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The Academy - Small Luxury Hotels of the World

5.0 star property
5-star luxury hotel near The British Museum

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

Courtyard
Library
Alfresco dining
Front of property
Lobby

Reviews

8.8 out of 10
Excellent

Popular amenities

  • Free WiFi
  • Air conditioning
  • Business services
  • Bar
  • Laundry

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

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
(17 reviews)
  • 151 sq ft
  • Sleeps 1
  • 1 Twin Bed
  • Free WiFi

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)
  • 226 sq ft
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed
  • Free WiFi

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)
  • 344 sq ft
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed
  • Free WiFi

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)
  • 226 sq ft
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed
  • Free WiFi

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)
  • 226 sq ft
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 2 Twin Beds
  • Free WiFi

View all photos for Bloomsbury Single

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

Bloomsbury Single

  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 1
  • 1 Large Twin Bed
  • Free WiFi

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About the neighborhood

London

Central London getaway .Within a 10-minute walk of this London City Centre hotel, you'll find Russell Square and The British Museum. Leicester Square and Oxford Street are also within 2 miles (3 km).

What's nearby

  • University College London - 2 min walk - 0.1 miles
  • Tottenham Court Road - 3 min walk - 0.2 miles
  • Russell Square - 4 min walk - 0.3 miles
  • University of London - 5 min walk - 0.3 miles
  • The British Museum - 6 min walk - 0.4 miles

Getting around

  • Goodge Street Underground Station - 4 min walk
  • Tottenham Court Road Station - 8 min walk
  • Heathrow Airport (LHR) - 54 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Eggslut - ‬4 min walk
  • ‪Great Court Restaurant - ‬3 min walk
  • ‪GAIL's Bakery - ‬4 min walk
  • ‪British Museum Members' Room - ‬3 min walk
  • ‪The Jack Horner, Holborn - ‬4 min walk

About this property

The Academy - Small Luxury Hotels of the World

5-star luxury hotel near The British Museum
There's a restaurant on site. You can enjoy a drink at the bar/lounge. A business center 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.

  • 50 guestrooms or units
  • 3 levels
  • Meeting rooms
  • Built in 1775
  • Business facilities
  • Coffee in lobby
  • Dry cleaning
  • Self-service laundry
  • Front desk (24 hours)
  • Staff is multilingual
  • Storage area for luggage
  • Front-desk safe
  • Tour and ticket information
  • Concierge
  • Library
  • Terrace
  • Garden
  • Newspapers in lobby (free)
  • Fireplace in lobby
  • Television in lobby
  • Bellhop
  • No smoking on site
  • Bar or lounge
  • Dining venue
The Academy - Small Luxury Hotels of the World offers 50 accommodations with espresso makers and safes. Each accommodation is individually furnished. Beds feature premium bedding. 28-inch flat-screen televisions come with digital channels. Bathrooms include showers, bathrobes, slippers, and designer toiletries.

Guests can surf the web using the complimentary wireless Internet access. Business-friendly amenities include desks, complimentary newspapers, and phones. Additionally, rooms include complimentary bottled water and coffee/tea makers. Hypo-allergenic bedding and irons/ironing boards can be requested. Housekeeping is provided daily.

Awards and affiliations

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

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Property amenities

Family friendly

  • Laundry facilities

Internet

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

Parking and transportation

  • No onsite parking available
  • Offsite parking; discounts available

Food and drink

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

Things to do

  • Library
  • TV in common areas

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 elevator

Room amenities

Entertainment

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

Bedroom

  • Blackout drapes
  • Hypo-allergenic bedding
  • Premium bedding

Bathroom

  • Bathrobes
  • Designer toiletries
  • Hair dryer
  • Shower
  • Slippers
  • Towels provided

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.

Property payment types

Important information

You need to know

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
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary according to property policy.
A cash deposit, credit card, or debit card for incidental charges and government-issued photo identification may be required upon check-in.
Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in. Special requests can't be guaranteed and may incur additional charges.
    This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business, or profession. No onsite parking is available. This property accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Union Pay, and cash. For guests' safety, the property includes a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, a security system, a first aid kit, and window guards in each accommodation.

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

Frequently asked questions

How close is The Academy - Small Luxury Hotels of the World to the airport?

The Academy - Small Luxury Hotels of the World is 9.2 mi (45-min drive) away from the London City Airport (LCY) airport, the closest popular airport to the property.

How much does it cost to stay at The Academy - Small Luxury Hotels of the World?

As of Apr 30, 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at The Academy - Small Luxury Hotels of the World on May 3, 2026 start from $233, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

Does The Academy - Small Luxury Hotels of the World have an airport shuttle?

Airport shuttle services are not available at The Academy - Small Luxury Hotels of the World.

Does The Academy - Small Luxury Hotels of the World offer free breakfast?

The Academy - Small Luxury Hotels of the World does not offer free breakfast.

Is there a casino at The Academy - Small Luxury Hotels of the World?

No, there is no casino at this hotel.

What time is check-in at The Academy - Small Luxury Hotels of the World?

Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; Check-in end time: 2 AM.

Is there free parking at The Academy - Small Luxury Hotels of the World?

Free parking is not available at this hotel.

Does The Academy - Small Luxury Hotels of the World have a pool?

The Academy - Small Luxury Hotels of the World does not have a pool.

Does The Academy - Small Luxury Hotels of the World have a restaurant?

The Academy - Small Luxury Hotels of the World is home to The Alchemy Bar, which features al fresco dining and light fare.

Does The Academy - Small Luxury Hotels of the World have a spa?

There are no spa services available at this hotel.

How close is The Academy - Small Luxury Hotels of the World to downtown London?

The Academy - Small Luxury Hotels of the World is 0.9 mi away from London.

The Academy - Small Luxury Hotels of the World Reviews

Reviews

8.8

Excellent

Rating 10 - Excellent. 420 out of 704 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 176 out of 704 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 73 out of 704 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 25 out of 704 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 10 out of 704 reviews

9.4/10

Cleanliness

9.4/10

Staff & service

8.6/10

Amenities

8.8/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

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 traveler
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

Traveled 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

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

6/10 Okay

Paul

Business traveler
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

Traveled 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

10/10 Excellent

Julia

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
It was a fabulous stay by every metric. The room was delightful and the bed and linens so perfect for sleep after a long day out walking and the breakfast was delicious with many options. One of the best features of the hotel were its numerous public spaces including a garden - and one could sit and read while having a coffee or tea or cocktail. Truly a gem of a place - looking forward to returning soon.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

C

Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

David

Stayed 1 night in Nov 2025

10/10 Excellent

Sujatha

Business traveler
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Staff was amazing
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2025

8/10 Good

Cindy

Business traveler
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
The room is spotless and the staff is very courteous. The bathroom was just renovated recently. However the room is quite so small.
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2025