St Martins Lane Hotel London Review: Is It Worth It

St Martins Lane London is a Philippe Starck–designed boutique hotel in the heart of Covent Garden, known for its playful minimalist interiors, a hidden speakeasy bar, and direct access to the West End theatre district. This review draws on verified facts from the hotel’s official website, industry reports, and recent guest reviews to help you decide whether it’s the right fit for your next trip to London.

Last checked: 2026-07-11

Hotel Name: St Martins Lane London · Brand: Morgans Originals · Designer: Philippe Starck · Location: Covent Garden, London · Key Amenities: Restaurant, bar, fitness centre, afternoon tea · Nearest Tube: Leicester Square (public knowledge)

Is St. Martin’s Lane a good place to stay?

Guest reviews consistently describe the hotel as well maintained with superb housekeeping and attentive staff. On TripAdvisor, users highlight the “celebrity treatment” from the concierge and front desk team (TripAdvisor). BoardingGroup.One’s 2025 review praises the beds as “very comfortable” with high‑quality sheets, and notes that the English breakfast was a standout (BoardingGroup.One).

Rooms are spacious by London standards – a 2025 YouTube reviewer called them “like sleeping on a cloud” (YouTube review). Standard features include floor‑to‑ceiling windows, interactive light installations, rainfall showers, Lavazza coffee machines, and free Wi‑Fi. The property offers free bicycle rental and complimentary access to a Gymbox fitness centre located in a repurposed underground cinema beneath the hotel.

Some guests have reported minor quirks. BoardingGroup.One noted the absence of soft‑close toilet seats, which feels out of step at the hotel’s price point. A video review from 2025 mentioned that breakfast included gluten‑free options and was plentiful, but did not assess consistency across multiple visits.

Guest reviews on TripAdvisor

TripAdvisor reviews often cite the “amazing” location and “superb” housekeeping. One reviewer noted that the staff remembered their name throughout their stay, a detail that aligns with the hotel’s celebrity-treatment positioning.

Overall atmosphere and service

The hotel markets itself as offering “playful luxury,” a phrase echoed by The AU Review, which calls it a “one‑of‑a‑kind design” with IPTV providing access to YouTube and BBC iPlayer (The AU Review). Service is generally described as warm and proactive.

Value for money

Central London pricing for a design‑led boutique hotel means rooms are not cheap, but the inclusion of bike hire, gym access, and fast Wi‑Fi adds practical value. The main trade‑off is that some in‑room fittings (e.g., toilet seats, wardrobe space) may not match the level of a five‑star property.

The bottom line: St Martins Lane London is a solid choice for design‑conscious travellers who want a central location with strong service, but those expecting ultra‑polished luxury should note the occasional guest‑reported fit‑and‑finish compromises.

What is St. Martins Lane famous for?

St Martins Lane London is best known for its Philippe Starck interiors, a hidden speakeasy bar, and its position in the Covent Garden theatre district. The building’s facade is understated, but inside the hotel leans into bold, minimalist design with floor‑to‑ceiling windows and interactive light installations.

Philippe Starck design

Starck’s vision for the hotel is described on the Morgans Originals website as “bold, minimalist, and playful.” The rooms feature eclectic furniture, and Travel Weekly notes that the property “blends modern and baroque influences” (Travel Weekly). The design is a key differentiator from more traditional Covent Garden hotels.

Dining and afternoon tea

The hotel offers afternoon tea in The Den, a lounge that the brand describes as a “modern gathering place and decompression zone.” The Den serves drinks and afternoon tea in a relaxed setting. EllaMia café, located on the ground floor, specialises in gourmet coffee and patisserie‑style items, and hosts a seasonal summer terrace in partnership with Champagne Pommery (Morgans Originals).

Speakeasy bar and nightlife

Blind Spot is a hidden cocktail bar accessed through a facade that resembles a boutique tea counter. It serves innovative cocktails and is a signature feature of the hotel’s nightlife offering. The Den also serves drinks in a more casual atmosphere.

Theatre district location

Covent Garden’s theatres are within a five‑minute walk. The hotel is located at 45 St Martins Lane, directly between Leicester Square and the Strand, making it a practical base for West End shows.

What this means: The hotel’s fame rests on its design pedigree and its ability to offer a complete lifestyle experience – from coffee to cocktails – in a theatre‑goer’s location.

What is the closest tube station to St Martins Lane hotel?

Leicester Square tube station (served by the Northern and Piccadilly lines) is the nearest Underground stop, approximately a three‑minute walk from the hotel’s entrance on St Martins Lane. Covent Garden station (Piccadilly line) is also nearby, about a five‑minute walk via Long Acre.

Nearest tube stations

• Leicester Square – 0.1 miles (2‑3 min walk)
• Covent Garden – 0.2 miles (5 min walk)
• Charing Cross (Bakerloo, Northern lines) – 0.3 miles (6 min walk)

Walking times to key attractions

• National Gallery – 4 min
• Trafalgar Square – 5 min
• Covent Garden Market – 6 min
• West End theatres (e.g., Lyceum, Theatre Royal Drury Lane) – 3‑7 min

The pattern: The hotel’s location is a genuine logistical advantage for anyone using the Tube or walking to central attractions. No transfer or taxi is needed for most West End destinations.

Who owns St. Martins Lane Hotel London?

St Martins Lane London is part of the Morgans Originals brand, which is operated by Ennismore – a lifestyle hospitality company. In October 2021, Accor completed a joint venture with Ennismore, creating a majority‑owned autonomous lifestyle platform (Travel Agent Central). This means the hotel is now effectively managed through the Ennismore–Accor structure, although the Morgans Originals branding remains.

Current ownership and management

Ennismore was founded in 2011 and operates over 100 properties globally. The 2021 joint venture with Accor gave Accor a majority stake, but Ennismore continues to run its brands – including Morgans Originals – autonomously (Ennismore).

Recent sale of London properties

According to HOTELSMag.com, Morgans sold two London properties, though the details of that transaction are not publicly detailed in the sources we reviewed. The sale may affect the hotel’s long‑term positioning, but no immediate operational changes have been reported.

Impact on guests

For the average guest, the ownership structure is largely invisible. The Morgans Originals brand identity – including the Philippe Starck design and F&B concepts – remains intact. Accor’s backing may provide more robust loyalty integration (Accor Live Limitless) in the future.

What to watch: If the hotel’s ownership changes further, pricing and loyalty programme benefits could shift. For now, the day‑to‑day experience appears unchanged.

Pricing Band: What to Expect in 2026

Exact rates vary by season and room category, but St Martins Lane London typically falls into the upper‑mid‑range to luxury band for central London. Superior Double Rooms start from around £300–£400 per night, while Deluxe rooms with garden views or terraces command higher rates. The hotel’s official website offers direct booking, often with package deals that include breakfast or afternoon tea (official booking site).

Location and Getting There

St Martins Lane London is located at 45 St Martins Lane, WC2N 4HX, in the Covent Garden neighbourhood. The hotel sits on a quiet street between the Strand and Long Acre, directly behind the National Portrait Gallery.

Leicester Square tube station is the nearest, with Charing Cross mainline station also a short walk away. The hotel is within easy walking distance of most West End attractions, making a car unnecessary for most visitors.

Alternatives to St Martins Lane London

If the hotel’s design‑led style doesn’t suit your taste, or if you’re looking for a more traditional luxury experience, consider The Goring. Located near Victoria Station, The Goring is a family‑run five‑star hotel known for its classic English service and garden – it was where Kate Middleton stayed the night before her wedding. Unlike St Martins Lane, The Goring offers a more formal, heritage‑oriented atmosphere with a Michelin‑starred restaurant.

Other nearby alternatives include the Covent Garden Hotel (a smaller, boutique option with a popular brasserie) and the NoMad London (a converted magistrates’ court with a grand interior). Both are within a 10‑minute walk and offer distinct personalities.

Sample Itinerary: A Theatre‑Goer’s Stay

Because the hotel’s location is a major asset, here’s a practical one‑night itinerary for guests planning to see a West End show:

1. Afternoon check‑in – Drop bags and head to EllaMia for a latte and a pastry.
2. Pre‑theatre dinner – Walk to a nearby Covent Garden restaurant (e.g., Dishoom Covent Garden or The Ivy Market Grill).
3. Evening show – Most theatres are within a 5‑minute walk; allow extra time for Leicester Square crowds.
4. Nightcap – Return to the hotel and find Blind Spot behind the tea counter. The bartenders can recommend a cocktail based on your show.
5. Next morning – Enjoy breakfast at Restaurant 45, then borrow a free bicycle to explore the South Bank or Hyde Park.

Timeline: Key Dates in the Hotel’s Story

• 2011 – Ennismore, the lifestyle hospitality company that later operates Morgans Originals, is founded (Ennismore).
• October 2021 – Accor completes its joint venture with Ennismore, creating a majority‑owned lifestyle platform that includes Morgans Originals (Travel Agent Central).
• 2025 – Axiom Architects publishes a project overview for St Martins Lane Hotel, detailing proposed extensions, an upgraded building envelope, and approximately 400 square metres of green roof space (Axiom Architects).
• May 2026 – Morgans Originals updates St Martins Lane London marketing to emphasise seasonal terrace offerings and the EllaMia x Champagne Pommery collaboration.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources Cited

• Morgans Originals – St Martins Lane London (official site)
• Travel Weekly – Hotel listing
• The AU Review – Hotel review
• BoardingGroup.One – Hotel review
• YouTube – St Martins Lane London Hotel Review (2025)
• TripAdvisor – St Martins Lane London features
• Axiom Architects – St Martins Lane Hotel project
• Ennismore – About
• Travel Agent Central – Accor-Ennismore joint venture
• Bayswater Hotel Family Review: Compare London Hotels (internal link)
• Best Boutique Hotels in Seoul: Compare Top Picks & Reviews (internal link)