Courthouse Hotel, London – Hotel Review

A historic building is home to the unassuming Courthouse Hotel that sits in the stylish setting of Soho, London.

History

The Grade II-listed building operated as the Marlborough Street Magistrates’ Court from the 1800’s and had many a famous name frequent it, including John Lennon, Johnny Rotten, and Oscar Wilde, who stood trial there and Charles Dickens, who worked there as a reporter. It was bought by Worldhotels and converted into a hotel, and done so with careful consideration to maintain many of its original features.

Location

The hotel is located on Great Marlborough Street, where Mayfair, Soho and the West End meet, making it a great choice for visitors who love the buzz of a bustling city yet want a quiet place to which to retreat.

The world-renowned department store Liberty London is almost directly opposite the iconic Carnaby Street and Oxford Street, just a moment or two walk away, so shoppers will be in their element!

The London Palladium theatre is next door, with other West End theatres within short walking distance, and Oxford Circus station is only 3 minutes’ walk away, offering convenient and easy access to explore the rest of the city.

The day I visited, there was a tube strike, and as it was such a beautiful day, I walked from Kings Cross train station, which took me approx. 40 minutes. I thought the location of this hotel was brilliant!

Arrival and Check-In

I looked up and took the international collection of flags blowing in the breeze as my signal that I’d arrived. Upon entering the narrow corridor that leads to the main reception (on one side and on the other an entrance to Soho Wala) it is evident that this hotel is brimming with original character. The original tiles and dome ceiling depict days of old; I could easily imagine a constable marching a defendant along here. And true to these words, a member of the hotel team confirmed that this was the corridor that led the accused to the waiting room before trial. 

Through the double doors into the main reception area, there is an entirely different vibe.

The space is styled with creative furniture, vibrant artwork, and a collection of curios that pay homage to the historic past of the building and to the Indian roots of the current owners. A smart concierge stands proudly at his desk.

Check-in is an efficient process, with my bag whisked away to my room before I even notice. The reception team strike the perfect balance between professionalism and a friendly disposition, and I’m introduced to the Guest Relations manager, who clearly leads by example and takes me on a tour of the hotel, where I learn more about the original features of the hotel that have been maintained or restored, giving them a modern-day use. You’ll learn more as you read on.

I’m also introduced to the hotel’s GM who is also very friendly  – everyone I meet who works here has a genuine smile on their face and can’t do enough to help attitude.

Rooms & Suites

There are 116 rooms and suites (at the time of writing) ranging from a Classic Twin or Double at 25sqm, Superior Queen at 28sqm, Superior King at 32sqm, Deluxe King at 38sqm with a sofa or Chaise Longue. The Magistrates Suites are 55sqm and are individually designed with a separate living space, Robert Adams fireplace, marble bathroom and flat-screen TV. These are housed in high-ceiling Judge’s chambers within the original part of the building. The Lalique Penthouse Suite is the hotel’s premium accommodation option, named after the Lalique pieces of furniture and art it features. There are two bedrooms within this spacious suite, both with en-suite bathrooms, a living room, dining room and kitchenette.

My Room

I was hosted in a Superior Queen, which was extremely spacious offering ample hanging and storage space. My favourite aspects were the wooden clothes stand and suitcase bench.

Dressing table, workspace, robes, slippers, hairdryer and a good selection of Skin Essentials bathroom amenities were all conveniently on hand. There was a small selection of tea bags with a kettle but no coffee machine or mini-bar. There is a fridge, should you wish to keep your own snacks cool. 

I also received a lovely handwritten welcome note from the team along with some choccies, a bottle of wine and a bowl of fruit.  Décor follows a minimalist colour palette, which combines seal grey wood panelling, and is complemented by bold golden soft furnishings, like the ripple-effect headboard, which adds texture and warmth. This colour palette runs through the carpet and other soft furnishings too.

The bed was superbly comfortable with convenient light controls, a selection of reading lamps and power sockets on each side of the bed.

Facilities

The Courthouse Hotel is a deceptive hive of entertainment treasures. Boasting one of the biggest private cinemas in central London, it seats up to 100 people, and its rich aubergine carpet and suede walls create a dramatic ambience. Each of the luxurious mauve leather seats has armrests and fold-out tables so guests can enjoy a truly relaxing and authentic cinema experience. The cinema hosts regular classic-collection film nights for hotel guests and locals, along with exclusive-use hire options for private functions.

The Lumi Spa is found on the ground floor of the hotel and is the place to go for peace and pampering. Featuring a small pool, sauna, steam room, relaxation area and a variety of treatments too. I didn’t use the spa facilities during my stay; however, the pool did look very inviting!

There is also a very small gym with two treadmills, a cross-trainer, a seated cardio machine, and a weights bench with dumbbells up to 10kg and Rocky Balboa pictures hung on the walls to motivate guests as they work out. Remember to take your own towel and water, as these aren’t provided.

Food and Drink: Bars

The bar on the ground floor embraces the history of the building and is aptly called ‘The Bar’ with prison doors at the entrance. The vibe is cool, and the décor is modern, which complements its stylish drink offering. The refined space boasts some truly unique seating spaces with three former holding cells converted into distinctive private spaces where guests can enjoy a relaxed drink…..the original doors remain with the ‘hatch’ and lavatories still intact – such a fun way to bring the past to life.

The Soho Sky Terrace is, on a sunny day or evening, the hotel’s crowning glory. I was fortunate enough that when I stayed, the sun had made an appearance, so I enjoyed a pre-dinner drink amongst the city’s rooftops. I ordered a Margarita, which was superbly refreshing with a gentle kick, and the bartender had left a small gap in the salted rim so I could sip away without a salt overload… a thoughtful detail. Considering the bar is in Central London, it is unbelievably quiet, with only the sound of Ibiza-style beats softly playing in the background. Sheltered seating spaces, outdoor heaters, blankets and cushions enhance the relaxed Mediterranean vibe.  Vibrant orange trees, table flowers, faux grass and flora (which cleverly disguise the toilets) add colour, fun and personality to the elevated space. A range of wines, cocktails, spirits and light bites are served, and during the summer months, DJ nights and BBQs are frequently hosted here. The space can also be booked for private events.

Food and Drink: Dining

Breakfast is served daily in the ‘Waiting Room’ which is where defendants used to sit before their trial. It does carry an intangible weight which is hard to describe, and you can really imagine the scenes here from years gone by. Breakfast comprises a hot and cold buffet, which sadly I didn’t have time to try out. The team did kindly offer me a takeaway bag, but time wasn’t on my side.

The Silk Room is the private dining restaurant and retains many original features of the classic courtroom, English Oak benches still embossed with legal titles and a stunning vaulted glass ceiling. It’s a unique space which lends itself perfectly to intimate weddings and exclusive use gatherings.

And I’m sure if walls could talk this room would have some fascinating stories to tell. Notable cases (and people) trialled here include Mick Jagger in connection with cannabis possession allegations, Keith Richards, who was fined in 1973 for possession-related offences and unlicensed firearms, and Oscar Wilde’s celebrated Queensberry case started here too.  Photographs of such cases hang on the walls outside the restaurant and reaffirm the building’s position of authority and historic value.

Soho Wala

This is the hotel’s restaurant, which is directly opposite the legendary Carnaby Street and open to non-hotel residents too. Head Chef Rajesh Parmar and his team have built a good reputation for serving delicious and fresh Indian street food.

The menu comprises an excellent choice of small plates and platters ideal for sharing with options including chicken, lamb, prawns, cheese, lentils and side salads so it caters for most dietary requirements. Curries, dishes from the clay oven and a ‘special’ section are the main stars of the menu.

I dined with two others, and the helpful waiter suggested that two or three dishes each should be sufficient. We opted for the Tandoori Sizzler Platter (half Tandoori chicken, tiger prawns and lamb sheikh kebab). This was served on a bed of spicy, sticky onions and peppers, which were just as delicious as the leading meaty characters. The chicken pieces were tender with a pleasant mix of tandoor spices; the prawns were juicy, and the lamb kebabs were delightfully fragrant.

Another winning dish was the Walnut Paneer Tikka served with roasted onions, pomegranate and crushed walnuts. The Paneer was firm, not rubbery, with a slightly smoky flavour that paired perfectly with the Tikka spice and the crunchy texture from the walnuts and pomegranate.

One of the house specials is the Kali Dal with Choor Choor Naan. The dal was so creamy and moreish, and the overnight cooking process really enhanced the smoky, warming flavour. It was served with a Delhi-style street naan bread, which at first glimpse looked a bit like a caramelised cinnamon swirl – for me, this was a standout part of the meal, with a crisp edge and soft centre and a not-sweet but not-salty type of bite – it went down a treat.

The Butter Chicken Curry was very tasty too, with a deep, rich sauce covering tender bite-sized pieces of chicken. We mopped up the sauce with our side of roti, and I could have easily spooned the rest of it like soup had I not been ready to burst! 

We also ordered a side of Par desi raita (yoghurt served with cumin and pomegranate) along with a small plate of Chatpata Corn Chaat, which is steamed corn kernels, finished with lemon, coriander and chilli. These were excellent palate cleansers and brought a zing and freshness to the other deeper spiced dishes we’d chosen. This was more than enough for three of us, and we even left a few small morsels. All the dishes were presented in either steel dishes, wooden boards or colourful plates adding a sense of fun to the sharing dining experience.

As tempting as the desserts were, especially the Gulab jamun cheesecake (dumplings of sweetened milk solids with malai crème) we didn’t have room to squeeze one in – a good excuse to go back!

The drinks menu is not hugely extensive, but it presents enough choice to cover all preferences. We all enjoyed a glass of the white wine from Argentina.

Décor is colourful and playful with dark walls and ambient lighting, contrasting bold chairs and Indian inspired artwork on the walls add pops of colour. The overhead lights are a mix of various bird-cage style shades, and the table lamp light is constantly but seamlessly moving through a spectrum of colours – another playful design aspect. Funky Indian music plays in the background, helping to transport diners to the streets of Delhi.

I thoroughly enjoyed my meal here, and it exceeded expectations.

Final Thoughts

The location of the hotel, along with its treasure of a rooftop bar and interesting history, really adds a unique element to it. It’s an ideal base from which to explore the city and come back to a comfortable place to rest your head.