London has no shortage of places to stay, but finding somewhere that combines an exceptional location, great value and a completely different approach to accommodation is always interesting.
And Otherwander Soho certainly delivers something different.
Located on Dean Street, between Oxford Street and Shaftesbury Avenue, Otherwander puts you right in the middle of one of London’s most vibrant neighbourhoods.
The buzz of Soho, its quirky character, restaurants, theatres, bars and independent businesses are all on your doorstep. And with the London Underground just moments away, exploring the rest of the capital couldn’t be easier.
But Otherwander isn’t your traditional London hotel.
Instead of conventional bedrooms, guests sleep in individual pods, or nests, designed to provide everything you need within a surprisingly compact space.
And compact really is the word. A double pod is essentially the size of the mattress, with just enough room to sleep and store your belongings.
But what surprised me was how well everything worked. Individual air conditioning, adjustable coloured lighting, charging facilities and clever storage all contribute to an experience that feels contemporary, comfortable and actually fun.
It’s young, funky and refreshingly different.
There are, however, a few practical considerations.
The lower pods are at ground level, while reaching the upper pods involves climbing up into them. It’s a design that probably appeals more to younger, fitter travellers, and anyone with mobility difficulties would need to consider their options carefully.
Then there are the shared bathrooms.
I’ll admit I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect, but they were considerably less busy than I’d imagined and, importantly, absolutely spotless.
In fact, cleanliness was one of the things that impressed me most throughout my stay.
There was a fantastic team constantly cleaning, tidying and making sure everything was running smoothly.
They were also incredibly helpful, providing clear instructions on how to check in and access the accommodation using the Otherwander app.
It’s a largely digital experience, but reassuringly there’s a very visible human team making sure it all works.
What I particularly enjoyed was the atmosphere. Otherwander feels like a fresh approach to city accommodation, designed for travellers who want to spend their time experiencing London rather than sitting in a hotel bedroom.
It won’t suit everyone, and it isn’t trying to.
But for anyone comfortable with compact sleeping spaces and shared facilities, it offers a brilliant alternative to the traditional hotel.
And the value is excellent, especially considering that remarkable Soho location.
One little London tip: directly across Dean Street is the PizzaExpress Jazz Club, a wonderful underground venue where you can enjoy live jazz in the heart of Soho. Well worth discovering while you’re there.
I arrived at Otherwander curious about the concept and not entirely sure what to expect and left genuinely impressed.
It was considerably better than I’d imagined, had everything I needed and made exploring London incredibly easy.
Would I stay again? Absolutely.
Sometimes the most memorable places to stay are the ones that surprise you and exceed your expectations. Otherwander Soho certainly did that.
BELFAST TIMES | Belfast based. Globally curious.
We were invited by the hotel to review the experience.
