We Stayed at the Londoner Hotel for King Charles’s Coronation—and It’s the Ideal Spot for the Royally Obsessed

As co-hosts of the Royally Obsessed podcast, our choice to stay at the Londoner Hotel during the weekend of King Charles III’s coronation was a no-brainer. Located right in the heart of Leicester Square, the five-star property is walkable to a range of royal stops: Buckingham Palace (18 minutes), Westminster Abbey (also, just 18 minutes away)—heck, the entrance to the Pall Mall is just a seven-minute stroll from the hotel’s front door. For a visit that’s royally-tied, you can’t go wrong.

But there’s more to the Londoner than that: A true oasis in the heart of a busy city, it’s the kind of property where, once inside, the hustle and bustle all but disappears. The hospitality during our stay was also best-in-class, whether we needed a 5 a.m. taxicab or expedited room service—like when, post-coronation, we were soaked from the rain and in desperate need of fresh clothes, but also French fries. (More below, but they serve some of the best.) Still, it was the 360-experience that made the Londoner such a stand-out. Here’s our honest review.

The Basics

Name of Accommodation: The Londoner Hotel
Location: London, England (in Leicester Square to be exact)
Price: Prices start at approximately $549 a night, but vary based on the season
Accommodation Options: Rooms and suites—there are 350 total to choose from

What We Loved

Fun fact about the Londoner Hotel: It’s practically brand-new, having just opened its doors in the fall of 2021. That means you can expect a property with little to no wear and tear. Our set-up—a deluxe city king room—was spacious and thoughtfully designed. We particularly loved the fact that it included a chaise lounge, which was ideal for relaxing, but also provided additional seating options in what would typically be a scrunched up city hotel.

The in-room steamer was a welcome add-on that saved our suitcase-rumpled clothes. The beds were luxurious and comfy, but it was the details—like the opera-style binoculars that allowed us to zoom in on the many sights visible out our floor-to-ceiling windows—that made the experience special. (We spied the London Eye, but also the coronation flyover led by the Royal Air Force, which we got to watch in all its glory from our room.)

What We Ate

Whitcomb’s, the on-site French Mediterranean restaurant, was the place to see and be seen. (Not kidding, we actually ran into many a Royally Obsessed listener, who also chose to stay at this hotel.) The breakfast options were our favorite, in particular the buffet style all-inclusive offering, which features breads, fruits, cereals and cheeses, not to mention access to a made-to-order omelette bar. We tried dinner here, too, where we ordered the mushroom risotto, tomato gnocchi, mixed leaf salad and fries. (They came sprinkled with rosemary—in fact, our server told us they were not to be missed!)

Also worth shouting out: Joshua’s Tavern, the hotel’s gastro bar that serves up an eclectic mix of gin, beer, wine and light bites. It has its own, slightly under-the-radar entrance outside and is a great spot for a pre-dinner drink or to meet friends for a pint.

Why We’ll Absolutely Go Back

There’s a pool, a rooftop bar with stunning London views, live entertainment every night in the lobby bar—best enjoyed with a glass of something bubbly, of course. Still, it’s the central location combined with the high-end, yet relaxed and welcoming atmosphere that makes this property such a stand-out. Also, the French fries.