Henrietta Experimental, London

• Right in the heart of Covent Garden, you'll be in one of the best locations in London (great for first-time visitors), with Soho, the West End, Trafalgar Square, and countless restaurants, shops, museums, and theaters all within a 5-20 minute walk.
• The interiors are stylish, a sort of Art Deco-Parisien hybrid, with plenty of marble, patterned wallpaper, velvet furnishings, and brass fixtures.
• The staff is well-praised by past kimkim travelers for their exceptional service and attention to detail—the handwritten welcome notes and lemon butter melt cookies left behind at turndown are a particularly nice touch.
• The Henri restaurant, never mind the bar, is a destination in its own right, serving rotating French-inspired cuisine by acclaimed chef Jackson Boxer and offering a convenient pre-theater menu (5 pm - 6 pm). Cocktails are standout.
• The breakfast is excellent, with both buffet and a la carte options, enjoyed in the top-floor dining room.
• Some rooms feature great views of St. Paul's Church or even the London Eye, especially from a private terrace (only the London Eye Superior Terrace and Grand London Eye Junior Suite offer the unique-for-London outdoor space).
• Both buildings have elevators, and the hotel offers an adapted room for guests with mobility needs.

• Covent Garden is one of London's busiest neighborhoods, so light sleepers may want to request a courtyard-facing room, particularly on weekends.
• Some guests have noted that shower water temperatures can be inconsistent.

Authenticity

Henrietta, part of the Paris-originated Experimental Group, gives guests a stylish taste of Covent Garden's literary and architectural past, set within two Georgian townhouses at 14 and 15 Henrietta Street—one of which once housed Victor Gollancz Ltd., the publisher of George Orwell and John le Carré. Inside, designer Dorothée Meilichzon balances classic London townhouse character with the Experimental Group's Parisian sensibility, layering terracotta tones, botanical prints, hand-painted details, custom furniture, and subtle 1970s-inspired touches. The restaurant adds another local thread, pairing Parisian bistro inspo with British cooking from chef Jackson Boxer.

Location

Tucked along pedestrian-friendly Henrietta Street in Covent Garden, the hotel places you within walking distance of some of London's most iconic attractions. The Royal Opera House, Covent Garden Market, West End theaters, Leicester Square, Trafalgar Square, and museums and galleries like the National Gallery and National Portrait Gallery are all within a 5-10-minute walk, as is the Covent Garden Underground Station. Despite its central location amid shops, cafés, and street performers, rooms facing the courtyard or churchyard offer a surprisingly peaceful night's sleep.

Rooms & Bathrooms

The hotel's 40 rooms and suites are playful in design, using muted and bright colors, curved furniture, and rounded brass lighting. You'll find oversized upholstered headboards, mosaic-patterned carpets, marble accents, and velvet seating, while some rooms feature freestanding bathtubs, private terraces, or views of landmarks like St. Paul's Church and the London Eye. Beds are particularly comfy, and thoughtful touches such as handwritten welcome notes, turndown service, bathrobes, and vintage radios add a little personality. Bathrooms tend to be compact but upscale, featuring marble finishes, rainfall showers, deep tubs in select categories, double vanities in some rooms, and refillable Swedish L:a Bruket bath products.

Amenities

Henri restaurant serves as the hotel's social hub, offering breakfast, lunch, dinner, cocktails, and a popular pre-theater menu. Chef Jackson Boxer's menu draws inspiration from classic Parisian bistros while highlighting seasonal British ingredients. Guests can also enjoy an outdoor terrace for people-watching, complimentary tea and coffee in rooms, minibars, attentive concierge-style service, and nightly turndown with sweet treats. While there isn't a gym or spa on-site, discounted access to a nearby fitness center and wellness treatments through a local spa partnership are available. There's also elevator access in both buildings and a wheelchair-adapted room.

Family-Friendliness

Although most rooms sleep two guests, making Henrietta Experimental better suited to couples and adult travelers, families are welcome. The Grand Saint Paul Junior Suite can accommodate up to three guests thanks to its sofa bed, while cribs, high chairs, baby baths, and children's bathrobes are available at no additional cost. Younger guests are also provided with coloring and sticker books, and discounted breakfast rates are offered for kids. 

Sustainability

The Experimental Group's broader philosophy of responsible hospitality emphasizes working with small producers and prioritizing seasonal sourcing across its food, wine, and cocktail programs. At Henri restaurant, menus regularly evolve to reflect seasonal ingredients, helping support local suppliers while reducing reliance on out-of-season products. The hotel also uses refillable L:a Bruket toiletries in guest bathrooms, reducing single-use plastic waste.