London's Zedwell Underground Hotel: Sleep Pod or Stylish Prison Cell?

Hotel Lobby

Ever stayed in a hotel room that felt more like a sensory deprivation chamber than a travel escape? Welcome to my experience at Zedwell Underground—a no-frills hotel literally tucked beneath Tottenham Court Road in London’s buzzing Theatre District.

The Concept: Wellness Meets Minimalism (Apparently)

Zedwell markets itself as a wellness hotel—designed to “promote sleep, reduce distractions, and help you reset.” It’s built underground to block out natural light, sound, and presumably... joy. 😅 The idea is restful simplicity. The execution? Let’s talk about it.

Wall Decal

The Room: Minimal... to the Max

My room had:

* No chair (yes, I had to stand or lie down)

* No window (it’s underground, fine... but not even a fake one?)

* No TV, no clock, no radio

* No artwork, color, or life of any kind

* One trash can (rusty, in the bathroom)

* One pillow and one towel

That’s not minimalist—that’s bare bones survival.

Zedwell Hotel Entrance

With gray walls, gray floors, and zero decor, the room gave off strong institutional vibes. Like, I expected someone to come in and ask if I’d finished my government-mandated nap.

Oh, and no counter space. My toothbrush and deodorant shared a sink ledge like two passengers stuck in the middle seat. No closet either—just two hooks. My outfit-of-the-day hung over the shower pole like it was airing out after a flood.

Sleep, Trains & Centipedes

To their credit, the bed (a standard European twin) was medium firm, and I slept well—though probably because I was walking 10–12 hours a day. Also, the low rumble of the underground trains was oddly soothing. Think budget white noise machine.

But let me set the scene: one morning I woke up to two centipedes crawling on my bag. I guess that’s what happens when your belongings are stored directly on the ceramic floor. And yes, I wore airplane slippers the whole time because nothing—not even a rug—was between my feet and that cold floor.

Room Tour

The Lobby: Almost a Save?

There’s a communal lounge with seating and coffee (possibly free?), which is fine if you want to people-watch or sip espresso while pretending you're in a tech startup. But when I just wanted to relax and watch TV in my room? Nope. Bring your own device—or sanity.

The Cost: This was $817.85 for six days.

Let me repeat: $817.85 USD for five nights. That’s more than I’ve paid for private rooms in hostels with actual furniture, color, and hospitality. The only reason I had a luggage rack was because I was placed in an accessibility room—lucky me, because most rooms don’t even get that.

There was USB and USB-C charging ports. So that’s a plus, right?

The Verdict: Location Wins, Hotel Doesn’t

Yes, I felt safe. Yes, the location is amazing—smack in the center of the action. But does that justify the price for what is essentially a gray box with plumbing? No. Would I stay again? No. Would I recommend it? Double no.

Want creature comforts in the same area? Check out The Radisson Blu, nearby Airbnbs, or even a well-reviewed hostel. You'll get more for your money—and your mood.

Now you tell me: Would you pay premium rates for a hotel that promotes sleep but forgets comfort?

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