L'Oscar London

Hotel review

Looking for a spot of opulence and old-school glamour in the heart of London? If you’ve booked L’oscar London, you’ve come to the right place. The name of this intimate boutique hotel is a riff on both Oscar Wilde and the Academy Awards, and as soon as you approach the property you’ll see why. The entrance is like the outside of a West End theatre and with its beacon-like lights and name of the hotel in neon lighting above. Once inside you’ll immediately get the flavour of this decadent place. The interiors are sumptuous to say the least — but that’s what you get when you employ the likes of Jacques Garcia to do the design (incredibly L’oscar London is the only hotel he has done in London). He likes to include an animal theme in each of the properties that he designs and here it’s birds (or wings to be more precise). Throughout the spaces (both communal and in the bedrooms) you’ll see this added to the styling to dramatic effect from the Lalique birds that top the light fittings to the butterfly display in the snug beside reception, the peacock feather motifs that are present throughout (cushions and headboards to name but two examples) and the golden herons that adorn the private dining room. The colour scheme is as you’d expect from Mr Garcia. Bold and sexy with purples and mustards in the common areas, moving to black, red and gold in the bedrooms with their stunning high ceilings and original cornicing and fireplaces. Yet none of this feels over the top. It is all carefully considered and creates a luxurious special feel to the entire property especially with the widespread use of silks and velvet, deep, deep carpets and hand painted wallpapers. The bathrooms are equally as indulgent as the bedrooms with walk-in showers, deep soaking tubs, double sinks — all in marble of course — plus the his’n’hers Roja toiletries (even my other half commented on how nice they were!). L’oscar Restaurant is located opposite reception and carries on the opulent theme, with its purple velvet sofas, peacock feather cushions and jewel-box like ceiling. The head chef is Michelin starred Allan Pickett, and the delicious menu is all about fabulous British produce cooked with a slight French twist. And for a five star hotel, I’d say it was pretty good value too! But that’s not all this hotel has to offer. If you want to party, then you need to head to the Baptist Bar (this space at the back of the property was originally a Baptist church, and much of its previous incarnation remains, to very dramatic effect). Decadence is the name of the game here, not just in the décor but also in the superb cocktail list and the live music and DJs that keep the place buzzing till late every weekend. For those who want to turn the noise down a little, there’s a Secret Garden next door (you’ll be sheltered beneath a copper tree in full green-blue leaf) where you can enjoy a cigar and a snifter. Another aspect to this place that shouldn’t be overlooked is the excellent staff; charming and friendly — they certainly know what they’re doing! Location wise L’oscar London is ideal whether you’re in London for business or pleasure: it’s a stone’s throw from the Inns of court on one side and Covent Garden and the West End on the other. For anything not reachable on foot the tube is literally a minute away. This property is a hidden gem that might have passed many by. But I’d say if you’re looking for a special stay, in a small intimate boutique hotel in the heart of the action then L’oscar London will not disappoint. It's hard to put on paper quite how cool this place really is, so don't just take my word for it, go see for yourselves!

Sarah Empson Review published: 12/03/2024