Cutting a modern shape in an angled glass building moments from The Strand, St Martin’s Lane London is charming London hideaway, steeped in quintessentially English luxury. One of the fabulous stays in Covent Garden, this five-star spot aims to provide everything you need without leaving the hotel’s confines.
The interiors
Upon my visit to St Martin’s Lane London, the hotel lobby gave me ‘modern haberdashery’ vibes, with full-length mirrors, a rolling carpet, and unique lampshades. The rooms, however, are thoroughly modern, and have everything you could possibly want from a hotel room. The mini bar is off the scale, from the expected minitures to unexpected, full-size bottles of spirits, plus a plethora of treats (both food wise, and for, erm, if you’re on a promise). I’m talking a fully stocked fridge, and two drawers bursting with goodies. I tried not to go wild, and kept an eye on the handy price list…
Other fabulous attributes in the room include the colour-changing spotlights above the bed and a huge bathroom. I stayed in a ‘garden view’ room, which afforded us our own foliage-filled patio area too, which was the perfect spot for brekkie. A tranquil, open-air spot in London? Who knew it was possible to find!
The food and drink
St Martin’s Lane London has a few food and drink spots to choose from; I opted to sit on their open-air terrace. Although this outdoor area is seasonal, the menu is consistent with that provided in the hotel’s other dining areas. I was so impressed by the food; the menu is consise, with classic British dishes, and the flavours here were exceptional. In fact, after the starters, my guest uttered it was “the best caesar salad” that he’d ever had. I’m a salad sceptic, but this is high praise.
As for me, my starter of gazpacho was next level; the mint sorbet and pomegranate really changed up the flavour, giving the tomato a fresher taste. The Atlantic cod main was utterly divine too – piling a little of the fish, broccoli emulsion, potato, and squid ink crisp onto my folk resulted in the perfect balance of flavour. The lamb also gets a shout out.
Come dessert, you cannot go wrong with the peach tart. Suitable for vegans, the perfectly pink slice is light, not too sweet, and pairs perfectly with the sweet potato ice cream. All dishes were presented in the most gorgeous way; fine dining in a relaxed outdoor atmosphere.
As for the drinks, I loved that the menu is split into ‘north’, ‘south’, ‘east’, and ‘west’, with brightly coloured cocktails that represent the four areas of the capital. I repped my North London roots, and went for the hibiscus mint tea. It was deliciously tart, and a pretty pink colour that matched both my dress and my dessert. To round off my meal, I headed east and chose a Tobacco Dock. This smokey, sipping cocktail offered the perfect conclusion to a fantastic meal – and the chocolate straw really hammered home the restaurant’s understanding of flavour combos.
Overall, whether you opt for an overnight stay at St Martin’s Lane London, or instead prefer just to grab a meal at one of their eateries, your expectations will be exceeded. The hotel combines casual flair with high-end quality so seemlessly, I left with a promise to return.