Hotel Review: The Dilly London

Stay in the heart of the action in central London

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The Dilly London is the newest five-star hotel in London, recently refurbished and renamed in 2020. Designed in 1904 by Richard Normal Shaw, it has a neo-baroque style, and, once designed, took only 18 months to build. Opening in 1908 as The Piccadilly Hotel, there is no doubt that the building retains a lot of its grandeur. With flags fluttering outside and a very impressive entrance under its arches, if you lift your eyes, a colonnade rises high into the Piccadilly skyline.

Hotel Review: The Dilly
Hotel Review: The Dilly

The entrance was stunning with dark navy walls and a huge illuminated ‘DILLY’ sign above our heads. Huge flower displays added a pop of natural colour, and the grand lobby made way to the long, wide corridors that you only find in the most traditional, old hotels. The Dilly has a Club floor, and we enjoyed a refreshing drink and snacks before our room was ready.

Our room

We had a wonderfully spacious room and enjoyed a great welcome with champagne and a cute chocolate phone box full of fudge. The hotel has some lovely London touches, embracing its Piccadilly location with British Floris toiletries in the bathroom and the London transport logo on the delicious macarons left for us.

Hotel Review: The Dilly

The colour scheme is muted and slick, continuing the dark navy walls throughout and accessorising red and grey. The hotel has 280 rooms over six floors and would be a great place to accommodate all your wedding guests in a sleek and stylish, quintessentially London location.

Hotel Review: The Dilly London

Afternoon Tea at The Dilly

We enjoyed the most delightful Peter Rabbit themed afternoon tea in the Terrace, a sun-soaked, glass-roofed room. With themed treats and teas, such as a ‘Flower-Pot Hideout’ chocolate pot and, of course, ‘Every Bunny’s Favourite’ carrot cake, we had such a lovely afternoon eating our three courses, and my daughter enjoyed her little garden box full of treats especially prepared for her.

Hotel Review: The Dilly

 

Weddings at The Dilly

We met Jess, who showed us all that The Dilly had to offer, including the spectacular wedding suites.

The Dilly can accommodate up to 200 guests for weddings hosted in the Grade 2 listed spaces. With its high ceilings and grand chandelier, the Georgian suite has mirrors and a sweet alcove that would be perfect for a top table. The Adams Suite has huge Edwardian windows and intricate plasterwork. You can even get married under the stars in the glass canopy of the Terrace, with access to a connecting outdoor terrace with views over London. The hotel is licensed for ceremonies and works with local suppliers to ensure a beautiful bespoke day. They are pet-friendly, too, so your furry pals can be a part of your big day.

Hotel Review: The Dilly

The Dilly also houses a swimming pool (the largest in London!), spa and even a ballroom which runs dance lessons. It would be such a fun place for a classic London hen weekend; relaxing in the spa, a dip in the pool, cocktails on the Terrace and a ballroom dancing lesson to make you feel fabulous!

Dining at The Dilly

Madhu’s has an incredible reputation as one of the finest Indian restaurants in London. Hosted in the beautifully panelled, mirrored and gilded Grade 2 listed Oak Room, Adel’s manager gave us a warm welcome to the busy restaurant.  We were presented with a gorgeous wooden box full of poppadum and enjoyed lychee and a pineapple cocktail before we ordered.

Hotel Review: The Dilly

The food was exquisite; we started with vegetable samosas, crisp and flaky, and chilli and garlic prawns and chilli chicken which was lovely – spicy with beautiful flavour. Murgh Makhani – a butter chicken dish – was our main, along with a prawn moilee curry, Kashmiri Rogan Josh and delicious naan. The chefs were amazing, with service to match. A passionfruit cocktail and dessert followed – Rasmalai – a fresh milk cake dipped in a creamy saffron and cardamom sauce. Just divine.

Hotel Review: The Dilly

After an outstanding meal, we escaped to our room for the night before enjoying breakfast the next morning outside on the terrace, with views over London. It really is the ideal location for a London wedding.

The Dilly has so much to offer behind its beautiful façade. We had a lovely stay. Here are our highlights:

  • Afternoon tea – with a fun Peter Rabbit theme and delicious treats
  • Cocktails at Madhu’s – absolutely stunning (and the meal was amazing too!)
  • The Oak Room – incredible plasterwork, chandeliers and gilding – just beautiful

The Dilly London

21 Piccadilly

London W1J 0BH

+44 (0)207734 8000

[email protected]