We’ve been to London several times and enjoy switching up where we stay. But this trip was different — we were traveling with first-time visitors who wanted to see the major sights. We decided to splurge a bit and stay somewhere central, comfortable, and unique. With Hyatt points available and a generous Globalist Suite Upgrade from a Your Mileage May Vary reader (thank you again), the Great Scotland Yard Hotel became our base for a two-night stay in London.
It turned out to be a fantastic choice.
Great Scotland Yard Hotel – The Unbound Collection by Hyatt
Booking & Value
Great Scotland Yard is a Category 6 World of Hyatt property. We booked two rooms for two nights using points: 25,000 points per room per night, for a total of 100,000 points. Cash rates for our dates were around $500 per night, so using points worked out to roughly two cents per point — about the average value I try to get with Hyatt.
London hotel prices can get high quickly, even at average properties. For example, the Hilton London Metropole was over $300 per night during our stay, and that’s not exactly a hotel you’d plan a trip around. Covering the stay with points made this splurge pleasant rather than painful.
Thanks to the gifted Globalist Suite Upgrade, one of our rooms was bumped up to a Koestler Suite, which typically runs around $700 per night. It was a huge upgrade in comfort for zero extra dollars.
Location — Right Where You Want to Be
For a first visit to London, the location is excellent. It’s a short walk to many major sights:
- Big Ben, Parliament, and Westminster Abbey
- Buckingham Palace (under 20 minutes on foot)
- West End theaters for an evening show
The only real trade-off is access to transportation. The nearest Tube stations — Charing Cross, Embankment, or Westminster — are about a 5 to 10-minute walk. It didn’t bother us, but if you prefer to step out the door and directly onto transit, there are better-connected neighborhoods.
Because the hotel sits just off the main street, we were pleasantly surprised by how quiet it was. Minimal road noise and only a bit of foot traffic from a nearby pub made it very easy to sleep, even with windows facing outside.
Standard Room – Two Twin Beds
Our friends stayed in a two-twin room measuring 269 square feet. Compact, yes, but absolutely expected for such a central location. The layout made good use of the space, and the room felt polished rather than cramped.
Koestler Suite – A Well-Used Upgrade
The Koestler Suite measures 322 square feet. While that’s not large by suite standards, the separate living room made the room feel significantly more spacious. It was great to have a comfortable place to relax that wasn’t the bed.
A comfortable sofa sat across from a faux fireplace topped with a large television. A small dining table gave us a separate spot for snacking or working. And unlike most minibars in big cities, everything inside was complimentary — waters, sodas, and snacks alike.
In the bedroom, the king bed was incredibly comfortable and the blackout curtains kept the room dark in the early morning. Charging ports were easily within reach of the bed, including multiple USB, UK, and Euro-style outlets.
Details like charming toggle switches for lighting helped the suite feel luxurious without being overly formal.
Suite Bathroom
The bathroom was one of the nicest we’ve experienced in London. The walk-in shower featured dramatic deep-blue tile and excellent water pressure.
The toilet was a Toto washlet, always a welcome surprise while traveling. The marble vanity looked elegant and included Jo Loves toiletries — a step above typical hotel amenities.
Public Spaces — Wonderful Design Personality
Great Scotland Yard sets itself apart from the moment you step inside. The design is inspired by the building’s history with British law enforcement and crime, but it never feels heavy-handed or themed for the sake of a theme. Instead, it’s eclectic and playful in the best possible way.
There’s a giant rhino-shaped chair in the lobby and a portrait wall referencing criminal history and figures connected to the region.
Elsewhere, you’ll find art that nods toward neighboring 10 Downing Street and decorative touches that encourage you to keep exploring the property.
The bars carry the idea forward. The 40 Elephants offers coffee in the afternoon before transitioning to cocktails later in the day.
Sibín, the hotel’s speakeasy-style spot, is tucked behind rotating artwork and has an impressive whiskey collection, plus a surprisingly good non-alcoholic cocktail menu.
Service — Thoughtful and Genuine
Even with how stylish the hotel is, the service stood out the most. Staff were warm, proactive, and attentive in ways that made a noticeable impact on our stay.
When we asked about getting to Buckingham Palace for the Changing of the Guard, we weren’t just given walking directions. We were handed a map explaining how the ceremony works with recommended viewing points. When we needed to get to Waterloo Station, the front desk suggested ordering one larger Uber instead of two separate taxis, saving both money and time. Gestures like that show an awareness of what guests actually need.
We were offered late checkout, though we didn’t take advantage of it since we were headed out early to the Harry Potter Studio Tour. Daily housekeeping was provided, though turndown service was not. Wi-Fi was fast and free throughout the stay.
Dining and Other Amenities
We didn’t dine at the hotel during this stay, but dinner is served in the main restaurant and breakfast, afternoon tea and dinner are available in The Parlour. There is also a fitness center and meeting spaces available, although we didn’t have a chance to visit them.
Considering the quality of the bars and public spaces, we’d expect dining to be very good.
Final Thoughts — Would We Stay Again?
Great Scotland Yard offers a compelling mix of style, comfort, and proximity to major attractions. It’s an especially strong choice for Hyatt loyalists looking to use points for a premium-feeling stay in Westminster.
A few reasons someone might prefer a different option:
- If you want immediate Tube access
- If you plan to spend most of your trip in outer neighborhoods
But for visitors who want to walk to many of London’s major historic and political sites, who appreciate a hotel with personality, and who value attentive service, this hotel hits the mark. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay and are adding it to our list of places where we would happily return.
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