Amongst the bustling streets and iconic landmarks of Covent Garden, lies a boutique delight – Henrietta Hotel. The 40-bedroom townhouse, nestled on its namesake, Henrietta Street, offers a captivating blend of history, design and culinary delights, making it an ideal destination for those seeking a stylish London stay. 

Henrietta Hotel stands proudly just moments away from the Experimental Cocktail Club in Chinatown, the first London venture of the Experimental Group of which the Hotel is a part of. The influence of the group’s cocktail expertise permeates every detail of the hotel, brought to life by the imaginative design of Dorothée Meilichzon. 

“The hotel’s British architectural heritage was our biggest design inspiration for Henrietta Hotel. The surrounding architecture on Henrietta Street is varied across all the different buildings – each has different roof shapes and window ornamentations, and we have tried to reflect his through various design details across the hotel” explains Dorothée Meilichzon

The heart and soul of Henrietta Hotel lies in its exquisitely appointed bedrooms, where Meilichzon’s touch truly shines. Each of the 40 rooms boasts a unique identity with distinct palettes that blend bold colours, chic furnishings and lavish finishes. Brass bedside lights illuminate hand-made Milanese inspired headboards, 70’s retro armchairs inspired by Pierre Paulin add a touch of nostalgia, while terrazzo-shaped carpets and marble skirting subtly reflect the building’s rich history.  Black and white octagonal tiles adorn the spacious bathrooms, enhanced by large mirrors that lie above Meilichzon’s signature fountain basins. Crafted from two pieces of granite, the basins mimic the roof architecture of the locality. These clever nods are what makes Henrietta Hotel unique, every detail is meticulously thought through to provide a sanctuary amidst the hustle and bustle of the city.

One of the highlights of a stay at Henrietta Hotel is dining at Da Henrietta, the hotel’s esteemed restaurant. Here, the renowned Italian Supper Club duo, Silvio Pezzana and Toto Dell’Aringa, bring flair and energy to the table. The restaurant utilises the majority of the ground floor of the townhouse, creating a vibrant setting through clusters of oddly cut tables framed by soft velvet retro seating. Blues, greens and hints of terracotta provide a serene backdrop to the flavours and produce of Western Italy and the Tyrrhenian Sea. 

“At Da Henrietta, we want to recreate the energy, buzz, and atmosphere that has characterised our events and pop-ups for the past 10 years and to showcase the wonderful tastes, smells, and stories of the Italian West Coast” – Silvio Pezzana – Italian Supper Club Co-founder

Dedicated to spotlighting seasonal produce, the menu draws inspiration from the rich cuisines of Liguria Toscana, Lazio, Basilicata, Campania, and Calabria. The wine cellar selection at Da Henrietta mirrors this ethos and geographical influence, showcasing lesser known wines and native grape varieties sourced from small, artisanal producers along the West Coast. 

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MR TRIPPER

WORDS BY PATRICK BOYLE