A NEW ERA HOTEL IN LONDON: CLASSIC, YET MODERN

The Royal Family! The Victorian Era! The Tower of London! Buckingham Palace! When one thinks of London, inevitably the history of the region and its people come to mind. Indeed, experiencing that history is probably one of the biggest reasons people visit the city of London. Having lived in London several years ago, I routinely immersed myself in that history. Whenever I re-visited the city, I would select hotels and accommodations that leaned into that history–usually Victorian-themed hotels. I approached my most recent trip differently — I sought something both modern and classic vibes. This led me to the Kimpton Fitzroy London, and what an incredible stay it was.

First, let’s talk about the hotel’s aesthetics. The word that comes to mind is “ostentatious.” The exterior is a beautiful tan color, and embraces an older-type structure that’s more in line with the classic London aesthetic. As soon as you walk in the lobby, you are met with incredibly high ceilings, an opulent lobby, with such a unique interior color pallette, and an aesthetic that’s both classic and modern at the same time. Upon arriving, and throughout my stay, I felt that this hotel embodied the best of both the classic and modern worlds. It’s absolutely gorgeous through and through.

The beauty and ostentatious nature of the hotel is not limited to the common areas. During my stay, I had the pleasure of staying in the Studio Park View suite and it was remarkable. The living room and bedroom area were entirely modern, and immaculately coordinated. The bathroom had a stylish and classic aesthetic, with white tile and gold accents. My favorite (and the most iconic) feature in the rooms is undoubtedly the classic red telephone landline. Second only to the red telephone booth, nothing SCREAMS London more.

Second, let’s talk about the hotel’s dining and bar options. I’ll be candid with y’all–I have a bit of a love/hate relationship with the food options in England generally. Having visited London on more than ten occasions, and having lived in the UK for five years, food can be very hit or miss. HOWEVER, the food options at the Fitzroy were spectacular. I had the pleasure of having breakfast, in-room lunch, and dinner at the Fitz Brasserie. Everything was phenomenal. The drinks were also expertly crafted, and this applies to all the options in the hotel: the Brasserie, Minuty, and the Fitz bar. If you’re looking for a hotel where the food will knock your socks off, and you’ll be blown away by the general aesthetic, you need look no further. Checkout this video to see what I mean.

Third, let’s talk about service at the hotel. If you’re a frequent reader of my blog posts, you’ll know that I say that service is one of the top three pillars of what truly makes a luxurious stay. It doesn’t matter how beautiful your hotel is if your service is garbage. With respect to the Kimpton Fitzroy, quite frankly, there’s not much to say. The hotel’s service is excellent in every possible way! This is usually the case with the Kimpton brand, and I can happily report that the Fitzroy does not depart from this standard.

Finally, the location. The Kimpton Fitzroy is located in the heart of central London–in Bloomsbury. It’s close to the tube, which makes for easy commuting around London. It’s also close to various parks. If you’re a runner and are looking to get outside and burn some calories, this hotel is perfect for you. (Of course, this probably only applies to the summer given how gray and rainy London usually is). Bloomsbury is on the quieter side; if you’re looking to stay near a bunch of bars and loud restaurants, this likely isn’t the hotel for you. All in all, for a millennial luxury traveler, this hotel strikes pretty much every box. I cannot wait to return next year!