Hotel insider: The Nadler Soho, London, England

Checking in to the new luxury four-star boutique hotel in the heart of the English capital.

A superior room at the The Nadler Soho hotel in London. Courtesy Nadler Hotels

The welcome

Billed as an affordable luxury four-star boutique hotel, the 78-room Nadler Soho is the mini-chain’s second London outlet. In operation since June, it’s unsurprisingly still spotless. The hotel has chosen to open sans any bars or restaurants – but the “local ambassadors” reception staff will recommend the best entertainment in the area, with exclusive offers/discounts at some outlets And, in Soho, there’s a heck of a lot of options.

The neighbourhood

The Nadler is only 30 seconds from the packed pavements and shopping opportunities of Oxford Street, but its end-of-a-backstreet location gives a surprising sense of calm. It’s perfect for nightlife-loving holiday-makers: only a few minutes’ walk from Tottenham Court Road tube station, access to Soho’s dizzying array of bars, clubs and entertainment is as easy as taking a short stroll. There’s a pub a few doors up and a Tesco Metro supermarket round the corner, while the West End is one Underground stop away. For currency changing, there’s a UAE Exchange branch directly opposite The Nadler’s entrance.

The room

Happily, given The Nadler’s relative lack of other facilities, my third-floor “superior” double room is fully kitted out. The sumptuous bed comes complete with an opulent-looking faux-fur throw, while the well-designed entertainment system includes music on demand, a YouTube section and Arabic-language channels. Its audio can be piped into the bathroom, with a separate channel for your own input. Wi-Fi is free, there’s a writing desk with USB and HDMI inputs for the TV, while free international plug adaptors are available at reception. The bathroom boasts a rain shower and a cheery sign declaring: “Rubber hat is available from reception together with other amenities (and a rubber duck).”

The scene

There’s a lot of history at The Nadler – its building was originally a 17th-century mansion that partially inspired Charles Dickens’s A Tale of Two Cities. It was rebuilt after being bombed during the Blitz, before being converted to its current function. Its sloping beams are integrated into the interior design, lending extra character.

The service

Exceptionally helpful – those “local ambassadors” make a genuine effort to converse with guests.

The food

In lieu of sit-down-dining options, breakfast is an order-in affair in partnership with a nearby panificio, Princi. You hand in a tick-box form on the previous evening, specifying the delivery time, and it’s brought direct to your room. The continental-based menu features pastries, focaccia, yogurt, fruit salad and fresh juices, with items individually priced from £1.50 (Dh9) to £4.60 (Dh29). It’s basically a cheaper take on room service, but avoids guests having to struggle up for prohibitively early breakfast-serving times. Every room also has a nicely appointed kitchenette, with a microwave, coffee machine and Brita filtered-water tap.

Loved

The in-room entertainment system, not having to leave the room for breakfast and the free plug adaptors.

Hated

Being forced to head out for lunch and dinner isn’t ideal, but glass-half-full types will use it as an excuse to dive headlong into Soho’s myriad eating opportunities.

The verdict

A welcome change from the usual soul-destroying hotel experience when on a budget in London, The Nadler takes on competitors that charge twice the price.

The bottom line

Doubles start from £195 (Dh1,223) per night, including taxes and Wi-Fi, but not including breakfast. The Nadler Soho, 10 Carlisle Street, London (www.thenadler.com; 0044 20 3697 3697).

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