Nestled in the heart of Theatreland is the first international export from famous German chain, AMANO Group. Overlooking Theatre Royal, where Russell Street meets Drury Lane, Hotel AMANO Covent Garden offers a taste of continental Europe at the epicentre of London's hustle and bustle. Flaunting sleek, low-lit interiors, alongside a swanky rooftop bar and sister restaurant, Penelope's, this hotspot appears to have it all. Did it meet the mark? I had to find out...
For a golden roll-top bath, Hotel AMANO London won't disappoint.
As my partner and I entered through the floral archway, we were immediately met with musky scents, golden accents and sultry vibes - the dream setting for a romantic Valentine's stay. This 141-room boutique hub gives guests the chance to immerse themselves in a world of European luxury. Complete with skyline views and floor-to-ceiling windows, the venue is perfect for watching the theatregoers of London waltz by.
Fronting a range of options, with 'cosy', 'comfy' or 'roomy' rooms (starting at around £190 a night), each space boasts high ceilings and bouncy king-size beds for ultimate comfort. Our room? We slept in the 'roomy' which was kitted out with a range of special touches, from a selection of Nespresso pods for a morning coffee, to an immersive rainfall shower and 24-hour room-service tablet, making for a great stay.
Expect contemporary feels here.
After chilling in our room to recuperate, we were eager to check out the Israeli-Spanish-inspired sister restaurant, Penelope's. AMANO's co-founder Ariel Schiff spent much of his childhood between Tel-Aviv and the south of Spain, experiences that have heavily influenced the menu at this eatery. Both nations are known for social gatherings and a sharing culture when it comes to food, ideal for date nights or family meet-ups alike. That's not all, as this in-house hotspot also touts gorgeous interiors, including disco balls, a balloon-laden roll-top bath and an open-kitchen space to catch all the foodie action.
While taking in the beaut decor, we had to start with some cocktails, and what a bespoke selection there was. My other half opted for Tshoka Lahaim (£16), made of a rich combination of Zacapa 23 rum and Disaronno, followed by Pasión de Malaga (£16), a smoky, spicy Mezcal-based potion, balanced by a touch of grapefruit. I was instantly drawn to our waiter's recommendation, Lala Land (£16). This sweet yet refreshing explosion was concocted using Le Tribute gin, Bergamot Italicus and a sprig of fresh basil. A real stand out.
The food tastes as good as it looks at the AMANO Covent Garden restaurant.
After working up quite the appetite, we were keen to get stuck into some tapas-style plates. The pick of the bunch was the bourekas (£13), a platter of crab-filled filo laced with lemon aioli. Almost like a seafood twist on spring rolls. My partner's favourite was the hamana shel ima (£15); a perfectly-cooked lamb breast complimented by a pistachio mole, splashes of apricot and alguashte (ground pumpkin seeds). We also dipped into a Spanish classic, jamón Ibérico (£28), and Senor O (£18), a rich ox cheek served alongside nutty Jerusalem artichoke.
As we moved to mains, we continued to explore the sharing cuisine, and plumped for the Al Aesh (£43), 350 grams of succulent grilled Hereford sirloin. Accompanied by Pimientos de Padrón and fragrant chimichurri, this meaty main was elevated even further by a side of spiced baharat patatas (£5).
As our evening drew to a close, and theatre spectators nearby called 'encore', we ambled up to the rooftop bar to take in the beautiful lights of London. The heated terrace became our home for the next hour. We toasted to a wonderfully romantic evening and debated making our way through the sensory-themed list of cocktails. Our favourites were the vodka and Campari-based Memory (£16), and Dream (£16), with copious lashings of Crystal Head vodka and vanilla lime juice.
The views will sweep you off your feet.
After a comfortable night's rest, we also enjoyed a continental breakfast (£22.60 per person). The spread was made up of a range of fresh fruit, pastries and cold meats, which all went down nicely. If that's not enough, there are also hot options available for a surcharge.
The DesignMyNight Digest
Hotel AMANO Covent Garden is the ideal hub for those who are after a sleek night's stay in Central London. From the modern interiors to the swoon-worthy rooftop bar and fusion restaurant, this gorgeous venue really knows a thing or two about swanky vibes. Would I stay again? Absolutely.
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💰 The damage: Prices for rooms start at £190 per night. Dinner, drinks and breakfast came to around £310. 📍 The location: Drury House, 34-43 Russell Street, WC2B 5HA. 👌 Perfect for: Romantic stays and Central London city breaks. ⭐ Need to know: There are also live DJ sets and entertainment at Penelope's. |
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