Hyde London City, which opened in 2025, has quickly become a standout boutique option in London's financial district. Situated between St Paul's and Farringdon, the hotel occupies a grand Victorian building originally built in 1874 as the Spiers & Pond Hotel, once the only hotel in the capital with working electricity. After serving as offices in the 1980s, the building has been transformed into a stylish retreat that retains many original features such as vaulted ceilings and a grand facade.
First Impressions and Atmosphere
The lobby feels more like entering a well-connected friend's townhouse than a corporate hotel, with plush velvet, bold wallpaper, and brass fixtures creating a contemporary yet playful character. Staff are relaxed and genuinely welcoming, and the atmosphere hums with low-key energy. The hotel offers a comfortable, understated style that is immediately inviting.
Rooms: Compact but Impeccably Styled
Room sizes vary, with the majority being compact, but each is impeccably styled with custom-made furniture that fits into characterful crevices, such as dressing tables in window bays and corner sofas. The decor features floor-to-ceiling cerulean palm wallpaper, which could feel overwhelming but is balanced by thoughtful styling. Comfort is a priority: velvet curtains block out light, soundproofing is excellent, and the bed is divine. Little details include customisable lighting and Bang+Olufsen speakers.
The bathrooms are modern with terrazzo surfaces, matt black shower doors, and brass fixtures. The rainforest shower offers fantastic water pressure and is stocked with Malin + Goetz toiletries and branded sliders. The Headliner Suite, which we stayed in, boasts fabulous views of the Old Bailey and its own marble bar.
Dining at Leydi Restaurant
The food at Leydi is fantastic from start to finish. Starters include luxuriously smooth taramasalata and spicy smoked atom, served with soft, doughy bread and excellent lahmaçun. The börek, while a nice idea with leek and honey, was too thick and excessive; it needed to be smaller and crispier. Main dishes such as köfte, lamb chops, tomato salad, and beef fat chips were all perfect. The lamb chops, deeply smoky and fall-off-the-bone tender, were the standout dish. The chips, cooked in beef tallow, offered a nostalgic flavour.
Leydi has introduced a new weekday daytime menu, 'Leydi In The Window', available from 7am to 3pm, offering quick börek and dips with proper coffee for takeaway or dine-in. The hotel's basement cocktail bar, Black Lacquer, is the only vinyl bar in the area and features an impressive sound system. It is open to guests and the public from Tuesdays to Thursdays until 10pm.
Service and Amenities
Service is laid-back and warm. Guests are greeted with a smile from the hotel manager and bar staff. At dinner, the team guided us through the food and drink menus with knowledge and honesty, helping avoid over-ordering. The hotel has an air of familiarity, much like its Hoxton Hotel siblings.
The gym, however, is a small cupboard with brand-new equipment including weights, benches, and TechnoGym bikes. It is free to use, but longer-stay guests can arrange a local gym pass by enquiring at reception.
Location and Accessibility
The hotel is located in London's financial district, conveniently placed between St Paul's underground and Farringdon train station. It is a short stroll from notable restaurants such as St John, Ibai, and Quality Wines. Southbank and the Barbican are accessible on foot. Families with buggies or dogs and wheelchair users can easily use the hotel as a base to explore city attractions, avoiding stairs or stations.
Verdict
Hyde London City is hard not to like. The rooms are impeccable, though mostly on the smaller side. The service is warm and friendly, and the food is far better than expected from a hotel. It is a cool option for business travellers and a refreshing alternative in the City, offering historical surroundings and a less pretentious crowd. Prices start at £269 per night.
