![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/DSF0345-e1d5.jpg\")
\n\t\tOriginally built as a bank in the Roaring 20s, Sofitel London St James stands tall in one of the capital\u2019s most prestigious addresses (Picture: Sofitel)<\/p>\n
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\n\t\tOriginally built as a bank in the Roaring 20s, Sofitel London St James stands tall in one of the capital\u2019s most prestigious addresses (Picture: Sofitel)<\/p>\n
Let\u2019s be honest: we\u2019ve all scrolled on the toilet more than we\u2019d like to admit.<\/p>\n
But searching for the very toilet you\u2019re sitting, on via your phone\u2019s Bluetooth devices? For me, at least, a first.<\/p>\n
Saving your preferred seat temperature for next time is an unusual perk, but it\u2019s one that awaits at London<\/a>\u2019s Sofitel St. James hotel<\/a>.<\/p>\n The same Sofitel that is one of the world\u2019s most prestigious five-star hotel chains.<\/p>\n This illustrious building had a former life as the HQ for army banking agency Cox & Kings, before it became a Lloyds Bank.\u00a0<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\tAsk Metro<\/p>\n Use AI to go deeper into the stories you care about \u2013 powered by Metro and trusted publications.<\/p>\n In 2002, the bank was transformed into the palatial five-star hotel it is today, but thankfully it\u2019s held on to many of its original features.<\/p>\n \t\t The bomb-proof safe where the King\u2019s stamp collection lived during World War II can still be seen, and the former bank vault, with its high concrete ceilings, is now a multi award-winning spa.<\/p>\n The hotel has two new flagship suites (one opera themed, one 1970s), and two prestige suites \u2013 one of which was my digs for the night (!!!).<\/p>\n With a prestige price tag to match, this is not your typical staycation. Metro checks in to see how the other half live.<\/p>\n Location, location, location<\/p>\n Just a 10-minute walk from Waterloo over London Bridge in the heart of Westminster<\/a>, the hotel\u2019s perch on Waterloo Place is perfect for tourists (but certainly adds to the premium cost).<\/p>\n \t\t\t\tLatest London news\t\t\t<\/p>\n To get the latest news from the capital, visit Metro’s London news hub<\/a>.<\/p>\n Much is on the doorstep, from the shops and restaurants of St James\u2019s and Jermyn Street to Fortnum & Mason, the Royal Academy of Arts and Mayfair to the north, Buckingham Palace<\/a> and Green Park to the west, Covent Garden to the east and The Thames to the south, all within walking distance.<\/p>\n \t\t French hotel chain Sofitel says its schtick is pairing Parisian luxury with the vibe of the location. The St. James does this perfectly \u2013 the building is full of the Edwardian elegance this stretch of London is known for.\u00a0<\/p>\n And once you\u2019re in, you have a bird\u2019s eye view of the action. <\/p>\n The \u2018Klein blue\u2019 prestige suite, for instance, overlooks Waterloo Place, and the \u2018Wimbledon green\u2019 pad captures a stunning vista of Pall Mall.<\/p>\n You can also see Banksy<\/a>\u2019s new Blind Nationalism statue<\/a> from the green suite\u2019s window. <\/p>\n The suite<\/p>\n In the lift to the first floor, Sofitel\u2019s lovely host Jinny explains that in most hotels, the higher you go, the fancier the room. But here, it\u2019s the reverse.<\/p>\n Being a Grade II listed building, the prestige, Opera and 1970s suites are all on the first floor, to allow for use of electric appliances.<\/p>\n All four of the new suites were designed by celebrated French \u2018interiors<\/a> architect\u2019 Pierre-Yves Rochon, and all have their own playful opulence.<\/p>\n Mine is green, and boy had you better like green. There is a LOT. It\u2019s dopamine decor for the ultra-rich.<\/p>\n \t\t The emerald carpets, curtains and furniture give the room a fun feel, and I especially loved the enormous mirror covering the wall between the living area and bedroom.<\/p>\n The bedroom is kitted out with a ridiculously comfortable king-sized bed, framed by a velvet cushioned wall and headboard.\u00a0<\/p>\n In the black and white tiled bathroom is a deep porcelain bathtub, walk-in rainfall shower and double vanity basins \u2013 and of course, the TOTO Japanese smart toilet.<\/p>\n \t\t Wild Honey, the hotel\u2019s one Michelin star restaurant, has received several nods, including England<\/a>\u2019s Best Restaurant at the 2024 Culinary Awards.<\/p>\n I didn\u2019t eat there, so the accolades must speak for themselves. <\/p>\n Instead, I dined at Wild Honey Bistrot, the more relaxed of the hotel\u2019s two restaurants which spills out onto a terrace.<\/p>\n The service is exquisite, and you can watch the world go by as you sip the hotel\u2019s signature \u2018custard\u2019 \u2013 not the lumpy school<\/a> dinner stuff, but a vodka cocktail infused with surplus dessert from the kitchen.\u00a0It\u2019s good.<\/p>\n \t\t Sumptuous salami croquettes and salty tuna tartare are on offer to start, and both are excellent.<\/p>\n These are followed by perfectly cooked sirloin steak with peppercorn sauce and a house burger that elevates a classic using top drawer meat.<\/p>\n To end the night, order a signature cocktail from the intimate indoor St James bar.<\/p>\n A sweet and sour grapefruit St. James spritz will cleanse your palette and have you ready to hit the pillow on the floor above.<\/p>\n \t\t Downstairs in the spa, you\u2019ll find a steam room and jacuzzi. However, there\u2019s no sauna or communal space for swimming or relaxing.<\/p>\n Space may be at a premium in this part of London, but really I expected more from a hotel of this calibre.<\/p>\n Still, what it lacks in facilities, it makes up for in treatments and touches.<\/p>\n \t\t A signature massage will have your worries melting away. You start with your choice of aromatherapy oil and end with a cup of soothing red berry tea.<\/p>\n Prices start from \u00a375 for 30 minutes, to \u00a3195 for a 90 minute deep tissue massage, or \u00a3150 for a deluxe hydrafacial.<\/p>\n If the spa doesn\u2019t do it for you, you could spend the time having afternoon tea at the Rose Lounge instead, and feel just as rejuvenated. <\/p>\n How much does it cost? <\/p>\n Brace yourself.\u00a0<\/p>\n For a one night stay in mid-August (for a non-member) the prestige suite\u2019s standard rate is\u2026 \u00a31812.48.<\/p>\n To get breakfast, that goes up to \u00a32,188.93. To guarantee free cancellation, it\u2019s going to be \u00a32628.59.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\tThe following are the standard rates: \t\t\t<\/p>\n Classic room: \u00a3441.88<\/p>\n Luxury room: \u00a3634.81 <\/p>\n Studio suite: \u00a3539.84 <\/p>\n Suite 70: \u00a32232.37 <\/p>\n Opera suite: \u00a32442.31<\/p>\n If that\u2019s all too much (and for this writer, dear reader, it is), you can eat at Michelin star Wild Honey for \u00a398 (it\u2019s a 3-course \u00e0 la carte menu).<\/p>\n At Wild Honey\u2019s Bistrot, the more casual little sister, starters are between \u00a311 and \u00a324, and mains around \u00a330.<\/p>\n Breakfast at the Bistrot is exceptional and a real highlight, so if you\u2019re lucky enough to be able to stay, pay to have it included. <\/p>\n There\u2019s everything from freshly baked buttery croissants to maple and banana pancakes, made with seasonal (and where possible, local) produce.<\/p>\n \t\t I am quite certain that I will never darken the door of this glorious establishment again. <\/p>\n But if you\u2019ve got the cash, I would certainly recommend splashing it on a stay at the Sofitel St. James.\u00a0<\/p>\n I\u2019ll keep dreaming about my night there instead.<\/p>\n Isabel Fraser was a guest of Sofitel London St James but don\u2019t expect us to sugarcoat anything \u2014 our reviews are 100% independent.<\/p>\n Rooms and suites are available to book at\u00a0sofitelstjames.com<\/a><\/p>\n Arrow Arrow Arrow![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Rose-Lounge-6e46.jpg\")
\n\t\tNot bad for an old bank (Picture: Sofitel)<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/image00006-7368-rotated-e1784819062702.jpeg\")
\n\t\tWaterloo Place is like the London we see on postcards (Picture: Isabel Fraser)<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/sofi1-428b.jpg\")
\n\t\t\u2026like we said, GREEN (Picture: Sofitel)<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/image00003-b5a2.jpeg\")
\n\t\tA fine place to scroll (Picture: Isabel Fraser)
\nFood and drink\u00a0<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/image00005-0666-rotated-e1784819417716.jpeg\")
\n\t\tThe steak was cooked to perfection (Picture: Isabel Fraser)<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Bar-cc72.jpg\")
\n\t\tThe St James bar, where the rich and famous go to play (Picture: HAIK Sephora)
\nNot your usual spa\u00a0<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/comp-1784819543.png\")
\n\t\tSpace may be at a premium in this part of London, but I really expected more from a hotel spa of this calibre (Pictures: Isabel Fraser and Sofitel)<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/image00007-cd86.jpeg\")
\n\t\tNow how to make pastries topped with edible flowers at home (Picture: Isabel Fraser)<\/p>\n
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