'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’

'A fairytale’

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

‘London’s loveliest boutique hotel’

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

‘The most beautiful small hotel in the world’

‘A unique experience’

‘The most charming hotel in England’

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

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

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

‘Bold, romantic and fantastical’

‘London’s sexiest boutique hotel’

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

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

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

‘One of London’s chicest hotels’

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

‘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’

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

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

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

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

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

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

‘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’

'London's coolest fashion hotel'

'The most beautiful small hotel in the world'

'London's most charming boutique hotel'

'A place of beauty and magic'

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

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

'The place for some seriously chic shut-eye'

'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 50 Essential Places to Visit in the World’

‘The 125 Most Fashionable Hotels in the World’

‘The most beautiful hotels in the world’

‘Europe’s best small hotels’

‘The Five Best Hotel Interiors in London’

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

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

‘Six best townhouse hotels in London’

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

‘The 100 addresses Stylist want you to know’

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

'The best hotels in Europe for a long weekend'

 'Best fashion hotels in the world' 

'The 8 most whimsical hotels in the world'

'4 Best Love Nests'

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.