The Ivy Hotel

The Ivy has a lovely, welcoming atmosphere. It’s a beautiful historic space, carefully decorated and looked after, with warm, attentive service. The food was quite good, and some parts were excellent. I especially enjoyed afternoon tea and the snacks and drinks included with the room. For a one-night birthday stay, I’m glad we got to experience it, but the price raised expectations that weren’t quite met. My friend booked the room and mentioned my birthday. They left a card, which was kind, but addressed it to my friend instead of me. Our room was lovely, and I appreciated the cheese and olives they put out. The bread had fallen off the plate and wasn’t put back, though, and two thin slices weren’t enough for the amount of cheese. Luckily, there were pretzels in the snack drawer. In the morning, my soft boiled eggs rolled off the plate and cracked. The server said sorry, but left me to pick them up and reset them. I didn’t need new eggs, but she didn’t offer or clean up the mess. These details made the service feel short of five stars. We also couldn’t get the room’s heat turned down. The concierge was caring, but we never got the issue sorted. Most of the staff were friendly and conscientious, and the historic setting was beautiful. At this price, though, those little details matter, and I’m not sure I’d return.

The hotel’s shared spaces are a real treat, with beautiful woodwork, hand-painted tile and mosaics, and clever interior design. Teresa gave us a memorable greeting and tour when we arrived. The concierges, Sydney and Calvin, helped us plan our itinerary and get around, and they were great to talk with, too. Everyone we met went out of their way to help with whatever we needed. It was an amazing experience.

We went to The Ivy for one night to celebrate our wedding anniversary, with high expectations from all the good things we’d heard. The stay exceeded them. It isn’t cheap, but the service and attention to detail made it feel worth the price. The hotel is stunning, restored beautifully while honoring its history. From check-in, everything felt personal: they greeted us by name, offered champagne or sparkling tea, and showed us around. In the room there was a handwritten note with wine and cheese. Afternoon tea was delicious, the serve-yourself bar was a great addition, and breakfast delivered to our room the next morning was excellent. It was all included. The whole staff were wonderful. Our time with Calvin, the concierge, especially stayed with us. His warmth and genuine little acts of kindness reminded us how much thoughtful care matters. We left with full hearts, a lovely anniversary memory, and a new tradition: The Ivy every year.

My friend held her workshop here, and it was a wonderful experience. The food was delicious, the hospitality was excellent, and the space was beautiful. The view added to it. Highly recommended.