Walk into the lobby of The London EDITION hotel at night and the first thing you’ll notice isn't the check-in desk. It’s the smell. Le Labo’s signature black tea scent hangs heavy in the air, mixed with the faint clink of martini glasses from the Lobby Bar. It feels less like a hotel and more like a private club where everyone is significantly better dressed than you.
But does the substance match the style?
Honestly, London is full of "design hotels" that look great on Instagram but feel like staying in a cold museum. The EDITION, located on Berners Street in Fitzrovia, tries to walk a very thin line between the old-world gravitas of a grand dame and the neon-lit energy of a boutique nightlife spot. It’s a partnership between Ian Schrager—the man basically responsible for the entire concept of the "boutique hotel" and Studio 54—and Marriott International. This isn't just a place to sleep. It’s a production.
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The Berners Street History You’ll Actually Notice
The building itself is a massive Georgian structure. It was originally five townhouses built in 1835, then it became the Berners Hotel in 1908. If you look up in the lobby, you see these insane, ornate stucco ceilings that look like they belong in a palace. They’re original. Schrager’s design team, led by Yabu Pushelberg, didn't tear them down. Instead, they slapped a giant metallic "egg" or "orb" by Ingo Maurer right in the middle of the room.
It’s jarring. It’s supposed to be.
The contrast defines the whole experience. You have Belle Époque marble walls clashing against minimalist wood furniture. Some people hate it. They think it’s a mess of styles. But if you’ve spent any time in the London luxury scene, you know that the "stiff upper lip" vibe of Mayfair can get boring. This is the antidote. It’s a 173-room experiment in whether you can make luxury feel "cool" without making it feel cheap.
Room Realities: Beyond the Wood Panelling
Let’s talk about the rooms. Most people expect the glitz of the lobby to carry into the sleeping quarters. It doesn’t.
The rooms at The London EDITION hotel are surprisingly sparse. Think yacht vibes. The walls are encased in dark oak or light walnut. There is very little art on the walls—maybe one framed photo. The bed has a signature faux-fur throw draped over the corner.
It’s cozy. Small, though.
Unless you are booking a Loft or a Suite, do not expect sprawling square footage. This is Central London; space is the ultimate currency. The entry-level rooms can feel a bit tight if you’re traveling with three suitcases and a partner. But the lighting? The lighting is perfect. Everything is on dimmers, allowing you to go from "bright morning" to "moody noir" with a flick of a switch.
A few things to watch out for:
- The bathrooms are sleek but can feel a bit clinical compared to the warmth of the bedroom.
- The Le Labo toiletries are specifically branded for the EDITION. You can't buy this exact scent anywhere else.
- Storage is tucked away. It’s minimalist, so if you’re a "floordrobe" person who throws clothes everywhere, you’re going to ruin the aesthetic within ten minutes.
The Food and Drink Situation (Berners Tavern)
You cannot mention this hotel without talking about Jason Atherton’s Berners Tavern. Even if you aren't staying at the hotel, you’ve probably seen the photos. The walls are covered from floor to ceiling in framed paintings—hundreds of them. It’s maximalism at its peak.
The food is British, but elevated. Think grass-fed Scottish steaks and seafood platters.
Is it a tourist trap? No. It’s too good for that.
The service is surprisingly fast for such a high-volume room. However, breakfast is the secret winner here. While everyone fights for a dinner reservation to see and be seen, the morning service is quiet, bathed in natural light, and the Brioche French Toast is genuinely life-changing.
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Then there’s the Punch Room.
Tucked away at the back, this is a fumed-oak library that serves only punch. No, not the sugary stuff you had at prom. We’re talking sophisticated, tea-infused, gin-based historical recipes. It’s reservation-only and feels very "secret society." If you want a loud, thumping party, stay in the Lobby Bar. If you want to actually hear the person you’re talking to, go to the Punch Room.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Location
People see "London" in the name and assume it’s in the middle of the tourist madness of Piccadilly Circus or the corporate sheen of the City. It’s not.
Fitzrovia is a weird, wonderful pocket. You’re five minutes from the chaos of Oxford Street, yet the immediate streets around the hotel are quiet, filled with media offices, architecture firms, and small galleries.
You can walk to Soho in ten minutes.
You can get to Marylebone in fifteen.
It’s the best "home base" for someone who wants to shop but doesn't want to live in the middle of the retail circus. If you want to experience "local" London, head north toward Charlotte Street instead of south toward the Thames.
The Service: Corporate Marriott or Boutique Soul?
This is where the cracks sometimes show. Because the hotel is so popular with the fashion and media crowd, the staff can occasionally seem a bit... preoccupied. It’s not that they’re rude. They’re just busy.
If you’re used to the hovering, "your wish is my command" service of The Savoy or The Connaught, you might find the EDITION a bit hands-off. It’s a younger energy. The staff aren't in waistcoats; they’re in black uniforms that look like they were designed by a high-end streetwear brand.
It’s efficient. It’s professional. But it’s not "traditional."
Is it Worth the Price Tag?
Rooms here routinely go for £500 to £800+ per night. That’s a lot of money for a room that feels like a very fancy cabin on a boat.
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You’re paying for the atmosphere. You’re paying to be at the center of the London social map. If you are the kind of traveler who spends all day out exploring and just wants a bed, this is a waste of your budget. Go to a Hoxton or a Resident hotel instead.
But if you want your hotel to be part of the "event" of your trip—if you want to come downstairs and feel the pulse of the city before you even step outside—The London EDITION hotel is hard to beat. It managed to stay relevant for over a decade in a city where hotels go out of style in six months. That’s not an accident.
How to do the EDITION right:
- Book the Loft: If you can swing the extra cost, the Loft rooms offer much more breathing room and better views of the Fitzrovia skyline.
- The Lobby Bar Mid-Week: Friday nights are a zoo. Tuesday or Wednesday evenings are when you’ll actually find a seat and get to enjoy the Maurer "egg" sculpture without a crowd of people taking selfies.
- Check the Basements: The hotel often hosts underground events and has a nightclub space called Basement. It’s hit-or-miss depending on the night, but it’s worth asking the concierge what’s on.
- Skip the High-Peak Check-in: 3:00 PM is a nightmare. If you arrive early, leave your bags and go grab a coffee at Kaffeine nearby. Come back at 4:30 PM when the initial rush has died down.
Moving Forward With Your London Plans
Don't just book this because it looks cool on a travel blog. Think about your itinerary. If your goal is to hit the British Museum (a 12-minute walk) and eat at some of the best independent restaurants in the city (Lyle’s and Kitchen Table are nearby), this is the spot. If you want a quiet, residential stay near a park, look toward Knightsbridge.
The London EDITION is loud, proud, and unapologetically curated. It’s a specific mood for a specific type of traveler. Now that you know the layout, check the seasonal rates—London hotel prices fluctuate wildly based on Fashion Week and the summer holidays.
Next Steps for Your Trip:
- Check the Marriott Bonvoy portal if you have points; the redemption value here is occasionally excellent during the off-season (January/February).
- Make your Berners Tavern reservation at least three weeks in advance if you're planning a weekend visit.
- Verify the current "Basement" schedule if you're looking for nightlife, as they often run ticketed-only events.