The Dilly Hotel London review – Take 2!
The Dilly Hotel London review, part 2! When I first stayed at The Dilly, the hotel was in the middle of a major refurbishment programme. The lobby and restaurant were closed, and although I could see the potential, it was difficult to judge the hotel at its best.
I was really disappointed to miss out on breakfast in the famous Terrace restaurant and the room was a bit underwhelming. I was therefore really excited to return and see whether the finished result lived up to expectations.
Quick answer: Is The Dilly worth staying at after the refurbishment?
Yes. The refurbishment has transformed what was a historic but slightly tired hotel into one of the most impressive places I’ve stayed in central London. The public spaces are stunning, the rooms are beautifully finished, the Terrace Restaurant is spectacular, and the service throughout our stay was excellent.
If you’re looking for a luxury hotel near Piccadilly Circus and want a special stay in the heart of London, The Dilly is now up there with the best.
Returning to The Dilly after the refurbishment
This stay was everything I had hoped it would be the first time around when I unfortunately visited during the renovation of the lobby and restaurant. I was so excited to return to see the hotel in all its glory.
The first thing that struck us was the amazing lobby, which was light, bright, with enormously tall ceilings, amazing chandeliers, artwork and marble. It was absolutely beautiful, really awe-inspiring. We were met with a friendly welcome from really helpful staff.
The Balcony Lounge at the Dilly Hotel London
Our room wasn’t quite ready, so we were given access to the Balcony Lounge, which was such a treat.
This is an area that has been refurbished recently as well, and it is absolutely beautiful, with an enormous island-style table and breakfast bar stools, comfortable sofas, lots of mirrors, and a layout that feels both stylish and welcoming.
I loved the view over the main lobby you had as it meant you could people watch and take in the vibe of the hotel in total comfort.
The lighting is fantastic, and there was a great selection of complimentary food and drink available.
Lounge access comes included in the room rate when you book a suite or junior suite so it’s worth considering.
Our refurbished room at the Dilly
We then got in the lift to our room and were absolutely overwhelmed when we saw how beautiful it was.
We had been upgraded, which was such a treat, and the room had recently been completely refurbished.
The ceilings were incredibly tall and painted with an amazingly beautiful pattern. Features such as the coving and wall panelling were absolutely stunning.
As someone who loves interiors and renovation projects, it was impossible not to notice the attention to detail throughout the room.
The windows looked out onto Regent Street and there was an enormous bed with a smoked mirror in a frame behind it, which, although super tall, didn’t look out of proportion in this amazing space.
The bathroom was finished in marble with brass fixtures and fittings, a rainfall shower, White Company toiletries, and was absolutely fantastic.
The whole room felt spectacular and was a world away from the experience I had during my previous stay while the refurbishment work was taking place.
The room facilities at The Dilly
The room was kitted out with a humongous TV ( although we tried and tried unsucessfully to screencast to it so not sure if they are set up for that).
There’s a fridge, kettle, coffee machine, ironing board, hairdryer, plus white robes and slippers. I was happy to see the security catch on the back of the door as I travel alone a lot and these give me peace of mind.
It also had thoughtful extras such as a Bluetooth speaker with a phone charger, so it really had everything you could need for your stay.
The bathroom in the room at the Dilly
If you read my post when I stayed at the Dilly before, the bathroom was very old and tired and comprised a sad old bath with a slightly grotty shower curtain.
The bathroom in this refurbished room was the polar opposite, the bathroom was so beautiful, really grand and luxurious despite not being huge.
The wall to wall marble with chunky solid brass hardware and textured details made for an amazing experience.
Breakfast in the Terrace restaurant at the Dilly Hotel London
Breakfast was served in the Terrace Restaurant, which had been out of action when I stayed previously and was one of the things I had been most looking forward to seeing after the refurbishment.
Even the entrance to the restaurant from the hallway was grand and eye-catching…
The room itself is absolutely fantastic.
It has the most beautiful curved glass ceilings and walls, and the whole space feels incredibly special.
The food was amazing with a great selection, but it was the setting that really made breakfast memorable.
The combination of the architecture, natural light and views creates an atmosphere that feels far more special than a standard hotel breakfast room.
The staff were really attentive throughout, and the breakfast is 100% worth paying for if you’re staying at The Dilly.
There were newspapers and magazines available too, so you could sit and enjoy a leisurely breakfast, read the paper, look out onto Piccadilly and simply soak up the atmosphere.
It felt like one of those classic London hotel experiences that is becoming harder to find, we had a similar experience at the Kimpton Fitzroy – another historic London hotel.
The new restaurant and bar
This time the ground floor restaurant was open, which had also been closed during my previous stay.
The restaurant serves Indian-inspired cuisine and has a fantastic circular bar positioned in front of it.
The décor was out of this world, the staff were really friendly, and there was a great selection of drinks available.
Like the rest of the hotel, it felt beautifully designed while still respecting the building’s history and character.
Ways to keep the cost down at the Dilly hotel London
It’s such a special place that I think it’s worth spending the extra money to get that elevated luxury feel, but there are still ways to keep the cost down.
Booking through third-party hotel sites can often reduce the room rate, popping into Tesco on Regent Street for snacks and drinks is far cheaper than relying on room service, and there are plenty of excellent restaurants within walking distance if you’d rather eat out than dine in the hotel.
As regular readers will know, I am always looking for ways to enjoy luxury experiences without paying more than necessary, and The Dilly is one of those hotels where a bit of planning can make a premium stay much more affordable.
Why I would happily stay at The Dilly again
The whole experience of staying at The Dilly this time was a world away from before. It is one of the nicest hotels I’ve ever stayed in and I would happily return.
This refurbishment has taken what was a very historic but tired hotel and turned it into something that feels like a real destination in its own right. The beautiful public spaces, impressive rooms, attentive service and stunning Terrace Restaurant all combine to create a stay that’s so special.
Having experienced both versions of the hotel, before and after the refurbishment, the difference is remarkable. The Dilly has retained all of the character and history that makes it unique while delivering the level of luxury and attention to detail that such an iconic Piccadilly hotel deserves.
All round, highly recommended.
Frequently asked questions about The Dilly
Where is The Dilly Hotel located?
The Dilly is located on Piccadilly in central London, within easy walking distance of Piccadilly Circus, Regent Street, Leicester Square, Covent Garden and many of London’s most popular attractions.
Is breakfast worth paying for at The Dilly?
Absolutely. The food was excellent, but the standout feature is the spectacular Terrace Restaurant with its curved glass ceiling and walls overlooking Piccadilly.
Has The Dilly recently been refurbished?
Yes. Major refurbishment works have transformed the public areas, restaurants and rooms. Having visited both before and after the renovation, the difference is significant.
Is The Dilly suitable for a luxury London stay?
Yes. Following the refurbishment, The Dilly offers a luxury experience while retaining the character and history of one of London’s best-known hotels.
Where next?
More hotels? In London Ive reviewed The Dilly (before refurb), Inhabit wellness hotel, Queens Gardens, The Standard, The Kimpton Fitzroy and Melia at the white house
In Brighton there’s The Grand and The Hilton Metropole
In Rome there’s The Tribune
In Lisbon there’s Locke de Santa Joana
In Malta there’s Hilton Doubletree
