Middle Eight hotel review: a stylish Covent Garden five-star stay that won’t break the bank
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A contemporary, music-inspired five-star hotel in the heart of Covent Garden, Middle Eight delivers warmth, style and standout hospitality at a surprisingly accessible price.
The Middle Eight Hotel in London is a rare find. It’s not often you come across a genuine five-star hotel in the heart of Covent Garden - steps from world-class theatres, restaurants and boutique shopping - that doesn’t leave your wallet singing the blues.
You can spend a memorable night here for between £200-£300 if you pick your dates wisely. Choose a Saturday night pre-Christmas and be prepared to pay in excess of £600, a great example of flexibility being a savvy traveller's secret to a bargain stay.
The name of this Preferred Hotels property, once a concert venue and recording venue, hints at its heritage. Middle Eight, I'm sure you'll know, refers to a musical interlude and the theme quietly underpins your stay from a pre-arrival questionnaire entitled: "Every stay starts with a beautiful note" to the subtle musical touches woven throughout.
The hotel feels modern and stylish with warm tones, soft lighting and natural textures. Upscale but not too formal. Reception has the wow factor with a wall of open fires and quirky artwork. Help yourself to chocolate treats while you check in. The drink you’re offered at check-in varies by hour - apple juice before lunch, Prosecco once the day gets its sparkle on. We arrived really early and our seventh-floor room was already ready. Perfect!
We arrived to a beautifully warm welcome in our room: a hand-written anniversary card, cut in the shape of a vintage vinyl record, and a plate of delicate macarons. It was just one of many thoughtful touches that elevated our experience here and made for a memorable stay. Guests are also gifted a gorgeous mini bottle of Eight & Bob perfume.
The bedrooms - all individually designed - continue the sleek, uncluttered theme and have a calm, contemporary aesthetic. Beds are cloud-soft (the kind that make you consider cancelling your plans), and the soundproofing is impressive, remarkable given the bustle just outside. Bathrooms are another highlight, equipped with powerful showers and Christophe Robin toiletries - the sort of room you look forward to returning to after a day exploring the West End. Contents of the mini bar are free and there are ample Nespresso coffee pods and speciality teas.
Mindful of our budget we stayed in a Cosy room, paying £285, but if you can afford to splash out on a suite (from £1,350 a night) you'll find an indoor garden with living walls of ferns and moss plus water features and outside dining areas. Maybe next time...!
The large bar area has a buzzy, laid-back vibe and is perfect for a pre-theatre drink, and we regretted our decision to eat elsewhere as the carefully curated menu in the hotel's Italian restaurant, Sycamore, looked mouth-watering.
If you stay here, make sure you grab a drink at The Balcony, a secluded and cosy space overlooking the restaurant or head to the QT bar in the basement for an atmospheric, speakeasy-style experience - perfect for late-night cocktails. There's a gym but no pool, obviously not uncommon in central London, but guests are invited to take advantage of a discounted visit to the nearby Ancient Baths London spa.
Location is one of Middle Eight’s biggest draws. You’re less than a five-minute stroll from Covent Garden’s main piazza, with the Royal Opera House, The Strand and countless restaurants practically on the doorstep. If your trip revolves around theatre, dining or shopping, it’s difficult to imagine a better base. Yet despite being so central, the hotel manages to maintain a sense of calm that feels miles away from the city’s frenzy.
The nearest tube (Holborn) is just minutes away on foot.
Not surprisingly, travellers have left glowing reviews online with Expedia rating it "9.4 - Exceptional".
One satisfied visitor wrote: “Absolutely beautiful hotel with incredible staff, amazing location and fabulous amenities. This is the best hotel we have stayed in, in London so far.
We were greeted with Prosecco and a very warm welcome, the décor is beautiful, and the hotel is only a few minutes’ walk from Covent Garden. We will be going back as soon as we can.”
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