PILLOW TALK: PAGE 8, LONDON

Tell us what you’ve got…

When a hotel has “Home of Urban Explorers” permanently etched into one of the many top-to-toe windows allowing passers by a sneaky peek of the lobby-cum-coffee-bar-cum-social-space, you know you’re onto a winner.

For what this hotel lacks in facilities – the rooftop bar and restaurant is (for reasons we aren’t sure) permanently closed – it makes up for in location: a two-minute stroll from Leicester/Trafalgar Square tube stations, and a stone’s throw from the theatre district, Chinatown and Covent Garden. If that wasn’t enough, the Portrait Gallery is directly opposite. For new explorers, it’s a postcode that’s hard to beat.

Page Common is the hotel’s industrial-style café and social space doubling up as a place to check in and out, and ask questions about the city (staff are as friendly as they are knowledgeable so take advantage).

Where do we sleep?

Page 8 has 183 rooms – including superior and family rooms - over five floors. Pushing 5 on the lift and opening the door to our superior room, we were instantly (and gratefully) whisked away from the hubbub outside. Crisp white walls and bed linens are juxtaposed with Royal blue leather headboards and chairs, and bronze accents. We loved the black retro phone (working – the child picked up the receiver several times to double check she wasn’t mishearing the dial tone) and the Marshall speakers. Plug your phone in and play your ear candy of choice.

Despite being in the thick of it, large windows offer London views without the noise - considerable money has been spent ensuring rooms remain quiet. Electronically-controlled black-out blinds also keep guests dreaming long after the sun comes up, while a diffuser deals with the pollution. Combine the quiet/darkness with a very respectable 12pm check out, and a parent-friendly lie-in is almost guaranteed. In London, no less.

For those pre-breakfast morning’s, rooms have little kettles, great coffee in drip bags and a selection of teas. You’ll also find powerful hairdryers, crisp white towelling robes and comfy slippers.

Superior rooms also come with a free mini-bar in a pull-out drawer-cum-fridge (quirky) with little bottles of Prosecco, cans of sparkling white and rose wine, craft beers, cola, semi-skimmed milk and a passionfruit and Ginseng shot. Reading material is sophisticated; there’s a large flat-screen for those episodes of Peppa Pig on repeat, if required.

Bathrooms are super stylish with black and white marble walls and sinks, and vigorous showers behind glass doors. A sucker for a splash in the tub (none of the rooms have baths), Lily-Jane happily (and somewhat unusually) washed the heat of the day off in the shower, marvelling at the smell of the Antipodes Fig & Feijoa shampoo, conditioner and body wash, and the amenities in eco-friendly packaging, including toothbrushes, shower caps, cotton wool pads, shaving kits and combs.

Feed us…

Page Common serves a good selection of coffee and tea all day and evening, as well as a small selection of food, cakes, wines and beers.

Or scan a QR code in your room and have food delivered day and night. With Chinatown on our doorstep, we ventured out and tucked into a selection of Dim Sum - a surprising hit with the 11-year-old – whilst watching the world go by.

Breakfast is a go-up-and-pay affair with a great selection of coffee. We loved our smashed avocado on toast with slices of fig, served with a piping hot Americano with cold milk. The ham and cheese croissant and apple juice placed down opposite me went down a storm.

Verdict

For a peaceful stay in an exciting location, Page 8 comes up trumps. We loved the design of the room with its quirks, and our breakfast. A rooftop bar – with London views and added dining option – would elevate most stays, but if the goal is to explore, Page 8’s paired-down menu encourages you to do just that.

7/10