When Steve and I were in London earlier this year, we stayed at St. Ermin’s Hotel and had a wonderful time. The location is spot-on for sightseeing: it’s in Westminster, a few minutes’ walk from St. James’s Park and right by St. James’s Park Underground station, so getting around is easy on foot or by Tube.
Our room had all the little luxuries that make a stay feel special: bathrobes, a Nespresso machine, and bath products from The White Company. One afternoon a harpist played in the lounge, and the doormen always had a warm, polite comment when we headed out in the morning.
Breakfast set the tone each day. We were greeted by name and shown to a cozy table in a small room with a fireplace and a window facing the greenery outside. We told the staff how much we liked that table and, except for one day, they seated us there every morning. Small gestures like that make a big difference, and I was genuinely impressed with the service throughout our stay.
The hotel has its own Bee Terrace with hives, and the honey makes its way into the kitchen. There’s also a petite rooftop garden with herbs and greens, a smart, city-friendly take on sustainability right in the middle of London.
St. Ermin’s is part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection, a group of distinctive hotels around the world. You still get Marriott Bonvoy benefits, but the property keeps its own personality. Nothing about St. Ermin’s feels like a big-chain hotel; it has plenty of character, from the Caxton Bar and Tea Lounge to the generous common areas that invite you to sit with a coffee and people-watch.
Overall, it’s a truly delightful hotel: personal, thoughtful service, a prime location, and lots of small touches that make you feel at home and eager to return. If you love places with history and soul, and still want modern comfort, St. Ermin’s hits the mark.
St. Ermin’s Fascinating History
We also learned that St. Ermin’s has quite a story. The building stands where a chapel dedicated to St. Ermin once stood. Apartments were built in 1889 and converted into a hotel in 1899.
During World War II, the hotel became a hub for British intelligence. In 1940, Winston Churchill gathered a select group here for the meeting that led to the creation of the SOE (Special Operations Executive), often called Churchill’s “secret army” and a forerunner of the SAS. The SOE took over an entire floor, while MI6 worked two floors above. Churchill himself frequented the Caxton Bar for a glass of champagne, and the bar is also linked to double agent Guy Burgess, who is said to have met Russian contacts there.
You can still see traces of that past today in the lobby displays of wartime items, including a piece of original SOE silk printed with coded messages. Silk was used instead of paper because it’s light, durable, water-resistant, and silent when folded and easy to conceal in clothing or gear.
St. Ermin’s, 2 Caxton St, London SW1H 0QW, United Kingdom
St. Ermin’s is one of those rare London hotels that blends history with modern comfort. The location in Westminster is ideal, just a short walk from St. James’s Park and the Underground, so you’re close to everything yet tucked away in a quiet spot. Inside, the rooms are elegant with thoughtful details, the service is genuinely welcoming, and the breakfast is so good you’ll look forward to it each morning. With plenty of character throughout, from the Tea Lounge to the Caxton Bar, St. Ermin’s makes for a stay you won’t forget. You can check availability and book your stay at St. Ermin’s here.
