spice of life review - a boutique pub stay in the heart of London’s west end
Finding a hotel in central London that offers character, an unbeatable location, and good value can be surprisingly difficult. After spending several nights at the Spice of Life in Soho, I came away impressed by just how much this small boutique hotel has to offer. While my stay wasn't completely without a few minor hiccups, the staff's willingness to resolve issues quickly, combined with the hotel's unique charm and exceptional location, made it a place I would gladly return to on future visits to London.
Location: One of the Best Bases for Exploring London
I'd recently returned to London for a short visit, and if you'd read my Hazlitt's Hotel review you'd not be faulted for thinking I'd have been inclined to stay there again. You'd not be wrong for thinking that, either - I did genuinely consider booking another stay at Hazlitt's as I'd enjoyed it so much my first time there. I ultimately chose to mix things up a bit, and check out something new and different. I did still want to stay in Soho, however, as I love the area and had also planned to see the musicals Oliver! and Paddington at theatres in the area. So I poked around Booking.comª to find some hotel options, and Spice of Life caught my eye.
The hotel's greatest strength is undoubtedly its location. Tucked away in Soho above the historic Spice of Life pub, it places you in what I consider to be one of the very best neighborhoods in all of London.
Whether you're visiting for sightseeing, theater, shopping, or simply to enjoy London's incredible food scene, it's difficult to imagine a more convenient place to stay. The West End's famous theaters are only a short walk away, making it easy to catch an evening performance without worrying about transportation afterward. Covent Garden is nearby, offering street performers, boutique shopping, and countless cafés and restaurants. Leicester Square, Piccadilly Circus, and Oxford Street are all within comfortable walking distance, while multiple Underground stations are close enough that reaching virtually any part of London is quick and straightforward.
Despite being in the middle of one of London's liveliest districts, the hotel still manages to feel like a hidden gem. Stepping inside feels like discovering a boutique retreat tucked away from the bustle outside.
The Spice of Life pub and hotel in London
The Spice of Life pub occupies the ground floor, with a live music space on the floor below. The 12 bookable rooms occupy the above-ground floors and include Boutique, Signature, Boutique Twin, and Boutique Joiner rooms.
Excellent Value for Central London
London is known for expensive accommodations, particularly in Soho, so I was pleasantly surprised by the price. Considering the location alone, the Spice of Life represents excellent value. Rather than paying premium prices for a generic chain hotel, you get a distinctive boutique experience in one of the city's most desirable neighborhoods. I paid £260/night (around $350 USD at the time) in early January for my Signature Room - the largest rooms on offer. The smaller Boutique rooms are more affordable, and include king bed and 2-twin bed options, along with connecting (“Joiner”) Boutique room options.
For travelers who want to maximize their sightseeing while minimizing commuting time, the savings in both money and convenience make this property especially appealing.
The West End, at your doorstep
The Spice of Life overlooks the intersection of Charing Cross Rd. and Shaftesbury Ave. in London - an ideal location if your trip to London includes West End shows and you’re looking to explore Covent Garden and Soho.
Rooms That Feel Full of Character
One of the things I appreciated most was that the room didn't feel like every other hotel room. It was spacious, thoughtfully decorated, and had its own personality, creating a much warmer and more memorable atmosphere than many modern hotels.
The room blended classic charm with practical modern conveniences. Electrical outlets were conveniently located beside the bed, along with both USB-A and USB-C charging ports, making it easy to charge multiple devices overnight without hunting for adapters.
The bathroom was exceptionally large by London standards and easily one of the nicest features of the room. The oversized shower offered excellent water pressure, something every traveler appreciates after a long day of walking around the city. A wireless charging pad integrated into the vanity was another thoughtful touch that made daily routines even more convenient.
Perhaps the room's most memorable feature, however, was the beautiful large soaking bathtub positioned within the bedroom itself. It gives the room a boutique luxury feel while maintaining the building's historic character. After long days exploring London, soaking in the tub was a wonderful way to relax before heading out for dinner or turning in for the night - yes, I actually did use the tub! Sure, it may be a bit of a gimmick but it was there and tempting me so I made it a point to use it. I only wish there was some bubble bath or I'd picked up a bath bomb to use in it while soaking in some hot water and watching Absolute Fabulous and The Inbetweeners on TV.
Breakfast Worth Adding
The Spice of Life isn't just a hotel—it's also attached to a traditional London pub, and breakfast downstairs became one of my favorite parts of the stay.
Guests have the flexibility to either include breakfast with their reservation or simply pay for it separately each morning. I chose not to add the breakfast option to my booking, and just paid for it separately as I wanted - and used - the option to also head outside of the hotel in the morning for breakfast at a couple spots nearly on most mornings.
The food was freshly prepared, generously portioned, and an excellent way to start the day before heading out to explore London. The relaxed pub atmosphere also provides a more authentic experience than the standard hotel breakfast room. While I didn't eat any other meals at the Spice of Life during my stay, they do have a full menu available for lunch and dinner.
The Spice of Life Pub
You can have breakfast in the pub downstairs, as well as enjoy a drink or two in the afternoons and evenings (like I did with my 0.0% Peroni). There’s also a full lunch and dinner menu, and live music and trivia some nights. Check-in for hotel guests is also at the bar, and staff can be reached 24hrs a day via WhatsApp.
Service: Responsive When Things Didn't Go Perfectly
No hotel stay is perfect, and mine included a couple of unexpected issues.
When I first arrived, I was mistakenly assigned a room that was already occupied. While understandably awkward, the staff immediately apologized, resolved the mistake quickly, and had me settled into the correct room without much delay.
Later during my stay, the heating in my room stopped working. Rather than leaving me waiting, the staff promptly brought up a portable heater so I would remain comfortable while they worked on a permanent fix. Before long, the heating system was fully repaired, and the remainder of my stay was problem-free.
What stood out most wasn't that these issues occurred—occasional problems can happen at any hotel—but rather how professionally and promptly the staff handled them. Their responsiveness demonstrated a genuine commitment to ensuring guests had a comfortable experience.
The Signature Room Soaking Tub
You can bet I got some use out of the soaking tub! I only wish I’d bought a bath bomb while out and about so I could make the most out of my time in the tub sipping coffee and watching AbFab.
Final Thoughts
The Spice of Life offers something increasingly difficult to find in central London: a boutique hotel with genuine personality, modern comforts, an outstanding location, and prices that remain surprisingly reasonable.
It's an ideal choice for theatergoers wanting to stay within walking distance of the West End, first-time visitors looking for a central base from which to explore London, or returning travelers who appreciate staying somewhere with more character than a conventional hotel chain.
While my stay included a couple of minor operational hiccups, they were handled efficiently and never overshadowed what was otherwise an excellent experience. Between the spacious and beautifully designed room, thoughtful amenities, outstanding breakfast, and unbeatable Soho location, the positives far outweighed the negatives.
If I were planning another trip to London, I would have no hesitation booking the Spice of Life again. For travelers seeking a memorable boutique hotel in one of the city's most vibrant neighborhoods, it's an easy recommendation.
Rooms at a pub? How does that work?
The Spice of Life is a pub, with 12 hotel rooms above it. How does that work. You check in to the hotel at the bar in the pub. There’s also a door that separates the pub from the hotel area, that can only be unlocked with a room key. Further, there’s a door that leads directly to the street from the hotel area, for which a room key is also required. While there’s no front desk, if you need to reach staff after hours you can message them on
Spice of Life Pub & Boutique Rooms, 6 Moor Street, Soho, London, W1D 5NA
My stay was in January 2026, in a Signature Room. I booked a flexible rate, and paid with a credit card (no points redemption). I found the property on Booking.com but booked directly through the Spice of Life website.
