The Dilly London Review: Is It Worth Staying in 2026

The Dilly London, an Edwardian landmark at 21 Piccadilly, reopens a chapter of West End hospitality with a 2021 rebrand from Le Méridien Piccadilly. This article draws on the hotel’s own history page, guest reviews across Booking.com and TripAdvisor, and editorial assessments from The Independent and The Telegraph to answer the three questions travellers most often ask: Is it a good hotel? What was it called before? And is it truly five-star?

Last checked: 2026-06-12

Is The Dilly London a good hotel?

Guest satisfaction at The Dilly is consistently high for location and facilities, but opinions split on value for money and room condition. On Booking.com the hotel scores 8.3 out of 10 from more than 6,700 reviews, with sub‑scores of 9.8 for location, 8.5 for comfort, and 9.0 for staff. TripAdvisor reviewers in 2026 emphasise that many rooms are quiet despite the central postcode, and praise the size of the pool and gym.

However, the value-for-money score on Booking.com lags behind the other categories, and several independent reviews note inconsistencies. Claire Douglas, writing in 2023, described The Dilly as “a grand old London hotel with … some fantastic facilities, even if parts of it currently feel a little worn around the edges” (Claire Douglas Styling). A negative Booking.com review from 2025 complained about difficulty controlling the shower temperature, indicating that maintenance issues exist in some rooms.

Editorial verdicts are more uniformly positive. The Independent’s 2024 review calls the hotel “worth checking into” especially for its restaurant Madhu’s, described as a “spice‑laced, show‑stopper.” The Telegraph highlights the Terrace bar and restaurant, the spa, the sizable pool and the squash courts as standout assets among central London peers.

The pattern: Guests overwhelmingly love the location and recreational facilities, but the hotel’s age shows in some rooms. If you prioritise a central base with an excellent pool and squash court, The Dilly delivers; if you expect pristine five‑star fittings throughout, book a newer property.

What was the Dilly Hotel previously called?

Before the 2021 rebrand, the building operated as Le Méridien Piccadilly, a Starwood‑affiliated hotel. Before that, from its 1908 opening, it was The Piccadilly Hotel. The property was designed in 1904 by architect Richard Norman Shaw in a Neo‑Baroque style based on 18th‑century English Palladian architecture (The Dilly official site). When it opened in 1908 after an 18‑month construction period, it was among the most luxurious hotels in London.

The official history on The Dilly’s website states that the 2021 rebrand marked “a new name for a new era.” The Points Guy presented the hotel at that time as “London’s newest five‑star hotel,” though it occupies the same Edwardian shell.

Why this matters: The name change signals a shift from a chain‑affiliated property (Le Méridien, part of Marriott) to an independent identity. That independence allows the hotel to develop its own character – which includes retaining original architectural details such as the grand Edwardian entrance and barrel‑vaulted ceiling in the lobby.

Is The Dilly a 5 star hotel?

Yes, The Dilly is marketed as a five‑star hotel, and major online travel agencies list it as such. The Points Guy explicitly called it a five‑star hotel in its 2021 first‑look review. The Telegraph also refers to it as a five‑star property. However, the official UK star rating system (operated by the AA or VisitEngland) is not consistently cited in the available sources; the hotel does not display an AA star rating on its website. The “five‑star” label appears to be self‑claimed and accepted by OTAs and editorial reviewers.

What supports a five‑star claim are the amenities: a full‑size underground swimming pool, squash courts, a gym, a dance studio, spa treatments, two restaurants (Terrace on Piccadilly and Madhu’s), two bars, 24‑hour room service, and free Wi‑Fi. The Independent notes that the hotel is “family‑friendly” with family rooms, a children’s afternoon tea, and designated swimming hours for young guests – attributes consistent with upper‑upscale hotels.

What weakens the claim are reports of worn rooms and inconsistent maintenance. Claire Douglas’s 2023 review cited “parts … a little worn around the edges” (Claire Douglas Styling), and several recent OTA reviews mention bathrooms that feel dated. The Telegraph’s take is that the hotel combines “five‑star heritage with a contemporary, ‘cool’ sensibility” – suggesting the heritage is more evident than the five‑star polish in some areas.

The catch: The Dilly has the bones and facilities of a five‑star hotel, but its room condition – influenced by its Edwardian architecture and recent renovation history – does not always meet the gold‑plated standard of newer London five‑stars like The Ned or The Langham. It is best described as a four‑star‑plus hotel with five‑star ambitions, especially for guests who value location and wellness amenities over pristine room finishes.

Location & getting there

The Dilly sits at 21 Piccadilly, in the heart of the West End. Piccadilly Circus tube station (serving the Piccadilly and Bakerloo lines) is a 3‑minute walk. Leicester Square and Trafalgar Square are each about 5‑7 minutes on foot. The hotel’s own website and multiple review sources emphasise the convenience for theatre‑goers, shoppers and business travellers alike.

Nearest airports: Heathrow is reachable via the Piccadilly line (50‑60 minutes direct). Gatwick requires a train from Victoria station, which is a 15‑minute cab ride.

Parking: No on‑site car park. The closest public car park is at Q‑Park Leicester Square, about 5 minutes’ walk. Expect central London parking fees of £40–60 per day.

Alternatives to The Dilly London

If The Dilly does not meet your needs, these three central London hotels offer comparable heritage and location:

• The Ritz London – 150 Piccadilly, 6‑min walk. Five‑star, more formal, legendary afternoon tea. Significantly higher price point.
• The Langham, London – Regent Street, 10‑min walk. Five‑star, grand Victorian property with a renowned spa and multiple dining options. Usually more expensive than The Dilly.
• Sanderson London – 50 Tottenham Court Road, 20‑min walk. Four‑star‑plus with a quirky design and famous courtyard. Often lower price than The Dilly.

Our pick: The Dilly London

Timeline: The Dilly through the decades

• 1904: Architect Richard Norman Shaw designs the building for The Piccadilly Hotel (The Dilly official site).
• 1908: The Piccadilly Hotel opens; becomes one of London’s most luxurious addresses (The Dilly official site).
• Mid‑20th century: Maintains reputation as a premier West End hotel, hosting celebrities and dignitaries.
• 2000s: The property joins Le Méridien, the Starwood‑Marriott chain, as Le Méridien Piccadilly (The Points Guy).
• 2021: Rebranded as The Dilly, leaving the Marriott franchise. The Points Guy calls it “London’s newest five‑star hotel” (The Points Guy).
• 2024: The Independent publishes a positive review highlighting Madhu’s restaurant and family‑friendliness (The Independent).
• 2025–2026: Guest reviews continue to praise location and pool; some note that rooms still show signs of the previous era (Booking.com).