The Cumberland review: I stayed at the same London hotel as Jimi Hendrix and Bob Dylan

The Cumberland Review

The Cumberland is parked perfectly outside the Marble Arch in Central London, bordering Hyde Park and minutes away from the hustle-and-bustle of one of the most touristy corners of the capital.

Rock and roll legends have walked these halls, with the hotel having previously spent years as the Hard Rock Hotel London, before being transformed into the newly revamped Cumberland in 2023. The hotel was the location of Jimi Hendrix's final interview and has also been frequented by Bob Dylan, Madonna and Lady Gaga. 

From the path outside the grand building beckons guests inside, where they will be greeted with an array of music-themed trinkets.

The hanging lights above the reception desks are drumsticks with LEDs embedded within them, while the VIP gold rope barrier is held up with silver holographic guitars. Even the bar is shaped like a vinyl disc.

This is the power of The Cumberland Hotel - attention to detail that is carried on throughout the hotel. The hallways are adorned with portraits of musicians and bands, drawings of iconic guitars and artistic interpretations of album covers.

Music echoes through the halls to usher you into your room, but once inside your suite, it's a peaceful haven where you can relax after a busy day exploring, or get glammed up for a night of live music.

The communal areas are where The Cumberland really comes alive. From the SOUND restaurant, SOUND bar and SOUND sports bar, to the SOUND event space with live music event night, The Cumberland is more than just a hotel - it's a destination with entertainment at its heart. 

The Rooms

Rating: 5/5

Although The Cumberland's front-of-house excitement is where the party is at, the real meat of any hotel comes from the rooms. The hotel is home to four room categories, ranging from the Classic Double to the Gold Family and two suites: The Studio Suite and The Star Suite. The second was where we spent our stay.

Complete with its own lounge, large closet, two bedrooms and not one but two bathrooms. Large mirrors are dotted around the room, along with a coffee machine and snacks left for your use. But the real beauty of The Cumberland is how encourages guests to enjoy music, as well as my stay.

Every single room comes complete with a record player and a collection of vinyl you can freely play at any time. The hotel's manager later informed us that they have a stack of records at their disposal, so if your collection of albums isn't tickling your fancy, you can request something different to take the edge off as you put your feet up.

What's more, guests have the option to get a guitar placed in their room, along with an amplifier and set of privacy headphones. Yes, a real guitar, that you can play, for free, as long as you want, at your leisure.

Guests are given a guitar menu to choose their weapon of choice. The guitars are tucked away in a secret part of the hotel, and the collection is quite something. 

The Cumberland Hotel as a whole spins out this epic tapestry of music-themed trinkets, posters and decorations, plunging you deep into a musical world and sending you away from your troubles. But the addition of the instrument, and record player, are what elevate the rock and roll getaway. Instead of being someone who is on holiday, you embody a rockstar waiting backstage for your green room call.

For a £500 fully refundable deposit, this guitar is worth every second of its presence in the room - especially considering it is entirely free.

Throw in a sound-sleeping bed, a powerful shower, mirrors and hairdryers aplenty, and a glorious view of London, The Cumberland's rooms are exceptional.

Dining and Drinking

While it isn't the fanciest of dinner menus at a hotel, it is certainly the most reliable - and it keeps to the theme. Chowing down a greasy burger with a cocktail while watching a live band where Jimi Hendrix had his last interview is quite the flex to drop at your next dinner party.

Less of a flex, however, is some of the menu's prices. They range from fantastic (£15 for a chicken burger and fries) to an arguably shocking (£24.50 for fajitas).

With that said, the service was some of the most attentive we have experienced in a hotel - from both its human waiters and robot waiters - so you really will be looked after throughout your meals.

If you're keen to get a little more casual with your day, The Cumberland's SOUND Sports Bar might be more your speed. As a more laid-back drinking area, this location feels a lot more like a traditional pub or bar and has some large screens on display for any sporting events you might be interested in viewing. While less in line with the hotel's overall theme, this is where many people may feel more comfortable with a pint in their hand.

The last - and best - part of The Cumberland's lounges is the Backstage area. This is the exclusive area where hotel guests can hang out, and help themselves to complimentary drinks of all kinds, snacks, plus those amazing guitars, and records.

The Backstage area is The Cumberland's ethos come to life. It allows friends and family to sit relax and enjoy the music, grab a drink, and chill out without being observed by the rest of the world.

Location

Rating: 4/5

The Cumberland Hotel is located just outside Hyde Park, a stone's throw from the Marble Arch, meaning it's perfectly located for those who are visiting the city and want to be within easy reach of all the most famous attractions.

Located on the edge of perhaps one of the busiest parts of London, The Cumberland is very much near anything you might need at the drop of a hat. A pharmacist, food, shopping, West End shows, gig venues. This is the spot to be if you want easy access to everything the capital has to offer.

While noisy outside, the din is drowned out as soon as you step into the music-filled walls of The Cumberland, removing any issues there.

However, if you're looking for a hotel tucked away in a quiet part of the city, this isn't it. With that said, for us, the biggest struggle about the location would be that we didn't want to leave. 

Value for Money

Rating: 3/5

At the time of writing, a two-night weekend stay in a classic double room starts from £406. Find rooms and book direct on The Cumberland Hotel website.

Or, compare deals and prices for a stay at The Cumberland with Booking.com or Hotels.com.

Final Verdict