The Cumberland Hotel, London – Review
By Kirsty Masterman, June 2026
London has long held a special place in my daughter Jessica’s and my hearts. I first brought her here the year after Covid, and despite being only six at the time, she took to the city like a duck to water – navigating the Underground, the hustle and bustle of the streets, and the noise and rush of traffic. It’s safe to say, she loves it here.
Now, aged 11, and having visited more times than I can remember, it has become a staple of her school holidays.
Whenever we come to the city, I always try to stay somewhere different, in another borough or a different hotel, to experience the many cultures and beats London has to offer. However, on this occasion, we are returning to the first place we ever stayed: The Cumberland Hotel.
“Perfectly placed”
Occupying a prime location at the tip of Oxford Street, opposite Marble Arch and Hyde Park, The Cumberland is perfectly placed for a family trip to the Big Smoke.
When we first stayed here, the hotel was part of the Hard Rock empire and very heavily music-themed. Now rebranded, I’m intrigued to see how it’s faring five years on.
We arrive at lunchtime, a few hours before check-in, and as we enter the lobby, I’m pleased to see it still appears to be the modern, vibrant place I remember. The reception area is as bustling as ever, with a buzz about it more akin to that of a backstage lounge than a hotel lobby. The contemporary energy is one of The Cumberland’s greatest attributes, so I’m pleased to see it has retained this. The lobby is large and busy, filled with travellers, music, and neon lights, giving the hotel a sense of excitement from the minute you arrive. Sofas are scattered about, creating a welcoming social space. There’s even a coffee cart!
“Spacious and modern space”
It would appear the hotel’s musical roots are still very firmly intact, with framed guitars and statement artwork hung upon the walls. This is music to our ears and eyes, as it is this that first attracted us to the hotel and one of the reasons Jessica still talks about it fondly.
As we are early, we leave our bags with the uber-friendly concierge and head out to Activate, an active gaming experience just a few doors down. A couple of hours later, already exhausted, I’m ready to check in and relax in the room.
We are staying in a Park View Room. A spacious and modern space, perfect for our brief trip. As we enter the room, the first thing we see is a full-length mirror hung on the wall, thoughtfully decorated, welcoming us to the hotel along with a tote bag containing a few themed goodies for Jessica and a very welcome bottle of fizz for me. It’s personal touches like this that really make this hotel special.
Dinner this evening is at Lirica, a Spanish-inspired restaurant offering up a symphony of bold flavours. This is a new addition to The Cumberland, and brings a dining experience as vibrant as the hotel itself.
“Bold, colourful and social”
As we enter the restaurant, we are met with rich interiors and glowing lighting that creates a warm and sociable atmosphere akin to that of a traditional Spanish tapas bar. It is a different rhythm to the hotel and indeed London, and its lively soundtrack creates a space designed not simply for dining, but for gathering and lingering evenings.
At the centre of the experience is the food – bold, colourful, and social. The menu champions classic Spanish tapas with plates designed to be shared. This restaurant was created to bring people together through “small plates bursting with authentic flavours in a lively atmosphere”, and it certainly delivers on that brief. From the first bite to the last sip, every detail embodies this.
We place our order of olives; chiperones (baby squid); gambas pil-pil (garlic prawns); and rib-eye with a side of heritage tomato salad. This is more than enough for our small party and, with all bases covered, each plate is met with much approval from both sides.
“Mmmm, this is so good,” says Jessica with a huge smile on her face as she tucks into the squid. I breathe a sigh of relief, knowing that she’s pleased with my choice of venue for tonight’s dinner.
“A story to tell”
The Cumberland understands that travellers want more than a room for the night. They want atmosphere, entertainment, and a story to tell, and Lirica delivers on all three. The creation of Lirica signals another step in the hotel’s ongoing reinvention. Since relaunching in 2023, the property has focused on blending luxury hospitality with entertainment and cultural experiences, and with this and the recently opened Gordon Ramsay’s Hell’s Kitchen, the hotel is positioning itself as a destination rather than just a hotel.
Appetites suitably fulfilled and not quite ready to retire to our room just yet, we head to the Sound Bar, where live entertainment awaits – one of the many reasons we like to stay here. The fact that you can eat, sleep, and be entertained all under one roof is a big plus point in my opinion, especially when travelling with children. It makes for a far more encompassing experience and means that the evening doesn’t have to end once dinner has.
The next morning, despite still feeling quite full after last night’s extravaganza, we head to breakfast. Situated on the ground floor, this vast space makes for an extensive buffet. Not to be outdone by the copious amounts of food we devoured last night, we dive straight in to fuel up before hitting Oxford Street and then heading home. With everything from pastries to a full English and everything in between, it’s fair to say you won’t go hungry.
“Delivers on all counts”
For visitors to the capital, you can’t fault The Cumberland’s location. Marble Arch Underground is virtually on the hotel’s doorstep, making it incredibly easy to explore the rest of the city. There’s easy access to shopping, with Oxford Street right on your doorstep (a supersized Primark is literally a few doors down), and then you have Hyde Park directly across the road.
For us, The Cumberland delivers on all counts – accommodation, food, and entertainment – making for a fun and memorable experience for all involved.
After what has been a slightly shorter stay than usual, it’s safe to say we will be returning to The Cumberland at some point in the near future, and next time, I think I’ll treat us to the VIP lounge experience!
Kirsty and Jessica travelled from Howden to King’s Cross on Hull Trains, where prices start from £33 each way.
Hull Trains currently have a 2-for-1 offer on London attractions as part of their Ride n’ Seek offer and are offering discounts of 15% for bookings of groups of 3–9 people.
They stayed at The Cumberland Hotel in a Park View room, where prices start at £183 for a classic double.
After studying English and Creative Writing at university, Kirsty started working as an editor for PA Media way back in 2003, joining On Yorkshire in 2023. With a passion for travel and writing, the chance to combine the two became a reality for her in 2010 when she was offered the chance to visit Portugal to review a new resort. Since then, she has never looked back. Live music, theatre and restaurant reviews followed enabling her to combine all her interests. Kirsty now travels the world, reviewing some of the best hotels, restaurants and travel destinations. She particularly enjoys seeking out child-friendly places so that she can showcase destinations and experiences that can be enjoyed by parents alongside their children.
