The Academy - Small Luxury Hotels of the World

Property class: 5 and above
VIP Access

Choose dates to view prices

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

Courtyard
Lobby
Library
Al fresco dining
Front of property

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
    ‪5 min walk‬
  • Airport, London (LHR-Heathrow)
    ‪65 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

Room options

Townhouse Single Room

9.4 out of 10
Exceptional
(17 reviews)
  • 14 sq m
  • Sleeps 1
  • 1 Single Bed

Bloomsbury King Room

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

Bloomsbury Suite

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(3 reviews)
  • 32 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 Queen Bed

Townhouse Double

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

Bloomsbury Twin Room

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

Bloomsbury Single

  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 1
  • 1 Large Single Bed

Similar properties

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).
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. 418 out of 700 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 176 out of 700 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 72 out of 700 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 25 out of 700 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 9 out of 700 reviews

9.4/10

Cleanliness

9.4/10

Staff & service

8.6/10

Amenities

8.8/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

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

10/10 Excellent

Julia

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

8/10 Good

Cindy

Business traveller
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

8/10 Good

Kate

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Delightful but cramped. No elevator and four flights to walk. Staff couldn’t be lovelier. Lication perfect.
Stayed 9 nights in Oct 2025

8/10 Good

Nesserine, Wolvertem

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Nice hotel but more 4* than 5*. Breakfast was below expectations. Very limited choice and special warm dishes were extra and expensive. Would not recommend price-value
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

4/10 Poor

Nandini, New Delhi

Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Cara

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Alex

Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

6/10 Okay

Brigitte

Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Bozena

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The Academy hotel is very cozy and it is beautifully decorated. The rooms are comfortable, and the breakfast is absolutely wonderful. It is located in a very nice neighborhood with pretty much walking distance to main attractions London has to offer. There is also plenty of restaurants and bars to choose from. The staff is wonderful! They are very responsive and making sure you have a wonderful stay. Highly recommend it!!
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025

6/10 Okay

Ashley

Travelled with group
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025