One Aldwych
Elegant Edwardian cornerhouse
Escape the cityscape
Given its location overlooking Waterloo Bridge at the edge of Covent Garden, One Aldwych is a surprisingly calming antidote to London’s busyness; behind its iconic Edwardian facade is a child-friendly, dog-friendly hotel that stops at nothing to make your stay a pleasure. Even the most cynical of sleepers will approve of the peace that permeates every corner. Plus, as a proudly independent institution, an aversion to cookie-cutter design is rooted in One Aldwych’s approach – be it to art or afternoon tea; curation or cocktails. With such a sense of place in such an expansive city, the hotel creates stays that are immersive, culturally independent and tailored, meaning every guest leaves with a unique story to tell.
Facilities
Rooms
101 rooms including 16 suites.
Checkout
12 noon, but flexible, subject to availability. Earliest check-in, 3pm, but also flexible. Should you arrive earlier, the hotel can store any luggage and you’ll be able to use the facilities – including the health club and pool.
More Details
Rates don’t include breakfast, but a no-holds-barred start to your day – spanning from lighter dishes to buttermilk waffles and indulgent full English feasts – is served daily in the hotel restaurant.
Also
The hotel has three rooms specifically designed for wheelchair access and spacious lifts throughout the property.
Fitness Center
Free Internet Access
Laundry
Pet Friendly
Pool
On-Site Restaurant
Room Service
Spa
At the Hotel
Fully equipped gym, spa, underground pool, sauna, steamroom and library. In rooms: Nespresso coffee machine, Bang & Olufson speakers, Loewe UHD TVs, every type of charger socket you could wish for, Dyson hairdryers, locally sourced amenities in the minibar, hand-woven blankets, triple-glazed windows, laundry service, Wifi, turndown service, and Mitchell & Peach products in marble clad en-suites. All important under-floor heating, too.
Our Favourite Rooms
Corner rooms feel particularly luxurious – their artfully curved frame making the absolute most of this unique building. The circular design and bridge-facing placement of the Studio Suites offer an unbeatable breakfast-in-bed view over London.
Poolside
The subterranean 18-metre swimming pool is a rarity in such a central location, with soft mood lighting and all natural, chlorine-free cleaning. An underwater music system will cut out the hustle of life, making your front crawl more rhythmic than ever before.
Spa
City life can be rough on your pores, muscles and mind. The Health Club’s therapists use products from leading British skincare brand, Oskia, and Spanish skincare specialist, Natura Bissé, to enhance their treatment options and bring back your natural glow. Early birds and night owls will be pleased to know the gym is open 24-hours.
Packing Tips
Your lactose-free, gluten-intolerant friend who won’t want to miss chef Dominic’s magic. Seasoned UK travellers will know to bring an umbrella and raincoat, so follow their waterproof-clad lead.
Also
One Aldwych was once the offices of the Morning Post newspaper (the printing press was in the basement – where the Health Club now sits), and lived another life as a home to the Ministry of Defence.
Children
Extra beds and cots can be arranged; a children’s menu is readily available in the hotel restaurant and for in-room dining; babysitting services are possible on request.
Gallery
Food & Drink
Top Table
Ask to be sat by Indigo’s internal balcony for a guaranteed buzz and birds-eye view of the city-slickers at the lobby bar below.
Dress Code
Fine dining but lose the formality – city comfort is key here. Pack something that can take you from top table to tequila as the night progresses.
Hotel Restaurant
Sit back at One Aldwych's Indigo while chef Dominic Teague work his wonders with ingredients sourced from the best independent producers in the UK. The menu focuses on seasonal British classics, nodding to trends but in a leader-of-the-pack way, and always sourcing ingredients sustainably. In a revelation that may surprise you, its menu is entirely dairy and gluten free. But that doesn’t mean that it compromises on flavour – if anything, the opposite is true. The day-boat Devon fish and chips aren’t to be scoffed at, and the Sunday roasts will have you screaming ‘more Yorkshires’. The afternoon tea here features all the usual bites but with a flair for difference: take the coronation chicken wrap, truffle mushroom toastie or chocolate and salted caramel scones, for example. Those with an even sweeter tooth might opt for the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory afternoon tea (which, by the way, is fully endorsed by the Roald Dahl Foundation – no cut corners here). The pre-theatre set menus are also popular (with a choice of two or three courses), making for the perfect amuse-bouche to a night of theatrics. All of the above being said, breakfast is a more relaxed affair – and should you wish for a gluten-filled roll with lashings of dairy butter, just ask.
Hotel Bar
The street level lobby bar is prime for people watching, so settle in a window seat to take in pavement pounders passing by. Make sure to give due attention to the art on display – not just the grandiose contemporary paintings, but also the elegant cocktails born from modern mixology and expert bartending. The bar itself is presided over by the Boatman with Oars sculpture by André Wallace; a symbol of the hotel’s esteemed independence. Everything in the lobby bar is arranged with intent; be it the towering floral displays or the inscriptions on the tables – featuring news pages from The Morning Post archives. (Pro trip: Bring out your cultural side with One Aldwych's art-inspired cocktails which can be found in The Gallery menu. Plus, for each one sold, the hotel donates £1 to its partners, River of Flowers.)
Last Orders
Breakfast is from 7am to 10.30am on weekdays, 11am on weekends. Lunch from 12.30–2pm, Wednesday to Sunday. Dinner is currently served Monday to Saturday, from 5pm to 9.30pm and afternoon tea 12pm to 3pm Wednesday to Friday (4.30pm on weekends).
Room Service
You’ll find comforting classics and post-night-out carb-loads on the room service menu, which is available 24 hours.
Planes
Flights into Heathrow, followed by the easy-access Heathrow Express train, will drop you at Paddington station – a short taxi journey from One Aldwych. London City Airport is also within reach. Smith24 can arrange flights and transfers, or contact the hotel directly to organise a chauffeur service.
Trains
A five-minute stroll along the outskirts of Theatreland will take you to Charing Cross Station, or amble across the river to Waterloo Station, just 10 minutes away. There’s an abundance of other tube stations nearby: Covent Garden, Holborn, Temple and Chancery Lane.
Automobiles
Valet parking is available for a daily charge, and the concierge will be happy to arrange car hire.
Worth Getting Out of Bed For
There’s an impossibly long list of things to do around the area (and, of course, further beyond). That said, One Aldwych prides itself on its team of concierges – go to them for more detailed, tailor-made itineraries.
A sensible place to start is Covent Garden, which has something for everyone. Kids (and adults) will love Benjamin Pollocks Toyshop; seasoned travellers won’t be able to resist dipping their head into Stanford Travel; and Petersham Nurseries will get green fingers going, as will Floral Street. Oh, and there’s luxury fashion, jewellery and fragrance shops a plenty, too. Grab a cinnamon roll from Swedish stone-oven bakery Fabrique and set up camp in nearby Lincoln Inn Fields, or for an adults-only option you could visit Aire Ancient Baths – where wellness meets wine.
Towards the river is Somerset House and its frequently changing exhibitions, meaning it always feels like a hub of activity. Grab a latte and pastry at the WatchHouse café, pull up a chair and watch the world go by. If the weather works in your favour, nip over the river to London’s beach – yes, beach – just below the thralls of Southbank. Okay, so a beach is a stretch (more a patch of imported sand by the riverbank), but work with us here.
Earn or Redeem Points with World of Hyatt
This Mr & Mrs Smith hotel participates in the World of Hyatt loyalty program. As a member, you can earn and redeem points and enjoy exclusive benefits for qualifying nights. .
