London is filled with hidden gems, and from chic underground restaurants to little-known backroom bars, it’s the city’s best-kept secrets that make it what it is. When it comes to luxury hotels, Chateau Denmark, on Denmark Place on the edge of the bustling West End, is at the top of the list, enjoying a location that places it at the heart of all the action but that is tucked away enough that you might not ever realise that it is there. But once you do, you won’t forget it.
If you haven’t heard of Denmark Place, then you’ll almost certainly have heard of Denmark Street – a famous London road that has been a musical hub for over a century. It was here that the Sex Pistols once lived and the Rolling Stones once recorded, as well as being the old stomping ground of icons such as David Bowie and Jimi Hendrix. Denmark Place can be found just off it, which means you’re mere footsteps from one of the most vibrant and historic spots in the city.
This edgy hotel offers an array of individually styled apartments, each with their own unique character – and I recently had the chance to check in and experience one of them, along with what else the hotel has to offer. A night that was steeped in baroque gothic charm and all-out luxury ensued, and it certainly didn’t disappoint.
Hotel
Once a series of 18th-century townhouses, Chateau Denmark comprises 44 rooms and apartments in all that fuse rich history with modern appeal to offer one of London’s most unique places to stay.
Don’t worry about not being able to find it given its tucked away location, because a host will be on hand to come and get you and show you inside – just be sure to let the hotel know your planned time of arrival beforehand.
Chateau Denmark draws inspiration drawn from the lively spirit of Soho, which is renowned for its eclectic nightlife and artistic heritage. Each room and communal space showcases a unique blend of colour, texture, and form and the result is a sort of regal, rock-and-roll glamour that exudes an air of mystery. There are strong elements of gothic and baroque design throughout, and unusual art plays a starring role, adorning the walls at every turn.
It feels young and hip from the moment you set foot into reception – where the experience is upbeat and friendly, and check in is quick, efficient and stress-free. I was staying in a two-bedroom apartment, accessible via a separate door just outside of the reception followed by a lift that took me swiftly up to my floor, and was shown to my front door in no time.
Apartments
The two-bedroom apartment I stayed in is really quite something special, and the first thing you see when stepping inside is the rather impressive bar. It can’t be described as a mini-bar; in fact, it’s known as the ‘maxi bar’ – and it certainly isn’t hard to see why, because it’s got just about every type of tipple you could dream of, and more.
Set within the dark, atmospheric kitchen-diner area, there’s a fridge filled with beers and soft drinks, a wine cooler stacked full with an array of high-quality reds, whites and rosés from across the globe, and an entire unit dedicated to premium spirits, complete with cocktail shakers and crystal glasses. All in all, the ‘maxi bar’ was a first for me, despite having stayed in numerous luxury hotels around the world – and added a sense of opulence and excess as well as ensuring that guests will be left wanting for nothing.
On that note, there was also a rather substantial snack trolley in the kitchen-diner – actually, it was presented on a beautiful gold, vintage style bar cart – featuring an array of high-end crisps, nuts, cereal bars and other tasty treats. It’s clear that this is a place that doesn’t do things by halves, and whether you’re feeling a little bit peckish before dinner or need a grab-and-go breakfast in the morning, it’s got all bases covered. And on that note, there is of course a coffee machine with an array of pods to choose from in the kitchen, too.
But onto the accommodation itself. Up a couple of steps, and you come to an expansive living area with curved leather banquette seating in navy blue, flowing floor-to-ceiling velvet curtains in yellow and a huge flat-screen LED TV. The latter offers an array of different channels and you can also bring up the drinks menu on screen if rifling through all of the options at the maxi bar feels a little too taxing. Plus, there’s a sound system so that you can set the mood to kick back and relax over a glass of wine or whilst getting ready for a night out in London.
The apartment also features two bedrooms – the Master with its own ensuite – as well as a second bathroom. The Master boasts a huge, comfortable bed with luxurious linens, cloud-like pillows, black leather bolster cushions and a bold yellow velvet headboard, with ample wardrobe space for an extended stay and another large flat-screen TV. The walls are painted in dark blue and there’s a feature wall of black wooden panelling, with avante-garde artwork hung here and there, all coming together to exude yet more of that gothic charm.
In the main bathroom, there was an opulent free-standing bath tub, spacious walk-in shower and plenty of mirrors, with chic marble on every surface, plush towels and bathrobes and a selection of premium toiletries.
Meanwhile, over in the second bedroom, it was all rich, wine-red velvet on the gothic-style headboard and the lower half of the walls, which was beautifully balanced with the teal-and-gold-baroque-style wallpaper on the upper half. There was another large, sumptuous bed – again with the black leather bolsters – and various touches in gold that all add to the lavish feel.
The second bathroom was smaller, done out in white marble with burnished gold fixtures and fittings – and is more of a toilet room than anything – although it does feature a spacious double vanity that offers the perfect set-up for getting ready to head out.
The great thing about the accommodation options at Chateau Denmark is the way in which each one is – in its own way – a testament to the vibrant spirit of Denmark Street and nearby Soho, with unique themes, stand-out features and always lots of eye-catching art. If you’re tired of boring, cookie-cutter hotel rooms and apartments, then it’s a breath of fresh air; albeit a rather dark and atmospheric one, with plenty of glamour and endless attitude too.
Food and drink
Dining at Chateau Denmark happens across the road from the hotel at Thirteen – the hotel’s very own, multi-award-winning bar and restaurant, which serves up creative cocktails and Japanese-inspired small plates. Make no mistake; this is one of the trendiest venues in the capital in itself, and it’s a hotspot for Londoners meeting for after-work drinks or catch-ups with friends as well as with guests of the hotel.
As a result, it exudes a buzzy atmosphere, with funky beats on the go each evening, and design-wise, it’s really quite something to behold. The baroque and charmingly gothic theme continues, with geometric black-and-white flooring, a bar that’s adorned with gold, and plush velvet stools, chaise and banquette-style seating, in deep red, burgundy and navy.
I shared a selection of tasty small plates with friends, starting with some spicy edamame (a must) before moving onto the salmon maki and the signature shrimp and snow crab rolls with salmon, cucumber, spicy mayo, lime mayo, tobiko, unagi sauce and red chilli, which were both highlights. The chicken gyoza were to die for, too – perfectly cooked and bursting with flavour – and the crab tacos fused the flavours of Japan with inspiration from this well-loved Mexican street food favourite in what could only be described as bite-sized pieces of heaven.
If those don’t tickle your fancy, then there are a variety of maki and nigiri sushi rolls to choose from, along with some simpler sashimi. You can also choose from a range of more adventurous Signature Rolls such as the Caterpillar – prawn katsu, takuan, avocado, cucumber, crispy onion, tobiko, lime mayo and soy sauce – and the Smoked Salmon Roll, featuring smoked salmon, cucumber, cream cheese and tobiko and topped with lime mayo, pomegranate and dill.
Of course, along with all of those tempting dishes we needed something to wash it all down with, so we opted for a twist on our favourite spicy margaritas – the Morning Fury, which combined chilli infused El Rayo Plata tequila, apricot liqueur, Aperol, orange bitters and fresh lime to fiery and delicious effect. Other signature cocktails worth trying include the Lady Stardust – 42 Below vodka, Aperol, cointreau, passion fruit, lychee and sparkling wine – or, for something in lieu of a dessert, the Suavemente – El Rayo Plata tequila, Mozart white chocolate liqueur, Frangelico hazelnut liqueur, Borghetti coffee liqueur, espresso, and a good drizzle of salted caramel.
Evening is undoubtedly the best time to visit, and you can continue the evening downstairs at the Dial8 cocktail bar- which, like Chateau Denmark itself, is another of the city’s best-kept secrets. Thirteen does also open during the day, however, so you can pop in for a light bite between 12pm and 3pm. I have it on good authority that the Poké Bowl Set Lunch is just the ticket.
To do
If, like me, you’re paying a flying visit to Central London and need to head off early in the morning – in my case, to Heathrow Airport to catch an international flight – the hotel places you just a few minutes’ walk from the Tottenham Court Road Underground, where you can get the Elizabeth Line straight there in around half an hour. The same line will of course get you to Paddington Station, too, if you need to catch a train out of the city or are travelling in from elsewhere ahead of your stay, making this one of the best connected parts of the city.
If, on the other hand, you have plenty of time to stick around and soak up the local vibe, then given its prime location, there isn’t exactly a shortage of things to do in the vicinity. Perusing the music shops of Denmark Street is a good place to start if you’re so inclined, before making your way over to the iconic Soho Square – a historic park surrounded by quaint cafes and shops for a wander around the local boutiques, vintage shops, and independent galleries that showcase local talent. Later on, why not indulge in a spot of retail therapy in nearby Covent Garden?
If you’re keen on culture, you’ll find the world-renowned National Gallery and British Museum, which offer incredible collections of art and history, on your way over there.
By night, Soho comes alive with an array of traditional pubs, trendy bars, hedonistic clubs and live music venues to choose from. Given that Chateau Denmark is just a stone’s throw from theatreland, you could catch an iconic show beforehand if the mood strikes. But given that you’re in Central London, the possibilities are endless, and whatever you’re into, you’ll find something to your taste.
In a nutshell
For an atmospheric retreat in the heart of Central London, Chateau Denmark is steeped in gothic luxury and baroque glamour – and with one of the hottest restaurants and cocktail bars in town to its name, too, it’s got plenty going for it. Hidden away enough that it feels like you’re being let in on a juicy secret, a stay here won’t disappoint and privacy, exclusivity and indulgent luxury are the orders of the day.
Factbox
Address: Chateau Denmark, Denmark Place, London WC2H 0LA
Tel: +44 (020) 3656 1013
Email: reservations@chateaudenmark.com
Website: chateaudenmark.com
All imagery credit: Chateau Denmark
