If you wanted to be in the heart of all the action then booking a room at Page8, ‘the hotel for urban explorers’ would certainly be a good idea. Trafalgar Square to the left, the National Portrait Gallery directly opposite and a clutch of London’s best Theatres to the right. With a 30-second walk to the nearest tube stop and Soho just a 5-minute walk away, it’s the place to tick off your London sightseeing activities.
The hotel, owned by Butterfly Hospitality Group, is the brand’s first Page property in the UK. Their ‘urban explorer’ tagline is a cool touch and gives a hint to (what we hope) might be a growing brand on the UK City centre hospitality roster.
A smart A6 ‘Undiscovered London’ guide is available to help you on your way. It’s designed for people on the lookout for insider tips from those based in the heart of the capital; those who know about the best of the latest hangouts in the chicest neighbourhoods.
Our ‘Deluxe Double Room’ is a great size (240 sq ft) and has a view looking down to bustling Adelaide Street below. The rooms are stylishly decorated with bronze metals, dark wood, and deep blue plush furnishings, and offer plenty of space for getting explorer prepped.
The room is equipped with a work desk, ample closet space, white marble bathroom with a standing shower and sink. The Marshall Speaker has an in-room music playlist exclusively curated by the team, and there are C.O. Bigelow bathroom amenities and a Blueair air purifier.
But be warned, if you’re hoping to get off to an early start for your urban exploration, on our visit, we found breakfast to be a little chaotic at Page Common (the hotel’s coffee bar/cafe on the ground floor). The space is small and perfect for a mid-afternoon coffee stop but not ideal for a hotel breakfast space. They serve up tasty salmon bagels, avocado on toast and pastries but on both mornings we waited over an hour for food, so if you are in a rush grabbing something from the cafes opposite might be a quicker choice.
Get prepared for a surprising treat on the rooftop! Japanese restaurant Bisushima is a great place to go for dinner. You get the benefit of a great (almost 360 degree) view thanks to the terrace, which, on a warm evening, must be impossible to book, but perfect for a pre-dinner cocktail if you get in quick enough.
Cocktail tip: The Shiro (Johnnie Walk & Coconut, Laphroig 10, Hibiscus, Honey and Miso soda) and Mono No Aware (Toki Whisky, Campari, Aperol, Cointreau, Bitter Orange and Elderflower Soda), both £15, are delicious.
The restaurant chefs prep well-balanced and flavoursome Japanese dishes with their sushi bar incorporating the traditional Edomae style (the process of ageing fish) to maximise flavour and umami.
The signature tasting menu (£75 per person) is a great way to sample a bit of everything. It’s pretty substantial (no miserly portions here); you’ll get a mix of tempura, sushi and sashimi, as well as deep-fried Chicken Kara-Age and Grilled Beer Fillet Steak. Plus a big slice of dessert, so be warned and leave room!
To book a room at Page8 visit the website direct here.
To book lunch, pre-theatre meal and cocktails or dinner at Bisushima visit here.
