L'oscar London, London

• A creative renovation by maximalist architect and designer Jacques Garcia turned this former 1901 church headquarters into one of London's most theatrical hotels.
• Even the smallest rooms have a sumptuous look, with tapestry headboards, dark wood accents, eiderdown duvets, Lalique lamps, and marble bathrooms.
• The on-site restaurant serves elevated bistro dishes (and an excellent breakfast) in a Venetian-inspired dining room complete with a mirrored ceiling and an illuminated onyx bar.
• The entire hotel is soundproofed, making it feel like a quiet oasis among the busy surroundings of Holborn and the West End.

• The setting in a historic, Grade II-listed property means you won't find amenities like a spa or gym, though guests have free access to Gym Box Holborn around the corner.

Authenticity

This decadent boutique hotel feels a far cry from its 1901 origins as the London headquarters of the Baptist Church. In 2018, the Grade II-listed Arts and Crafts building was reimagined by architect and designer Jacques Garcia, who drew inspiration from Oscar Wilde (and the hotel's location at the edge of Theatreland) for the flamboyant interiors. Original features like stained-glass windows and carved plasterwork are now wrapped in a cocoon of plush velvets, burnished golds, and dark woods, with playful nods to winged creatures throughout—including peacock-patterned headboards, winged bathroom taps, and a showstopping Lalique birdcage chandelier over the central spiral staircase.

Location

The hotel sits on Southampton Way, a busy, sycamore-lined thoroughfare linking the Central London neighborhoods of Bloomsbury and Holborn. While it's not the quietest setting, it's an excellent base for exploring on foot: you're a 5-minute walk from Sir John Soane's Museum, 8 minutes from the British Museum, and 10 minutes from the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, and most of the West End. It's also perfectly placed for transport links, lying equidistant between King's Cross St. Pancras and Charing Cross. Both are just two stops away on the Piccadilly line (which also connects with Heathrow in under an hour).

Rooms & Bathrooms

Each of the 39 rooms and suites has a boudoir-like feel, decorated with deep jewel tones, dark woods, and ornate textiles. Beds sport tapestry headboards and eiderdown duvets, walls are hung with glamorous oil portraits, and modern perks like Nespresso machines are standard. The smallest Superior units are generously sized for a London hotel, while the largest (and grandest) suite features a freestanding copper bath and a Royal Doulton fireplace. Marble bathrooms include underfloor heating and rainforest walk-in showers; larger units add deep bathtubs. Two rooms are adapted for travelers with limited mobility.

Amenities

The hotel's L'oscar Restaurant is hard to miss—located to the left of the entrance, it's a glittering, Venetian-inspired space complete with a mirrored ceiling, velvet banquettes, and an illuminated onyx bar. Attentive staff serve an all-day menu of French-accented bistro dishes and afternoon tea. Across the lobby, two plush drawing rooms (one doubling as a library) offer plenty of dimly lit corners and inviting armchairs for enjoying a cocktail or a cup of tea. You won't find more modern features like a spa or fitness room here, but guests have complimentary access to Gym Box Holborn, just around the corner from the hotel.

Family-Friendliness

Children are welcome at L'oscar London, though the hotel is most popular with couples, and there are no kid-focused amenities. Interconnecting rooms are available for families, and larger suites sleep up to four.