Officially swinging open its doors back in September 2023, The BoTree hotel is all about conscious luxury set across 199 rooms, including 30 suites
But what is conscious luxury I hear you ask, well it’s the balancing of the hotel’s offering with the impact it has on the planet. Examples of this are in abundance throughout the hotel, such as the use of Jo Loves products, all vegan and natural with packaging made using Ocean Bound Plastic; pillows made from recycled post-consumer waste plastic bottles; and motion sensors to turn off the lights and heating.
A delightfully sunny Saturday morning, and a walk across Oxford Street and its endless stream of people, took me to The BoTree for a one night stay. The building, on the intersection of Marylebone and Mayfair, was transformed by award-winning EPR Architects into something luxurious but still in-keeping with the character of Marylebone Lane and Welbeck Street.
Once inside the first thing I noticed was that there was no check-in desk but more of a welcome bar, complete with champagne on ice. The lobby is stunning, filled with fashion flowers, comfy couches and art on every wall, and if there’s no art then it’s because the wall is, in fact, a floor-to-ceiling glass window.
Upstairs, I stepped into one of the Mayfair suite rooms, flooded with light from the huge windows overlooking central London. Inside there’s light wood panelling, bold furniture, and marble with pops of colour from the soft furnishings. The separate bedroom is centred around the huge king-size bed and a second TV, with an en-suite that’s almost the same size as the bedroom. It’s got dual sinks, a walk-in rain shower and a separate toilet, and they could have easily fitted a tub in here so I wonder why they didn’t. There’s a Dyson hairdryer and Airwrap on the dresser and the marble floor stretches all the way up one wall to the ceiling. I’ve never been more excited about a bathroom, with its twin circular mirrors that overlap above the sinks and its neatly folded towels offering perfect symmetry.
After a stroll around Soho, including a popping into a record store and swinging by The George for a pint while waiting for the wife to return from a lunch, it was back to the hotel to Lavo, on the lower ground floor, for dinner. It’s an Italian restaurant with a playful twist – there’s a 500g wagyu and Italian pork sausage meatball with marinara sauce and fresh whipped ricotta on the menu. We got the massive meatball and its pool of rich tomato sauce to share, which I quite enjoyed even though it’s a tad ridiculous.
The Silk Handkerchiefs with wild boar white bolognese, Parmigiano Reggiano and black truffle was another rich and tasty dish, and the Dover Sole also proved to be a good choice, cooked just right and served with capers, Sorrento lemon and a herb salad. Sadly, I underestimated the power of the ‘The Meatball’ and talked myself out of dessert. However I did mouth the words “WTAF” when seeing the 20 Layer Peanut Butter Cake, the restaurant’s social media sensation, go past, making it probably one of my biggest regrets this year so far.
I really liked The BoTree for its modern approach to making spaces feel exciting and the seamless service. Given its location, The BoTree makes a fine choice (for those who can handle the price tag) for a spot of conscious luxury living in central London.
Rates start from £660 per night for a Deluxe Room
The BoTree, 30 Marylebone Lane, London W1U 2DR
thebotree.com