Z Hotel Soho Offers Urbanite Stay in Central London
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A brand new hotel concept, Z Hotels offer high quality short stay accommodation in city centre locations, at an affordable price.
I must confess I was initially sceptical when I heard about this new hotel, a stone’s throw from Cambridge Circus. After all, I could pop out for a quick shower in the interval of Priscilla of the Desert and be towelled and dry and back for the second half. And, with room rates starting at £85, there’d be change for a packet of crisps and a beer afterwards. Even better, if I wanted to explore the late night delights of Chinatown, I wouldn’t have to stump up for a cab home.
What they’ve done here is amalgamated twelve Georgian townhouses, connected them together with a series of hi-tech walkways, and created 85 rooms clustered round a central courtyard. This is designer chic in a compact, high-quality environment and, of course, squeezing a quart into a pint pot has its implications. The room are small but perfectly formed, with quartzite and glass finishes in the en-suite bathroom, and wood panelling on the walls. There’s a bed and a telly but no room for much else.
And if you think about it that’s perfectly OK. The idea is that you stay in the heart of the West End and, apart from sleeping, you’re out and about dipping into London’s garden of earthly delights. This is the concept they’re calling the “Urbanite Stay” – you spend no more than two nights in a prime city centre location in a room offering the highest quality, at an affordable price. 40” LED HD TV’s with free Sky Sports and Sky Movies, power showers, bespoke hand-crafted beds, i-docking stations, and free Wi-Fi are all offered as standard. Just don’t bring too much luggage.
As you’d expect in such a compact environment, there’s not a lot of space for the traditional hotel lobby but there’s an open air courtyard on the first floor which, in the summer months, will be great for lounging. Downstairs there’s the 24 hour Z Café, a welcome oasis in the hustle and bustle of Soho, perfect for a coffee or a glass of champagne. The food’s pretty good too, the kitchen specialising in salads and light bites.
I can see that the one big problem with the Z Hotel will be getting the chance to stay here because there may be no room at the inn. The location is a big selling point, but it’s also incredible value for money – compare it with those dingy B & B’s in nearby Bloomsbury and there’s no contest. It’s also painfully hip and will appeal to celebrities, businessmen, tourists, even journalists. They’re already rolling out another hotel in Victoria and I’m sure there will be many more to come. It certainly beats the Travelodge…
Moor Street London, 17, London, UK
Contact tel: 020 3551 3700, e-mail:
Cost standard double room: ££
Services hotel restaurant, hotel bar, internet access, concierge, air-conditioning
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