The Dilly, established in 1908, is a historic luxury hotel situated at 21 Piccadilly in London. Designed by Richard Norman Shaw, it was the first part of the grand redevelopment of Piccadilly Circus and Regent Street. Over the years, the hotel has undergone several transformations, including a rebranding in 2020. The Dilly offers 280 rooms and suites, a health club with an indoor swimming pool, steam room, and massage facilities, as well as a dance studio and squash courts. Dining options include the Terrace at The Dilly, which overlooks Piccadilly, and Madhu's of Mayfair, serving Indian cuisine. The hotel is currently undergoing a £90 million renovation to restore its status as one of Piccadilly's iconic landmarks.
What each source says
Bar length is review volume, so you can see how much weight sits behind each score. Captured 2026-08-26.
What visitors single out
Liked
- Exceptional Staff The hotel staff is widely praised for being friendly, professional, and accommodating, with guest relations teams frequently going above and beyond to make guests feel welcome and valued.
- Impressive Leisure Facilities Guests highly value the hotel's pool, gym, and steam room facilities, which provide a relaxing escape from the bustle of the city and add significant value to the stay.
- Quality Breakfast Buffet The breakfast offering is consistently highlighted as a major highlight, with a wide variety of high-quality food choices served in a beautiful setting to start your day right.
- Thoughtful Personalized Touches Many guests report delightful, personalized surprises in their rooms for special occasions like birthdays and anniversaries, including balloons, chocolates, and notes that truly make the stay memorable.
- Unbeatable Location Centrally located near Piccadilly Circus, theatres, and major transport links, this hotel puts you within walking distance of almost everything you would want to explore in central London.
Criticised
- Bathroom Disappointments Bathrooms are often cited as outdated and poorly maintained, featuring low water pressure, small sizes, and antiquated shower setups that detract from the overall luxury experience promised.
- Dated and Tired Interiors Many rooms show their age with worn furniture, stained carpets, and peeling paint, leading to a general consensus that the rooms are in desperate need of a full renovation.
- Inconsistent Temperature Control Guests frequently struggle with room temperatures, reporting that air conditioning is either ineffective, broken, or difficult to control, often resulting in uncomfortably hot and stuffy sleeping conditions.
- Lack of Power Outlets A recurring frustration is the insufficient number of electrical sockets, particularly near the bedside, making it difficult to charge modern devices like phones and laptops conveniently.
- Occasional Maintenance and Cleanliness Issues Some guests encountered maintenance issues, such as broken fixtures or dusty surfaces, and construction work around the building occasionally caused noise disruptions or obstructed views during their stay.
The longer read
The Dilly’s most significant asset is its prime location in the heart of London, situated right at Piccadilly Circus. This makes the hotel an ideal base for travelers intending to visit the West End theatres, major shopping districts like Regent Street, and popular museums. Reviewers consistently praise the convenience of being within walking distance of public transport and many primary tourist attractions, noting that the hotel offers an oasis of calm despite its proximity to the city's busiest areas. The lobby and communal areas are frequently described as grand and well-maintained, contributing to a classic, historic hotel atmosphere that many guests appreciate.
A standout feature of The Dilly is its personalized service, particularly for guests celebrating special occasions. Numerous reviewers highlight the hotel’s efforts in marking birthdays and anniversaries, citing thoughtful touches such as room decorations, personalized notes, Prosecco, and gifts upon arrival. The concierge and front-of-house teams receive consistent praise for their friendliness, professionalism, and willingness to assist with transportation or recommendations. For many, the staff interactions and the celebratory welcome are the highlights of their stay, often overshadowing other potential shortcomings.
However, guests frequently raise concerns regarding the condition of the rooms, which many feel do not align with a 5-star rating. While communal areas are updated, the bedrooms are often described as dated, with worn carpeting, tired decor, and bathroom fixtures that require refurbishment. Common complaints include inconsistent climate control—with many rooms reported as being uncomfortably hot and lacking effective ventilation—and poor water pressure in showers. Furthermore, tech-savvy travelers noted a lack of sufficient electrical outlets and modern charging ports near the bedside, which can be an inconvenience in the current era.
The hotel’s amenities, specifically the breakfast buffet and the leisure facilities, are largely viewed as positive additions. The breakfast is frequently lauded for its variety and quality, often being cited as a perfect start to the day. Similarly, the pool and fitness facilities are considered a significant advantage, providing a rare and valuable space to relax within central London. That said, some guests were frustrated by uncommunicated maintenance closures regarding these facilities. While the hotel’s location and service levels remain strong draws, travelers should be aware that the room quality may be inconsistent, and those seeking modern, tech-forward accommodations might find the facilities aging compared to newer, similarly priced properties in the city.
A synthesis of published third-party reviews. Not written by Breaks.
Getting there
- Phone
- +442077348000
- Website
- thedillylondon.com
- Check in
- 15:00 · out 12:00
Facilities
- 24 Hours
- Accepts Credit Cards
- Accessible
- Activities
- Air Conditioning
- Allergy Free Room
- Bar
- Concierge
- Family Rooms
- Gym
- Heating
- Housekeeping
- Internet
- Ironing
- Laundry
- Non Smoking Rooms
Against the neighbourhood
Rated 4.2 against a median of 4.5 across the 25 venues we hold for St James's, and the most-reviewed of them.
Booking
Still deciding?
- What modern amenities are included in the rooms and suites at The Dilly?
- What types of cuisine and dining experiences do the hotel's restaurants, Terrace at The Dilly and Madhu's, offer?
- How does The Dilly's heritage as the former Piccadilly Hotel and its 1908 design by Richard Norman Shaw influence its character today?
- What key London attractions are within walking distance of The Dilly, and how convenient is its central Piccadilly location for sightseeing?
- What public transport options and nearby stations are available for guests staying at The Dilly to easily navigate London?
What this page cannot tell you
- Descriptions and review summaries are supplied by the source index and are reproduced as published; they are not independently verified by Breaks.
- Ratings and review counts are point-in-time snapshots and drift constantly. Check the venue's own site or the rating provider for the current figure.
- Opening hours change seasonally and at short notice. Confirm with the venue before travelling.
- Category labels come from the source index and are occasionally wrong — a venue may be filed under a type that does not match how it trades.
- Straight-line distances understate real walking distance, especially where a river or railway sits between two points.