Middle Eight is a luxurious five-star hotel, located in the bustling heart of Covent Garden, surrounded by London’s most popular theatres. Middle Eight opened in October 2020 and is committed to caring for its people and the environment, a value reflected in the design of its rooms.
As I entered the hotel lobby, I was greeted by a spacious, open-plan design that provided a relaxing sense of arrival. This feeling was elevated by the wonderful gentleman who welcomed us with warm smiles and a witty sense of humour. The front desk agent eloquently and proudly explained to us that the reception’s backdrop design reflected musical notes, as the hotel is associated with music lovers, a theme evident in the details throughout our stay. Our luxury suite was named “Nature,” inspired by the song “You Make Me Feel Like A Woman” by Carole King.
Our Suite
I was wowed when we entered our one-bedroom suite. My first impression was that it was bright, spacious, and modern, with an open floor plan that I loved. The Nature Suite has its own unique character, with hardwood floors, modern furniture, and a sleek design that set the tone immediately. The light carpet, bright colours, and contemporary art and décor made the room feel softer and there was an indoor garden with a glass ceiling that let natural light flood in—something special for a city hotel. The room had two large 42” flatscreen TVs with Chromecast, and alongside the large TV in the living room was a stylish fire feature to make the room feel cosier.
The indoor garden was covered in plants with two stylish bamboo chairs where we enjoyed our morning coffee. The all-marble bathroom featured underfloor heating, a large walk-in shower, and a freestanding bathtub, all contributing to a luxurious feel. The shower had soothing water features, and the toiletries were by Anatome.
We were welcomed with delicious macaroons, and the stylish shelving unit had many cool and quirky decorative items and activities for us to enjoy, such as a cocktail-making set, a musical playlist party game, a deck of cards in a stylish case, various books including Carole King’s “A Natural Woman,” and fashionable magazines. The room itself offered entertainment and activities, making us in no rush to leave. Of course, there was a Nespresso coffee machine and a minibar stocked with complimentary drinks.
A special mention goes to the robes in the bedrooms. The robes by Boca Terry, a family-owned luxury brand, were the best I’ve ever experienced in a hotel. So much so that I called reception to ask if I could buy one. The elegant and plush microfiber robes felt amazing on my skin; I could honestly live in them. There’s nothing more comforting than a top-quality bathrobe when staying at a hotel, one you can use after a shower or just for lounging around.
The Restaurant
There was a wonderful, buzzy atmosphere in the restaurant when we arrived, reflecting the lively neighbourhood. The carefully crafted contemporary menu is designed for sharing, featuring handmade pizzas and small plates from the cicchetti counter. The food is inspired by the head chef’s links to northern Italy, offering an array of pit-grilled meats, artisan breads, and delicate cuts of meat cured the old-fashioned way. The Italian theme continues at the bar with a wine list championing the regions of Piedmont, Lombardia, and Tuscany, as well as award-winning vineyards throughout the U.S. There are also Italian draft beers, a large selection of bourbon and rye, and unique takes on classic Negroni cocktails. Until June 17th, you can discover their partnership with Campari and sample creations inspired by their iconic liqueurs and aperitifs.
We started with aperitif cocktails from the “A Sip of Theatre” menu. I tried The Artist King, made with coffee and cinnamon-infused Appleton Estate 12-year rum, Laphroaig Scotch whisky, maple-sweetened masala chai tea, dark cacao, and lemon juice, clarified with whole milk. It had a velvety texture and an indulgent mix of smoky, spicy, and tangy notes with a creamy finish. My boyfriend chose the Vanilla Spice Mule, made with Kraken Black Spiced Rum, vanilla bitters, cinnamon, and citrus topped with ginger beer. It offered a harmonious balance of sweet, spicy, and citrusy notes, creating a cosy yet invigorating cocktail.
Once seated, our friendly waiter served us warm focaccia with olive oil and balsamic vinegar—a nice touch before the main meal. For starters, we chose from the cicchetti section: smashed tomato and bonito tuna bruschetta, which was generously topped, and bresaola with aged Parmesan and wild rocket, which had hints of garlic, pepper, and juniper, offering a sweet and aromatic flavour.
For the main course, we had the pappardelle with beef shin Bolognese, served in a generous portion with unlimited shavings of Parmesan. This was a hearty and flavourful dish, the pappardelle noodles were cooked al dente and the beef shin Bolognese was slow-cooked to perfection.
I also tried the Sycamore Signature Sourdough Pizza, topped with black truffle, Fior di Latte, Pecorino, and rocket. The base was perfect—hot and crispy—and the black truffle ignited an earthy, luxurious aroma whilst the cheese added a creamy and delicate richness. It was so good that I took some back to the room as we were too full to finish it all.
Middle Eight also features The Balcony Bar & Lounge Rooftop, boasting incredible city views. It’s a charming spot where guests can unwind with a cocktail and admire the skyline. There is also QT Live Music Bar, a hotspot for live music performances with an impressive lineup of acts.
Breakfast
Breakfast is one thing I always look forward to on holiday because of the variety of options. There was a cold breakfast counter with seasonal fruit platters, yoghurts, toasted granola, and a bakery corner. The hot counter is ordered from the à la carte menu, offering choices from a savoury full English breakfast to toasted cinnamon brioche for those preferring something sweet. I opted for the Crushed Avocado with Chili on Sourdough, which was as good as expected. The menu also features a generous selection of smoothies, healthy shots, and a Chai by Mira menu for chai lovers, including Sweet Chai Spice, Golden Chai with Turmeric, and Dirty Chai Latte with an espresso shot. The breakfast menu at Middle Eight is top quality, with attentive staff who make you feel at ease first thing in the morning.
Overall
Middle Eight is truly a hidden gem in London—a lifestyle luxury hotel frequented by those in the know. They have everything a hotel should offer: a gym, a rooftop bar, a club downstairs, a delicious Italian restaurant with modern amenities and luxurious design, and a great central London location. The passionate team goes above and beyond to ensure your stay is just right. It’s a hotel for those who want to live in the city, not just stay in it, attracting a mix of creative types, musicians, and individuals who appreciate sophistication and contemporary style.
They also offer a quintessentially British afternoon tea called Covent Garden Crescendo Afternoon Tea, a new musically-inspired afternoon tea handcrafted by Clanny Rodrigues, the Head Pastry Chef and Bake Off: The Professionals semi-finalist. I can’t wait to return to try this afternoon tea with my family and sink into the sofas to enjoy a decadent selection of sweet and savoury treats. Middle Eight is the place to be.
Discover more middleeight.com
View this post on Instagram
All imagery courtesy of Middle Eight Hotel