Fitzroy, Bloomsbury in London / Publisher LLM Reporters

If you’re searching for one of the most beautiful luxury hotels in London, the Kimpton Fitzroy in Bloomsbury should be at the top of your list. Stepping into the five-star Kimpton Fitzroy is one of those rare hotel moments that actually lives up to – no, exceeds (by far) – your expectations.

And it doesn’t ease you in gently; it slaps you in the face with grandeur.

We’re talking floor-to-ceiling Pyrenean marble, intricate mosaic-tiled floors, dramatic staircases, awe-inspiring cathedral-high ceilings and enough architectural theatre to make you consider buying a top hat. And maybe a monocle. The lobby and reception areas give off an ‘I’m-grand-and-know-it’ vibe, but in an oh-so-good way.

Originally opened in 1898 as the Hotel Russel, the current rendition nails the balance between Victorian extravagance and modern luxury.

Designed by Charles Fitzroy Doll (the same guy who designed the Titanic’s dining room), the entire place oozes character, but without tipping into ostentatiousness. It’s cool, confident, and just the right amount of bold.

Hotel

The sophisticated and grand entrance of Kimpton Fitzroy

The Kimpton Fitzroy is everything a historic grand hotel should be, though it’s anything but stuck in the past. Clad in its original distinctive thé-au-lait terracotta, the building itself makes a statement before you’ve even stepped inside.

After a top-to-bottom £90 million renovation a few years ago, it emerged with all its vintage flair intact, but with exceptional modern touches – elegant lighting, classic contemporary furnishings, beautifully updated bathrooms and a layout that feels more like a refined city residence than a cookie-cutter hotel.

Location-wise, it’s parked right on Russell Square, which means you’re in the thick of Bloomsbury, just a pleasant meander from the British Museum, Soho, Covent Garden and basically everything worth seeing without having to endure the Tube’s special brand of fun.

Rooms and suites

When only the finest will do: The Fitzroy Suite at London Fitzroy

The Kimpton Fitzroy has 334 rooms and suites, ranging from well-designed standard rooms to sprawling boutique residences that feel more like private apartments than hotel accommodation.

Rooms are a blend of classic character and crisp modern design – think high ceilings, statement lighting, rich but neutral colour palettes and thoughtful touches like books, live plants and proper armchairs you’d actually sit in.

Bathrooms are sleek, mostly decked out in marble (of course), and drip with class. You’ll find plush robes and slippers waiting, all neatly Kimpton-branded, and the kind of fragrant soaps and lotions that make you seriously consider clearing out a spot in your luggage to take them all home.

We stayed in the Fitzroy Suite – the hotel’s showpiece – and it was everything we imagined it would be. At 85 square metres, it’s the kind of space that spoils you instantly and ruins all future hotel stays for comparison.

The Fitzroy Suite’s luxurious bathroom, with its freestanding bath overlooking Russell Square, is the perfect place to unwind

The four-poster super king bed is pure indulgence, there’s an enormous separate lounge, a full-size dining room (just in case you spontaneously host a dinner party), and a walk-in wardrobe with a dressing table overlooking Russell Square’s leafy gardens.

The bathroom (the pièce de résistance, in my humble opinion), had a freestanding tub, walk-in rainfall shower big enough to host a Ted Talk, twin marble sinks and deliciously luxurious toiletries.

Design-wise, it’s just gorgeous. Varied textures, warm colours and no random abstract art to kill the mood. Everything feels intentional, polished and unforced. It’s the kind of suite that makes staying in far more appealing than going out.

Everything down to the enviable Swiss Monstera (Swiss cheese plant) by the bath and the neatly stacked towels felt considered, generous and refreshingly free of try-hard nonsense.

Food and drink

Start the evening with cocktails at the swanky Fitz’s Bar and Parlour

If you decide (like us) that the Kimpton Fitzroy is far too lovely to leave, you’ll be pleased to know you can eat, drink and loiter in style without ever stepping outside.

We started the evening in the swanky Fitz’s Bar and Parlour, which manages to be both wildly flamboyant and completely comfortable with its velvet upholstery, Victorian curiosities and low lighting. The drinks menu is called SPECTRUM, a perfectly formed collection themed around colour psychology, which sounds gimmicky until you realise the cocktails are genuinely excellent. I went in slightly sceptical and came out very much converted.

After drinks, we moved next door to Fitz’s Brasserie, which feels like the grown-up cousin – more grounded but still very much in the Fitzroy family. Stylish, luxurious and quietly confident, it’s said to be a design precursor to RMS Titanic’s first-class dining room.

Enjoy beautiful surroundings and a gourmet dinner at Fitz’s Brasserie

I started with the Heirloom beetroot garden – delicate goats’ cheese mousse, toasted granola and citrus ambrosia. The slivers of mandarin weren’t something I’d ever considered for a beetroot and goats’ cheese dish, but it completely worked. Bright, zesty, and a genuinely clever contrast to the earthy beetroot.

For the main, I went classic: a Heritage fillet steak with Béarnaise, hand-cut chips with truffle and parmesan, and sautéed spinach. Classic meals like this are a good way to judge a restaurant – not the most extravagant of meals, but one that can easily go wrong. In the case of Fitz’s? Everything was perfectly executed, no tweaks needed.

Dessert was a crisp and pillowy pavlova with seasonal berries, filled with a delicious cream and finished with berry coulis – light, sharp, refreshingly unshowy but finished impeccably.

For those who prefer a little more privacy, the hotel also offers in-room dining and a private dining space – ideal for quiet nights in or special occasions that call for a bit more ceremony.

To do

Who needs to go out when you can try Kimpton Fitzroy’s ‘Room to Dream’ experience?

If you’re the type who likes your London escape packed with itinerary items, Bloomsbury is a solid base for cultural roaming. The British Museum is a five-minute walk around the corner, and there are plenty of other museums within about a 10-minute stroll (The Foundling Museum, The Charles Dickens Museum, The Postal Museum).

You’re also close to the British Library and enough independent bookshops to make you consider bringing an extra suitcase.

Back at the hotel, things skew more contemplative than high-octane. There’s a decently equipped gym with Peloton bikes, free weights, and yoga mats in the rooms if you feel the need to atone for your sins. And, randomly but fabulously, tarot readings – part of their Time to Tarot experience that ties in with the hotel’s subtle folkloric history. Whether you believe in it or just like the aesthetic, it’s a nice touch.

Also worth exploring is the Fitzroy’s Room to Dream experience.

Designed in collaboration with dream expert Charlie Morley and futurist AI artist Sam Potter, it’s all about exploring your subconscious while you sleep. You’ll get a curated kit including a dream journal, sleep-enhancing products from LabTonica and a VR headset loaded with immersive dreamscapes.

You’ll learn techniques to trigger lucid dreams and, if you fancy, have one of your dreams transformed into a bespoke digital artwork by Potter. It’s strange, fascinating and very on-brand for the Fitzroy.

In a nutshell

At Kimpton Fitzroy, it’s the little details that make it spectacular

The Kimpton Fitzroy isn’t trying to be all things to all people. It knows exactly what it is: a big, confident, theatrical old beauty of a hotel that’s been brought back to life without losing its edge. It’s rich in character, style and substance, but never feels stiff or self-important.

The Fitzroy Suite is outrageously good. The marble-clad public spaces are dramatic in the best way. The food is solid, the drinks are fantastic and the overall vibe walks that fine line between indulgent and grounded.

Whether you’re in London for business, pleasure, or just to escape your own kids for a few hours, this place delivers. And if you happen to start planning your return visit before you’ve even checked out, don’t worry. That’s just part of the Fitzroy effect.

Factbox

Address: 1-8 Russell Sq, London WC1B 5BE
Phone: 020 7123 5000
Website: kimptonfitzroylondon.com

All imagery credit: Kimpton Fitzro