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The first London outpost of trendy LA hotel brand HYDE finally opened its doors in September.
A description which might bring to mind swaying palm trees, minimalist décor and thoughts of poke bowls, but no. HYDE London City is a different beast to its edgier American counterparts, combining history with boho flair to create something that feels rather unique. And it’s already becoming a hotspot for those in the know. Here’s what to expect.
Where is it?
Plum in the middle of London’s City, HYDE nestles in the warren of skyscrapers and Georgian buildings around St Paul’s and Holborn. Just opposite the Central Criminal Court, it’s a ten minute walk from the Barbican, St Paul’s and Blackfriars: right in the heart of the action.
Style
HYDE makes the most of its location. This is a renovated Victorian-era hotel, which functioned as an office block for most of the 20th century. Now, it’s been restored to its former glory, complete with the original gorgeous carved wooden doors – though the old, carpeted staircase also remains, which gives retro office block vibes.
The style itself is glossy and boho. Think brightly coloured wallpaper, Mid Century-look dark wooden furniture and plush sink-in carpets. The rooms themselves come equipped with sliders and thick towel ponchos perfect for padding around in, and the white sheets are pleasingly crisp to slide into.
Small touches add a luxe, modern finish. Malin + Goetz toiletries await in the bathroom, and the minibar is a thing of beauty: organic white wines, sourdough and sea salt chocolates (tastier than they sound) and pomegranate Turkish delight sit next to Vitamin D patches and herbal teas.
Downstairs, things look slightly different. The dark-coloured walls and low lighting in the corridors give the whole place a (not wholly intentional, I assume) nightclub vibe, but the restaurant space, which is blessed with floor to ceiling windows, ensure it feels breezy and welcoming.
Catch the staff brewing coffees (or shaking cocktails) behind the long bar on your way into the restaurant: take a seat and indulge in some excellent people watching.
Which room
Disclaimer: the 111 rooms are all pretty compact, starting at 16.2 sq/m. It’s London, after all, and space is at a premium. That said, opt for one of the rooms higher up if at all possible. The views of the surrounding streets, in particular the church next door, are rather lovely. And of course, there’s always the massive penthouse at the very top of the building, which boasts high ceilings, massive windows and plush velvet curtains.
Food and drink
HYDE bills itself as a lifestyle hotel, and it’s in the restaurant where it really makes a persuasive argument for taking up residence 24/7. The newly opened Leydi offers modern twists on traditional Turkish cuisine, set in a space that’s all chic pastel furniture and artfully arranged wall paintings.
It was rammed when we visited (I was told that the restaurant was fully booked for both lunch and dinner) and we soon found out why. The food is delicious, if not varied: takes on kebab and doner, hot skewers of meat freshly seared in the fire, and a mouthwatering selection of mezze. We devoured the atom (garlicky yoghurt) and smoked aubergine dips, and washed it all down with a fried ice cream sandwich: a common Turkish treat, and a lot tastier than it sounds.
Coming back in the morning presents guests with a whole other range of options: Turkish eggs, traditional Turkish breakfast (feta, tomatoes, cucumber and olives with fresh bread) and the usual fare of avocadoes on toast.
And as for the bar? Black Lacquer breaks with the theme but don’t let that put you off. Situated in the hotel’s basement, it’s a space with black wallpaper, dim lighting and bookshelves stuffed with vinyl records. We were told the bar was meant to emulate the feeling of “being in a DJ’s bedroom” – and indeed, a DJ does appear on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings to spin those records.
The drinks themselves are a bit of an adventure. Not for Black Lacquer the usual fare of negronis and margaritas: here there are Japanese-inspired twists on classics, or indeed entirely new concoctions like the Golden Brown (a combination of sesame oil, pisco, lemon and yuzu, that tasted surprisingly delicious) and tomato martini, which brings together Japanese tomato liqueur with sake and pickles. Close your eyes and pick an option, or ask the amiable bartenders.
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Facilities
Having opened recently, parts of HYDE are still a work in progress. There’s a basic downstairs gym – basically a small room with some weights – that the team shared would be decked out with more equipment and TV screens showing exercise routines soon. There are also plans in the works to develop its wellness offering, though this will likely take the form of treatments being delivered in-room rather than in a dedicated spa.
Extracurricular
It’s London: there’s a whole host of things waiting on your doorstep. The central St Paul’s location is tailor-made for tourists wanting to be dropped straight into the heart of the action – or indeed professionals wanting somewhere luxurious to stay a ten-minute walk from their business meetings.
Best for
Working professionals visiting London - or indeed anybody on the hunt for some excellent dining options. Even if you're not staying over, a trip to Leydi followed by Black Lacquer is a must.
