Reviews

MAGAZINE QUOTES

'An ode to poetry and playfulness... its magical atmosphere is likely to refresh mind, body and soul considerably more than a hotel five times the price’

— CONDE NAST TRAVELLER (UK)

'A fairytale’

— CONDE NAST TRAVELER (USA)

‘One of the British capital’s best kept secrets’

— ELLE DECORATION (FRANCE)

‘London’s loveliest boutique hotel’

— ELLE DECOR (USA)

‘A gateway into the extraordinary world of interior designer David Carter’

— ELLE (UK)

‘The most beautiful small hotel in the world’

— GERMAN VOGUE

‘A unique experience’

— BRITISH VOGUE

‘The most charming hotel in England’

— BRAZILIAN VOGUE

‘The decor is romantic and deliriously crazy, as is its owner, designer and new Lord Byron, David Carter’

— MARIE CLAIRE (FRANCE)

‘It’s like slipping down Alice in Wonderland’s rabbit- hole... witty and whimsical’

— TATLER

‘London’s newest luxe-for-less boutique hotel from celebrated interior designer David Carter’

— HARPERS BAZAAR

‘Bold, romantic and fantastical’

— HOUSE BEAUTIFUL (USA)

‘London’s sexiest boutique hotel’

— GRAZIA (UK), GRAZIA (BULGARIA), STYLE BIBLE AND NME

— ‘One of the most stylish boutique hotels we have ever seen’

— RED VISITOR

‘A portal to a more fabulous world... might just be the most fashionable address in the city’

— THE GUARDIAN

‘Its like a piece of living theatre, exuding wit, charm and glamour... a sumptuously decorated homage to fin-de- siecle frivolity’

— THE SATURDAY TIMES MAGAZINE

‘One of London’s chicest hotels’

— LONDON EVENING STANDARD

‘Possibly the smallest and most perfectly formed hotel in Europe’

— INTELLIGENT LIFE/THE ECONOMIST

‘A romantic, eclectic and mysterious “micro-boutique hotel”. This theatrical two-room hotel is a wonderful piece of theatre, one of the most memorable places to stay’

— GULF NEWS

‘Part Venetian palazzo, whimsical country home, noble English residence and prop mistress’s archive rolled in to one’

— THE INDEPENDENT

‘The most beautiful boutique hotel in the world... mysterious, provocative and filled with fantasies’

— TOP DECO (CHINA)

‘One of London’s most elusive and exclusive guest houses’

— WGSN

‘The real luxury here is the emotional engagement, that antidote to robotic customer care.... It's a tiny revolution’ 

— HG2

‘If sleepwalking into the mind of a fantastically imaginative, wildly creative interior designer sounds like your thing, then 40 Winks is your wonderland’

— THE MULBERRY GUIDE TO BRILLIANT BRITAIN

‘A place rich with passion, good humour and boyish enthusiasm. Here the ordinary becomes the extraordinary’

— BESPOKE MAGAZINE (ITALY)

‘Visiting 40 Winks is like stepping in to a parallel universe. You find yourself crossing the threshold into a decadent reality worthy of the best Victorian novel’

— LA REPUBBLICA CASA (ITALY)

'London's coolest fashion hotel'

— L'OFFICIEL (CHINA)

'The most beautiful small hotel in the world'

— ELLE DECORATION (UK)

'A place of beauty and magic'

— IN LONDON MAGAZINE

'The celebrated London boutique hotel, 40 Winks, beloved of artists and creative types, uses fantasy as an antidote to the dreariness of daily life.'

— AD ITALY

 'The "eclectible" rooms are reminiscent of legendary aesthete Stephen Tennant's stately home, Wilton House'

— LOUIS VUITTON LONDON CITY GUIDE

'The place for some seriously chic shut-eye'

— NET-A-PORTER'S 'EDIT' MAGAZINE

'Like a hypnotic symbiosis between Marie Antoinette, gothic Victoriana, Alice in Wonderland and a fabulous theatre of curiosities, the decor of the acclaimed 40 Winks hotel is truly something'

— THE RESIDENT MAGAZINE (UK)

'One of the most beautiful hotels in the world'

— AD STYLE

'A fantasia of whimsy'

— SUITCASE MAGAZINE

'London's sexiest micro hotel... playful, theatrical and completely unique'

— CONDE NAST TRAVELLER (UK) 2019

'East London's most mysterious, magical best-kept secret. A beautifully curated experience - one of both luxury and simplicity'

— BEAST MAGAZINE

MAGAZINE HOT LISTS

‘The 50 Essential Places to Visit in the World’

— CASA VOGUE

‘The 125 Most Fashionable Hotels in the World’

— CONDE NAST TRAVELER (SPAIN)

‘The most beautiful hotels in the world’

— BLONDE (GERMANY)

‘Europe’s best small hotels’

— TRAVEL AND LEISURE (USA)

‘The Five Best Hotel Interiors in London’

— ELLE (UK) 

‘The Most Eccentric’ (selection of the 10 most special hotels by the world’s leading designers and architects)

— WEEKEND/LE VIF-L’EXPRESS (BELGIUM)

Number 1 in ‘London design hotels: Four of the Best’

— SATURDAY TELEGRAPH MAGAZINE 

‘Six best townhouse hotels in London’

— THE INDEPENDENT

Number 1 in ‘The 30 Coolest B&Bs in Britain’

— SATURDAY TIMES

‘The 100 addresses Stylist want you to know’

— STYLIST MAGAZINE 

Number 3 in 'The world’s top hotels for a honeymoon'

— RUSSIAN VOGUE

'The best hotels in Europe for a long weekend'

— AD FRANCE

 'Best fashion hotels in the world' 

— ELLE (GREECE)

'The 8 most whimsical hotels in the world'

— HARPER'S BAZAAR

'4 Best Love Nests'

— CARA MAGAZINE (IRELAND)

'The 10 most romantic hotel rooms in London for a naughty night away'

— CONDE NAST TRAVELLER (UK)

'12 hotels that will turn a vacation in to a unique experience'

— GERMAN VOGUE

GUEST COMMENTS

What can I say about 40 Winks that hasn't already been said! I only wish we could have stayed longer to experience more of the unique atmosphere in this tranquil and beautifully adorned fairy tale of a hotel. I say hotel, actually its much more than that. Each room has its own individual story to tell, all with seemingly magical properties and an ability to transport you away from the normality just outside the front door. It’s a testament to David’s skill as a world-class interior designer, that, whilst ornate and elegantly curated, each space retains a warmth, welcoming you in to unwind and explore without feeling stifled. Part theatrical, part gothic, part Lewis Carroll.
David himself is a wonderfully warm, somewhat enigmatic host, utterly charming and full of interesting conversation. Its evident the moment you set foot in the house that he is part of its very fabric. He's the soul of the place and a walking embodiment of the magic he's created here.

— MATT

40 Winks is, like most pearls, something rare and well hidden - and most certainly well off the very wearily beaten touristy track. The place is dark and gothic, romantic and haunting. We felt like falling through a rabbit hole into a world of fantasy!
If you're looking for the modern practicalities of a hotel, don't bother going. If you're looking for a truly unique experience full of wonder and magic, be sure to book well in advance!

— MIMI

There is much to discover within the delightful interiors of 40Winks ~ from the entrance, throughout the house and in the magical garden, everywhere ~ is a pleasure to be.
David Carter is kind, interesting and most helpful, an attentive host and wonderful conversationalist.
I very much enjoyed a six night stay in David's beautiful home and always felt pleasure on returning from days discovering London's east side ~ 
The atmosphere of this house is inspirational and filled with love and joie de vie.

— JULIE

I’ve just come back from a delectable staycation at 40 Winks, London. This elegant and eccentric boutique B&B is the home and work of David Carter, Interior Designer. What took me by complete surprise was that in no way did I want to leave and use 40 Winks as just “the place to stay overnight”. I wanted to melt into the pillows, slip away into the theatre of the décor and take time out in the poetic glamour of it all. 40 Winks offers you the opportunity to get away and indulge in simple pleasures like taking a long bath, reading a book and generally finding space to feel creative. I can only describe my stay as delectable and lovely. 
From the moment you walk through the door at 40 Winks, you are greeted with curiosities that fill you with a feeling of a modern fairy tale. I would recommend taking time out to indulge in the forgotten art of relaxation and inquisitiveness. This wonderful gem has certainly made me think through my choices between service and experience and recognise the true value in finding something special whenever you have the opportunity.

— TILLY

This was a wonderfully unique experience; one which I will never forget. Absolute hospitality, stunning interiors and a feast for the eyes. I stayed in the single room and enjoyed the delight of the top floor bathroom. Feeling like Cleopatra, I bathed surrounded by bronze leaf Chinese wallpaper as water tumbled out of the lion’s mouth into the cast iron tub. I was there for an interview, so definitely work-related, but was so distracted by my surroundings and company of the host, that any nerves were lifted. 
I will certainly return. This has set the bar so very high, I’m not sure any future hotel will live up to the expectations 40 Winks has set.

— ALEXANDRA

Even if I’m writing my review quite some time after I stayed at David Carter’s magical place ‘’40 Winks’’ it doesn’t mean that the memories of my stay have faded. In fact the opposite…
I stayed for 3 nights during August and as I was traveling alone I was looking for a different place to stay. I had such a good time at 40 Winks and it’s been a pleasure to meet David. He is super welcoming and a real gentleman. His tips for eating and going out are great.
If you like the quirky and different and enjoy a good conversation this is definitely the place to stay when in London. It’s not like any other hotel I have stayed at. It’s kind of a home away from home and it will make you feel being a Londoner not a tourist. I don’t have to mention the super cool interior of the house.
It was an amazing and inspiring experience and I’m very much looking forward to coming back.

— FREDERICKE

I recently had the good fortune to stay two nights at a very unique place: 40 Winks, a boutique hotel in the East part of London. 
Why is unique? Well...the moment Mr David Carter opened the door for us...we just entered in another universe...it was like jumping with Alice and the White Rabbit, Pinocchio and of course the main character in this story: Mr Carter. 
Come and stay here if you enjoy/want/love/need to feel beautiful, if you want to be surrounded by Beauty and curious ornaments...but also, if you want to have a lovely sleep, because our bed was a supreme experience: very soft sheets, spacious and so comfortable. The bathtub was my favorite: I have to thank David Carter for reminding me what a bath time is...a moment to relax, to feel the water sounds and see the light through a window. 
40 Winks is a lifetime memory in our lives.

— PELICAN

I have sat down so many times to write a review on you and 40 Winks. 
I am quite visual, so words, especially written words, are very difficult for me to put down on paper. 
I wanted to write a review that would do you proud. I found it utterly impossible to do.
Our night’s stay was lovely to say the least, but left us wanting...
Wanting to explore the vast delights of your home. Wanting to continue our unfinished conversations. Wanting to find out more about this man David. 
Yes, you were very gracious, interesting, and giving of yourself. But most amazingly to me .... was how down to earth and unpretentious you were. I was amazed how you can open up your home to strangers. Your home, which is filled with your treasures, which create your magical mystical lair. 
It is truly a wonderful experience. I suggest one needs at least a few days to go away feeling as if one has unearthed the mysteries that lie within the walls of 40 Winks. If you are lucky enough that Mr Carter is able to accommodate your stay at 40 Winks, consider yourself very fortunate!

— GLORIA

Truly one of the most amazing places I have ever stayed. Every room exhibits the charm and taste of the owner, David Carter. A typical hotel, no matter how lovely, is often quite impersonal. 40 Winks provides the warmth and attention normally given to a guest staying at a private residence. On a final note, the bathroom is sublimely decadent and the bed is, hands-down, the most comfortable one I have ever slept in outside my own house.

— DARCY

Staying at 40 Winks is an enormous treat!
First of all, I felt very fortunate that there was an opening; I have tried to make a reservation on more than one occasion.
The wait was so worth it. Staying at 40 Winks was a magical experience that mesmerized me from when I first rang the doorbell of this beautiful Queen Anne townhouse until I left it 48 hours later.
As stated by many reviewers before, the home of talented and renowned interior designer David Carter is absolutely stunning and unique. The house radiates warmth and inspiration. It also has a home away from home feeling which makes you feel relaxed and safe.
David Carter is a perfect host and gentleman; attentive, charming and friendly. I truly enjoyed our good conversations over a cup of coffee or tea in the downstairs kitchen.

— MARIE

If you intend to be a guest at 40 Winks be prepared for a totally different experience from any place you have ever stayed at. While, yes it is a hotel in name, that is not what it feels like – and that is a compliment because it is far from sterile and anonymous. In fact it is actually difficult to describe what 40 Winks gives a person as I would imagine that every guest will have their own interpretation based on their own beliefs, attitudes and worldviews. For me it was magical in the sense it transformed me back to childhood memories of what I dreamed it would be like to live in a palace (though somewhat smaller) with ornate and beautiful surroundings. A most comfortable bed with perfectly placed pillows and the softest sheets, the luxurious bathroom with freestanding bath, gold walls and subdued lighting. Each ornament, lamp, mirror, painting or piece of furniture in the house has been chosen with utmost care and thought and expertly positioned reflecting the owner David Carter’s talent for interior design. It is easy to see why 40 Winks has such wonderful reviews and attracts people from all over the world.

— PHILIPPA

The charming Mr Carter has created an enchanting world that is not a hotel - it's an unmissable experience, a privilege and a pleasure to stay in his home. Those of us lucky enough to stay here will not leave unchanged.

— ANN

As others have stated, 40 Winks is much more than a hotel, it's an invitation into the imagination of it's creator, David Carter. For a traveler who's looking not just for a place to sleep, but an atmosphere of visual delight and creative possibility, 40 Winks provides a space for reflection and artistic refuge. Mr Carter and his lovely home are sure to leave a lingering impression on the mind of any guest who stays here.

— ISABEL

This is simply a wonderful place to stay. The interior is beyond words. So special. David is a natural host. He takes a genuine interest in his guests and has a very kind nature. When you stay here, you will count it as one of the highlights of your life's travelling experiences.

— DOUG

I was so excited before we even arrived and prayed it was everything I had imagined. 40 Winks exceeded all my expectations and Richard was blown away. A truly magical wonderland, a story to be told behind every door. With David your intriguing, eccentric host.
A weekend to remember and never to be forgotten! Thank you.

— BECKY

David the host has created a work of art. The souvenir stays with me, as a beautiful painting does. My most pleasurable stay in London ever. A charming and informative host. My sister spent a wonderful birthday and David recommended great walks and restaurants. You could spend hours just looking at the beautiful objects in the kitchen while eating a good breakfast and listening to interesting conversation.Each room is beautifully decorated and a feast for the eyes.

— JENNIFER

A beautiful historic home with the most fabulous decor and the most attentive and kind service, 40 Winks is in a league of it's own. I felt folded into its loving arms as soon as I entered and that feeling never left. David was everything you could ask for in a host; charming, interesting, helpful, attentive. I loved exploring all the rooms and vignettes of just the right things displayed together in a fabulous way. All of my expectations were exceeded. It was really the perfect two night stay to start my London visit.

— PAM

Staying at 40 Winks was an absolute dream! I had been really looking forward to staying here for months and it certainly lived up to my expectations! It was literally like entering the door into Narnia. I can't describe the childlike feeling it gave you - making you forget everything in the outside world as you immersed yourself in this fantasy land.
40 Winks really values and looks after all their guests and Mr Carter makes a special effort to enjoy a tea or coffee with them and get to know them which is so nice! He is really lovely to chat to.
The interiors are absolutely stunning and the bedrooms are so homely - it literally felt like my second home by the end. Whether you are a visitor to London or have been living here for years like myself (my flat is only about 1 mile away from 40 Winks!), a stay here is a once-in-a-lifetime experience you will remember forever! I already want to come back!

— CATRINA

Gosh, how to begin..! Fabulous old townhouse done up with lots of love and quirkiness, you enter a fairytale, storytelling place suffused with magical little details and designed with love and playfulness. My sister and I were the only guests, so we had the marvellous and delightful host David all to ourselves. It felt like coming to see a friend - David was very open, chatty, philosophical and inspiring! If you ever want to experience your London trip as a kind of Alice in Wonderland experience, this is where you have to go!

— CAROLINE

We stayed at 40 Winks for three nights and it was the most wonderful "hotel" experience we ever had. It is like being in a wonderful, calm dream that is becoming a reality of fabulous rooms. @David, thank you so much for giving us the opportunity to have this outstanding experience and for all your exceptionel discussions and input regarding interesting and specific places to discover in London.
Whenever we will return to London, there will be no alternative hotel to 40 Winks for us.

— WALTER