Kimpton Fitzroy London Review
“You don’t know what hand you’re gonna get dealt next. You learn to take life as it comes at you... to make each day count.”
Kimpton Fitzroy London is best known for its magnificent Victorian architecture, grand marble staircase, and elegant interiors, making it one of London's most recognizable historic hotels. While planning another city trip to London, I found myself scrolling through hotel after hotel, as usual. Finding a hotel in London is never the problem—choosing one is. There are hundreds of great options, but once you start looking for something spacious in a central location, the prices quickly climb.
When I was putting together my shortlist for my previous trip, which eventually led me to stay at Canopy by Hilton London City, the Kimpton Fitzroy kept finding its way back onto the list. I honestly couldn't stop thinking about its interiors. I wanted to stand on that marble staircase, see the famous bronze dragon statue with my own eyes, and find out whether the Titanic connection was more than just a fun piece of history. The hotel was designed by Charles Fitzroy Doll, who also designed the Titanic's first-class dining room, making me even more curious to experience it in person.
So when I came across a good deal through IHG, the hotel's parent company, the timing finally felt right. I was travelling with a friend, and the family room with two double beds meant we didn't have to compromise on space, which is a rarity in central London.
But is Kimpton Fitzroy London worth booking, or is its story more impressive than the stay itself? Let’s find out…
In this article:
If you're considering a few different hotels, you can also read my reviews of The Lanesborough for a more luxurious stay or Canopy by Hilton London City for a more mid-range alternative.
Here we go! Let’s determine if staying at the Kimpton Fitzroy is worth it while we cover all aspects of the hotel, from the rooms to the location:
The Location
One of the things I liked most about Kimpton Fitzroy London was its location on Russell Square in Bloomsbury, one of London's best-known neighborhoods. Located on the east side, it's close enough to walk to many of the biggest attractions while still feeling a little removed from the busiest parts of the city. The hotel overlooks one of London's largest garden squares, so despite being right in the middle of London, it never felt nearly as busy as staying around places like Leicester Square or Piccadilly Circus.
From the hotel, you can reach the British Museum in just a few minutes. You can also easily walk to Covent Garden, Soho, and Oxford Street. Whether you're walking Soho, drinking in the afternoon, or exploring London's different neighborhoods, Kimpton Fitzroy makes a great base for discovering the city.
If you want to explore other parts of London, Russell Square Underground Station is right next door. It's on the Piccadilly line, giving you a direct connection to Heathrow Airport in around 50 minutes without having to change trains. The line also stops at places like Covent Garden, Piccadilly Circus, South Kensington, and Hyde Park Corner, making it one of the most convenient Tube lines for sightseeing. There are also bus stops all around Russell Square, making it easy to get to other parts of the city if you don't feel like spending lots of time under ground.
For me, it struck the perfect balance. I could spend the day exploring London's busiest neighborhoods and still come back to an area that felt noticeably calmer at the end of the day.
The Interior
The grand Victorian façade already gives you an idea of what to expect, but somehow the interior still manages to surprise you. The moment I stepped inside, I didn't really know where to look first. At first, it's the marble that catches your attention. Then you notice the staircase. You look up and see the chandeliers hanging above you before looking down at the zodiac mosaic beneath your feet. Every time I looked somewhere different, I spotted another detail I hadn't noticed before.
Unlike many of London's luxury hotels, Kimpton Fitzroy doesn't lean into quiet luxury. Instead, it embraces its history, and the building itself is just as much a reason to stay here as the rooms. I honestly spent a few extra minutes in the lobby just looking around before heading upstairs.
The building first opened in 1898 and was designed by Charles Fitzroy Doll, who also designed the first-class dining room aboard the Titanic. Before arriving, I had already read about the bronze dragon watching over the marble staircase. It's one of the hotel's most recognizable features, and there's a story that two identical dragons were originally made. One stayed at the hotel, while the other was placed aboard the Titanic. We all know what happened to its little brother... This one, stayed behind, and according to local tradition, you're supposed to give “Lucky George” a little pat for good luck. So of course, I walked up the staircase to do exactly that.
Whether the story is entirely true, we'll probably never know. But it's little details like these that give Kimpton Fitzroy its character and make it feel like much more than just another luxury hotel. For me, this was easily the highlight of the entire stay. I booked Kimpton Fitzroy because I couldn't stop thinking about the interiors, and seeing them in person definitely didn't disappoint.
The Rooms
Another reason we ended up booking Kimpton Fitzroy was the Premium Family Room. Finding a hotel room in London that feels spacious without completely blowing your budget isn't always easy, especially if you're traveling with someone else. Since I was visiting with a friend, this room category immediately caught my attention because it comes with two double beds instead of the usual king bed and sofa bed setup. For a girls' city trip, it was the perfect option because we both had our own bed.
At 33 square meters (355 sq ft), the room also felt noticeably larger than many other hotel rooms I've stayed in across London. There was plenty of space for both of our suitcases without constantly having to move things around, which made a bigger difference than I expected.
Was it the most jaw-dropping hotel room I've ever stayed in? No. But it didn't need to be. The room was clean, the beds were comfortable, the bathroom was surprisingly spacious, and I slept really well. Despite being in the middle of London, there wasn't much noise from outside, and I rarely heard people walking through the hallways either.
One thing worth mentioning is that our room didn't get a huge amount of natural light. That may have been down to where our room was located, but it's worth keeping in mind if that's something that's important to you. Our room also had a beautiful balcony, although the doors only tilted open rather than opening fully. I imagine that's because of the age of the building and for safety reasons, which is completely understandable, although it would have been nice to step outside for a few minutes.
I also really liked that all of the snacks and drinks in the room were complimentary and replenished every day. It's a small touch, but it's not something you see very often anymore, especially in a city hotel. While there wasn't an evening turndown service during my stay, the room was cleaned every morning.
A fun feature that stood out to me was the bright red rotary phone on the nightstand. It's a small detail, but it fits the character of the room perfectly. It actually reminded me of my stay at The Lanesborough, where I remember writing in my review that a phone like this would have looked so much more at home than the '90s-style hotel phone that was in the room.
Something else that surprised me was just how big the hotel is. We actually spent a little while wandering around because the hotel almost feels like a maze. Despite its size, though, it never felt crowded, whether we were walking through the hallways or coming back after a day of exploring.
The Restaurant, Breakfast & Bar
From breakfast in the morning to cocktails in the evening, Kimpton Fitzroy has several places to eat and drink throughout the hotel. Although I didn't get around to trying every restaurant, I did have breakfast here every morning and spent one evening at Spectrum Bar.
Breakfast
I only ate at Fitz's Brasserie in the mornings during my stay, but I honestly looked forward to it every day. Was it the most extravagant breakfast I've ever had? No. That title still goes to The Gleneagles or Anantara The Palm Dubai. But it was exactly the kind of breakfast I wanted before spending the day exploring the city. The buffet had a good selection of hot and cold options, including eggs, hash browns, baked beans, fresh fruit, pastries, and different types of bread. You could also order eggs any style from the waitstaff at no extra charge, while coffee and tea were included as well. If you wanted something a little different, there were also a few à la carte dishes available for an additional charge.
After seeing the interiors throughout the rest of the hotel, I was especially curious to see the dining room. Charles Fitzroy Doll, the architect behind the hotel, also designed the first-class dining room aboard the Titanic, and this room is often said to have inspired it. I'm not going to lie, though—I didn't immediately see the resemblance. The one thing that really caught my eye was the fireplace mantel and clock, which instantly reminded me of the iconic scene where Jack waits by the mantel as Rose walks down the staircase before dinner.
What I probably liked most, though, wasn't just the food but the atmosphere. It wasn't just hotel guests. Every morning, there were also people grabbing a coffee or working on their laptops, which made it feel much more like a local spot than a hotel restaurant. I always like hotels that feel like they're part of the city instead of completely separate from it, and Kimpton Fitzroy definitely had that feeling.
The Bar
After a full day of exploring London, we ended up at Spectrum Bar, which turned out to be a really fun way to end the evening.
I have to admit, though, when I first saw the word "Spectrum" throughout the hotel, I was genuinely confused. Being on the spectrum myself, I honestly thought there was some kind of autism conference happening. Turns out I was just being incredibly self-involved. Anyway, back to the bar…
The name actually refers to the cocktail menu, which is built around a spectrum of flavors. Some drinks are light, fruity, and sweet, while others lean much more toward bold, bitter flavors. It was a fun concept, and we ended up trying a few different cocktails throughout the evening. One small warning, though: these cocktails are strong. After three of them, I was very happy my bed was only an elevator ride away.
The Amenities
While Kimpton Fitzroy isn't packed with amenities, you'll find everything you need for a city trip. You can rent bikes directly from the hotel if you want to see the city on two wheels, and there's also a fitness center if you feel like squeezing in a workout.
I have to admit, I never made it to the gym. After walking around London all day, putting my feet up with one of my guilty pleasure shows sounded like a much better idea.
Also, like lots of hotels in London, you won't find a swimming pool here. Personally, I didn't miss it, but if that's something that's important to you, it's worth keeping in mind before booking.
The Verdict
Kimpton Fitzroy describes itself as "Luxury Without the Fuss," and I honestly don't think there's a better way to describe my stay. It's definitely a step up from somewhere like Canopy by Hilton, but it also isn't trying to compete with London's most exclusive luxury hotels, like The Lanesborough.
I actually think that's exactly where Kimpton Fitzroy shines. The staff are always there when you need them, but they also give you the space to simply enjoy your stay. It never felt overly formal, and I really appreciated that.
For me, Kimpton Fitzroy got the important things right. The interiors were every bit as beautiful as I'd hoped, the location made it easy to walk almost everywhere, Russell Square Underground Station was right next door whenever I wanted to explore another part of the city, and after a busy day walking around London, it was always nice coming back to a hotel that somehow managed to feel both grand and relaxed at the same time.
Would I stay here again? Absolutely. If you're looking for a hotel in London with plenty of character, beautiful historic interiors, comfortable rooms, a fantastic location, and service that lets you enjoy your stay at your own pace, I'd happily recommend Kimpton Fitzroy.
I hope this was helpful. If you have any more questions, you can always reach out here or on Instagram, and I’m more than happy to answer any of your questions.
Happy Travels!
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