Hotels near Duchess Theatre

Catherine Street, WC2B 5LA
Nearest Tube: Covent Garden / Holborn

Notable for its dimensions - seating just 479, it's one of the smallest traditional proscenium arch theatres in the centre of town - the Duchess is known for visiting touring musicals and short-run new plays without the financial firepower of the giant West End shows, but who still want to be in the heart of the action.

Located just off the Aldwych and close to the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, it's surrounded by restaurants and Covent Garden cafe life including nearby Joe Allen's, described as "theatrical nirvana", and a haunt of actors, producers and theatreland eccentrics with a fantastic menu.

The site itself lay vacant for many years as a victim of the 'Ancient Lights' law preventing new businesses stealing light from local residents - designer Ewen Barr got around this in 1929 by building a basement theatre, despite a design flaw meaning that bilge still has to be pumped from the basement much like on a Napoleonic-era sailing ship.

There's a few oddities in the Duchess' history: as well as hosting Snoopy - the Musical in the 80s, the theatre was also home to the shortest West End run in history, when The Intimate Revue didn't even make it through its first performance before closing in 1930. More successful productions have been Noel Coward's Blithe Spirit, a huge hit in the 40s, Bill Naughton's Alfie - later immortalised on screen by Michael Caine - and Buddy - The Musical has just closed after two very successful years at the Duchess.

The Strand Palace is only a very few minutes easy stroll to Covent Garden, the London Eye and Drury Lane. The hotel is located on the Strand in the West End and is close to many theatres, restaurants and bars. To its north lies Holborn and Russell Square, an area that is home to the British Museum, whilst to the east lies Tottenham Court Road, Trafalgar Square and the National Gallery.

Our most popular tried and tested 3 star hotel in the West End of London. The St Giles is only a short walk away from the Duchess Theatre