Russell Square’s Imperial Hotel is looking more handsome than ever. While the current structure was somewhat divisive in the 1960s when it replaced Charles Fitzroy Doll’s elegant 1905 neo-gothic building, these days it’s a celebrated piece of modernist design – and a vast decade-long, multi-million-pound revamp has left the place quite literally gleaming. Up close you see why: shimmering gold tiles light up its polished, sharply lenticular façade.
The reopened, revived Imperial might maintain the exterior of the old hotel, but otherwise it little resembles that institution. The place was gutted to a shell – not even its plumbing or electrics were spared – and it now boasts an entire new floor. It’s still run by the local, family-owned Imperial Hotels Group, which has seven establishments in Bloomsbury.
The Imperial has repositioned itself as more upmarket than its previous iteration. And that’s not just in the gold tiling: a vintage Jaguar in the entrance beckons visitors into a cavernous foyer with a grand marble reception, curvy furniture and a palette of forest greens and burnt oranges. The mid-century-modern-inspired décor is very appropriate for C Lovett Gill & Partners’ brutalist structure.
What are the rooms like at The Imperial?
There’s good variety in the Imperial’s 357 rooms and suites, but all are well-proportioned, well-equipped spaces with sizeable windows. As you’d expect given that the hotel only reopened a week prior to my visit, everything was very clean and well-kept. The ‘bay’ room made use of the jagged frontage to pour light into the room, while the first-floor ‘hideaway’ option was a dash more special with its own courtyard and outdoor standalone tub.
Compared with the striking façade and foyer, the rooms don’t match up with the lofty design ambitions of the Imperial’s glorious modern exterior (though patterned carpets are a nice mid-century-ish touch). The interiors feel a tad plain but they’re still pleasant and packed with useful amenities. Essentials like plenty of storage, blackout curtains, complimentary bottled water, a hairdryer, safe and coffee machine were all present, as well as bonuses like a steamer, Bluetooth Marshall speaker, fragrant Miller Harris toiletries, supremely fluffy towels and the ability to use your phone as a keycard.
One thing to note about the Imperial’s rooms is that some rooms are quieter than others. If you’re a light sleeper, you’ll want a room on floors one-through-eight: on my visit the music of 10th-floor rooftop bar Arcus could be heard clearly on the ninth (though the hotel has said it is looking at ways to minimise the noise). Sleep like a log? Worry not – and enjoy the views.
What are the facilities like at The Imperial?
Food and drink options aside (more on that below), the Imperial has a gym kitted out with swish Technogym equipment and an outdoor chill-out wellness terrace. There’s also on-site parking and a small army of very helpful, attentive and friendly staff.
What is the food and drink like at The Imperial?
The Imperial has several on-site hospitality destinations. The Edit Bar and Lounge is a flexible-use space on the ground floor with drinks and snacks, the Bell Room and Terrace is a private area reserved for hotel guests in certain rooms, and an outpost of pasta chain Bancone is at street level.
But the big attraction is Arcus. An entire new floor has been built to create a venue on top of the Imperial, which the hotel says is the first rooftop bar in Bloomsbury. As with most London rooftops, Arcus is more about the view and vibe than necessarily the quality of food or drink. The vista is nearly (but not quite) 360 degrees, featuring everything from the BT Tower and Centre Point to St Paul’s – though the highlight is surely the British Museum. How often do you get to see Foster and Partners’ bulbous Great Court glass roof from above?
Food- and drink-wise, Arcus dishes up better-than-usual rooftop fare. The cocktails were on the sweet side but well-presented, and while a few of the ‘all-day’ small plates were under-seasoned, a few others – notably the charred focaccia and triple-cooked chips – were humble highlights. Expect fairly typical rooftop bar prices (aye, it’s a tad dear).
Breakfast is served at Arcus for around an extra £40 per night and, well, what a place for it. The Imperial’s top-floor view looks good at any time of day, but it’s particularly magical first thing in the morning. Add to that a resplendent buffet (with cereals, fruits, nuts, pastries, fresh juices and smoothies), an à la carte menu (mostly eggs) and decent on-order coffees, it’s a top hotel breakfast. Grab-and-go options can also be nabbed from Edit Lounge.
What’s the area like around The Imperial?
Thanks to its proximity to the West End’s main sights and ease of access for the rest of the city, Bloomsbury has been central London’s prime hotel district for decades. But the area itself is sorely underrated. The neighbourhood’s literary history features Virginia Woolf, Charles Dickens, Oscar Wilde and more, boasting a fittingly excellent roster of bookshops (including Skoob, Judd and Gay’s the Word). It’s also notable for its architecture (Russell Square and the Brunswick Estate are next to the Imperial) and pubs (my favourites are the Duke, Lamb and Lord John Russell).
61-66 Russell Square, WC1B 5BB.
Price per night: From £249 per night (Bay room).
Closest transport links: Russell Square Underground (Piccadilly line) and Holborn Underground (Piccadilly and Central lines).