When it comes to places to stay in London, there are hotels, then there are hotels and then there is the Great Scotland Yard No.1 The Townhouse. Nestled just off Whitehall, this five-storey Georgian townhouse feels like unlocking a hidden side to one of London’s most iconic hotels. I’m heading to London for a stay with my husband and toddler to celebrate my birthday.
As anyone with a toddler will know, hotel rooms with a child in tow are all well and good until the time comes to actually sleep. You put them to bed and are left trying to read a book by the dimmest light possible, or squashed in the bathroom for the entirety of the evening. This is why options such as the No.1 Townhouse are ideal as you can all have your own space and the night doesn’t end at 7:30pm.
Of course, this property is ideal for couples and friends too, and offers a spot to stay unlike anything else I’ve experienced in the city. If you don’t have a child with you, it’s the perfect spot for a romantic getaway, where you can feel like royalty (after all, it was once home to H.R.H. The King of Scotland) and be right in the thick of the city.
The No.1 Townhouse at Great Scotland Yard Hotel
The No.1 The Townhouse is a luxury serviced two-bedroom residence that boasts 5 storeys, 2,153 square feet of space and every modern and luxurious comfort you could possibly wish for. It has its own private entrance so you truly feel as though you are staying in your own home in the heart of London. If there has ever been anything to motivate me to earn millions and purchase such a home, this was it. The basement floor is home to a stunning kitchen complete with every appliance you could possibly need (and ones I didn’t know existed – hello to the built-in, professional-grade coffee maker). This is bordered by a sleek and sophisticated lounge, decorated in dark accents with plush furniture, and a separate games room with a glass chess board and drinks cabinet. There’s an additional toilet on this floor too.
Head back to the entrance hallway and there is a dining room with a large table, artwork on the walls and classical music playing from the speakers. Sunlight streams in from the streets beyond and it’s a wonderful space to dine, play board games, or hire a private chef for a meal you’ll never forget.
The next floor houses an incredible study (as soon as I sit behind the bespoke wooden desk surrounded by books I feel instantly powerful) and a cosy lounge that exudes warmth and a feeling of being home. It’s the ideal spot to bring a hot cup of coffee, curl up with a book and just soak up the atmosphere of the home. Down a small corridor you can find a separate door that leads into the main hotel. Once you step through this, you’re in a corridor just like your standard hotel and you’d never know just what sits behind the door! From here you have easy access down to the hotels bars, restaurants and reception.
The last two floors of the Great Scotland Yard Hotel No.1 The Townhouse are taken up by a master and second bedroom, each the most enviable bathrooms I’ve ever seen. At its heart sits a striking copper freestanding bathtub complete with traditional-style floor-mounted taps that nod to classic British elegance. The space is softened by muted sage-green walls, contrasted with crisp white panelling and geometric black-and-white tiled flooring, giving the room a timeless yet contemporary feel.
Opulent and beautiful, the bedrooms feature plush carpets that swish beneath your feet as you walk, while large gallery-style artwork on the walls add further elements of luxury and depth. A beautifully upholstered statement bed takes centre stage, framed by a soft, scalloped headboard that adds a subtle Art Deco touch. It’s the sort of bed that begs for you to just run and jump onto it when you arrive, sinking into the depths of the crisp white linens. The colour palette of the room is relaxing, with warm neutrals layered against soft grey-blue tones and gentle metallic accents.
The bedrooms also come complete with their own complimentary minibar and coffee station, with plenty of snacks and a great array of drinks. Ideal for having a movie night while curled under the duvet.
Dining at Great Scotland Yard Hotel
Dining at Great Scotland Yard Hotel is an experience unto itself, with a collection of bars and dining spaces that are just as characterful as the building itself. In the evenings, The Yard becomes Ekstedt at The Yard, where Michelin-starred chef Niklas Ekstedt brings his signature Nordic flair to a menu rooted in seasonal British produce. Watch chefs cook over open flames, lending both a flavour flair to the dishes, as well as offering an insight into the workings of the kitchen.
At the heart of the hotel is The 40 Elephants, an all-day bar and lounge that seamlessly shifts from morning coffee spot to late-night cocktail destination. Named after the infamous all-female crime syndicate that operated in London during the 19th and early 20th centuries, it’s got a great buzz in the air and is perfect for sipping a drink or two and letting the evening pass you by. Expect expertly made coffee, local craft beers and ciders, and a creative cocktail list too. Signature serves like the Rags to Riches or the floral, fruit-forward Clever Club are well worth ordering, packing a punch with flavour and presentation too.
During our stay, we dined in the Parlour, a cosy and welcoming space just by the elevators which makes it super easy to get to, especially as I had a pram and sleeping baby in tow. There is a wide range of seating – all designed with comfort in mind – and eclectic decor and accessories that nod to the building’s past. The lighting is low and intimate and there’s a quiet buzz of chatter.
The menu balances classic flavours with modern finesse, each dish presented beautifully and full of depth. Service is polished without ever feeling formal and it’s the sort of dinner that invites you to just sit, enjoy your food and just relax.
A final spot you need to visit on your trip to the Great Scotland Yard Hotel is Síbín, a hidden speakeasy style bar tucked behind a mirrored wall in the lobby. This intimate whisky bar nods to the illicit Irish drinking dens of the past, while offering a modern, welcoming approach to whisky and spirits. Alongside an impressive and ever-changing selection of whiskies and Scotches, the cocktail menu is inventive without being intimidating. The Nightcup, with its blend of mezcal, aged tequila and champagne, was particularly delicious, and the setting makes it all the more fun to visit.
My Stay at No.1 The Townhouse
After a delicious meal and drink in the bar, we were surprised at how fast the evening had gone, however heading back to The Great Scotland Yard No.1 The Townhouse was a real treat. Although we had only checked in a few hours ago, we’d already made ourselves firmly at home and didn’t even want to think about checking out the next morning.
We wrapped ourselves in fluffy white robes, trying to remember where we’d put all our things “Try the study!” and relaxed with a film and some chocolates down in the snug in the basement. Every element of the property is designed to make you feel special yet at home. It’s luxurious but also has a lived-in feel, meaning it doesn’t take long to put your feet up, get cosy and almost forget you have another home waiting for you elsewhere.
Book For Yourself
When looking for a stay that’s special, exclusive, and offers all the perks of a hotel, alongside the privacy, space and amenities of a house, this is an effortless choice. For families, couples or friends, it ticks every box – including those you wouldn’t even think to be on the paper. I couldn’t recommend The Great Scotland Yard Hotel No.1 The Townhouse any higher. The only thing I wish is that I could live there permanently…
The Great Scotland Yard Hotel
Book on Booking.com
1 Great Scotland Yard, London SW1A 2HN
