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The Academy - Small Luxury Hotels of the World

5.0 star property
VIP Access

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Photo gallery for The Academy - Small Luxury Hotels of the World

Courtyard
Front of property
Lobby
Library
Restaurant

Reviews

8.8 out of 10
Excellent

Popular amenities

  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Air-conditioning
  • Business services
  • Bar
  • Laundry room

Explore the area

View in a map
21 Gower Street, Bloomsbury, London, England, WC1E 6HG
  • Place, University College London
    ‪2 min walk‬
  • Place, Russell Square
    ‪4 min walk‬
  • Place, The British Museum
    ‪6 min walk‬
  • Airport, London (LHR-Heathrow)
    ‪70 min drive‬
VIP Access
Curated for quality and service, VIP Access stays consistently receive our highest guest ratings.
  • Expect exceptional service
  • Extra savings and perks for BONUS+ members
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Room options

View all photos for Townhouse Single Room

Premium bedding, in-room safe, individually furnished, desk

Townhouse Single Room

9.4 out of 10
Exceptional
(18 reviews)
  • 14 sq m
  • Sleeps 1
  • 1 Single Bed
  • Free Wi-Fi

View all photos for Bloomsbury King Room

Bloomsbury King Room | Premium bedding, in-room safe, individually furnished, desk

Bloomsbury King Room

8.0 out of 10
Very good
(6 reviews)
  • 21 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed
  • Free Wi-Fi

View all photos for Bloomsbury Studio

Bloomsbury Studio | Premium bedding, in-room safe, individually furnished, desk

Bloomsbury Studio

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(3 reviews)
  • 32 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed
  • Free Wi-Fi

View all photos for Townhouse Double

Premium bedding, in-room safe, individually furnished, desk

Townhouse Double

  • Sleeps 2
  • Free Wi-Fi

View all photos for Townhouse Double

Townhouse Double | Premium bedding, in-room safe, individually furnished, desk

Townhouse Double

8.4 out of 10
Very good
(11 reviews)
  • 21 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed
  • Free Wi-Fi

View all photos for Bloomsbury Twin Room

Bloomsbury Twin Room | Premium bedding, in-room safe, individually furnished, desk

Bloomsbury Twin Room

9.4 out of 10
Exceptional
(3 reviews)
  • 21 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 2 Single Beds
  • Free Wi-Fi

View all photos for Bloomsbury Single

Bloomsbury Single | Premium bedding, in-room safe, individually furnished, desk

Bloomsbury Single

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(1 review)
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 1
  • 1 Large Single Bed
  • Free Wi-Fi

View all photos for King Room

Premium bedding, in-room safe, individually furnished, desk

King Room

  • Sleeps 2
  • Free Wi-Fi

View all photos for Single Room

Premium bedding, in-room safe, individually furnished, desk

Single Room

  • Sleeps 1
  • Free Wi-Fi

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About this property

The Academy - Small Luxury Hotels of the World

This smoke-free hotel features a restaurant, a bar/lounge and coffee/tea in a common area. WiFi in public areas is free. Additionally, 24-hour room service, a business centre and concierge services are on-site.
The Academy - Small Luxury Hotels of the World offers 50 accommodations with espresso makers and a safe. Each accommodation is individually furnished. Beds feature premium bedding. 28-inch flat-screen televisions come with digital channels. Bathrooms include a shower, bathrobes, slippers and designer toiletries.

Guests can surf the web using complimentary wireless Internet access. Business-friendly amenities include desks, complimentary newspapers and telephones. Additionally, rooms include complimentary bottles of water and coffee/tea makers. Hypo-allergenic bedding and an iron/ironing board can be requested. Housekeeping is provided on a daily basis.

Our customers tell us that they can't get enough of the helpful staff at The Academy - Small Luxury Hotels of the World. During your stay, you're just a quick walk from Russell Square. Features include free WiFi in public areas, plus a restaurant and a bar.
  • Free WiFi
  • Grab something to eat at the restaurant or stop for a drink at the bar/lounge
  • Services include dry cleaning/laundry, a concierge and tour or ticket assistance
  • Just a 4-minute walk from Russell Square and 6 minutes on foot from The British Museum
There's a restaurant on site. You can enjoy a drink at the bar/lounge. A business centre and meeting rooms are available.

Public spaces have free WiFi. A library, a terrace, and multilingual staff are also featured at the luxury The Academy - Small Luxury Hotels of the World.

This Georgian London hotel is smoke free.

The Alchemy Bar – This lobby lounge only serves light fare. Guests can enjoy al fresco dining (weather permitting).
24-hour room service is available.

Awards and affiliations

The property is a member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World.

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transport

  • No on-site parking available
  • Offsite parking; discounts available

Food and drink

  • A bar/lounge
  • A restaurant
  • Coffee and tea in common areas

Restaurants on site

  • The Alchemy Bar

Things to do

  • Library
  • TV in common areas

Family friendly

  • Laundry facilities

Conveniences

  • 24-hour front desk
  • Free newspapers in lobby
  • Laundry facilities
  • Luggage storage
  • Safe at front desk

Guest services

  • Concierge services
  • Dry cleaning/laundry service
  • Housekeeping (daily)
  • Multilingual staff
  • Porter/bellhop
  • Tour and ticket assistance

Business services

  • Business centre
  • Meeting rooms

Outdoors

  • Garden
  • Terrace

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Assistive listening devices
  • No lift

More

  • 3 floors
  • Banquet hall
  • Built in 1775
  • Fireplace in lobby
  • Georgian architecture
  • Smoke-free property

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Blackout drapes
  • Hypo-allergenic bedding
  • Premium bedding

Bathroom

  • Designer toiletries
  • Dressing gowns
  • Hair dryer
  • Shower
  • Slippers
  • Towels provided

Entertainment

  • 28-inch flat-screen TV with digital channels
  • IPod dock

Food and drink

  • 24-hour room service
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Electric kettle
  • Espresso maker
  • Free bottled water

More

  • Air conditioning (climate-controlled)
  • Desk
  • Free daily newspapers
  • Individual furnishings
  • Iron/ironing board on request
  • Laptop workspace
  • Phone
  • Safe

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; check-in end time: 2 AM
Minimum check-in age - 18

Check-out

Check-out before 11 AM

Special check-in instructions

Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Access methods

Staffed front desk

Pets

  • No pets allowed, but service animals are welcome

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.

Payment types at the property

Important information

You need to know

This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business or profession.
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards and cash
Safety features at this property include a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, a security system, a first aid kit and window guards
Please note that cultural norms and guest policies may differ by country and by property; the policies listed are provided by the property
Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property.
If you cancel your booking, you'll be subject to the host's cancellation policy. In accordance with EU regulations about consumer rights, property booking services are not subject to the right of withdrawal.

Property is also known as

Academy Hotel London
Academy London
The Academy Hotel London
The Academy London, England
Academy Hotel
The Academy
The Academy Small Luxury Hotels of the World
The Academy - Small Luxury Hotels of the World Hotel
The Academy - Small Luxury Hotels of the World London
The Academy - Small Luxury Hotels of the World Hotel London

The Academy - Small Luxury Hotels of the World Reviews

Reviews

8.8

Excellent

Rating 10 - Excellent. 423 out of 710 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 179 out of 710 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 73 out of 710 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 25 out of 710 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 10 out of 710 reviews

9.4/10

Cleanliness

9.4/10

Staff & service

8.6/10

Amenities

8.8/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

John

Stayed 1 night in Feb 2026

8/10 Good

Helen

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Staff were lovely and the room was exceptionally clean. Good linen in the bed and great shower pressure. Bathroom had nice Elemis toiletries but was a bit small. Breakfast was included as a continental breakfast, with lots of choice. It was quiet and the area was good
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2026

10/10 Excellent

Emma

Stayed 1 night in Feb 2026

8/10 Good

Victoria

Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026

10/10 Excellent

Andrew

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Lovely room - tasty varied breakfast- friendly staff
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2026

10/10 Excellent

Brigitte

Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026

8/10 Good

chris

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
it was good.... but i wouldnt have said 5 star. It was 50 stairs to our room. we are old codgers! Luckily, pretty fit old codgers as this may have been an issue otherwise. Had 3 drinks - charge 3 x service charges of £3! for handing a glass of wine over a bar! i had this taken off, but it is a mickey take. Husband NEVER checks bills. I do. Room was tiny and no mirror in room. just a tiny one on desk would have been great. Bathroom is tiny, so not enough room for me to do makeup and for my husband to be in there too. No plug sockets near mirror- doing hair was a bit haphazard. but..... the staff were lovely, the breakfast was great, the area perfect. I would stay again, but my expectations hould have been managed better!
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026

4/10 Poor

scott

Liked: Cleanliness
Disliked: Amenities
Not a 5 star definatley not a hilton brand 6 flights of stairs to room No one on bar for 20 mins after pressing a door bell (not very 5 star) Free wine perk was like vinegar Receptionists very good and friendly not their fault
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026

10/10 Excellent

Aleksandar

Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2026

6/10 Okay

DR DOBBIE

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Very comfortable, clean, compact single room. I was not privilege to why this is a luxury small hotel, the room was as I would expect for this part of London. I had a very nice greeting, given my key and directed to my room. Breakfast was very standard, buffet style.
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2025

8/10 Good

Debbie

Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026

8/10 Good

Claire

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Great location and the reception areas are well decorated and look lovely. We only arrived late so didn't see the other rooms such as the library or bar. It was a good price and value for money. Room on the small side and shower small and on 4th floor. no issue for us, but could be a problem for access issues. Beautifully decorated and nice touches of complimentary water and soft drinks in the room. Helpful staff.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026

6/10 Okay

TONY

Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026

10/10 Excellent

Esther

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I was blown away by the kind, caring, and supportive staff at the Academy. Their food was delicious, the bed so comfortable, and my stay was fantastic! It was the perfect location as it was close to all the major sites within walking distance and it was calm, quiet, and tranquil. I would highly recommend!
Stayed 5 nights in Jan 2026

10/10 Excellent

Averil

Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2026

10/10 Excellent

Averil

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
From the moment we arrived to the moment we left the staff were so helpful and accommodating. We were supposed to stay for 2 nights but ended up extending our stay for another 2 nights! The rooms were lovely and warm during the cold weather, cleaned every day and mini bar restocked. The continental breakfast was amazing and with endless cups of coffee. Very close to Covent Garden and West End, perfect location and felt safe walking about at night as lovely area. Would definitely stay here again!
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2026

10/10 Excellent

Claire

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Really friendly staff and excellent service. Great central location and comfortable room. High quality breakfast.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026

10/10 Excellent

Purvi

Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2025

6/10 Okay

Dale

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
The bathroom was very small. The hotel provided a hairdryer but there was no plug socket close enough to a mirror to be able to see into the mirror
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025

2/10 Terrible

markus, London

Liked: Cleanliness
Disliked: Amenities, property conditions & facilities
Checkin: yes it’s at 3pm but 5* Hotel have normally your room earlier ready - not here I asked for a room to change, but not available and needed to change in a tiny toilet. Remember this supposed to be 5*. Carry your luggage yourself is included Breakfast: I wanted eggs for my prepaid breakfast and was asked a extra £15… every 3* hotel in UK offers for a paid breakfast eggs… and the worst I tried to sleep but couldn’t it’s so terribly noise. The room is next to a major motorway. Literally 1 meter away… this room should be forbidden to rent out to any customers. I feel so sick haven’t been able to sleep till now. I will talk this morning if I survive tonight to change this room since I made a terrible mistake to book this hotel for another 4 nights ..: I would rather forfeit all this money than stay in this place another night! This is no 5* with all due respect. Any decent 3* or 4* for half the price is much better. I will see if there is any Manager tomorrow to stop this insanity
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025

10/10 Excellent

Nicholas

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Excellent check-in, friendly team, lovely room.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025

6/10 Okay

Paul

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Nice hotel, good location. Room was far too hot & therefore made sleeping difficult. Would stay in double room next time as single was far too small and bed not as comfortable as I’d hoped. Friendly staff as well as decent breakfast.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025

10/10 Excellent

Diana

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very comfortable room, great location, super helpful staff.
Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2025

10/10 Excellent

Sian, Spearfish

Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025

8/10 Good

Emma

Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2025