If you’re looking for a boutique hotel in London with real character, L’Oscar is a truly unique choice.
There are places that, in our wanderings as travelers, deserve more than just one visit. London, for me, is one of them. It’s one of those cities — like New York, Paris, Singapore, or Rome — that pulls you into such an energetic, vibrant, and enriching atmosphere that you can’t help but want to return. Even a short weekend can offer a concentrated dose of beauty, variety, and possibility, enough to recharge your everyday life.
Over time, in cities like these, I’ve found my own little “sanctuaries”: favorite hotels I return to, places where I instantly feel at ease. In London, that place is L’Oscar. I love it for the genuine warmth of the staff, the beauty of the rooms and shared spaces, the refined and never predictable breakfast, the excellent drinks, and its strategic location — which, in a city like London, truly makes all the difference.
Why choose L’Oscar London
L’Oscar is a boutique hotel that feels like a feast for the senses — filled with deep blue and rich burgundy velvet, damask fabrics, soft lighting, and touches of antique gold reflecting in the mirrors.
The walls seem to hold untold stories — of love and secrets, of encounters that never quite turned into goodbyes. The ceilings are impressively high, and the lamps, decorated with small amber birds, seem to gently float above you. Every detail adds to a mood that feels suspended, almost unreal.
It’s no surprise that this hotel has such a strong theatrical soul.
The story: from Victorian church to boutique hotel
L’Oscar is set in a building dating back to 1862 — a former Victorian Baptist church that is now protected as part of the UK’s historical heritage. This very constraint is what makes it even more fascinating. Here, history isn’t just decorative — it shapes the structure, defines the space, and gives the hotel its identity.
Some original features — columns, sections of the wooden floors, and architectural details — have been carefully preserved and cannot be altered. In certain areas of the hotel, its ecclesiastical past is still clearly felt, with a surprisingly strong presence.
In the first-floor salon, you’ll notice the seven Trees of Life — a recurring decorative motif that runs through the spaces, giving the hotel an almost ritual, suspended feel, far removed from a typical hotel atmosphere.
Design by Jacques Garcia
The building’s renovation, which took six years and required a significant investment, was led by French designer Jacques Garcia, known for his rich, theatrical style.
The result is a hotel unlike any other in London. It feels sensual, dramatic, almost cinematic. Every fabric, every wallpaper, every material and shade seems carefully chosen, as if part of a perfectly staged scene, with an almost obsessive attention to details.
Why it’s called L’Oscar Hotel
The name is a tribute to Oscar Wilde and to the bohemian, literary spirit of Bloomsbury.
Wilde himself never stayed here, but he did live not far from this area. Referencing his name perfectly evokes a world of beauty, wit, eccentricity, and freedom.
After the pandemic, the hotel became part of Michel Reybier’s group, which chose to keep the name for its strong evocative value.
Lalique birds: an iconic detail
One of the details I love most is the Lalique glass birds: there are 495 in total, with 95 forming the stunning central chandelier that runs through the building.
Together with the butterflies, they echo a theme of wings, lightness, and freedom. They feel precious and delicate, almost hypnotic. There’s something slightly magical — and gently melancholic — about them, like all truly beautiful things.
The rooms at L’Oscar
L’Oscar is a boutique hotel with just 39 rooms, including Superior, Deluxe, and Suites. The rooms are anything but minimal, Nordic, or neutral. They’re theatrical, sensual, and deeply inviting.
As soon as you step inside, it feels like something is about to happen. Each room has its own character, with unique details that make it one of a kind. Nothing is left to chance.
The common areas: the Library and the Committee Room
The shared spaces — like the charming Library or the Committee Room — are often used for private events, exclusive dinners, and receptions.
The Library is one of those places where time genuinely seems to slow down.
The Committee Room still holds the atmosphere of a space once designed to preserve books, knowledge, and memory.
The Michelin Key
In 2025, L’Oscar was awarded a Michelin Key, a recognition given to hotels that offer a truly distinctive stay.
And here, “experience” isn’t just a marketing word — it’s about atmosphere, identity, and a sense of memory.
Where L’Oscar Hotel is located in London
L’Oscar is located in Holborn, a perfect base for exploring Covent Garden, Soho, and the West End. It’s central, yet away from the crowds.
If you enjoy walking, you can easily reach:
- the City, with a beautiful stroll along the Thames;
- Hyde Park and Harrods in the opposite direction;
- Camden Town, passing through Regent’s Park and along the canal.
Prices and final thoughts
If you’re looking for a boutique hotel in London that feels a little different from the usual, this is the place.
Prices aren’t cheap — but this is London, and we’re talking about a five-star boutique hotel. If you’re planning a special stay and want somewhere with real character and personality, you’re not just paying for a room here. You’re stepping into an experience you’re unlikely to forget.
A small tip: sign up for the newsletter on the official website to receive some great offers.
A hotel that becomes a story
I even featured L’Oscar in one of my short stories, The Encounter.
If you’d like to read it, you can find it here.
Some hotels are simply places where you sleep.
And then there are those that become a story.
Not sure how to choose your next hotel? Click here to find my tips.
L’Oscar London
2-6 Southampton Row, London WC1B 4AA, Regno Unito
Tel. +44 20 7405 5555
