Ham Yard Hotel

Ham Yard is one of my favourite hidden escapes in London. The bar is a stylish, hidden gem moments away from the madness of Picadilly Circus.

The Ham Yard Hotel, part of the Firmdale family is sibling to a list of impressive addresses including The Soho Hotel and Covent Garden Hotel, both home of the resting heads of many celebs when they visit town.

Ham Yard Hotel has an urban village vibe. The hotel revolves around a tree-filled garden with a bronze sculpture centrepiece by Tony Cragg. Alongside the hotel's 91 individually designed bedrooms and suites are 24 apartments, 13 independent stores and a restaurant and bar. 

There is a rooftop garden, a drawing room and library, a professionally equipped gym with a hypoxic chamber for altitude training - a thrilling new workout fad, don’t you know - and of course, the Ham Yard Restaurant and Bar. Dishes range from house-glazed Ham Yard ham and hand rolled pasta to chilli beans on toast and ice cream sandwiches. The bar offers a selection of small plates including truffled mascarpone and ham melts, pulled pork sliders with chipotle and parsley and barbequed octopus with pickled white cabbage, lime, chili and mint. 

There is also an imported 1950s bowling alley straight from Texas.. how’s that for cool.