I’m a big fan of quirky, boutique hotels. Whenever I stay somewhere I’m always on the lookout for something fun and unique. Z Hotels are no exception to this.
I recently stayed as a guest of Z Hotels to experience all they have to offer, as well as their pretty amazing locations.
Where can you find them?
We stayed at the Z Hotel Tottenham Court Road. Though to be honest, this is nearer to Oxford Circus and Soho on Poland Street. It’s a great place to base yourself for a weekend in the West End.
Z have a number of other hotels across London and the UK, including Soho, Covent Garden, Bath, Glasgow and Liverpool.
Look and Feel
Z Hotel’s have a real contemporary feel and vibe. With clever uses of dark and light woods, glass and metal the hotel feels crisp and modern, but still comfortable and welcoming.
Tottenham Court Road can be split into three areas. The open reception area, the Z Café and then accommodation (consisting of 120 rooms across 8 floors).
While the hotels are well designed, what makes the experience are the friendly and helpful staff. There didn’t seem to be a problem too big or too small whether it was helping people at reception or providing amazing service at breakfast.
Accommodation
Z Hotel’s describe themselves as compact luxury. Rooms cleverly use space to give you everything you need, within a small package. They offer a number of types of rooms, from interior rooms, doubles and queens.
We stayed in an 8th floor superior double room. The highlight of this had to be the spectacular views out over the city. It was really something to wake up to.
Like the rest of the hotel, the rooms use a mixture of materials to give it a luxury feeling, with plenty of storage in the form of lots of hanging space (though note there isn’t wardrobe per-se) and storage and a glass-enclosed bathroom/shower.
Some particular highlights for me include:
- Complimentary Wi-Fi across the hotel
- USB chargers – Such a must when staying anywhere these days.
- Really comfortable beds – What’s even better is that the linen is locally sourced and organic.
- A very nice shower with plush towels and toiletries
- The large HD TV with access to Sky TV
- A proper hairdryer – All too often I find rooms have really bad hairdryers
- Oh, and did I mention those views
The Z Café
Located on the first floor, the Z Café is a welcomed part of the hotel. It serves a daily breakfast buffet (for £12.50 on the day or £9.50 the day before) and at lunch time offers a selection of freshly prepared sandwiches, wraps, flatbreads or salads.
My personal highlight has to be the nightly cheese and wine tastings. With a variety of cheeses and a wide selection of wines, it’s a really nice touch, particularly if you’ve had a long day exploring and want to unwind or want to start the night off the right way.
Nearby things to do, see and eat/drink
The beauty of Z Hotels are their central locations. The Tottenham Court Road Hotel is located in the heart of town, with a very quick walk to Berwick Street Market, Soho, Carnaby Street and Oxford Street. If you’re seeing a show, many of the theatres are also close by.
Fancy a bite to eat? You’re also spoilt for choice just a short walk from the hotel. My recommendations (and places I go to regularly) include:
Bodeans – Located literally opposite the hotel, Bodeans is one of London’s finest BBQ & Smoke Houses. It’s honestly delicious. If you visit you must try the Burnt Ends.
Balans – A staple of Soho, Balans is a bohemian brasserie located in the heart of Soho, offering cocktails, burgers, seafood and steaks.
Yum Chaa – If tea is your thing, then head to Yum Chaa. This tea house offers a variety of tea and cake.
Barrafina Dean Street – If Tapas is your thing, then head here. Barrafina is known for having some of the best Tapas in London.
Cinnamon Bazaar – Created by renowned chef Vivek Singh, this restaurant is a modern Indian restaurant in Covent Garden, with a menu inspired by bazaar market cuisine.
London Cocktail Club – If you fancy a wee tipple, then head to London Cocktail Club. There’s actualy a number of these venues near the Z Hotel. These boisterous bars have some of the best drinks in London, with many unique takes on classic cocktails and set within a cool bar environment.
Pre or post cruise
Staying at a Z Hotel is the perfect way to see London for a few days before or after a cruise. As they’re situated so centrally they are a breeze to get to/from London Waterloo (for Port of Southampton) or London St Pancras/London Victoria (for Port of Dover).
Even better, some locations such as Tottenham Court Road are based near the new Elizabeth line, providing quick and direct access to Heathrow Airport when it opens.
For more info, or to book, head here.