Batty Langley’s

A sister property to Hazlitt’s in Soho and The Rookery in Clerkenwell, this beautifully restored Georgian property takes a playful look at English history, crammed with quirky furniture and unique, wonderful antiques.

• The trick bookshelf in the penthouse suite
• The room names, which are all taken from local historical figures including petty thief Ann Flyn
• The sumptuous, atmospheric interiors that channel Old World England

Named after Bartholomew “Batty” Langley, a famed 18th-century architect, landscape gardener and writer, this whimsical townhouse feels like it could be the private home of its eccentric namesake. Unique details abound in all of the property’s 29 rooms. In the penthouse suite, for instance, a trick bookcase leads guests into the downstairs bathroom via a secret passageway. Upstairs, a standalone marble bath sits between the four-poster bed and French windows that lead out onto a glorious roof terrace. Every piece of artwork and antique has been lovingly sourced by the owners Douglas Blain and Peter McKay, and Apple TVs are discretely concealed behind mirrored cabinets.

The cozy public rooms (the Tapestry room, complete with a well-stocked honesty bar, is a highlight) add to the decadent flavor; it’s all too easy to forget that Liverpool Street Station and the gleaming skyscrapers of the city are mere minutes away. There is no restaurant, but breakfast served in bed will regularly arrive on a creaking wooden tray that is piled high with smoked salmon bagels, freshly baked pastries and fruit topped with granola.

Business travelers who crave a personal touch and an authentically English experience in close proximity to the city's financial district, couples on a romantic getaway and families. The hotel staff is extremely accommodating.

Read Upon Arrival London to discover points of interest within a few blocks of the hotel.