Middle Eight

Middle Eight, London: A Comprehensive Review

Middle Eight, a Michelin Key Selected property in London's vibrant Covent Garden, consistently garners praise as a sophisticated five-star hotel offering a blend of luxury, comfort, and imaginative design. It's often highlighted as an excellent choice for those seeking an upscale stay with a lively atmosphere and superb central location.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

The general consensus for Middle Eight is overwhelmingly positive, with many guests describing it as "one of the best hotels" they've ever stayed in. It holds a "Fabulous" rating with an average score of 8.7 based on over 4,400 reviews, with particularly high marks for location (9.6), comfort (9.2), and staff (9.1). The hotel is lauded for its ability to provide a calm and serene escape despite its central London location.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently rave about several aspects of Middle Eight:

• Location: Its prime spot in Covent Garden is frequently cited as a major draw, offering immediate access to theaters, attractions, shopping, and dining.
• Design & Ambiance: The hotel's "artful," "stylish," and "contemporary" design, often with a musical theme, creates a relaxing and luxurious atmosphere. The lobby features a double-height atrium with undulating gold skin and marble floors, setting a tone of class and style.
• Service: The "sensational" and "super attentive" staff are frequently mentioned for their welcoming, helpful, and friendly demeanor.
• Amenities: Highlights include the on-site Italian restaurant Sycamore Vino Cucina, the "speak-easy" style QT bar with live entertainment, and a well-equipped gym.

3. Room Quality

Middle Eight offers 169 rooms across five categories, including 12 individually named suites. Rooms are described as well-appointed, spacious, clean, and comfortable, a notable feat for central London. Key features include:

• Comfort: Beds are "ridiculously comfortable" with copious pillows and gorgeous linen.
• Design: Rooms blend sustainably sourced materials with state-of-the-art amenities, featuring sleek furnishings, clean white walls, and a mix of carpet and wooden flooring. Suites often boast luxurious details like modern four-poster bed frames and beautiful artwork.
• Technology: Lighting and temperature are controlled by sophisticated panels. Rooms also include large wall-hung TVs, Nespresso machines, and plenty of plug sockets.
• Bathrooms: Marble bathrooms typically feature rainfall showers and high-quality toiletries, with some suites offering freestanding soaking tubs.

4. Dining Experience

The hotel's primary restaurant, Sycamore Vino Cucina, consistently receives great ratings and offers authentic Italian-inspired all-day dining.

• Breakfast: Often described as "faultless" and a "proper highlight," breakfast is cooked to order rather than a standard buffet, providing a more luxurious experience. Options include a countertop buffet with pastries, granola, and fruit, alongside a la carte egg dishes, often with an Italian twist like eggs Benedict with smoked salmon on focaccia. Homemade pastries and good coffee are also noted. While the food quality is high, some guests have noted the breakfast service can be a little slow or disjointed.
• Dinner: The restaurant offers handmade pizzas, small plates, pit-grilled meats, and hand-rolled pasta, with emphasis on high-quality ingredients. Reviewers have praised dishes like Himalayan salt-aged ribeye.
• Bars: The QT bar is an intimate, dimly lit speakeasy-style space offering cocktails, music, and live entertainment, including resident saxophonist Leo Green. The Balcony is another bar and lounge space.

5. Service & Staff

Guest feedback on service and staff is overwhelmingly positive. Staff are described as "excellent," "super attentive," "very welcoming," "helpful," and "informative." Many guests have highlighted specific staff members for their exceptional recall and ability to make stays feel special, often offering a welcome drink (Prosecco or fruit juice) and complimentary treats upon arrival. They are noted for striking a perfect balance of being polite, friendly, and unintrusive.

6. Location & Accessibility

Middle Eight boasts a "prime location" on Great Queen Street, placing it in the heart of Covent Garden.

• Neighborhood: It's just a few minutes' walk from the lively Covent Garden Piazza, known for its shopping, street entertainers, restaurants, and theaters.
• Attractions: Nearby attractions include the Royal Opera House, St John Soane Museum, Freemasons' Hall, and The British Museum. It's also a short walk to the West End and Southbank.
• Transport: The hotel is conveniently located near Covent Garden and Holborn underground stations, offering excellent transport links across London.

7. Value & Pricing

As a five-star luxury hotel in central London, Middle Eight is considered to be on the pricier side, but many guests feel it offers good value for the experience provided. Classic Chic Rooms can start from around £287, while suites range significantly higher, with Luxury Suites with balconies reaching up to £1,620 per night. Breakfast is typically priced at £30. Direct bookings often include benefits such as a welcome drink, guaranteed upgrade, early check-in/late check-out (subject to availability), complimentary soft drinks from the mini-bar, and a welcome amenity.

8. Common Complaints

While reviews are largely positive, some minor and recurring criticisms have been noted:

• Room Temperature Control: Some guests found the room temperature hard to control for sleeping.
• Noise: A few guests reported noisy air vent pipes close to windows, leading some to use earplugs.
• Housekeeping Inconsistencies: There have been isolated reports of inconsistent housekeeping, including missed rooms, needing to repeatedly call for basic items, and even laundry being mixed up with other guests.
• Lack of Spa/Pool: Some guests were disappointed that the hotel doesn't have its own full spa or pool facilities, instead partnering with a nearby one.
• Atmosphere in Common Areas: A few older reviews mentioned a lack of atmosphere in public areas, particularly during off-peak times, making them feel desolate.
• Minibar/Welcome Amenities: Some guests booking via third-party sites reported unstocked minibars (only water) and a lack of welcome drinks or treats, suggesting a disparity in treatment compared to direct bookings.
• Dining Set-up: One guest noted the absence of a table in their room for room service dining, finding it difficult to eat meals on the bed.

Sources

1. youtube.com
2. thetravelmagazine.net
3. restlessfeet.com
4. londonlocalite.com
5. booking.com
6. threeticketsanywhere.com
7. booking.com
8. thewordrobe.com
9. tophotel.news
10. middleeight.com
11. expedia.com
12. preferredhotels.com
13. youtube.com
14. secretldn.com
15. luxurylifestylemag.co.uk
16. booking.com