Haymarket Hotel Swim & Dine: Is It Worth £45?

There are two types of people in London: those who can casually spend hundreds on a hotel room, and the rest of us.

So when I heard you could rock up to Haymarket Hotel, have a swim and lunch, and leave without handing over the price of a weekend away, I was intrigued.

The hotel’s Swim & Dine package costs £45 per adult and £20 per child. You get 45 minutes in the 18-metre indoor pool, followed by a two-course lunch at Brumus.

Prices and package details can change, so check with Haymarket Hotel before booking.

Not exactly a budget swim - but this isn't your local leisure centre either.

The whole appeal is luxury without checking in. You get to wander into a five-star hotel in the heart of the West End, take a dip, get changed and sit down for lunch. Then, just like that, you're back on the streets of London.

The forty-five minutes is more than enough for a swim and to be honest, they’re not strict about timings.

The catch? The pool is 1.5 metres deep throughout and, when we visited, there was no lifeguard visibly present. I’m tall but my companion is not and spent most of the time holding onto the sides. Also, while we were swimming, there appeared to be a group of people from work at the bar. We were in our bathing suits; they were fully dressed. It felt weird.

Prices and package details can change, so check with Haymarket Hotel before booking.

Then there’s lunch and I suppose this is where the £45 starts to make more sense. You're paying for more than a swim: you're buying the setting, the food and that slightly ridiculous-but-fun feeling of enjoying a luxury hotel without actually staying there.

Would I pay £45 just to swim? Probably not.

Would I pay £45 for a little slice of five-star London, followed by lunch? Now we're talking.

Look it won't replace a full spa day, but if you're looking for a glamorous few hours without the glamorous hotel bill, Haymarket's Swim & Dine is a pretty clever way to fake being a hotel guest in one of London’s most beautiful boutique hotels.

And honestly? In this economy, I'll take it.

Would I go again?

Yes - particularly for a birthday, treat or a few hours in London when you want something that feels a little special without booking a hotel. I wouldn't choose it purely for the swimming, but the combination of pool, lunch and Haymarket setting makes it an interesting alternative to a full spa day.

At a glance

Where: Haymarket Hotel, London
Experience: 45-minute swim + two-course lunch
Pool: 18-metre indoor pool
Price when we visited: £45 per adult / £20 per child

Accessibility

The pool is on the lower ground floor and the hotel has lift facilities. If you have specific accessibility requirements, I'd recommend contacting Haymarket Hotel before booking to confirm the route to the pool and any arrangements you may need.