Hotel Snapshot
Bertrand’s Townhouse is a new boutique luxury hotel London’s leafy, pretty Bloomsbury, the historic stomping ground of the early 20th-century artists and intellectuals known as the Bloomsbury Set. A trio of interconnected Georgian townhouses just a (Rosetta) stone’s throw from the British Museum, the warm and intimate property is made up of 43 bedrooms, spread across five floors. The name and personality of the property come courtesy of Bertrand Russell, a peripheral member of the Bloomsbury Set, quirky intellectual, and accomplished Renaissance man, though he never actually lived on the premises.
Design & Character
The public space—mainly the restaurant/bar (as there’s no lobby or reception)—is a modern interpretation of a Georgian literary salon, with moody and maximalist nooks and corners. Gallery walls are hung with oil-painted portraits, and marble-top surfaces are adorned with Victoriana tchotchkes. Original architectural details like tall sash windows, high ceilings, and cornicing anchor the interiors in the building’s historic context.
The Rooms
Spread across five floors, including the ground floor and lower ground floor, the hotel’s 43 rooms are dressed in oxblood red, with herringbone flooring and swirling Oriental-inspired rugs. Complimentary minibars come with Smeg mini fridges, Nespresso machines, tea kettles, and there’s also a Marshall speaker. En-suite bathrooms are deliciously decadent with heated tile floors and full-size Diptyque bath amenities, while the top-end Philosopher’s Suites include freestanding bathtubs within the room. Don’t expect much by way of views.
The Food & Drink Situation
At the heart of the property is Ottie’s Salon, an all-day social hub named after Russell’s lover and muse, Lady Ottoline Morrell. The gold-ceilinged rooms transition from breakfasts of fresh pastries and egg dishes to relaxed lunches and dinners of bar food bites like charcuterie and sliders. For drinks, it’s classic cocktails. Outside, a trio of connected terraces make up the Cigar Garden, a nod to Russell’s appreciation for a smoking pipe.
Amenities
Not much–just Ottie’s Salon.
Location & Neighborhood Recs
Positioned in Bloomsbury, the hotel is steps from world-class cultural attractions like the British Museum and the Charles Dickens Museum. Independent stores (like art supplier L. Cornelissen & Son), cafés and restaurants (like the excellent Noble Rot), and leafy squares enhance the sense of place. Take a stroll and keep your eyes peeled for London’s famous blue plaques, indicating the historic homes of notable people, including members of the Bloomsbury Set. You can find the home of its most famous member, Virginia Woolf, at 29 Fitzroy Square.
Fast Facts
Location: Bloomsbury, London, UK
Vibe: Cozy dark academia with Georgian dandy flair
Rating: 4 Star
Room Count: 43
Pricing: From £300 per night
Our Favorite Thing About the Hotel: The oversized freestanding soaking tubs in the Phospheres Suites
Dining: all-day dining and evening tipples at Ottie’s Salon and The Cigar Garden
Amenities: All-day dining salon, bar, outdoor terrace
Nearby Attractions: The British Museum, Charles Dickens Museum, Russell Square
Airport: Approximately 45 minutes from London City Airport (LCY) and 60 minutes from London Heathrow Airport (LHR), depending on traffic.
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