You may not have many things in common with the late Colonel Mordaunt Cracherode.
But you can add at least one point to the list should you spend a night at the glamorous, retro-styled Henrietta Hotel; planted on the eponymous Covent Garden street once occupied by the aforementioned Colonel, a clutch of artists and engravers, and Jane Austen’s brother.
Making its home in two former townhouses, the Henrietta comes to you from the undoubtedly cool group of Parisian childhood friends behind London’s Experimental Cocktail Club and La Compagnie des Vins Surnaturels. After 8 years in the bar industry, they decided to cut their hotelier teeth with the launch of Le Grand Pigalle in Paris, and they’ve now brought lauded hospitality expertise and characteristically sleek design to London…
THE LOCATION
Covent Garden is as central and well-connected a neighbourhood as they come; though there’s barely any need to venture further than the famous piazza. There’s a slew of drinking and dining options on your doorstep, from modern British cuisine at Cora Pearl, to Clos Maggiore – generally accepted to be the most romantic restaurant in London, by virtue of having half a meadow stuck to its ceiling. There’s bars like the subterranean Eve, or you can pop into Ladurée for a pastel-coloured afternoon tea in rooms worthy of Marie Antoinette, or sit on the balcony and watch performers balance bicycles on their chins below. Check out our full Covent Garden area guide here…
THE ROOMS
The design here was overseen by Dorothée Meilichzon, who was also behind the Grand Pigalle and a number of other characteristically chic Parisian boutique hotels. Each of the 18 rooms has been lavished with attention to detail, from the art deco curves of the marble vanity counters in the bathroom, to the 60s-inspired handmade headboards. And that’s carried right on through to the amenities – you can luxuriate in their 24-hour room service, or try your own hand at mixology thanks to the Experimental Cocktail Club recipe cards and cocktail ingredients stocked in your minibar.
THE FOOD AND DRINK
Forget all your preconceptions about hotel restaurants, for downstairs you will find Da Henrietta, an eatery just as stylish as the boudoirs above. Sporting a cocktail bar at the front (and a mezzanine bar for late-night sips), and cosy tables for two, it’s a bright and airy spot for a breakfast buffet. Overseen by Venetian restaurateurs, Italian Supper Club, lunch and dinner are devoted to elevated takes on hearty Italian classics.
THE AMENITIES
Besides the excellent room service, you can also expect high-speed wifi, daily turndowns and even shoe-shining. The hotel has also partnered with a nearby fitness centre should you need it, but don’t expect much by way of other in-house facilities, given that it’s all packed into the original townhouse buildings. Communal spaces are limited to the bar and restaurant – but when they look like this, that’s hardly a problem.
Besides, you already share enough with the Colonel.
NOTE: A night’s stay at the Henrietta starts at £220, excluding breakfast. You can find out more, and reserve a room, on their website HERE.
Henrietta | 14-15 Henrietta Street, WC2E 8QH
Want more inspiration? Read our guide to London’s finest boutique hotels