Courthouse Hotel London: 19-21 Great Marlborough St Review

The Courthouse Hotel London at 19–21 Great Marlborough Street turns a former magistrates’ court into a five-star hotel where Oscar Wilde, Mick Jagger and John Lennon once faced justice. With 116 rooms, a rooftop bar and a courtroom-style restaurant, it offers a location that sits at the junction of Soho, Mayfair and the West End. This review draws on the official property website, Travel Weekly and guest ratings from multiple platforms to help you decide whether this heritage conversion matches expectations.

Last checked: 2026-06-08

Property name: Courthouse Hotel London · Address: 19-21 Great Marlborough Street, London, W1F 7HL · Hotel class: 5 star · Room count: 116 rooms and 8 suites

What is the address of the Courthouse Hotel London?

The Courthouse Hotel London is located at 19–21 Great Marlborough Street, postcode W1F 7HL, in the heart of central London. The building sits on the corner where Soho, Mayfair and the West End meet, directly opposite the department store Liberty London and a short walk from the London Palladium theatre.

Charles Dickens worked at the magistrates’ court that once occupied this site as a reporter for the Morning Chronicle in 1835, according to London Unveiled. The current building, designed by Metropolitan Police architect John Dixon Butler, was completed in 1913.

What tube station is closest to the Courthouse Hotel London?

Oxford Circus tube station is the nearest Underground stop, approximately 0.3 miles (a five‑minute walk) from the hotel’s entrance. It serves the Central, Bakerloo and Victoria lines, providing direct connections to Paddington, King’s Cross and Victoria stations.

Other nearby stations include Piccadilly Circus (0.5 miles, Piccadilly and Bakerloo lines) and Tottenham Court Road (0.6 miles, Central and Northern lines). The hotel is also within a ten‑minute walk of Bond Street station (Central and Jubilee lines) for access to the Elizabeth line.

The implication: the hotel’s central location means most of London’s major attractions – the West End theatres, Covent Garden, the British Museum – are reachable on foot or via a short tube ride.

What is the dress code for rooftop bars in Soho?

The Courthouse Hotel London operates a rooftop terrace called Soho Sky Terrace. While the hotel’s official site does not publish a specific dress code, the general standard for Soho rooftop bars is smart casual. Many venues ask guests to avoid sportswear, ripped jeans or flip‑flops, especially after 18:00.

Reviewers on TripAdvisor mention that the rooftop bar attracts a mix of hotel guests and local visitors; no reviewer reports being turned away for dress‑code violations. For the hotel’s restaurant and indoor bar (which incorporates former prison cells converted into semi‑private booths), smart casual is the norm.

The catch: policies may vary by event or season. If you plan a special evening, it is safest to contact the hotel directly or check the latest guest photos on social media.

Which celebrities have stayed at hotels in London?

The question of celebrity hotel stays is broad, but the Courthouse Hotel building itself has a deep celebrity history – though as a court, not a hotel. High‑profile figures who appeared before the magistrates at Great Marlborough Street include:

• Oscar Wilde – his 1895 criminal libel action against the Marquess of Queensberry began here (London Unveiled).
• Mick Jagger – fined £200 for drug offences in 1969.
• John Lennon – a 1970 case over allegedly obscene pictures was dismissed.
• Keith Richards – fined £205 in 1973 for possession of drugs and a firearm.
• Johnny Rotten – fined £40 for amphetamines in 1977.

None of these individuals is known to have stayed at the Courthouse Hotel after its conversion, but the building’s legal past remains a central part of its marketing. The hotel’s history page prominently features the Wilde case and notes that the court was one of the oldest magistrates’ courts in the UK.

Pricing & value bands

Room rates at the Courthouse Hotel London vary significantly by season and booking channel. Based on data from Travel Weekly (priced in USD, converted at approximate market rates) and the hotel’s own booking engine, standard double rooms typically range from £206 to £350 per night, while suites can reach £499 or more. These figures reflect a “premium central‑London” band – comparable to four‑star properties in Soho rather than the ultra‑luxury segment occupied by Claridge’s or The Connaught.

The hotel is a WorldHotels affiliate, which places it in the “luxury” distribution tier, but guest reviews suggest the room quality does not always match the price tag. Travellers focused on value may prefer newer properties in the same area, while those drawn to the building’s history will accept the premium.

Location & getting there

The Courthouse Hotel London sits at the western edge of Soho, on the corner of Great Marlborough Street and Argyll Street. Key landmarks within a five‑minute walk:

• Liberty London (opposite)
• Carnaby Street shopping district
• Oxford Street
• London Palladium theatre
• Soho’s restaurants and bars (Dean Street, Frith Street)

By tube, Oxford Circus (0.3 miles) is the closest station. From Heathrow Airport, take the Elizabeth line to Bond Street (40 minutes) and walk 0.6 miles, or take the Heathrow Express to Paddington and change to the Bakerloo line for Oxford Circus. From Gatwick, the Gatwick Express to Victoria, then the Victoria line one stop to Oxford Circus. Taxis and ride‑share services can drop directly at the hotel’s entrance on Great Marlborough Street.

Alternatives to consider

If the Courthouse Hotel London does not fit your budget or style, several alternatives offer a similar central‑London base with different character:

• Courthouse Hotel Shoreditch – a sister property in east London with a comparable courthouse‑heritage theme, but a different neighbourhood vibe (more tech‑startup scene than West End theatre).
• The White House Hotel London – an Art Deco hotel near Regent’s Park, offering a quieter location with easy access to Marylebone and the West End (read our review).
• Best Afternoon Tea London Hotels – a guide to properties that excel in that classic British experience, many within walking distance of the Courthouse (see the guide).

While the Courthouse Hotel brings historic charm to Soho, the Hard Rock Hotel London offers a music-themed stay near Marble Arch for a different vibe.

Frequently asked questions