Kimpton Fitzroy London

Character and identity

Set on Russell Square in Bloomsbury, this 1900 Charles Fitzroy Doll landmark (the architect behind the Titanic's dining room) reopened in 2018 as the UK's first Kimpton, preserving the thé-au-lait terracotta façade, the four British queens guarding the entrance, and the zodiac mosaic underfoot in the lobby. Guest rooms run to calm creams and beiges, lifted by Kit Miles pillows referencing "Lucky George," the bronze dragon on the second-floor staircase. Public spaces do the heavy lifting: Fitz's cocktail lounge under a disco ball, the glass-ceilinged Palm Court for afternoon tea, and a seafood restaurant on site.

Who's it for

Bottom line

The draw here is the building itself and the public rooms, Palm Court, Fitz's, and the lobby, rather than the bedrooms. Book it if you value heritage architecture and a strong sense of place over resort-style amenities. Splurge on a suite if you want the design quirks to extend into your room, and time afternoon tea or a Fitz's nightcap into your stay.