Full Service Luxury Hotel in Soho
London's Most Hip Area is Soho, and The Soho Hotel Fits Right In
Jul 25, 2007
Soho is not the most upscale part of London, but it is, arguably, the most fun. Sized at just around a square mile, Soho packs so much into its small size that it's the best place to stay for travelers seeking a trendy, hip, cosmopolitan London vacation. A relatively new luxury hotel in Soho, called - appropriately, if somewhat unimaginatively - the Soho Hotel, is the area's first full-service luxury hotel.
The first thing that strikes a London tourist upon entering the Soho Hotel is that, like the rest of the area, its clientele are largely trendy, youthful and hip. A large Botero cat statue greets guests in the lobby, and the staff is friendly, courteous and knowledgeable. The concierge happily gives out maps of London, using a highlighter to trace paths to desired sights and restaurants.
The ground floor of the Soho Hotel also is home to the very popular Refuel Bar and Restaurant. Now, Soho has no shortage of pubs, bars, and cool, popular restaurants. Refuel is no exception; the line to get in on weekend nights is a sight to see. Fortunately, Refuel has two entrances. One for guests of the Soho Hotel, and the other independent street entrance is for all those Beautiful People eager to hang out in a trendy, popular bar. Refuel is open from 7:00AM (for breakfast; try the homemade granola) until the wee hours.
Each room in the Soho Hotel looks different, though all are designed with the "contemporary London style" in mind. The rooms are large for London hotels, with comfortable beds and reliable room service. Even the smallest Double Room is large enough to leave plenty of room for two people. The granite bathrooms are also large, and quite posh. The Miller Harris soaps and shampoos, part of a range of bath products made exclusively for The Soho Hotel, are fragrant without being girlie or overwhelming. I've seen the Miller Harris bath product brand at some other luxury hotels, and as much as hotel shampoos can be a barometer of a quality luxury hotel, these are.
Soho's first full service luxury hotel was gutted and renovated from an old parking garage, and understated glamour and hip, top of the line decor has completely replaced what one can imagine were once unpleasant smells and cement blocks. 85 rooms and suites, two screening rooms, a gym and four private event rooms are a definite improvement. This trendy part of London has many and varied forms of entertainment: This guest saw two young, popular television personalities relaxing in Refuel Bar and Restaurant, and the screening rooms are useful for media professionals on a working vacation.
Anyone planning a fun, hip trip to London would benefit from seeking out The Soho Hotel. It's the first, best full service luxury hotel in the most cosmopolitan, cool and popular part of the city.
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