In our Suite Staycation column, Gina Jackson – hotel expert and author of British Boutique Hotels – tours some of the best hotel suites in the UK. Next up, The Ned.
Best for: a London staycation in the thick of it all
Sashaying past the smartly dressed doormen and through the colossal wooden doors of this central London landmark almost feels like stepping back in time.
Give us the lowdown
The Ned, a dazzling playground in the heart of the city, is a hotel that oozes the exuberance and spectacle of decades past. Originally built by Sir Edwin Lutyens to house the Midland Bank, this architectural masterpiece languished for years before hospitality titans Soho House and Sydell Group joined forces to breathe new life into its storied walls, transforming it into the show-stopping hotel and members’ club it is today. The Grade I listed building has been meticulously restored and reimagined from top to toe, drawing inspiration – in both design and spirit – from the glamorous heyday of the Roaring Twenties. Step inside, and a checkerboard marble floor unfurls toward a smorgasbord of delights (a serene, subterranean spa and nine distinctive dining destinations among them!), all set to the soundtrack of soft jazz and clinking Champagne glasses.
What’s in the suite?
This is a grand hotel with just over 250 bedrooms. A network of carpeted corridors spans out to handsome bedrooms, each featuring rich mahogany woods, draped curtains, and tasselled Victorian lampshades. There’s old-world glamour in spades (think mirrored drinks cabinets and glittering chandeliers) yet rooms feel far from dated. Bathrooms are equally swish, with marble-topped sinks and stylishly tiled showers stocked with a generous lineup of Cowshed shampoos.
I stayed in one of the Grand Heritage Suites: each of these spacious pads located on the hotel’s Grade I listed fifth floor is unique in design, but all boast separate seating areas, and some come with gargantuan, canopied four-posters and freestanding tubs. There’s all of the signature hallmarks you’ll recognise if you’ve stayed at other Soho House properties: generous flat-screen TVs plonked opposite the bed, impossibly fluffy bathrobes, minibars amply stocked with artisan treats, make-your-own G&T bars, and all of the toiletries you might need, in case you left yours at home.
How’s the crowd?
You’re right in the thick of London’s financial district, so expect a slick crowd of city workers convening here every night of the week. But The Ned draws more than just the well-heeled local set: travellers from across the country flock here for weekend stays, making this their stylish base in the city.
Where can we eat and drink?
You’ll struggle to find reason to leave The Ned’s premises: an impressive feat given the hotel’s enviable location. There’s multiple places to wine, dine, and make merry, with most of the hotel’s restaurants spanning out across the ground floor, under the vaulted ceilings of the former bank hall. This space is a spectacle in itself, clad in forest-green verdite, with soaring, cathedral-like ceilings. Original banking counters subtly divide the various restaurant spaces, creating distinct yet interconnected zones that seemingly flow into each other and cluster around the central bandstand, where live music performances take place each evening.
Choose between fresh sushi at Kaia, superfood salads and juice shots at Malibu Kitchen, elegant British fare at Millie’s Lounge, and, at the other end of the spectrum, all-American burgers and shakes while curled up on the red-leather booths at Electric Bar & Diner.
What’s on the to-do list?
Slip down to the subterranean spa for pampering afternoons spent hopping between the 20-metre swimming pool and Moroccan hammam (huge and draped in pink marble). Knot-kneading massages, expert manicures, and LED light therapy treatments are all available too – as are sauna and steam rooms for making a circuit of. The supersized gym is kitted out with top-tier equipment and offers a packed weekly timetable of classes, including yoga, Pilates, and boxing.
Come evening, be sure to carve out time for a cocktail after dinner; music performances take place each day at the hotel’s central bandstand (placed right at the heart of the former banking hall), with emerging artists regularly spotlighted on stage. Or slip downstairs to The Parlour, the hotel’s intimate cabaret club, for cocktails and jazz evenings.
Are there any stand-out touches worth mentioning?
Sundays are a special day of the week at The Ned, with guests gathering at Millie’s Lounge for their famous ‘Ned’s Feast’. Settle in for an indulgent, all-you-can-eat Sunday buffet, where you can shuck down unlimited oysters before tucking into perfectly cooked roasts with all of the traditional trimmings.
What should we know before we go?
If sightseeing is top of the agenda, you’ll find yourself a short stroll away from St. Paul’s Cathedral. Tour the crypt and cathedral floor before crossing the Millennium Bridge for sweeping vistas of London’s twinkling skyline. Art enthusiasts are ideally placed within easy reach of the Tate Modern – or head in the other direction and you’ll arrive at the Barbican in minutes, an iconic example of Brutalist architecture, and home to ever-evolving art exhibitions and concerts.
What should we pack?
Bring swimwear to make the most of the spa. While there’s no formal dress code, most guests prefer dressing up, so you’ll want to bring something smart for evenings spent hopping between the hotel’s various bars and restaurants.
All image credits: The Ned
We may earn a commission if you buy something from any affiliate links on our site.
Any Questions or Tips to add?