Travel review: Stylish haven in heart of city

At 51 Bedford Street, on the corner with The Strand, the latest hotel in the Nadler portfolio is within buskers’ earshot of the ever-popular Covent Garden with its many shops and restaurants.

If arriving at Euston Station, it’s just a matter of a few minutes south on the tube’s Northern Line to Charring Cross and then three minutes by foot to your smart and stylish haven in the heart of the city.

A prime piece of Edwardian real estate, Nadler Covent Garden used to be offices but has been carefully converted into a boutique hotel, which only opened to the public in February.

We stayed in a double room with an over-the-rooftops view to the BT Tower (but to a child of the 60s like me it will always be the Post Office Tower). The room was comfortable, elegant and it was soon apparent the designer had given plenty of thought to travellers’ needs.

The spacious wardrobe with folding door included a hairdryer, iron, ironing board and a mini-safe.

Opposite a mini-kitchen included a fridge, microwave, kettle with tea, coffee and milk, Nespresso machine with pods, sink with tap including a BRITA water filter, even a wooden tray if your partner is romantic enough to serve you breakfast in bed. And, yes, a bottle opener and corkscrew were provided along with wine glasses, plates and cutlery.

The bigger than average bathroom included a power shower along with wash basin and WC, Gilchrist and Soames toiletries, plus fluffy robes and slippers to change into.

On the bedroom wall was contemporary art and a flatscreen Samsung TV, lights were recessed and dimmable, with another lamp on a table with chairs where you could plan out your exploration of the city.

There was also a rest for your case so it didn’t take up too much room. Best of all, a thermostat let you choose your room temperature and the king- sized bed was fit for even a large monarch.

If you are a techie with lots of tablets, phones, laptops, cameras, etc, don’t fear, the room was well equipped with plugs, USB and other points I am too low-tech to figure out. Free WiFi, of course.

The 57 rooms (some have balconies or private terrace) are over several floors accessible by lift or stairs, and the friendly reception staff can look after your baggage on check out day.

These ‘Local Ambassadors’ can also give you some good sightseeing and eating tips, and can run you through the discounts./experiences available to Nadler guests at local partner restaurants, bars and shops.

The hotel doesn’t do breakfast, but there is no shortage of incredible places to eat at nearby. I would recommend Dishoom for its delicious Indian/Persian/Anglo fare, especially the bacon naans for breakfast, or splash out on lunch at New York-Chinese new arrival The Red Farm with their very Instagramable Pac-Man dumplings and fried pastrami egg rolls. Nearby Cinnamon Bazaar serves upmarket Indian food including a vegan menu. And there is always The Ivy.

If you’re a theatre fan, you are in the heart of the West End. Just a few steps away is the Adelphi Theatre, which is showing the Broadway smash Waitress until October 19. Culture vulture? Then take a five-minute stroll down The Strand to Trafalgar Square for The National Gallery and The National Portrait Gallery.

Or take a slightly longer trek to the Royal Academy of the Arts at Burlington House, off Piccadilly, where the Renaissance Nudes are on show until June 2.

Alternatively, you can avail yourself of the many cocktail bars and gin palaces that have joined the capital’s thriving pub, club and restaurant scene.

Go online and visit www.nadlerhotels.com/the-nadler-covent-garden where you can also sign up for their newsletter or call 02031461790. Nadler have three other London hotels, in Kensington, Soho and Victoria, and a fashionable hotel on Merseyside in Liverpool’s Seel Street.