The Ned is a masterclass in being timeless yet trendy.
Few hotel names are a byword for cool. When you say the two words – The Ned – they ooze a delight, which made the people I told just as excited as I was about my stay. It’s remarkable that something so historic can be so cool – but that’s the magic of the hotel.
In 2017, the brand first opened The Ned in London. In 2022, it expanded with The Ned NoMad in New York and The Ned Doha in Qatar. The brand has breathed new life into historic places around the world. The locations may differ, but the DNA stays the same across the design and dining.
When we entered, we were greeted by top hats and a band – the same centre stage setup as in The Ned Doha, where I had previously stayed. Situated in the former Midland Bank headquarters, the original building was designed by Sir Edwin ‘Ned’ Lutyens and dates back to 1924. The scale of the place is grab-your-phone-and-take-a-photo impressive – we were constantly looking up, down, left and right, from the 92 one-million-pound verdite columns to the original floor.
It felt like stepping back in time. Although the laptops lining the sushi bar reminded us we were in modern-day London. The check-in desk felt like a cross between a Wes Anderson movie and The Crown. It felt as though you might bump into a celebrity. It fits perfectly — critics, customers, and celebrities all love this hotel. When it opened, it was a hotspot for hipsters, from Alexa Chung to Nick Grimshaw. Today, the crowd felt like a mix between city boy and Love Island contestant.
The staff were warm and welcoming, and passionate and proud of where they work. They recognised my booking from my name, without me needing to spell it. This was a first for me, even in five-star hotels, and a sign of a professional and personal touch.
Rooms and suites
The Ned London features 250 rooms and suites, including Cosy, Large, Grand Heritage, and more. Located on the Grade I-listed fifth floor, we checked into one of the Heritage Rooms. Each step down the long corridor felt like walking into history, thanks to the high ceilings, rich carpets and chandeliers.
The Heritage Rooms draw inspiration from the building’s 1920s heyday. It featured original details by the architect, from the French-polished walnut wall panelling to marble fireplaces. The high ceilings gave the room a wow factor, and everything felt polished and plush. We fell in love with the retro yet refined touches: a vintage Roberts radio, rotary-dial phone, traditional tea set, and tea and coffee in silver jars.
The bathroom came with a walk-in rainforest shower and a bathtub big enough for two, while the full-size Cowshed products, with their fun and funky names, added a playful touch. And, a book on the table by Edward Lutyens himself, helped make the whole experience feel full circle.
Restaurants and bars
At the heart of The Ned London are the three bars and seven restaurants on the ground floor. The entrance is buzzing with activity, so you could be at any of its spots, but you are all connected by the performers on stage. Millie’s is the all-day dining spot – at breakfast, there is no buffet, but a range of healthy to hearty dishes. Afternoon tea is a terrific treat, crafted by Darian Schmidt and Yadira Jauffrineau following their winning journey on Bake Off: The Professionals 2025. The menu even includes pâtisseries from the show.
The Parlour is giving sultry speakeasy vibes. Filled with date nights, it’s a superb spot to snuggle and watch the top-class performers. Start the night at The Guinness Bar, which pays tribute to Ireland’s black stuff, and end it at The Vault, which is quite literally in the bank’s vault.
Nowhere else in London can you sip a drink in such a storied setting – the bar is lined with 3,000 original safe deposit boxes. While so much of the design draws inspiration from the past, there are nods to the future. The bar channels an old-school, male, private-members’-club vibe, but the artwork — all by women — balances it beautifully.
Facilities
The Ned has cleverly mastered the art of appealing to both visitors and locals – a FOMO-inducing membership, anyone? The hotel boasts stunning spaces for hire, from The Prince’s Dome to the Tapestry Room – one features an old cupboard with specially designed drawers for men to store their top hats before meetings, naturally. Every corner has a story.
The Ned Gym combines modern equipment with a traditional design and classes and personal trainers. The Ned’s Club Spa has one of the most luxurious swimming pools in London, and a rooftop pool with views you don’t normally see of the city. Plus, there is Ned’s Barbershop, Ned’s Parlour and eight treatment rooms, including a couple’s suites, where you can indulge in treatments, from a Deep Tissue Massage, Lymphatic Massage, or Salt Scrub and Massage.
Verdict
The Ned will soon be celebrating its 10th anniversary. It’s no mean feat to introduce a brand, expand it, and make it feel both old and new at the same time. What made this stay feel extra special was that, having visited another Ned before, coming to the original only made me want to visit another.
The Ned London: classy, confident and, above all, cool.
GO: Visit www.thened.com for more information.