Fun and a fashionable flop – a short phrase that perfectly captures the essence of our night out and at Covent Garden’s The Resident hotel. Theatre, cocktails, a good meal and a stylish place to stay – and all within walking distance.
The Resident in Covent Garden, (formerly the Nadler) is part of a series of five privately owned hotels, and this one is housed in an imposing building on the corner of the Strand and Bedford Street
Small reception area
A small reception area is staffed with happy souls and this sets the scene not just in tempo but also in style. Clean lines shades of grey and creams with some dark wood frames for the long windows with plush dark grey carpets that lead the way to the rooms.
There’s no restaurant or bar, just a jolly good room with a great view over the Strand surrounded by a plethora of opportunities to have a good time.
An imposing building on the Strand
Who for
The Resident suits millennials and young at heart – probably friends or couples who want to be in the thick of the best London has to offer.
Accommodation
Mine was room 307 on the third floor with a king-size bed, which turned out to be very comfy thanks to two spongey toppers. The colour palette continues with the shades of grey, cream and black, with clean lines, with dark red cushions adding the colour notes.
There’s plenty of wardrobe space with an iron and ironing board and powerful hairdryer (thank goodness) and a mini kitchen with a sink and a tap that offers Brita filtered water. Great idea!
There’s also a microwave, a minibar (we hadn’t preordered anything so it was empty) and teas and coffee courtesy of Nespresso – oh and of course there’s a flat-screen TV.
There’s also several plugs and all with USB chargers. It’s a tiny detail but also a big deal when two are sharing and both want to charge their plethora of pcs, tablets, phones and so on.
The bathroom comes with shiny grey tiles, a large mirror for preening a deux, Gilchrist and Soames toiletries, plenty of towels and a spacious shower with a pizza pie sized shower head for that rainwater feeling.
You would think that a busy location on the Strand would mean lots of noise. Not so. The room has two layers of windows and we didn’t hear a peep.
I also really appreciated the silent AC. Quietly cool for a good night’s sleep.
How much
Doubles from £137 per night.
More info The Resident Covent Garden
Facilities
There is no restaurant or bar here – actually who wouldn’t want to eat out in Covent Garden. We had dinner in a local brasserie and breakfast at the Ivy in the Piazza.
There’s powerful wi-fi throughout the hotel and a highly efficient concierge service that brought us wine and ice quickly on demand.
You can check n as early as 1 pm and checkout is at the civilised time of 12 pm and even though we were a few minutes later than that, there were no complaints.
What’s nearby
The hotel’s location on Bedford street cannot be more sought after. Moments from Charing Cross station steps from the piazza, and in the heart of theatreland (Theatre Royal Drury Lane, Savoy Theatre and The National Gallery and Royal Opera House) and myriad of simply amazing restaurants and some fantastic shopping.
Vibrant Covent Garden
Strolling around watching the street entertainers – who are really good – catching rays, nipping in and out of shops and strolling through the arty market is a wonderful experience to be had. Make sure you make a weekend of it.