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I flew to London for a very specific reason, a Founders Table dinner at Mount St. Restaurant — fourteen members, great wine, honest conversation, and the kind of room you leave feeling sharper than when you walked in. What I didn’t expect was that the hotel I was staying at would become just as memorable as the dinner.

I checked into Nobu Hotel London Portman Square around 9pm after a smooth Heathrow Express ride into central London. The location is excellent, tucked into Marylebone, a short walk from Hyde Park, and far enough from the chaos to feel grounded.

From the moment I walked in, it felt like a clean fusion of Japanese calm and Western practicality. It had quiet confidence, and was the kind of place that doesn’t need to shout to let you know you’ve made a good decision.

Arrival Night: Sushi Bar and a Surreal Moment

Earlier that day, I’d received an email mentioning that Nobuyuki “Nobu” Matsuhisa himself was hosting an omakase dinner that night. I landed too late for the full experience, but I walked straight to the sushi bar after checking in with my travel clothes and carry-on in tow.

It turned into one of those almost cinematic travel moments: sitting at the counter, eating exceptional sushi, and then watching Nobu himself step behind the bar for a quick hello.

It was such an unexpected part of my trip that I'll remember forever (especially as a huge sushi fan)..

Nobu London — Nobu Hotel London Portman Square, a perfect location for my trip.

Sushi bar counter at Nobu Hotel London with chefs preparing dishes — Beautiful lobby and seamless check-in.

The Room: Calm, Functional, and Thoughtful

The room carried the same energy as the lobby. It was minimal, warm, intentional with soft woods and subtle lighting. The bathroom that felt more spa than hotel! Everything worked the way you want it to when you land late and need to reset.

You can tell the space was designed by people who actually stay in hotels a lot. It felt like it was built for people who are constantly moving and need recovery and calm.

Guest room at Nobu Hotel London with minimalist design and warm lighting — The room had soft lines, warm textures, and minimalist design.

Bedroom corner at Nobu Hotel London with seating area and soft lighting — Spa like bathroom and amenities.

The Morning: Hyde Park in Rare Sunlight

London gave me one of its rare gifts the next morning: crisp air, sun actually out, and a city that felt generous instead of grey. From Nobu, it’s only a short jog to Hyde Park — one of the best possible ways to feel human again after a travel day.

I ran through the Wellington Arch, passed Kensington Palace, and watched the city wake up around me. If you’re staying in Marylebone, this is the move. You trade a standard hotel gym treadmill for real green space in minutes.

Pathway in Hyde Park on a sunny morning near Nobu Hotel London — Wellington Arch in rare sunlight — the best “jet lag cure” available within a five-minute jog of the lobby.

Breakfast and Exploring Marylebone

Back at the hotel I met with Thomas Oliver, the hotel’s Director of Sales, for breakfast. It was relaxed and filled with fresh fruit, flaky pastries, and pancakes that were exactly what they should be without trying too hard.

And then there was the detail I didn’t expect: Nobu was sitting at the next table. Again! Just quietly there, drinking coffee, talking, and being extremely normal for someone who has built a global empire.

Thomas suggested I walk Marylebone High Street, and it ended up being one of the best decisions of the trip. It’s charming in a way that feels real, not manufactured: independent shops, good coffee, small restaurants, and genuine neighborhood energy.

I stopped at Monocle Café and just sat for a while, one of those places that quietly encourages you to slow your day down instead of stacking more meetings.

Marylebone High Street with pedestrians and boutique storefronts near Nobu Hotel London — I loved explorning shops, good coffee, and one of London’s most livable stretches.

The Dinner: Mount St. and the Real Reason for the Trip

The reason for the trip came together that night at Mount St. Restaurant. Fourteen FoundersCard members met around a table, had incredible food, and enjoyed the kind of conversation that doesn’t feel like networking but still moves your thinking forward.

It was a reminder of why we’re building this community in the first place: there’s real value in being around people who are wired like you and excited to connect.

Dining room setting at Mount St. Restaurant in London — Mount St. Restaurant: the trip’s main event delivered on both the food and the conversation.

Is Nobu London Worth It?

If you’re looking for flash, Nobu London probably isn’t your hotel. If you want calm, precision, and an environment that makes you sharper rather than noisier, it’s hard to beat — especially in a city that can feel like sensory overload the second you step outside.

What stood out wasn’t any single over-the-top feature. It was that everything worked, and every space felt intentional. It turned a work trip into an amazing travel experience.

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