THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW…
HOW TO FIND US
40 Winks is situated in hip and trendy East London, and is very close to areas such as Shoreditch, Spitalfields and Hoxton. The house is just a three minute walk from Stepney Green underground station (turn right as you exit the station). Both the District and the Hammersmith and City lines run through Stepney Green, and it is one stop away from the Central line and the London Overground. This means that getting around is incredibly easy whether you are planning to spend your time locally or venturing in to central London.
If you are flying in to London and need any additional help with directions, please just let us know. Reaching us from the airport is very simple!
Clicking on LOCATION will take you immediately to Google maps.
FAQ
WHAT MAKES 40 WINKS SO SPECIAL?
Despite its glamorous history as one of London's top fashion and celebrity locations, 40 Winks is often described as a home-from-home experience, a place where you are treated not as a paying guest, but as a new friend. Many of our guests are enchanted by the sheer beauty of the house and its unique ambiance - its dreamy fairytale quality offering a welcome respite from the harsh realities of everyday life. For others, the pleasure comes from engaging Mr Carter in some lively conversation over a cup of tea, and the general sense of bonhomie and warmth to be found here. If it reminds you a little bit of Alice in Wonderland (with Mr Carter as the Mad Hatter), you won't be the first. We want our guests to leave with happy memories of their stay, and we work very hard to achieve this. For a few of our guests, staying here can even be a ‘life changing’ experience (not something we can guarantee unfortunately). If you haven’t already done so, see what other guests have said about their stay in our Reviews section.
WHAT SORT OF FACILITIES DOES 40 WINKS OFFER?
While many hotels boast a long list of amenities to make your stay more pleasant (expensive mini bars, spa treatments, huge plasma screens and complimentary toothpicks), 40 Winks offers none of these. There is no bored receptionist, and little in the way of technology to dazzle you. We like to pamper our guests in more subtle ways, and there is certainly no shortage of luxury at 40 Winks. We could tell you about our amazing beds which we had hand built for us here in England by Marshall & Stewart, one of the world’s top bed makers. We have very beautiful Egyptian bedlinen, which we also have specially made... so fine, many of our guests mistake it for silk. The bathroom has walls covered in hand painted gold leaf and is one of the most glamorous you will ever see. There is a carefully curated selection of books to read, and the house boasts a unique collection of art and curiosities, reflecting the passions of its owner, one of the world's most celebrated interior designers. There is even a 'secret' garden for guests to enjoy. Free wifi is available thoughout the house, and we are fortunate enough to have one of London's best independent cinemas just a moment’s stroll away. What we lack in conventional hotel facilities is more than made up for the uniqueness and charm of the experience we offer our guests, which is why so many of them return time after time.
WHAT SORT OF PEOPLE COME AND STAY THERE?
40 Winks extends a warm welcome to anyone who enjoys the whimsical and eclectic, who relishes good conversation, and who detests the bland impersonality of most hotel chains. For this reason, 40 Winks particularly appeals to those working in fashion and the arts. With just two guest rooms, we also attract quite a few celebrities, who enjoy the privacy we are able to offer. However, we get a very wide range of guests staying here who work in many different industries and professions, and the most important thing to us is not what you do, but your willingness to enjoy the experience we are offering. The attributes we look for in the perfect guest include: a lively sense of humour, good manners, a keen mind, irrepressible curiosity, a sociable disposition, child-like enthusiasm, and a fondness for spirited banter. A love of art and design obviously helps too.
DO YOU HAVE A RESTAURANT?
We provide a continental breakfast for guests in the morning (this is included in the room price), but we are unable to offer lunch or dinner. However, with so many fantastic restaurants in London to choose from, you are always going be spoilt for choice. We are always happy to make recommendations and help with bookings. You will find many of Mr Carter's favourites here.
A selection of teas and coffee are available to enjoy here throughout the day and evening at no extra charge.
WHO IS MR CARTER?
Mr Carter is the owner of 40 Winks. In 2012 he was described as 'perhaps the world's most extraordinary hotelier' by Gulf Life. He is passionate about 40 Winks, and is actively involved in its day-to-day management. Mr Carter also organises some of the best reviewed events in London, like our famous Bedtime Story Nights, and this has led to a wide range of partnerships, sponsorships and other high profile creative collaborations. He is frequently lauded as one of the world's most influential interior designers by magazines like Architectural Digest, and has twice been shortlisted for the International Interior Designer of the Year Award. You can check out his interior design website here. One of his recent projects was the much loved 'Oldich' bar and restaurant in Moscow. The Economist’s Intelligent Life called him an ‘elegant sliver of fin-de-siecle aestheticism’.
CAN I DO A FASHION SHOOT THERE?
The house has been one of London’s top fashion and celebrity locations for many, many years, and has been used for countless major advertising campaigns and high profile editorial shoots. We charge normal commercial rates for the hire of the house as a location. For more information about rates and dates, simply contact us at reservations@40winks.org.
CAN I HOLD A PARTY THERE?
We do organise our own programme of fabulous events here at 40 Winks (visit the Events page for more information), but if you are interested in holding a private party or corporate event here, we are always happy to have a chat. Please call +44 (0)20 7790 0259, or drop us an email at reservations@40winks.org and we will do our best to help.
CAN I ORGANISE A PRIVATE TOUR?
We received so many enquiries about this that we decided to offer private tours for people who are not staying with us but would love to have a peek at the amazing interiors here. There is a modest fee of £10 per person to include a guided tour with Mr Carter and a cup of tea at the end. Prior booking is essential. Simply email us at reservations@40winks.org if you wish to arrange a visit.
I NEED TO CONTACT SOMEONE IN THE PRESS DEPARTMENT.
Please email Daisy at info@40winks.org for additional information on 40 Winks and our events, or to request any pictures. We will always respond quickly and efficiently.
WHAT DOES 40 WINKS MEAN?
'Forty Winks' is an English expression meaning a short nap or snooze. It is a gentle indulgence, something rather spoiling, and if you haven’t tried it before, something we would highly recommend. The phrase can be traced back to Dr Kitchiner's 1821 self-help guide, ‘The Art of Invigorating and Prolonging Life’. William Kitchiner (1775–1827) was an optician, inventor of telescopes, amateur musician and exceptional cook. His name was a household word during the 19th century, and his Cook’s Oracle was a bestseller in England and America. Kitchiner wrote:
'A Forty Winks Nap', in a horizontal posture, is the best preparative for any extraordinary exertion.
KEEPING IN TOUCH
It makes us very happy that such a large number of our guests continue to keep in touch with us long after their stay here. The idea of a community or an extended ‘family’ is very much part our ethos. We love hearing what you are up to, and we post news, gossip and pictures on our Facebook page on a regular basis. If you haven’t already joined us on Facebook, please do. Let’s keep the conversation going!
We do also get very excited when you send us lovely postcards and hand written letters too, so please don’t be shy.