If you enjoy luxury properties with a difference, this Hyatt-run hotel on London’s famous Great Scotland Yard street will tick all the boxes.
Scotland Yard is a street immortalised in every Sherlock Holmes novel, countless crime movies and TV shows, and the history books for its pioneering innovations in forensic science.
Today, Great Scotland Yard Hotel sits at the centre of this notable London road, a 152-room and suite property that weaves history and legacy into an ingenious five-star stay.
First impressions
The lobby makes a standout first impression © Great Scotland Yard Hotel
The seven-storey brick façade of Great Scotland Yard Hotel has an aura of importance, even before you step inside. Large green doors open into a small entryway, where a besuited man offers a chipper greeting and brief escort to the arrival desk.
The quirkiness of the lobby sets a great first impression, from the row of mugshot-like pictures of British dignitaries to the metre-high rhinoceros chair, and traditional ‘Bobby’ police hat on a feature wall of crime-related artifacts.
Check-in was effortless, followed by host Polly touring me around the ground-floor facilities – all dining and beverage-related – including opening a false bookcase to a clandestine bar, Síbín Speakeasy.
The mug-shot picture wall immediately grabs your attention © Zoe Macfarlane
Beyond the lobby, the special touches continue, from quaint sausage-dog elevator handles to gold fire hydrants and elephant doorknobs. Great Scotland Yard Hotel does quirky like other properties do beige.
Like a mystery writer plants clues for readers to guess whodunnit, every foray in and out of the hotel gave hints as to how well-considered and attentive the finer details are at Great Scotland Yard Hotel.
There are nods to Scotland Yard, London, and great British traditions everywhere; even the wooden room card had a monocle and moustache carved into it.
The room
The Sherlock Suite © Great Scotland Yard Hotel
As a lover of mystery novels, the Sherlock Suite was a dream stay. Storage for the hairdryer, safe, and minibar are as carefully hidden as a red herring in an Agatha Christie novel, while Polly gave me clues on where to find what in my room, uncovering the clever nooks and crannies added a thrill.
The Sherlock Suite is a two-room affair, with the plush four-poster bed the bedroom’s main feature, and a cosy sofa, armchair, and small table and chairs in the lounge area.
A false bookcase revealed a wardrobe; another, the iron and board. A wolf’s head hook proved the perfect place to hang a hat, and the moustache handle above the minibar was simply delightful.
The spacious bathroom
In the opulent bathroom, everything is impressive from the large bath that filled in record time to the powerful rainforest-head shower and high-tech toilet/bidet that opened automatically.
It seems only fitting that a stay in the Sherlock Suite required a little detective work. The mystery? Figuring out which of the four light switches needed to be flicked for lights out.
Another enigma? How Great Scotland Yard Hotel soundproofs the rooms so well. Entering the room made central London vanish into thin air.
Wine and dine
Michelin-starred Ekstedt at the Yard uses traditional Nordic cooking methods © Ekstedt
Michelin-starred Ekstedt at the Yard is the property’s signature restaurant, with Scandinavian wood-fired fine-dining by chef Niklas Ekstedt.
Low lights, a subtle herb-and-wood aroma, and the open kitchen felt as cosy as a hygge Nordic abode, though the five or seven-course dining options were far superior to home cooking.
Using only traditional Scandinavian cooking techniques over an open flame, the craftsmanship of flavours was sublime.
A table at a time, guests join the chef in the kitchen to watch him caramelise oysters with beef fat. I’d never been an oyster fan until then, when I promptly wished to never have any other flavour cross my lips.
Every course proved a taste sensation at Ekstedt © Zoe Macfarlane
Niklas Ekstedt’s other signature dish – cep mushroom soufflé – also impressed. That mushrooms can work with ice cream and blueberries and taste that good is a testament to his skill and creativity.
Breakfast is also served at Ekstedt, with continental breakfast staples and one à la carte menu item. The full English breakfast even included haggis. A free-from section housed gluten-free breads, cereals, and a very sweet banana bread.
Even the savoury serving platter keeps with the 40 Elephants theme © Zoe Macfarlane
While also a breakfast spot, I visited The Parlour for afternoon tea. High tea is common across London, though The Parlour’s offering stands out from the first bite to the last lick of chocolate mousse from my fingers.
The Afternoon Tea Chronicles are inspired by the 40 Elephants, an all-female gang of jewel thieves. In the spirit of the women’s 80-year rebellious streak, the afternoon tea goes predominantly against the grain, besides scones with clotted cream and jam, of course, because it would be criminal to skip those at a British high tea.
The 40 Elephants-themed sweet treats are works of art © The Parlour
In a stylishly eclectic setting, the service begins with a smoking dish of savouries. Literally… the wisps of smoke acted like a bait-and-switch tactic to divert attention. Only instead of discovering my valuables had vanished, the smoke dissipated to reveal dainty sandwiches, prawn cocktail rolls, and a very morish broccoli and lemon quiche.
The tiered dessert stand is worthy of thievery; the cakes felt more work of art than a dessert. Standouts included the decadent 40E chandelier cake and the pocket watch-shaped coffee mousse.
Dining at Great Scotland Yard Hotel is so creative and flavourful, I declare it a London must-do, even if you’re not staying there.
Out and about
Oxford Street is a short walk from Great Scotland Yard Hotel © Lunamarina
Great Scotland Yard Hotel’s Westminster location is quiet yet central, between two iconic landmarks – Nelson’s Column and Big Ben. Charing Cross is only a five-minute walk, offering easy access to the Tube and Kent’s rail connections.
During my stay, I explored London on foot. From catching a matinee show in the West End to shopping on Oxford Street and exploring South Kensington’s museums, it felt liberating to avoid the Tube and see London above ground.
The verdict
The quirky attention to detail elevates Great Sotland Yard Hotel © Zoe Macfarlane
The property’s central location, exemplary service, decadent dining, and quirky touches – especially the crime-related details – elevated this Hyatt Unbound Collection from a 5-star stay to an exceptional one.
The only misdemeanour experienced during my Great Scotland Yard Hotel stay was that I could only stay two nights.
The details
- Address: 3-5 Great Scotland Yard, London SW1A 2HN
- Room type: Sherlock Suite
- Check-in: 3pm
- Check-out: 12pm
- Rates: Standard rooms from A$625; Sherlock Suite from A$1,050 per night.
For more information, visit Great Scotland Yard.
