The London EDITION Hotel Review – Soho [Detailed]

I was lucky enough to stay in EDITION hotels in both Barcelona and London in 2021 — and to say I love the brand would be an understatement.

There’s no mistaking exactly where you are in both hotels. Each property I’ve stayed at has had consistently beautiful decor, high-quality furnishings, and top-notch food and beverages.

It’s safe to say my stay at The London EDITION met my high expectations — at least for the most part. Save for a couple of minor setbacks, including having a 24-hour flu bug, I loved my time at the hotel and truly didn’t want my stay to come to an end — keep reading to find out why.

Hotel Location

The London EDITION is set just 1 block back from London’s famous Oxford Street.

Quite honestly, it couldn’t be better located. It’s close enough to the tourist attractions (if that’s your thing) but also far away enough to explore the city like a local.

The photo below was taken on the corner of Berners Street and Eastcastle Street, looking down Berners Street towards Oxford Street, which you can just about make out.

Booking

I booked a “Loft, Guest Room, 2 Double.” To my surprise, this larger (and more premium) room had one of the best rates available at the time of booking.

I reserved the room with a credit card and would pay a total of £1,636 (~$2,219) for 3 nights upon checkout, working out at an average of around $739 per night. My rate also included £50 (~$68) of daily hotel credit that I planned on using for breakfast as that wasn’t included in my rate.

At $739 per night, this stay was not inexpensive by any stretch of the imagination. For me though, the overall value for money is arguably more important when weighing my options.

Considering The London EDITION is a 5-star hotel in the heart of the city, I find the price I paid to be a good value indeed.

Interestingly, I took another look at this room type when I was writing this review and found that it was going for considerably more than what I paid, at £725 (~$983) per night. That’s for a non-refundable rate without the daily credit, too.

All things considered, I was very happy with the price I paid for my stay. Nights at this Marriott Bonvoy property run 50,000 to 70,000 points per night on average, although prices can fluctuate throughout the year..

Hot Tip: Would you rather pay points for your stay instead of cash? There are more ways than you might think to rack up a healthy stash of Marriott Bonvoy points.

Checking In

The reception desk is found by walking straight through the main bar area upon entering the hotel, directly opposite the staircase (pictured).

The staff member who checked me in exhibited all the friendliness and professionalism I would expect from EDITION staff. He was happy to inform me that my room was ready and waiting for me when I arrived at around 12 p.m.

I immediately had a good feeling about the rest of my stay.

I asked at check-in, as I always do, whether I’d be awarded an upgrade (as per the benefits of my Marriott Bonvoy Gold status). I was told that my room was already one of the highest categories, meaning that an upgraded version of my room didn’t exist.

The next question I had was regarding the £50 daily credit. It was confirmed to me that the credit applied to each day of my stay, rather than each night, meaning I’d have 4 opportunities to use the £50 credit as opposed to just 3. More on that later.

Amenities

This hotel doesn’t have any outdoor space or a pool. And, unfortunately, the hotel’s bar/club, Punch Room, was temporarily closed during my stay. This left the gym as the only amenity available to me during my time at the hotel.

Sadly, I spent most of my stay suffering from a 48-hour flu-type of bug, which meant I couldn’t use the gym anyway.

The Gym

I did pop into the gym on Sunday afternoon when I was feeling better to take a peek and I can confirm that it was one of the largest and most well-equipped hotel gyms that I’ve seen on my recent travels.

It had everything from exercise mats and medicine balls to a variety of cardio equipment and an assortment of resistance machines.

I was pleased to see a rope pulley machine — a rarity in hotel gyms.

The heaviest weight on the rack was 30 kilograms (~66 pounds) — that’s almost 10 kilograms (~22 pounds) heavier than most other hotel gyms I’ve been in.

At the entrance, guests could pick up a (glass!) bottle of water, a towel, a sanitizing wipe, and even complimentary earphones!

You can always trust an EDITION to go above and beyond. Never in all my hotel stays had I seen before sets of earphones at the gym for guests.

It’s a simple touch that highlights the level of consideration this hotel has for its guests.

COVID-19 Protocols

Mask wearing wasn’t mandatory in the U.K. at the time of my stay. As such, neither staff nor guests were required to wear them while inside the hotel.

The only COVID-19 notice I saw was a sign at the elevator suggesting that guests wait for the following car rather than getting in with strangers.

After 18 months of constant doom and gloom, I was happy to be able to enjoy my time in the hotel without constant signs and reminders about the pandemic.

The Room

My room was 501 — just across from the elevator on the fifth floor. I was a little apprehensive that the proximity to the elevator would mean a disturbed night’s sleep but that didn’t turn out to be the case.

Similar to my experience at the Barcelona EDITION, a sign was placed on the door handle when housekeeping staff were inside. This is a nice touch that helps guests avoid disturbing the housekeeping staff when a cleaning is in progress.

The Bedroom

The size of the room was immediately obvious upon opening the door.

To the left was the minibar and storage area followed by the bathroom. And straight ahead was the main bedroom area.

I just love, love, love the aesthetic and design of the rooms at EDITION hotels.

Each of the 2 beds was topped with 6 comfy pillows. Both had 1 hanging light and 2 reading lights.

I can assure you — considering I spent almost my entire stay in bed — that it was even comfier than it looks.

To the right side of one of the beds was a speaker that I didn’t use, just like in Barcelona (I always bring my own portable speaker on trips with me).

A set of light switches was handily placed by each of the 4 bedsides.

The addition of a cozy seating area made for a nice place to dump my clothes relax with a book.

The beds faced directly towards the TV and a rather surly looking woman whose gaze penetrated my soul every time our eyes met.

Given the amount of time I spent in bed, I actually made use of the TV for once.

Running the length of the beds was a desk topped with the room’s second telephone, an EDITION-branded notepad and pen, and a little decorative flower arrangement.

The view from the room’s only window left a lot to be desired. Given its size, it also meant that the room felt dark without lights on, even in the middle of the day.

Despite this, I didn’t deduct any points. I don’t know many people who would stay in a London hotel strictly for its view, especially when most of the time in the city should be spent exploring.

Back towards the entrance was the main storage area.

The large wardrobe and trio of drawers provided ample space for clothes and possessions. This is also where an umbrella, robe, and set of slippers could be found.

An iron and ironing board were available on request.

Directly opposite was the minibar and coffee and tea station.

I loved this little coffee explainer. A great addition indeed for someone who really appreciates their coffee — the stronger the better for me!

Stronger beverages included a small bottle of Hendricks gin, a Chilean Villa Montes red wine, and Hennessy Cognac.

And in the fridge below were more alcoholic and soft drinks.

Snacks included chips, a Lion chocolate bar, and some nuts.

Here’s a price list for you to peruse, should you wish:

The Bathroom

The bathroom was also just as I would have expected — beautifully designed, light and airy, and with all the amenities your heart could desire.

I liked the minimalist design and under-mirror lighting.

True to form for the brand, the soap provided was by Le Labo — you just can’t beat it.

The reminder about power outlets in British bathrooms made me chuckle.

And the towel rail fitted tied in nicely with the light wood furnishings in the bedroom.

Under the sink were a loofah pad, shower cap, and Le Labo shower amenities.

There was also a sewing kit and a vanity kit.

The vanity kit included 2 earbuds, a cotton pad, and a nail file.

Food and Beverage

I loved absolutely everything I ate at this hotel.

Breakfast and dinner were served at the Berners Tavern restaurant, while snacks were available at The Lobby Bar (or via room service) throughout the day.

The Lobby Bar

I’d popped into The Lobby Bar before my stay, but I hadn’t admired it as scrupulously as I did during my stay.

It’s grandly decorated and furnished — an atmospheric hangout with a distinct air of class and sophistication. Still, this northerner felt just at home.

Both guests and non-guests are welcome to make the most of the space, whether it’s for socializing, business drinks, or using the free Wi-Fi for work.

I thought the pool table was a great addition to the bar.

I didn’t notice anyone using the mezzanine, but it does make for a nice place to people watch.

I stayed in the middle of November, which I find is still too early to be getting into the Christmas spirit. I did, however, quite enjoy the quirkily decorated Christmas tree. I’m guessing they got local school kids to help make the decorations? However they did it, it was cute.

On my first day at the hotel, I had to wait around 20 minutes for someone to come over and offer me a drink. I noticed a barman milling around, but then he seemed to disappear.

When he returned he spotted me sitting with my laptop and came to offer me water and ask if I’d like to order something.

I had a similar issue when I wanted to order a snack on Sunday. I waited about 30 minutes for my soup to arrive and was absolutely “hangry” by the time it arrived.

I challenge you to find a drink that you cannot get at the Lobby Bar.

The Lobby Bar is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 a.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Berners Tavern

The head chef of the Berners Tavern is none other than the Michelin-starred Jason Atherton.

Non-guests are also welcome to dine at Berners Tavern, which I’d highly recommend adding to your to-do list in London.

Larger parties can easily be accommodated, too.

It’s open daily for breakfast from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. and for dinner Tuesday through Saturday from 5 p.m. to 9:45 p.m.

To get the full experience, I thought I’d better take one for the team and try out both breakfast and dinner during my stay.

Breakfast

The à la carte breakfast in Berners Tavern was absolutely delicious. And it was actually a great value for the money in my book.

I started, as I often do, with a serving of fresh fruit. And, of course, an espresso.

I take back what I’ve said previously about fruit being better abroad. It clearly depends on the venue at which you eat it at as this fruit blew my mind.

One morning I ordered scrambled eggs, cured salmon, and salmon caviar — distinctly “boujier” than the DIY toast and eggs you’ll be used to seeing me eating at Hilton hotel buffet breakfasts.

On my last morning, before I headed to Heathrow, I was a bit disappointed with how long it took for my breakfast to arrive. I asked a server around 40 minutes after I ordered and was told: “We nearly forgot, sorry.”

Looking back, I probably should have said something earlier as I was in a bit of a rush and ended up having to get an expensive Uber to Heathrow rather than the Tube so that I didn’t miss my flight to Madrid.

When my vegetarian Full English finally arrived, it was, as you’d expect, delicious.

I’m not sure what the chef does to the portobello mushrooms, but mine was thick and juicy like a steak.

Dinner

Dinner at the Berners Tavern is a treat to behold.

I loved that each member of the wait staff was dressed in formal attire. Whether it be a full suit or a skirt and jacket, everyone looked the part.

To start, I was brought the freshest, warmest, crustiest chunk of bread with a block of proper butter. I could have eaten at least 2 more of these before my main arrived.

For my main course, I went for the lamb.

I rarely eat red meat these days. In fact, I don’t think I have yet in 2022. But sometimes I have a craving for it — and when I see lamb on the menu, I find it hard to resist.

My dinnertime visit to Berners Tavern was one of those times. It was served with a devilishly creamy mash and topped with tender-stem broccoli grilled with garlic. This was the first proper meal I’d eaten after spending about 36 hours in bed and it was just what I needed.

It was indeed supremely tasty, but I thought I’d take a picture of my hand next to the plate to show just how small the portion was.

To satisfy my sweet tooth (and my hunger), I decided I’d try the mille-feuille for dessert.

You know you’re being taken care of when your waiter pours the fruit coulis over your mille-feuille.

I remembered at the last minute to snap a photo of the dessert menu, so here it is for you to get an idea of the other options and prices.

While eating dinner I noticed one of the waiters passing through with a cart of what looked like a variety of Champagne.

I would have happily obliged, but he didn’t come to my table. At the time (and I blame my post-fever delirium), I was convinced this meant that only the women were being offered free Champagne.

Then I found this screenshot of the menu that I forgot I had taken, confirming to me that the Champagne wasn’t being handed out for free.

Room Service

I had big Friday night plans with my good friend Riyadh, so we decided to line our stomachs with a good old Club Sandwich.

At £18 (~$24), it was a little more than I would’ve liked to pay. But, when it came, it definitely hit the spot and was better than your average chicken club.

It’s a good thing I ate when I did, as I was back in bed by 9:30 p.m. with a fever and all plans ruined.

Room service was available from 7 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. for breakfast. From 11:30 a.m., guests could order from an all-day dining menu until 10 p.m.

Service

On the whole, the service was excellent. I had no doubt that it would be from the second my suitcase was whisked out of my cab on arrival.

As is often the case with higher-end Marriott hotels, part of the service you can expect is to receive a tasty welcome treat.

This time it was in the form of dark chocolate and cherry rice cakes.

Marks were lost for the few times I described when the food service was a lot slower than it should have been.

I’m guessing this could have been down to staffing shortages due to COVID-19. However, if I remember correctly, Omicron hadn’t swept through London by that point.

Speed aside, the encounters I had with each and every staff member were to the ultra-high standard I expect from a stay at an EDITION property.

Sylvia served me the first time I ate breakfast and was one of the friendliest hotel staff members I’ve ever met. It was clear Sylvia loved her job.

She took an interest in the book I was reading, and we even chatted about our favorite authors for a few minutes. I’d like to add that at this point breakfast was nearly over and there were barely any guests left eating.

Later, when she noticed me working in the bar area, she came over and asked my name. Then proceeded to shake my hand and said she was preparing me a table closer to a power outlet. What a gem!

The service I received at dinner was also impeccable. I cannot wait to go back again soon!

The icing on top of the service cake, though, was when I was checking out.

You might recall that I was told at check-in that my £50 hotel credit would be valid for each of the 4 days that I was in the hotel. When I was checking over my bill, I noticed that it had only been applied to 3 of the 4 days.

The lovely Laura at reception kindly explained to me that I had been misinformed and that the £50 credit would indeed only apply for the 3 nights I was staying at the hotel, but not the fourth and final day.

Given the confusion, Laura kindly overrode my final morning’s breakfast charge for me. Thank you! 

Final Thoughts

Despite a few issues with wait times for food — and the fact I spent most of my time in bed — I really enjoyed my stay at The London EDITION.

I was truly made to feel like a valued guest for the duration and the meals I ate at the Berners Tavern were out of this world. Thank you to everyone for making my stay so special.

It’s also such a shame that The London EDITION has no outside space. I asked at reception if there were any plans for this in the future. Apparently, the hotel had applied to the council for permission for a small on-street terrace area, but that request was denied.

That said, I did have extremely high standards coming into my stay here on the back of an incredible first EDITION experience at the Barcelona property.

Next on my EDITION wishlist are the newly-opened Reykjavik EDITION and the soon-to-be-opened Dubai EDITION. As they say, watch this space…