Experiencing the Great Scotland Yard Hotel London For Free
Last Updated on October 21, 2025 by Erin Donahue
If you’ve ever searched for the best luxury hotels in London, chances are you’ve come across the Great Scotland Yard Hotel, part of Hyatt’s Unbound Collection. Known for its historic setting and boutique luxury vibe, it’s one of the city’s most coveted stays. But does the Great Scotland Yard Hotel actually feel like a $1,000-a-night experience, or is it more hype than substance? In this review, I’ll share my honest experience and whether I’d recommend it for your next London trip.
Disclosure: Some links may be affiliate links. This means that I may earn a small commission if you decide to buy (at no additional cost to you).
A Little History of the Great Scotland Yard Hotel
The real charm of the Great Scotland Yard is its story. This building once served as the headquarters of London’s Metropolitan Police. Today, it’s a hotel where guests sip cocktails in the bar and unwind in rooms steeped in history. Unlike many corporate-feeling luxury hotels, this one feels distinctly London.
Booking the Great Scotland Yard Hotel with Points
Like New York City, London is notoriously expensive. When I travel, I usually collaborate with hotels in exchange for content creation to keep my costs down. I typically travel during shoulder season, but this time, every property I pitched told me they were fully booked. So, I turned to my points stash.
Surprisingly, the Great Scotland Yard Hotel is only a Category 6 (out of 8) Hyatt property. When last-minute award availability opened, I grabbed it! This redemption easily saved me over $1,000 for a two-night stay. For context, the cash rate was around $560 per night, but I booked it for 25,000 Hyatt points per night, which cost me 50,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points after transferring them to World of Hyatt. That works out to roughly 2.2 CPP (cents per point), an excellent redemption in the world of travel rewards.
Understanding Reward Redemptions
Not all hotel or credit card points are created equal. Some programs require far more points for the same room category. One of the best ways to maximize Chase Ultimate Rewards is by transferring them to World of Hyatt, which consistently offers some of the best redemption rates in the industry. For high-end stays like this one, your points can go significantly further compared to programs like Marriott Bonvoy or Hilton Honors.
Would I stay again? Yes, only if I could book on points.
Great Scotland Yard Hotel Room Review
I booked a standard King room at the Great Scotland Yard Hotel, which is one of the more accessible options for redeeming points. At first glance, the room felt compact, but thoughtful details elevated it beyond basic. Herringbone wood floors, rich textures, and a bathroom tiled in turquoise brick with an adorable vintage-style radiator gave it real character.
One design choice immediately stood out to me: the toilet and shower are in separate spaces. For couples, this probably works, but as a solo traveler, I found it a smidge inconvenient. It reminded me of the suite I stayed in while traveling in Bonaire, and this setup is also common in Japanese homes for hygiene reasons.
Small Details That Made a Big Difference
These small comforts added up to a surprisingly indulgent experience.
- The Soap: Normally, I’m not a fan of communal bottles, but they had a pomelo scent that took me back to my Malaysia trip.
- The Bed: Pillows with perfect firmness and the crispest sheets I’ve ever seen. I even asked housekeeping for their secret! She told me she pulls really tight, but I think they must also iron the sheets.
- The Bidet: A standard I’ve grown accustomed to at luxury hotels, it was the Toto brand, naturally, and it kept my tushie warm whenever I sat down.
FAQs About the Great Scotland Yard Hotel London
Q: Is the Great Scotland Yard Hotel worth $500-$1,000 per night?
A: Not in cash, unless you’ve got the budget to blow and are after the history and boutique luxury vibe. On points, absolutely!
Q: How many points does it cost to stay at the Great Scotland Yard Hotel?
A: As of the publication of this article, 25,000 Hyatt points per night, which you can transfer from Chase Ultimate Rewards.
Q: Is the location of the Great Scotland Yard Hotel good for travelers?
A: Yes, it’s centrally located, walkable, and conveniently situated for sightseeing around Westminster and Covent Garden.
Q: What’s the best way to book the Great Scotland Yard Hotel?
A: If you have Chase points, transfer them to Hyatt. Otherwise, check Hyatt.com for rates.
Watch the Great Scotland Yard Hotel in London on YouTube
To keep up to date with everything I share, follow along on my social media and read up on what camera gear I use when I travel.
Leave a Reply
is the creative studio of Erin Donahue, offering photography, videography, and content creation services for brands, hotels, tourism boards, and publications.
Based in New York City, but available globally, this multi-disciplinary digital creative left a career in the hedge fund space to pursue her passion as a travel and brand photographer, creating imagery that resonates with audiences. She approaches every project with a focus on storytelling, producing visuals that engage and inspire.
Her work has been commissioned by brands like Sony, Apple, and Google, and the content she has created has reached millions across social media.
To keep up to date with everything she shares, follow along on social media and read up on what camera gear she uses to capture the shot.
Niredonahue
