Step off the bustling streets of Covent Garden and into a time capsule bound for 1960s Bombay. Dishoom, the beloved restaurant group famed for its Irani cafés, has opened its first hotel, The Permit Room, and it’s an immersive experience that extends far beyond a simple night's stay.
Located directly above the Covent Garden restaurant, the hotel is a masterclass in thematic storytelling. The name itself, 'The Permit Room', harks back to a bygone era in Bombay where a permit was required to drink alcohol. This sets the tone for a venue that is more about evoking a feeling than just providing a bed.
An Ode to Bombay's Glamorous Past
From the moment you enter, the meticulous attention to detail is staggering. The check-in process is cleverly disguised within a vintage-style café counter, complete with old-school sweet jars. The design is a love letter to the swinging sixties, with a moody, sultry palette of deep greens, rich browns, and burnished brass.
Art deco influences mingle with tropical prints and framed photographs that tell a story of a romanticised past. It feels less like a standard hotel lobby and more like the set of a sophisticated Bollywood film from a different decade.
The Chambers: Intimate and Atmospheric
The hotel offers just seven rooms, ensuring an exclusive and intimate atmosphere. Dubbed 'Chambers', they continue the narrative. Expect four-poster beds with lazy ceiling fans, beautifully crafted furniture, and bathrooms adorned with intricate mosaic tiling and monsoon showerheads.
While compact, the rooms are ingeniously designed. Every element is curated, from the vintage-style telephones and Roberts radios to the well-stocked Smuggler's Cupboard. Here, you'll find a complimentary tipple of the hotel's signature Old Monk rum, alongside premium snacks – a delightful and thoughtful touch.
The Unforgettable Breakfast
A stay here is arguably worth it for the breakfast alone. Guests are treated to a complimentary feast delivered to their room in magnificent, rattan-tiered tiffin carriers. This isn't your standard continental offering.
It's the full, glorious Dishoom breakfast experience: fluffy akuri (scrambled eggs Parsi-style), fire-toasted buns, masala beans, and a pot of their signature chai. Enjoying this spread in your bathrobe, looking out over the waking London streets, is a uniquely indulgent way to start the day.
The Verdict: More Than Just a Place to Sleep
The Permit Room is not a conventional hotel. You won't find a gym, a sprawling concierge desk, or sprawling suites. What you will find is a deeply atmospheric, theatrical, and sensory experience that stays utterly true to the Dishoom brand.
It is an ideal choice for those seeking a memorable London staycation, a treat for a special occasion, or die-hard Dishoom fans wanting to fully immerse themselves in the world the creators have so lovingly built. It’s a bold, confident, and utterly charming debut into hospitality.
