Sofitel London St James occupies a handsome building at 6 Waterloo Place, at the junction of Pall Mall and Regent Street, in the quiet, clubby heart of St James's. The page cites a five-star rating from VisitEngland, lists 183 rooms and a 9.6 guest rating from 1,001 reviews. The position is excellent for sightseeing: Regent Street, Theatreland and Her Majesty's Theatre are about a minute away, St James's Square one minute, The Mall two, Piccadilly Circus Underground three and Charing Cross eight. The hotel lists a full-service spa with a Turkish bath, hydrotherapy and body treatments, a 24-hour gym, and restaurants including Wild Honey St James and the Bistrot at Wild Honey. Bars include the St James Bar and The Rose Lounge. Free Wi-Fi is provided in rooms, though wired internet in some public areas is charged.
The feel is French-flavoured luxury in a very English setting, and it suits visitors who want elegance and a central location without the scale of a mega-hotel. Check-in begins at 3:00 PM, the minimum age is 18, and check-out is before noon. English breakfast is a paid extra, as are parking, rollaway beds and pets. A photo ID and a card or cash deposit may be required at check-in, and free cancellation is offered on select rates.
Family policies are generous in one respect: up to two children under eleven can stay free using existing beds. Dogs up to a stated weight limit are permitted for a fee, and service animals are exempt. Smoking is not allowed. The hotel is a short walk from Buckingham Palace via The Mall, Green Park and St James's Park, so it makes a good base for the royal sights, while the theatres of the West End and the shops on Regent Street and Jermyn Street are all close.
Sofitel St James suits couples, theatre-goers and visitors who prefer a refined, central stay to a trendy one. It is a quieter address than Soho and Covent Garden in the evening, which many guests prefer, though it means fewer casual bars on the doorstep. The honest advice is to compare rates with other five-star hotels nearby, since pricing varies with the calendar, and to take advantage of the spa and restaurants if you are paying for the position.
Pair it with a walk through St James's Park, a show at a nearby theatre and a dinner at Wild Honey.
Why stay here
- ✓183 rooms
- ✓Spa with Turkish bath
- ✓24-hour gym
- ✓Wild Honey St James restaurant
- ✓Bistrot at Wild Honey
- ✓St James Bar and The Rose Lounge
- ✓Piccadilly Circus three minutes away
- ✓Free Wi-Fi in rooms
Good questions
Where is Sofitel London St James?+
At 6 Waterloo Place, SW1Y 4AN, near Regent Street and The Mall. Piccadilly Circus Underground is about three minutes on foot.
Can children stay free?+
Up to two children under eleven can stay free using existing beds, according to the hotel.
Does it have a spa?+
Yes, a full-service spa with a Turkish bath, body treatments and hydrotherapy, plus a 24-hour gym.
