You know that feeling when you step out of a Tube station and immediately feel like you’re in a movie? That’s Covent Garden. But if you've ever stayed in a mediocre hotel three miles away and spent forty minutes on the Piccadilly line just to get there, the magic wears off fast. Honestly, if you want to actually experience the West End rather than just visit it, you have to stay at the Radisson Blu Edwardian Mercer Street Hotel. It’s tucked right into the Seven Dials, which is basically the cool, slightly more sophisticated cousin of the main Covent Garden piazza.
Location is everything. Seriously.
But it’s not just about being close to the Lion King or the Royal Opera House. The Mercer Street property has this weirdly perfect balance of "boutique" energy and "big brand" reliability. You get the high-thread-count sheets and the professional concierge, but the building itself feels like it belongs in the neighborhood. It’s a chic, brick-clad corner spot that looks out over the seven-way junction where Monmouth Street and Mercer Street meet. It’s iconic.
What it’s actually like inside the Radisson Blu Edwardian Mercer Street Hotel
Don’t expect a massive, sprawling lobby with gold leaf everywhere. This isn't the Ritz. Instead, the Radisson Blu Edwardian Mercer Street Hotel feels more like a very expensive London townhouse. When you walk in, the vibe is muted luxury—think charcoal tones, velvet textures, and contemporary art that doesn't feel like it was bought at a garage sale.
The rooms? They’re smart. And I mean that in two ways. First, they look sharp. Second, they’re packed with tech that actually works, like Samsung TVs that let you stream from your phone without needing a PhD in engineering.
London hotel rooms are notoriously tiny. It’s just the reality of old buildings. However, the Mercer Street layout is clever. They use built-in furniture and mirrors to make a standard room feel less like a shoebox and more like a studio apartment. If you can, try to snag a room on a higher floor. Looking down at the chaos of Seven Dials from a quiet, double-glazed window is one of those "I’ve made it" moments that makes the price tag feel worth it.
The Food Situation: Monmouth Kitchen
You’ve probably seen Monmouth Kitchen on Instagram. It’s the hotel’s flagship restaurant, and honestly, it’s one of the few hotel restaurants in London where locals actually show up to eat. It’s not just a place for a sad continental breakfast.
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They do this Peruvian and Italian small-plate fusion. It sounds like a disaster on paper. Like, why are we mixing ceviche with arancini? But it works. The smoked lamb chops with red amaranth are legitimately great.
- The Sea Bass Ceviche: It's fresh, zingy, and uses avocado in a way that isn't boring.
- The Pizzas: They’re thin-crust and sophisticated, topped with things like spicy nduja or truffles.
- The Atmosphere: It’s loud, buzzy, and the lighting is dim enough that you don’t feel self-conscious about eating three desserts.
If you aren't staying at the hotel, you should still go for the afternoon tea. They do a "Monmouth Kitchen Afternoon Tea" that swaps out the crustless cucumber sandwiches for stuff like bruschetta and chocolate scones. It’s a nice break from the traditional Victorian vibes you find elsewhere in the city.
Why business travelers and families both like it
Usually, a hotel is either a "business" hotel or a "vacation" hotel. It’s rare to find one that does both. But because the Radisson Blu Edwardian Mercer Street Hotel is so central, it attracts a strange mix of people. You’ll see a tech CEO in a charcoal suit standing next to a family of four from Ohio wearing matching sneakers.
For the business crowd, the Wi-Fi is fast. That sounds like a small thing until you’re trying to upload a massive presentation at 2:00 AM. They also have several meeting spaces that don’t feel like windowless bunkers. The "Folio" and "Library" rooms are actually quite stylish.
For families, the hotel is surprisingly accommodating. They offer extra beds and cribs, and because you're within walking distance of basically everything, you don't have to navigate strollers onto the Underground. That alone saves about ten years of stress.
The Neighborhood: Seven Dials is the real star
If you stay here, you are literally thirty seconds away from Monmouth Coffee. If you like coffee, you know that’s a big deal. The queue is always long, but as a guest at the Mercer Street, you can just grab your latte and head back to your room if the weather is typically British (i.e., raining).
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You’ve got the Cambridge Theatre right there. You’ve got Neal’s Yard—that colorful, tucked-away courtyard—just around the corner. It’s the kind of area where you can spend four hours just walking in circles and still find a shop or a gallery you missed.
- Shopping: Skip the big chains on Oxford Street. Focus on the independent boutiques on Monmouth Street.
- Dining: Beyond Monmouth Kitchen, you’re close to Dishoom (legendary Indian food) and The Barbary.
- Transport: Leicester Square and Covent Garden stations are both less than a five-minute walk away.
Acknowledging the downsides
Look, I’m being honest here. No hotel is perfect. The Radisson Blu Edwardian Mercer Street Hotel is in the heart of London’s theater district. That means it’s busy. Even with great soundproofing, you might hear a distant siren or the hum of the city if you’re a light sleeper.
Also, the elevators (lifts) can be a bit slow during peak checkout times. If you’re in a massive rush to catch a flight at Heathrow, give yourself an extra five minutes.
And the price? It’s not a budget stay. You’re paying for the postcode. You can find a cheaper Radisson further out in Kensington or Bloomsbury, but you’ll spend the difference on Ubers and transit time. It’s a trade-off.
Comparisons to other local hotels
You could stay at the Savoy, but you’d pay double and feel like you need to wear a tuxedo to get a glass of water. You could stay at a Premier Inn, but you’d lose the character and the high-end service. The Mercer Street sits in that "premium lifestyle" sweet spot. It competes with places like St. Martins Lane Hotel or The Hoxton, but it feels a bit more "grown-up" than The Hoxton and more accessible than St. Martins Lane.
The staff here deserve a shout-out. They have that specific London hospitality style—polite, efficient, but not overly stuffy. They’ll help you score theater tickets or suggest a pub that isn't a tourist trap, which is worth its weight in gold in this part of town.
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Expert Tips for your stay
If you're planning a trip, keep these things in mind to get the most out of the experience.
First, sign up for the Radisson Rewards program before you book. Even if you never stay at a Radisson again, members often get better rates or free late check-outs.
Second, don't eat every meal in the hotel. I know I praised Monmouth Kitchen, but you are in the culinary capital of Europe. Walk ten minutes to Soho. Go to Chinatown. Explore the food stalls in the Apple Market.
Third, use the gym. Most London hotel gyms are a treadmill in a closet. The fitness center here is decent. It’s not a CrossFit box, but it’s enough to burn off the three pints of Guinness you had at the pub down the street.
Final thoughts on the Radisson Blu Edwardian Mercer Street Hotel
At the end of the day, you stay here because you want to be in the middle of it all. You want to walk out the front door and immediately feel the energy of London. You want to see the street performers, smell the roasting coffee, and hear the chatter of theatre-goers.
The Radisson Blu Edwardian Mercer Street Hotel provides a calm, stylish basecamp for that adventure. It’s reliable, it’s chic, and it’s undeniably "London."
Actionable Next Steps:
- Check the official hotel website for "Experience Packages" which often include breakfast or dinner at Monmouth Kitchen for a lower combined price.
- If you are traveling for a special occasion like an anniversary, email the guest relations team a week in advance; they are known for small gestures like handwritten notes or room upgrades when available.
- Map out your walking route from the hotel to the "Secret" Neal's Yard entrance to avoid the crowds on the main streets.