Bertrand’s Townhouse is a 43-room boutique hotel on Bedford Place that opened in December across three Georgian townhouses.
It taps into Bloomsbury’s early 20th-century reputation as a hotbed of writers, artists and thinkers.
The hotel is named after philosopher and writer Bertrand Russell, 3rd Earl Russell, whose wit and “playful irreverence” is woven throughout the property.
He once quipped: “Most people would sooner die than think; in fact, they do so.”
The hotel also nods to Lady Ottoline Morrell, Russell’s former lover, whose salons drew some of the sharpest minds of her day.
Design touches nod to her love of scent and fresh flowers, adding what the operators call “artistic sensuality and bohemian spirit”.
The owners say the lobby should make guests feel like “welcomed members of an extended, eccentric family”, with “exceptional craftsmanship” and rich ochres, reds and indigo blues.
All 43 bedrooms keep the building’s Georgian feel, with original cornicing and decorative fireplaces.
Inside, bold colours, natural wood and brass sit alongside eclectic art, while en-suite bathrooms have rainfall showers and Diptyque toiletries.
Some suites add freestanding baths for guests who want to splash out.
Ottie’s Salon is the hotel’s main social hub.
Named for Lady Ottoline Morrell, it aims to recreate her scented salons, where the conversation never stopped.
By day, it serves pastries, coffee and a relaxed all-day menu.
At night, it turns into a speakeasy-style bar with jazz, old-world cocktails and a short list of fine wines and Champagne.
There is also The Cigar Garden, inspired by Russell’s fondness for tobacco.
He once joked that smoking had saved his life.
The owners say the terrace’s weathered stone, rich woods and planting create a “theatrical stage for discerning connoisseurs.”
Vintage trolleys are stocked with aged spirits, fine whisky and a handpicked range of cigars.
Bertrand’s Townhouse puts guests close to explore London’s literary heritage.
The British Museum is a short walk away, and Senate House is nearby for a hit of Art Deco architecture.
The streets around it are packed with independent bookshops.
Bertrand’s Townhouse opened in December 2025, with rooms from £300 a night.
Russell also said: “The time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time.”
