With decadence around every corner, it only makes sense that L’Oscar would be inspired by London’s most popular playwright, Oscar Wilde. Housed in the former headquarters of the Baptist church, the property has 39 rooms and suites spread across seven floors. Each has a unique design that immerses guests in the same theatrics one would experience in Wilde’s plays.
After six years of careful restoration, L’Oscar reopened in 2018 with a redesign by Jacques Garcia, the designer behind La Mamounia and the Nomad hotels. L’Oscar was Garcia’s first London hotel, which made quite a splash when it opened. The boutique property was carefully selected to be part of Mr. and Mrs. Smith, which Hyatt recently acquired. Members of Hyatt will be able to earn points through Mr. and Mrs. Smith hotels.
From the moment you walk through the door, the lobby feels sultry with dark, moody interiors. It feels like the perfect spot to read your favorite book or sit by the windows, watching the people go by with a cup of tea. Throughout the hotel, there are restored marble fireplaces, original stained glass windows, and oak-paneled walls that are from the original baroque design.
Most notably, each room highlights some parts of the hotel’s rich history. One has a bathroom created in a clocktower, while others on higher floors have balconies with views of the Shard and London Eye. In each room, you’ll also find an assortment of rich silks with bold patterns, custom embroideries, velvet furniture, and opulent gold hues distributed throughout.
When you feel like grabbing a bite, the L’Oscar restaurant serves up Parisian-style comfort foods cooked with British ingredients, such as roast Gressingham duck or spelled barley risotto. The classic creme caramel dessert is perfect for sharing at the Onyx bar, which gleams underneath the mirrored ceiling. L’Oscar Restaurant’s design takes inspiration from some of the oldest cafes in Venice, and its food feels like something you’d find in Paris. In addition, the onsite afternoon tea with freshly baked scones, pastries, and sandwiches shouldn’t be missed.
Currently, the hotel is renovating its Baptist Bar, which is housed in the chapel and serves cocktails inspired by the seven sins. It’s set to open in 2024.
Top Takeaways
Location: London, England
Rating: Five-Star
The Vibe: Oscar Wilde’s would-be favorite hotel.
Food + Drink: Start and end the day with dining in L’Oscar Restaurant. A Venetian cafe inspires the spot and serves delicious Parisian-inspired dishes made with British ingredients. During the afternoon, the afternoon sea—with its freshly baked scones, cute sandwiches, and gorgeous pastries—shouldn’t be missed. Soon, the property will reopen its chic Baptist bar, which just underwent a renovation and is housed in the onsite chapel.
Amenities: butler service; pet-friendly; 24-hour room service;
Our Favorite Thing About the Hotel: The hotel commissioned perfumer Roja Dove to create customized scents for his and her bath products in each room, which smelled absolutely delightful.
5 Nearby Attractions: Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, The British Museum, The National Gallery, and Westminster Abbey.
Any Personal Neighborhood Recs? Around the corner from the property is the Rosewood Hotel, home to some of the best cocktails in its Scarfes Bar.
Rooms: 39 rooms and suites
Pricing: Rooms start at $400/a night
Closest Airport: London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
