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The Academy - Small Luxury Hotels of the World

Property class: 5 and above
VIP Access

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

A brick house with a covered patio area featuring outdoor furniture and a variety of plants.
A table set with a tea set, sandwiches, pastries, and a bottle of champagne being poured.
A cozy reading nook with a green sofa, a bookshelf, and a patterned floor.
A traditional brick building with a black door and windows, a bicycle parked in front, and a sign that reads "The Academy".
A cozy reading area with a leather sofa, a coffee table with tea cups, and a bookshelf filled with books.

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, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
    ‪1 min walk‬
  • Place, London Senate House Library
    ‪1 min walk‬
  • Place, University College London
    ‪2 min walk‬
  • Airport, London (LCY-London City)
    ‪42 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
Learn more about VIP AccessOpens in a new window

Room options

View all photos for Townhouse Single Room

A hotel room with a bed, a dresser, a flat-screen TV, a door leading to a bathroom with a mirror and sink.

Townhouse Single Room

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

View all photos for Bloomsbury Double

A hotel room with a large bed, a small armchair, a side table, and a view of the outside through a window.

Bloomsbury Double

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

View all photos for Bloomsbury Studio

A hotel room with a four-poster bed, a vase of flowers, a round table with a chair, and a green sofa with patterned cushions.

Bloomsbury Studio

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

View all photos for Townhouse Double

A hotel room with a large bed, two bedside lamps, a geometric-patterned carpet, a dark door, and a mirror on the wall.

Townhouse Double

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

View all photos for Bloomsbury Twin Room

A hotel room with a large bed, two chairs, a desk, and a window with curtains.

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

A hotel room with a bed, a desk, a chair, a lamp, and a minibar.

Bloomsbury Single

7.0 out of 10
Good
(2 reviews)
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 1
  • 1 Large Single Bed
  • Free Wi-Fi

View all photos for Club King Room

A hotel room with a bed, a green sofa, two chairs, a small table with a checkered tablecloth, and a vase with flowers.

Club King Room

  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed
  • Free Wi-Fi

View all photos for King Room

A hotel room with a large bed, two bedside lamps, a chair, and a mirror.

King Room

  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed
  • Free Wi-Fi

View all photos for Single Room

A hotel room with a bed, bedside table, lamp, chair, and a door.

Single Room

  • Sleeps 1
  • 1 Single Bed
  • 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 center, and concierge services are onsite.
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.

Our customers tell us 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 The British Museum. 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 by foot from 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.

The Alchemy Bar - This lobby lounge serves light fare only. Guests can enjoy alfresco dining (weather permitting). Open daily.
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
  • Smoking not allowed

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. 445 out of 738 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 183 out of 738 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 74 out of 738 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 26 out of 738 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 10 out of 738 reviews

9.4/10

Cleanliness

9.4/10

Staff & service

8.6/10

Amenities

8.8/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Lovely staff and great breakfast!
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2026
Verified review

8/10 Good

Michel

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
A well located comfortable hotel. Good service and buffet breakfast
Stayed 3 nights in May 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Michelle

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Hotel is in a great location. The staff were really friendly and helpful.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

jill

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
The staff was very attentive to our needs and requests and made our visit seamless.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Mike

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
We had an amazing stay! Everything is Clean, Personal is very friendly and the location was perfect too..
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Quinten

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Lovely stay - only complaint was the in-room air conditioning wall unit was a tad noisy. Great location, great staff, great continental breakfast... Would def recommend staying here, and would stay here again!
Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2026
Verified review

6/10 Okay

Mark

Liked: Staff & service
Handy location, room a little run down and very noisy
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Diana

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

10/10 Excellent

Nicholas

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

10/10 Excellent

Andrew

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

8/10 Good

Lesley

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Cute hotel in a great location.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Claire

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
Verified review

8/10 Good

Serge

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Disliked: Amenities
room was ok, quite small. very dirty glasses. Staff was ok. location is top. everything is in walking distance.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2026
Verified review

2/10 Terrible

Edmund

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Arrived and the room smelled bad and had a leaky air conditioning unit making a big pool on the carpet. Left immediately and stayed somewhere else. Staff were good about it, and refund was quick.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2026
Verified review

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
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Maria

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
The staff was very attentive and the hotel is perfect! Breakfast was really nice too.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025
Verified review

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
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Sujatha

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

10/10 Excellent

Tugce

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Fantastic stay!
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Elizabeth

Great hotel.. central location.. great staff
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

gil

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great location, super friendly staff, good breakfast
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Julia

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
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Patty

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Fabulous hotel - walkable - nice bar, lounge, patio - and great staff.
Stayed 9 nights in Apr 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Silvia

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Nice location , great hotel
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

David

Liked: Staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Excellent location, excellent staff, excellent hotel.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2023

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