The Newman Hotel in London draws inspiration from literary greats in neighbouring Bloomsbury.The Newman/Supplied
You might not think that the heart of historic literary London would be home to a new-age wellness haven in a boutique hotel, but that’s what I found at the Newman.
The 81-room hotel taps into the zeitgeist of the moment: It’s not just the corporate titans spending big bucks to try to hack mortality, but many of us who just want to feel good for longer.
Opened in February in the chic Fitzrovia neighbourhood next to famed Bloomsbury, it draws inspiration from the famous writers – from George Orwell to Dylan Thomas to Virginia Woolf – who once called the area home. (Orwell would definitely not be down and out in London if he stayed here.)
Access to the sauna, a halotherapy salt lounge, a steam room, a hydrotherapy pool, an ice lounge and the gym all come with your stay.The Newman/Supplied
Why you should visit
Wellness options are front and centre at the Newman, occupying a full floor including a gym and spa features. The jewel is a suite of therapy stations including a sauna, a halotherapy salt lounge, a steam room, a hydrotherapy pool and an ice lounge – access to all this, plus the gym comes with your stay.
There are also yoga and Pilates classes and, of course, treatments for a fee. The session I booked was exactly what I want in a massage: treatment tailored to the level of pressure I can handle, good communication (but not superficially chatty) and tips on what I can do at home to loosen the knots.
Once I put the more healthful elements of my visit aside, it was time to indulge … at least a little bit to start. A visit to the chess-themed cocktail lounge The Gambit (yes, a nod to the hugely popular movie The Queen’s Gambit) did not disappoint. The cozy jazz-style bar offered not only its signature cocktails, but zero-proof alternatives – a welcomed option after a transatlantic flight so I wouldn’t faceplant before dinner.
Dining afterward at the hotel restaurant, Brasserie Angelica, was a delight. Much of what it offers is made in-house, and the quality shows. The gravlax and rillettes were standouts. And the wine list was well-curated without being overwhelming (I don’t want to have to read a book just to order a bottle of wine). I found a wonderful pinot noir from New Zealand that I hadn’t tasted since I visited that country. The brasserie also offers terrace seating, and there’s a dog-friendly bar to the side.
My one-bedroom suite had a separate living area, a bathroom, and one of my all-time favourite features: a separate water closet – who wants to wait to use the loo? Awaiting me were welcome savoury treats and a bottle of British bubbly, which comes standard with suites. I was lucky to be in London between the many heatwaves this year, so I appreciated radiant floor heating. A soaker tub with Epsom salts helped nurse my jet lag (or at least brought me to a sound sleep). And it was a great to find the writing desk with had outlets at computer level (no crawling underneath to plug in).
The wellness theme follows you into the room, with health-minded offerings including mushroom tea. There’s a menu of retail items you can purchase including gummies, sprays and oils, plus a yoga mat in the room. (Peloton bikes are even available for some units upon request.)
The aesthetic is refined in a casual, almost art deco vibe.The Newman/Supplied
The quality of the service and the keen eye on design at the Newman also stand out. The front desk staff are keenly engaged with their clients, conversational and friendly. That might be off-putting to those who look for more formality, but I thought it fit right in with the feel of the place.
A lot of thought was put into the visual concept of the hotel, too – everything from custom-designed lamps and sinks, to art in the halls with names of some rooms that reflect the neighbourhood. The aesthetic is refined in a casual, almost art deco vibe.
Room for improvement
I loved the turndown service that included extra water by the bedside on the first night. But the next day, when I wasn’t ready to let someone in to do the service, it was disappointing to come back from dinner and see no one returned to do it.
Much of what the hotel restaurant, Brasserie Angelica, offers is made in-house, and the quality shows.The Newman/Supplied
Since you’re in the neighbourhood
You can explore the area with walks curated by the Bloomsbury Conservation Areas – the routes are available free on its website. You can quaff a pint at numerous local pubs such as the Wheatsheaf where years ago Orwell or Thomas found … inspiration. Local landmarks include the gorgeous Fitzrovia Chapel with its Byzantine-inspired architecture.
From there, it’s just a short walk to the streets of Soho, West End theatres and, a bit further south, the National Gallery and National Portrait Gallery.
The bar not only has signature cocktails, but zero-proof alternatives.The Newman/Supplied
The take-away
The Newman must be doing more than a few things right: It’s been shortlisted for the Condé Nast Readers’ Choice Awards for 2026.
The Newman, 50 Newman St., Fitzrovia, London. Rooms from about £520 ($980), which includes a complimentary coffee and tea selection, plus access to the gym and wellness floor. Accessibility rooms and long-term apartments with full kitchens and laundry facilities are available. thenewman.com
The writer was a guest of the hotel, which did not review or approve this article. Stories are based on merit; The Globe does not guarantee coverage.