NYX Hotel London Holborn Review

Here’s our honest, experience-based NYX Hotel London Holborn review – covering everything from check-in and rooms to breakfast, location, rooftop bar, and whether we’d stay again.

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First Impressions & Check-In Experience

We booked our stay via Booking.com, paying £268.20 for one night, including breakfast. For central London, that’s pretty standard, especially for a Friday night.

When we arrived, there was a small queue at check-in, but nothing unexpected for London. The friendly staff were welcoming and efficient, and because we were celebrating our anniversary, they really went the extra mile.

We were greeted with:

• A glass of prosecco at reception
• A handwritten message on our room mirror
• Two little cakes waiting for us in the room
  

It’s a small thing, but these personal touches genuinely made the stay feel special. That kind of attention to detail is exactly what separates a good hotel from a great one.

They also gave us a bag of complimentary sweets at reception – which, honestly, should be a standard feature in every hotel worldwide.

We arrived slightly early, but the concierge happily stored our luggage so we could head out and explore London without dragging a suitcase around.

Our Room – Executive Room with Super King Bed

We stayed in an Executive Room, around 23 square metres, with a super king bed.

First thing we noticed? The soundproofing was excellent. We didn’t hear anything from the corridor or neighbouring rooms – which is rare for a hotel in London. The only noise came from the occasional siren outside, but that’s just part of staying in a busy city.

Comfort & Layout

The bed was extremely comfortable with great pillows and proper blackout curtains (a massive win if you’re a light sleeper). The lighting was well thought out too – especially the mirror lighting, which is ideal for getting ready in the morning.

There were plug sockets on both sides of the bed (no USB ports, but plenty of space for chargers).

In the room, we had:

• Nespresso machine
• Tea & coffee
• Complimentary bottled water
• Mini fridge (with paid items)

A small bottle of champagne in the minibar was £30, so we left that firmly untouched.

Overall, the room felt spacious, modern, and practical – exactly what you want from good-quality accommodation in central London.

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Bathroom & Toiletries (Including the Misty Shower)

The bathroom was clean, modern, and well-sized. The only slightly unusual thing was the shower.

Instead of a strong stream, it came out more like a mist. It still stayed hot and worked fine – just felt different. It might be a water-saving feature, but it definitely stood out.

That said, the toiletry products were really nice – they smelled great and felt much better than the generic hotel soap you usually get.

Not a dealbreaker at all, just… a memorable shower experience.

Hotel Vibe – Funky, Relaxed & Not Pretentious

This is where NYX really shines.

The overall vibe of NYX Holborn is bold, colourful, and a little quirky – without feeling forced or pretentious. There’s funky artwork, neon signs, and statues dotted around the lobby that practically beg for Instagram photos.

But despite the stylish look, the hotel feels relaxed and welcoming. Not stuffy. Not overly “luxury”. Just cool, comfortable, and fun.

Bar, DJ & Free Arcade Machines

Downstairs, there’s a lively bar area with free retro arcade machines – which we absolutely loved.

On the Friday night we stayed, there was a DJ playing, people dancing, and a great atmosphere without it feeling like a full-on nightclub.

We started with wine, then moved onto cocktails. Prices were around £12 per cocktail, which is actually pretty reasonable for a London hotel bar.

The bar staff were brilliant – quick service, friendly, and genuinely seemed to enjoy working there.

This is one of those hotels where you could happily spend the evening without even leaving the building.

Rooftop Bar – Cocktails with a London View

Later that evening, we headed up to the rooftop bar.

It’s not a super high rooftop, but from our seats we could just about see the London Eye, which is always a nice bonus.

The rooftop space is stylish and modern, with retractable windows in summer (they were closed when we visited in March). The cocktail menu was small but solid, and again, reasonably priced.

It wasn’t too busy when we went, but we can imagine it gets very popular in warmer months.

The vibe here felt more “dress up and go for drinks” than “chill with a book” – definitely more social than relaxed.

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The Spa – Rena Spa, Pool, Sauna & Steam Room

One of the biggest perks of NYX Hotel London Holborn by Leonardo is the Rena Spa.

Facilities include:

• Swimming pool
• Sauna
• Steam room
• Treatment rooms

We didn’t actually use the spa during this stay (classic one-night trip problem), but it’s a big plus if you’re staying longer or want a more relaxing London break.

Having a spa in central London is quite rare, especially in this price bracket.

Breakfast – One of the Best Hotel Buffets We’ve Had

Breakfast runs:

• From 6:30am on weekdays
• 7am on Sundays
• And goes on late, which is perfect if you like a lie-in

We went down around 9am and it was busy, but not chaotic.

The buffet breakfast included:

• Full English options
• Continental pastries
• Fresh fruit
• Yoghurts in cute little pots
• Cereals
• Breads & spreads

There was also a chef cooking eggs to order, including omelettes.

The coffee was surprisingly good, and the best part? You can pour it into a takeaway cup and take it with you for the day.

That alone deserves a round of applause.

Food was constantly topped up, staff were efficient, and although the orange juice ran out briefly, it came back pretty quickly.

As far as hotel breakfasts go, this was genuinely excellent.

Location – Perfect for Exploring Central London

The location is one of the biggest selling points.

Although it’s classed as Camden, NYX Hotel London Holborn is right next to Holborn station – about a 4-minute short walk.

From the hotel, you can easily walk to:

• Covent Garden – 12 minutes
• Oxford Street – 12 minutes
• Soho – 20 minutes
• British Museum – 10 minutes
• St Pancras – 20 minutes

We actually walked from St Pancras with our bags instead of getting the tube.

The area feels safe, even late at night, and you’re surrounded by pubs, restaurants, cafés, and West End attractions.

If you’re looking for a hotel in central London that’s easily accessible, this location is genuinely hard to beat.

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Who Is NYX Hotel London Best For?

Based on our stay, NYX Holborn works really well for:

Couples

Especially for anniversaries, birthdays, or romantic city breaks.

Families

We saw kids at breakfast and in the bar – it’s very family-friendly.

Solo Travellers

Great vibe, safe area, and good social spaces.

Business Travellers

Fast Wi-Fi, comfortable rooms, lounge areas for working.

It’s not a silent luxury retreat – it’s more of a fun, social London hotel with personality.

Room Rates – Is It Good Value?

At around £250–£300 per night including breakfast, NYX sits in the mid-range for central London hotels.

But when you factor in:

• Location
• Breakfast quality
• Rooftop bar
• Spa facilities
• Atmosphere
• Service

It actually feels like very good value for money.

You’re getting a lot more than just a bed for the night.

Final Verdict – Would We Stay at NYX Again?

Absolutely.

NYX Hotel London Holborn by Leonardo Hotels is one of those rare places that manages to be:

• Stylish without being pretentious
• Fun without being chaotic
• Central without being noisy
• Social without being overwhelming

It’s not just a place to sleep – it’s part of the experience.

If you want a London hotel with personality, a great breakfast buffet, a rooftop bar, spa facilities, and a genuinely central location near Covent Garden, Bloomsbury, and the West End – NYX should be high on your list.

For us, it delivered exactly what we wanted from a short London city break.

And yes… we’d happily stay again.