Middle Eight Review: A Young Professional’s Dream Hotel

Middle Eight is the perfect haven for young and on-trend professionals. The hotel’s chic, natural and energetic vibe makes it a must-stay for fun-loving customers. From its delightful Italian restaurant to its plush balcony and New York-Esque basement bar, it’s a playground for hip and fun youngsters in London.

Location – In the heart of Central London

Middle Eight is located on Great Queen Street, both Holborn and Convent Garden tube stations are a short walk away. With it being in Covent Garden you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to bars and restaurants as many are within walking distance. The main places of attraction that are in proximity are The Royal Opera House as well as the Freemason Museum. If location is your non-negotiable then it doesn’t get much better than this.

Vibe – On trend, young and debonair

To us, Middle Eight’s most sellable feature is its character. The hotel that’s owned by Shiva Hotels does an impeccable job at creating a hip and trendy vibe. The carved-oak reception table, hanging ceiling lights and gold accents give off a luxe but earthy vibe that many young travellers have an affinity for.

Their resident DJs, DJ Tripiaka being a personal highlight, spin ’80s and ’90s classic R&B throughout the day and blast through an array of Afrobeats in the evening to get guests to shake their hips. Their Sycamore restaurant serves authentic Italian dishes with an open kitchen so you can easily see what the chef is cooking up whilst you indulge in their flavourful cocktails and extensive wines.

The crown jewel is their speakeasy-style basement bar QT that teleports you to Manhattan. Every Thursday-Saturday a live jazz-infused band led by Leo Green performs classic songs with a jazzy twist. And once the amazing band have finished, QT’s resident DJ takes over the reins to keep the party going. The space also hosts regular live music nights throughout the month such as West End Cast Party, and one-off showcase from an eclectic line-up of performers.

If you want something a bit less noisy, their balcony is the perfect escape to read, work and relax and has an array of London-focused books for you to plough through during your stay.

The rooms – Sustainable and reflect inner-city London

The rooms are an extension of the vibes seen in the restaurant and basement bar. With its mood lighting settings – including a very cool cocktail lighting setting – a useful cocktail-making kit and a range of cocktail glasses in case you need a quick tasty drink and its plush finishings.

We stayed in their Cosy Pad rooms that perfectly merge simplicity and elegance. The Cosy Pad rooms are dark, and moody with gold accents, it perfectly resembles the inner city lifestyle and aesthetic of modern London. The hotel prides itself on being eco-friendly and it’s best seen in the rooms. The bedside tables have packets of useful sustainable products like a vanity kit, sewing kit, wooden razors and more. Even the room keys are wooden! The bathrooms are lovely with black-slate floors; the Cosy Pad bedrooms have bright-blue sinks with a rainfall shower head. Also in the bathroom, you’ll find Anatomē shower products, which again reinstate Middle Eight’s focus on luxury.

The bedsheets are super-soft Egyptian cotton and their softness is only bettered by the Boca Terry bathrobes (made from recycled plastic bottles) that feel like clouds against your skin. Their rooms come with a large TV (that comes with a Chromecast), a Nespresso machine and Sonus speakers. On the walls are a selection of mirrors the highlight being a ring light mirror that is purpose-built for guests to do their make-up and get ready.

All in all, the hotel is purposefully and perfectly set up to have a nice dinner, go to the bar and maybe have a dance too. Or have a new experience in the jazz bar and continue the celebrations back in their bedroom or start them there whilst getting ready.

Food and Drink – Italian-inspired dishes with extensive cocktails and wine options

As mentioned before their Sycamore restaurant is their main option for dining. The restaurant mixes authentic Italian-inspired dishes with a Convent Garden atmosphere. The low-ceiling, minimal aesthetic muted tones are complemented by their resident DJ playing classic tracks in the background help to reflect the neighbourhood the restaurant is in. Their award-winning chef can be seen hard at work thanks to their open kitchen and you also get a firsthand opportunity to see the pastry chef work up some magic. The menu is derived from northern Italy which is where the chef’s roots lie. Hand-rolled pasta, pit-grilled meats and freshly baked bread that was made that same morning.

Sycamore offers a wide range of delicious drinks with their own unique take on signature cocktails, their negroni being a favourite of ours. Their wine list is vast and continues the Italian influence with the wine being sourced in different Italian regions. Our favourite was their Samurai Chardonnay which went perfectly with a meal. For breakfast, the Sycamore serves a plethora of tasty healthy smoothies depending on your needs. They have their own take on an English breakfast that comes with pancetta instead of regular bacon

If you’re keen on a quieter meal then head up to the balcony where there’s a different menu including a signature burger and has its own bar too.

Service and Facilities – Friendly, attentive and well-equipped facilities.

On entry, you’re greeted with a complimentary drink by a very friendly reception. The conceive are readily available to book restaurant tables or theatre tickets too. The well-equipped gym is open 24 hours a day and a trainer is on hand during the day. The room service is speedy, attentive and friendly

 Bar

 Fitness centre

 Laundry

 Parking

 Restaurant

 Room service

 Wi-Fi

Mini Bar in rooms

Recommendations

Who’s it for

Young professionals

Occasion

Anniversaries, inner-city breaks, celebrations

Cost

Double rooms from £300, year-round (£800 for suites). Breakfast included too.

Details

 66 Great Queen Street, London, WC2B 5BX, England.

middleeight.com