While it may not be the exact location of 221B Baker Street, Holmes Hotel, nestled in the picturesque streets of Marylebone, certainly encapsulates the spirit of the enigmatic detective. You’ll find nods to Sherlock Holmes and his adventures in Marylebone, one of the most historic stomping grounds in London, throughout the hotel.
Holmes Hotel is in the heart of Marylebone Village, situated on the stylish Chiltern Street among pretty boutiques, cafes, and bars, handily just minutes away from Baker Street Station. It’s an ideal base for exploring the area, which is a gateway to some of London‘s most attractive spots, including Regent’s Park and The Wallace Collection. And with a true ‘home away from home’ feel, guests can delight in the comfort of knowing wherever an adventure in the capital takes you, there’s a calm and welcoming refuge to settle into at the end of the day.
Inside, the hotel is cosy and plush, with plenty of space to relax and unwind over a game of chess or a glass of burgundy (Montrachet and Meursault were thought to be Holmes’ favourites). The building itself consists of four townhouses knocked together with entrances on both Chiltern Street and Baker Street. There are 118 rooms and suites, ranging from cosy rooms that come fully equipped with modern amenities to loft suites perfect for longer stays.
One of the main draws of the hotel is its buzzy restaurant, which has a relaxed atmosphere and open kitchen, made for lengthy autumnal dinner dates. The bar area spills out onto Baker Street with a heated terrace for afternoon cocktails or a pre-dinner aperitif. This elegant Marylebone bolthole has everything you need for a cosy autumnal staycation in the capital.
Holmes Hotel: Marylebone’s Most Charming London Staycation
Holmes Hotel is one of those rare finds that manages to pull off a theme with genuine elegance. Nestled on Chiltern Street in Marylebone, one of the most historic stomping grounds in London, it pays homage to the world’s most famous fictional detective without ever tipping into gimmick territory. From the bronze bulldog guarding the deep green door to the crackling fireplaces, Victorian artefacts, and theatrically crafted cocktails, every detail feels considered. With 118 rooms ranging from cosy singles to loft suites, it offers a true home away from home feel in one of the capital’s most understated and elegant neighbourhoods.
Where to Eat, Drink, and Explore Around Holmes Hotel
The hotel’s in-house restaurant, Kitchen at Holmes, delivers classic Mediterranean dishes with seasonal flair, from charred asparagus with whipped cheese to generous mains that let ingredients speak for themselves. Beyond the hotel, Marylebone rewards exploration: Daunt Books, a London institution since 1990, sits just around the corner, while Regent’s Park, The Wallace Collection, and a brilliant restaurant scene including Jikoni, Lita, and the newly opened Kudu are all within easy reach. For those who enjoy nothing more than wandering a neighbourhood at their own pace, this is the ideal London base.
First impressions
As we approached Holmes Hotel and its immaculate exterior, the first thing we noticed was a bronze bulldog (a nod to the famous Gladstone, owned by Dr Watson in the Robert Downey Jr. films) guarding the deep green door, surrounded by warm lights mounted on the wall; a hint at the cosy ambience inside. The hotel reception is modern and welcoming, with friendly staff ready to help guests find their way to their room or suite.
“It has long been an axiom of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important,” said the great Sir Arthur Conan Doyle in the 1891 novel A Case of Identity. This attention to detail can be seen throughout the hotel, with hidden corners housing curious Victorian artefacts and old-school photographs on the wall. There’s a good old-fashioned games room, in keeping with the vintage feel, a long lounge area with crackling fireplaces in the winter months that feels like stepping into Holmes’ own study, and a striking cocktail bar where guests can unwind after a day exploring the area. There are a few hotels that manage to strike a balance between being relaxed and distinguished, while in keeping with a theme, but Holmes Hotel finds an easy equilibrium.
The rooms at Holmes Hotel
We checked into a spacious room that had seats for lounging, a desk area for those working remotely, a fully-stocked minibar, a television mounted on the wall for a mini cinema-like experience, a generously sized bathroom, and luxury toiletries. Immediately, we felt at home, if home had such luxurious amenities. The agenda for our London staycation involved a movie night after an indulgent dinner, so the huge wide-screen TV was much appreciated.
The food and drinks
Kitchen at Holmes is the restaurant within Holmes Hotel, with a focus on classic Mediterranean dishes in a bistro style. The use of fresh, seasonal dishes is evident in the menu; we feasted on charred asparagus with a delightful whipped cheese accompaniment and a hint of balsamic, as well as a heritage tomato salad, beautifully dressed in a light vinaigrette. To start, we also sampled king prawns in a fresh, zingy herb dressing; you can choose to eat in sharing-plates format or get individual starters and mains. The menu changes regularly to champion different ingredients and flavours.
Main courses were simple and delicious, again letting ingredients shine with simple flavours and dressings. My dining companion opted for a fresh avocado and chicken salad, while I chose half a chicken smothered in garlic and lemon, paired with a simple green salad. We also couldn’t resist a plate of French fries for the table, though with generous portion sizes, this was perhaps unnecessary. While dessert looked enticing, the hearty dishes that preceded it meant we were ready to retire to our room and settle down with a film before drifting off into a deep slumber in the huge, cloud-like beds.
While dinner was enjoyable, my favourite dish was actually on the breakfast menu. There’s a wide variety of hot dishes to choose from on the à la carte menu, which operates with table service rather than a help-yourself buffet; a rarity in London hotels in my experience. I tried the courgette fritters, served with cucumber, yoghurt and Greek herbs, and they were delicious. My breakfast companion opted for a simple dish of poached eggs on sourdough after indulging the day before, and also complemented the dish. It’s always nice to try something different, but sometimes, it’s the simple things done well that we really crave.
Holmes Hotel really excels when it comes to drinks. We kindly arrived at an expertly chosen bottle of Portuguese red left in our room, which was delicious and savoured during our late-night film session; the ultimate indulgence. But it’s the cocktail list when the hotel really excels. Cocktails are thoughtful and, of course, in keeping with the theme. Try Sherlock’s Pipe, a heady blend of Talisker, Johnnie Walker Black, smoked Martini Rubino, Campari, and Pimento Dram liqueur, theatrically served in a glass pipe, or Case Closed, a rum-based signature cocktail.
The extras
Part of the beauty of a stay at Holmes Hotel is its relaxed nature and ample spaces to lounge in. It’s a hotel built for reading, board games, or chess, getting back to basics and putting phones away. There are newspapers and magazines dotted around, as well as board games to choose from (there’s even a Holmes Hotel jigsaw), but if you’re travelling solo, it’s also the kind of place that lends itself to slow afternoons by a crackling fire, getting lost in the pages of a novel.
As well as the restaurant, bar, lounge areas, and games room, there’s also a retro-style gym in the basement with machines that look elegantly old-fashioned, but are, in fact, very high tech. There’s a spacious sauna here too with showers, so we decided to make a morning out of it with a workout session, followed by a stint in the sauna and a shower to freshen up before exploring Marylebone.
What to do in Marylebone: an insider’s guide
Marylebone is perhaps sometimes overlooked in favour of buzzy Soho or luxurious Mayfair, but it’s a London neighbourhood that’s just as vibrant, with an understated elegance and incredible restaurant scene. With the opening of South London restaurant favourite Kudu in the area, and firm favourites Jikoni and Iberica within walking distance of the hotel, foodies will rejoice at the eclectic yet excellent choice when it comes to dining.
Lita is another (Michelin recommended) option for diners, offering a beautiful space inspired by the muted tones of the Mediterranean and a frankly gorgeous menu that fuses highbrow ingredients (see caviar, scallops) with home comforts (see, really good chips). Home Marylebone has pride of place on the corner of Marylebone High Street and is an easy place to pop in for lunch or an afternoon drink in cosy surroundings. Italian restaurants Carlotta and La Brasseria Milanese are also worth a mention, as well as the refined French restaurant Orrery. The Hart, the latest brainchild of the celebrated Public House Group, has also just opened, offering impeccable cosy pub interiors and elevated pub food.
One of Marylebone’s biggest draws is the charming Daunt Books, a London institution since 1990. The bookshop itself has been around since the early 20th century and still retains its original features, with a beautiful gallery, a vast skylight, and an intricate stained glass window at the back of the shop. It has a unique way of shelving by countries (originally a travel bookstore) rather than by author name, encouraging visitors to explore books differently.
For those who enjoy nothing more than wandering around a bookshop being inspired by not just the latest releases, but also obscure travel books, or vintage fiction you might not encounter in another bookshop, Daunt Books offers something different. Be warned, though, this popular Marylebone favourite does get crowded, particularly during peak hours. Daunt Books is located in leafy Marylebone village alongside bakeries and cafes, as well as pretty boutiques and shops.
It’s a hub of culture, with The Wallace Collection, a haven for art lovers, nearby, as well as The Wigmore Hall, famous for classical live music events. Cinema fans will also enjoy The Regent Street Cinema, which is largely considered the birthplace of British cinema.
Regent’s Park, one of the most iconic green spaces in London, is also within walking distance. A joy to walk around in all seasons, the park is particularly striking in the autumn, when the trees take on a warmer colour palette — a picture-perfect backdrop for a fall photoshoot. Regent’s Park is also the location of major cultural events throughout the year, such a Frieze London and Frieze Masters, and Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, which runs from May until September every year.
And, of course, if you would like to keep the Sherlock Holmes theme going throughout the duration of your stay, you could pay a visit to the Sherlock Holmes Museum, situated at 221B Baker Street. The museum is dedicated to the inner world of the famous London detective. It gives guests the chance to look around a recreation of his Victorian-era home, featuring a replica of his study (and a separate bedroom for Dr Watson, of course!)
Need to know
Rooms at Holmes Hotel start at £259 a night. Find out more at holmeshotel.com
