaurant
Bar/ Lounge area
Special diet menus

Business

Business centre
Meeting/ Banquet facilities
Fax/Photocopying

Spa & Leisure

Live entertainment
Garden area
Leisure/ TV room

Room features

Wi-Fi in rooms
Air conditioning
Heating
Mini-bar
Sitting area
Terrace
Garden furniture
Tea and coffee facilities
Ironing facilities

Bathroom

Free toiletries

Media

AM/FM alarm clock

Hotel Location

21 Gower Street, Bloomsbury, London, United Kingdom, WC1E6HG

Map view

21 Gower Street, Bloomsbury, London, United Kingdom, WC1E6HG

City landmarks

Museum

The British Museum

2100 ft

Landmark

Coca-Cola London Eye

1.3 mi

Garden

Buckingham Palace

1.4 mi

Square

Trafalgar Square

5100 ft

Museum

National Gallery

1.0 mi

Landmark

Big Ben

1.4 mi

Church

Westminster Abbey

1.5 mi

Landmark

Madame Tussauds London

1.5 mi

Park

Hyde Park

1.8 mi

Landmark

Oxford Street

2700 ft

Opera House

Covent Garden

2800 ft

Market

Borough Market

2.0 mi

Square

Piccadilly Circus

5100 ft

Landmark

Marylebone

5200 ft

Castle

Tower of London

2.5 mi

Gallery

Tate Modern

1.6 mi

Church

St Paul's Cathedral

1.5 mi

Palace

St James's Park

1.3 mi

Landmark

Churchill War Rooms

1.3 mi

Harbour

Tower Bridge

2.6 mi

Public Building

Houses of Parliament

1.5 mi

Church

Westminster

1.5 mi

Mosque

The Regent's Park

1.3 mi

Zoo

ZSL London Zoo

1.5 mi

Gallery

National Portrait Gallery

4700 ft

Landmark

Gordon Square

2900 ft

Museum

London Transport Museum

4300 ft

Landmark

Seven Dials

2900 ft

Nearby

Hospital

University of London

2000 ft

Restaurants

Store Street Espresso

400 ft

40 Store Street

The Life Goddess

600 ft

29 Store Street

Chettinad Restaurant

1300 ft

16 Percy Street Soho

The College Arms

600 ft

Wc1e 7dh 18 Store Street

Busaba Bloomsbury

900 ft

22 Store Street Bloomsbury

Hakkasan Hanway Place Restaurant

2100 ft

8 Hanway Place Fitzrovia

Mybar Bloomsbury

1100 ft

11-13 Bayley Street

Marlborough Arms

1000 ft

36 Torrington Place Bloomsbury

Guest Reviews & Ratings

What Guests Are Saying?

Cyril

United Kingdom, April 2024

9.0/10

I had a wonderful stay at this hotel. The room was very calm, and I barely heard any noise. The spacious seating area was a nice touch, and I loved having my own huge bath tub.

Rooms

9.0

The room was very calm, and I barely heard any noise. It had a spacious seating area and a huge bath tub.

Service

9.0

The staff was organized and attentive. They even arranged a special surprise for me during my stay. Whenever I needed assistance, they were always concerned about my comfort.

Location

10.0

The hotel's location is perfect for exploring the British Museum, the British Library, and Bloomsbury. It's also close to various attractions like UCL, Covent Garden, and convenient for transportation.

Dining

8.0

The dining experience was good, but the breakfast starting time was a bit late for my schedule. The options were nice with good quality ingredients.

Facilities

9.0

The hotel offers great facilities including a library, bar, and patio for guests to enjoy. It's a lovely place with everything you need for a comfortable stay.

James

United Kingdom, April 2024

7.8/10

The hotel offers a unique split level bedroom and bathroom design, but it may pose challenges for guests with mobility issues. Housekeeping service can be a bit intrusive at times. The location is convenient for exploring attractions but may have issues with heating controls in the rooms.

Rooms

7.0

The split-level bedroom and bathroom design adds a nice touch to the room, but it could be problematic for guests with mobility issues.

Service

9.0

The staff is incredibly friendly and accommodating, providing excellent service that exceeds expectations.

Location

8.0

The hotel's location is fantastic for exploring nearby attractions on foot, but there may be challenges with room heating controls.

Dining

7.0

The dining experience is positively highlighted by Nigel's warm welcome and a beautifully decorated dining room. However, only limited breakfast options are available, and extra charges may apply.

Facilities

8.0

The hotel's facilities offer essential services to make the stay comfortable and convenient for guests.

Jeremy

United States, January 2024

6.8/10

My stay at The Academy was cozy and convenient. The small Bloomsbury Suite had a single 3ft bed, but it was sufficient for a good night's sleep. The noise-proof windows facing the main road made it peaceful despite the bustling city vibe. The lack of elevator on the third floor was manageable considering the overall comfort of the room.

Rooms

7.0

The rooms were small but cozy with a comfortable single bed and effective noise-proof windows.

Service

7.0

The staff was sweet and accommodating, although not at the level of luxury hotels. They were friendly and allowed us early check-in and late check-out.

Location

8.0

The location was a real gem, close to the British Museum and charming restaurants on Charlotte Street. Despite some paintwork issues, the proximity to major attractions made it a convenient stay.

Dining

6.0

The dining experience was satisfactory with fresh offerings, although not up to five-star standards. The breakfast lacked variety, but it was still lovely and fresh.

Facilities

6.0

The hotel facilities were adequate, catering to basic needs without major luxuries.

Tony

United States, December 2023

8.0/10

I had a delightful stay at the hotel. The rooms were beautiful, spacious, and clean, complete with a complimentary mini bar. However, the walls were thin, which affected the noise level. The service was top-notch, with the staff being extremely accommodating and personable. The location was superb, allowing us to easily explore London on foot. The dining experience offered varied options but fell below expectations. Overall, a great choice for a comfortable and convenient stay.

Rooms

8.0

The room was cosy, comfortable, and quiet, with a complimentary mini bar.

Service

9.0

The service was most accommodating and personable, exceeding our expectations.

Location

9.0

The hotel's location was ideal, within walking distance of key London attractions.

Dining

6.0

The dining options were varied but didn't meet our expectations.

Facilities

8.0

The facilities were easily accessible and well-stocked with essentials.

Nancy

United States, November 2023

7.4/10

The hotel is very conveniently located near popular attractions like the British Museum and Fitzrovia. The service was friendly and accommodating, with some minor issues like early morning vacuuming. The dining experience was good overall but could improve in terms of breakfast offerings. The location is excellent for exploring London, although some upgrades are needed.

Rooms

7.0

The rooms are cozy but small, and the lack of an elevator can be inconvenient.

Service

8.0

The service was friendly and accommodating, with some minor disruptions like early morning vacuuming.

Location

9.0

The hotel's location is fantastic for visiting top attractions and exploring the city.

Dining

7.0

Overall, the dining experience was good, but breakfast options could be better.

Facilities

6.0

Some upgrades are needed for better guest experience.

Great location

Small rooms

Charles

United Kingdom, August 2023

7.4/10

My stay at the hotel was a mixed experience. While the room was clean and comfortable, the noise from the street was a bit disruptive. The service was really helpful, but there were some additional charges that caught me off guard. The location was perfect for exploring the city, and the dining options, though with good variety, lacked a bit in organization. Overall, it was a decent stay with some ups and downs.

Rooms

7.0

The room was clean and comfortable but a bit noisy due to street sounds.

Service

8.0

The service was really helpful, but there were unexpected additional charges.

Location

9.0

The location was perfect for exploring the city with easy access to public transportation.

Dining

6.0

The dining experience had good variety but lacked organization.

Facilities

7.0

The facilities provided were satisfactory overall.

Brian

United Kingdom, July 2023

8.2/10

I had a great stay at this hotel. The staff were extremely helpful and accommodating, especially in assisting our group member with mobility challenges. The location was excellent, with superb dining options nearby. However, the room insulation could have been better, and the breakfast service had room for improvement.

Rooms

8.0

The staff ensured our rooms were immaculate and took special care of our needs. Room 20 on the 2nd floor was spacious and lovely but lacked insulation.

Service

9.0

The staff were not only professional but also very friendly, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere for guests.

Location

9.0

The hotel's location in Bloomsbury was fantastic, within walking distance of many attractions and conveniences.

Dining

7.0

The dining experience offered very good food nearby, but the hotel's breakfast selection was limited and service timing could be inconvenient.

Facilities

8.0

The staff provided a variety of services, making the stay comfortable and convenient.

Marion

United Kingdom, May 2023

8.2/10

The hotel is in a central spot, located behind the British Museum and within walking distance to the West End. The rooms are beautiful, spacious, clean, and offer a complimentary mini bar, but lacked hanging space in the shower. The service was top-notch, with special attention to details and personal needs. The dining experience offered a great array of breakfast options, but an additional cost for a cooked breakfast was a surprise. Overall, a first-class stay with some minor room amenities constrictions.

Rooms

9.0

The rooms were beautiful, spacious, and clean with complimentary mini bar.

Service

9.0

The staff was very personable, attentive, and welcoming.

Location

8.0

The hotel is very central, behind the British Museum and close to the West End.

Dining

7.0

The dining offered a good variety of breakfast options, though an additional cost was unexpected for a cooked breakfast.

Facilities

8.0

The facilities provided were convenient and well-maintained.

Jordan

United Kingdom, May 2023

8.0/10

The hotel room was very comfortable and luxurious, with a spacious layout featuring a king bed, sofa, and wide-screen TV. However, the room was small and not a good value for money, especially due to the noisy Aircon throughout the night.

Rooms

7.0

The room was very comfortable and luxurious, with a spacious layout.

Service

9.0

The hotel staff was very friendly and welcoming, even providing a complimentary drink for the inconvenience. They were helpful and pleasant without being pushy.

Location

8.0

The hotel's location was superb and easy to access from Euston. It was close to a few underground stations, but being on the ground floor near ventilation systems made it a bit noisy.

Dining

8.0

The dining experience was very good, with a cozy atmosphere and the availability of gluten-free bread. The breakfast was delicious, and the Singapore noodles stood out.

Facilities

8.0

The hotel had a nice bar area, a courtyard garden, and clean facilities overall.