As you walk through the front door of this archetypal London townhouse in Marylebone you could be forgiven for wondering if you’ve come in the right entrance (clue: you have, there’s only one). Immediately you’re right in the heart of Seymour’s Parlour, a visual assault on the senses where literally every available space is occupied by vintage furniture and fittings, paintings and antiques. Its dark red walls and period features only add to the feeling it’s been inspired by the Sir John Soane’s Museum in Lincoln’s Inn Fields (another clue confirming it has sits on the wall next to the bar).
Drinks here are equal to the surroundings. Like the original Zetter in Clerkenwell, the hand of revered booze impresario Tony Conigliaro governs the list. Unusual ingredients and experimental drinks are the order of the day, and they’re up there with the best drinks in town. Take the Turf Club (£11.50), for example. A face-straightening mix of gin, dubonnet, grape reduction, Peruvian bitters and ‘grass’, it’s served straight up in a coupe and one sip will leave you smitten with this potent but well-balanced concoction.
It’s pretty much the dream to be able to stagger upstairs after a boozy night out, and the Zetter’s rooms continue the period feel with extravagant four-poster beds and trinkets in cabinets. Cosy bathrooms come with powerful showers, Ren products and nice little touches like a DAB radio. Rooms to the rear offer views out onto a quiet little mews and are very quiet considering you’re not far from the chaos of Marble Arch.
Throughout your stay, staff make you feel like you’re a guest at their house, and they leave handy in-room tips including a very good shout of heading to Edgware Road for some of London’s best Middle Eastern cooking. Closer by, Seymour Place is your best bet – here you’ll find the most excellent Vinoteca for good food with wines to match and the Gate, which is a great option for veggies.
Back in the cossetted surroundings of your room you can raid the mini-bar for pre-made cocktails from the experts downstairs, or you can pop down and grab a drink to take back up to the room. Like all good hosts, the bar never runs dry here.
Time Out tip
Reserve a table in the bar for pre-dinner sharpeners (you'll need to even if you're staying the night) before heading out to Vinoteca for a dinner with exceptional wines to match each course.