WORDS
Jane Fulcher
The background
A thrilling new opening right in the centre of London, Page8 is a hotel for “curious urban explorers”. It is the sister hotel to Hong Kong’s acclaimed Page148 hotel, both named to signify that staying at the property is about turning a new page in experiencing a city: seeing it again with fresh eyes. The new hotel, located on Trafalgar Square at the bottom of St Martin’s Lane, has been developed like its Hong Kong counterpart to appeal to locals and tourists alike and is dedicated to providing the most intriguing and compelling guide to the city as possible. Page8 has an urban explorer programme – a series of guides from interesting locals on the best itineraries, restaurants, bars, galleries, shops, things to see, do and experience.

Rooms
Walking in to Page8 is like stepping into an urban oasis: a calm and chic escape from the busy city outside. The lobby hosts the Page Common café, serving incredible Assembly Coffee as well as all-day brunch and tempting pastries in a calm space made for working, socialising or relaxing with one of the magazines or books on offer.
Page8 has 138 gorgeously designed rooms, ranging in size from 17sqm to 34sqm with calming colours, aqua leather panelling and bronze accents, and luxurious fittings including enormous and incredibly comfortable plush beds. Each room has a Blueair air purifier and is completely soundproofed from the busy streets outside, making it a haven of relaxation while offering amazing views over the hustle and bustle of Trafalgar Square. The generously sized bathrooms are beautifully designed in white marble with powerful showers and wonderful CO Bigelow products. Each room has a Marshall speaker to connect to, along with a curated Spotify playlist to enjoy while you are relaxing – the perfect accompaniment to reading up on what the Page8 urban explorers recommend you see next. Even a lifetime Londoner will find new tips on the capital – making Page8 the perfect hotel for anyone looking to enjoy a staycation in the city.

Dining
The top floor of Page8 houses Bisushima, the hotel’s chic Japanese restaurant. The name comes from two words – Bisu, the Egyptian god of hedonism, and shima, a Japanese word meaning sanctuary – that sums up the restaurant’s vibe: a relaxed and peaceful restaurant that ramps up into a more energetic spot in the evening.
With gorgeous views over central London, the restaurant’s terrace is a must-visit for a masterfully mixed pre-dinner cocktail. The restaurant is elegant and strikingly designed with big windows to take in the majestic views of the capital, bare wood, glistening accents and soft lighting. In the evenings a DJ creates a suitably buzzy atmosphere that is never overpowering, Bisushima is a place to have fun but be serious about food. The menu features a raw bar, hot and cold starters, hot dishes and sushi. The best way to experience the restaurant is perhaps to opt for one of Bisushima’s set menus that feature a delicious selection of the kitchen’s highlights. The premium set menu, for example, is £120 per person and includes fresh oysters, spinach salad, tuna carpaccio, seasonal tempura, black cod, Wagyu sirloin steak, a sushi and sashimi platter and a choice of dessert. It’s a sumptuous feast, best paired with the restaurant’s suggestion of wine or sake from its well-curated list.

Amenities
As well as the wealth of information about exploring the city, which includes a specially produced book, Undiscovered London, Page8 has some exciting events for guests and non-guests to attend including regular creative workshops hosted in the hotel coffee shop, Page Common. These could include tending to Bonsai, learning to craft candles or experiencing the art of sound healing. Page8 also hosts outdoor yoga classes on the rooftop for a moment of tranquillity against the background of the London skyline.
The verdict
Page8 has been designed to really get under the skin of the city, and it does so successfully. It knows London and Londoners and offers a truly lovely stay for those visiting the capital or anyone who fancies a staycation just minutes away from Soho, Covent Garden and seconds from the National Gallery and National Portrait Gallery. Great food and design make Page8 as luxurious as it is comfortable and convenient.