My Booking Experience

I booked the Chilworth London Paddington through Booking.com and chose a Deluxe Single Room for 3 nights for a deal price of £313.53. This is the cheapest I’ve seen The Chilworth on a trip to London. I paid online to save time on my arrival. Being a Booking.com Genius Level 3 member, I also received £22 in credits to spend on my next booking. I had £26 left in credits from a previous booking which was put towards the cost of this one.

The Location

The Chilworth is located on Westbourne Terrace, less than a 5-minute walk away from both Paddington Railway station and Paddington tube station exits. It’s also only a short walk away from Edgeware Road tube station. There are many good restaurants and takeaways nearby and a variety of convenient shops in Paddington Station.

The hotel is near Hyde Park, Kensington Palace, Bayswater, and Marble Arch. If you’re thinking of staying in central London before a flight. In that case, The Chilworth has convenient access to the Heathrow Express and the Elizabeth Line to travel to Heathrow Airport. It’s also just a short tube journey away from London St Pancras for the Eurostar services.

The Hotel

Check-In

I arrived at the hotel at 6:30 am, straight from The Night Riviera Sleeper train to drop off my luggage before travelling on the Eurostar for a day trip to Paris! The night staff were very welcoming and stored my luggage with no issues.

I returned to The Chilworth at 9:00 pm and was checked in efficiently after a very long day. Reception has a luxury and boutique feel with a small seating area and carefully designed decor. I was given my room card and luggage before being directed to the lift.

The Room

I booked a single deluxe room located a floor below the ground floor near the spa. Even though the room was on the basement floor, I still had a window with a view up to the front of the hotel.

The single room was small but no smaller than other London hotels I’ve stayed in. The room looked like it had been recently renovated, and there were many storage options. Being a highly-rated hotel, there were extra touches such as dimmable lighting, a sleep button which controlled the lighting and let the cleaning staff know when someone is sleeping, a notepad and pen and some snacks. 

The bathroom was very functional, with a large shower and a variety of complimentary toiletries.

Other Room Types at The Chilworth London Paddington

As well as Deluxe single, other room types at the Chilworth include:

• Compact Double
• Deluxe Double
• Deluxe Twin
• Club Double
• Club Twin
• Deluxe Triple

My room was not as photogenic as some of the more high-end rooms at the Chilworth. I asked to see one of the other rooms, and I was shown a ‘Club Room’, which had been prepped for a guest’s birthday, with a rose petal turndown and lots of extra touches.

The Spa

Unfortunately, during my 3 day stay, I only had time to use the spa once. It’s a very welcoming place to visit to prepare for the day or recover from a long day. The main part of the spa is a large jacuzzi, which has to be booked in advance. You can simply phone from your room, and there’s often availability straight away.

There’s also a steam room, complimentary towels and slippers and a variety of moisturisers and products to try. I liked the extra touch of free bottled water, which you can enjoy on a beanbag after the heat of the jacuzzi. A range of spa treatments are also bookable for an extra cost.

Spa packages can be booked via Treatwell. If you’re not staying at the Chilworth and you’re looking for a spa in the Paddington area, non-guests can also book the spa for a 30-minute slot, book a treatment or even have a spa day. Some packages even include afternoon tea.

Breakfast

I managed to get to breakfast one day. I was allowed in to get my breakfast just before it was cleared away. After an early start, I returned to The Chilworth just before breakfast finished.

The variety was not as big as some of the bigger brands like Novotel, Hilton and Hyatt, but everything I needed was there, including a range of hot options, pastries, juices and cheeses. My only recommendation would be to serve freshly prepared coffee rather than filter coffee.

Breakfast Opening Hours:

Mon – Fri: 7.00 am – 10.00 am
Sat & Sun: 7.30 am – 10.45 am

The Restaurant

There is 1 restaurant at The Chilworth Hotel – The Tumeric Kitchen with a wide range of dishes available. The hotel bar is also open throughout the day, and afternoon tea is served from 2:30 pm-5:30 pm:

Other Amenities

Vitamin C Infused Showers: I was surprised to find that the hotel offers vitamin C infused showers.

Vitamin C Infused Coffee Pods: The hotel bar also offers coffee pods infused with a variety of vitamins. 

Yoga and Meditation: This wasn’t something I tried during my stay, but the hotel offers guided yoga sessions in the yoga lounge or even in the privacy of your room!

Room Service: The room service menu is just as extensive as the dinner menu. The food is delicious, and you can either put a card on your room on arrival or pay when the food arrives at your door. 

Free Umbrellas and Apples: I was impressed with the availability of free apples at the door and complimentary umbrellas, which were perfect for dealing with the British January weather in the afternoon when I set off in a rush to find torrential rain.

Check Out

The checkout process was very efficient. There was no queue, and I handed in my card and was asked how my stay was.

Loyalty

The Chilworth Hotel is part of the Montcalm group and part of the Montcalm Club loyalty program. You can save 10% off the booking price booking direct and earn points towards a free stay. 

The larger hotels are under ‘Montcalm’ and include The Montcalm Marble Arch, Montcalm Royal London House and Montcalm London City. The smaller, more boutique hotels are under ‘Montcalm Townhouse’ and include the Chilworth, The Marble Arch London, The Piccadilly West End and the Barbican rooms.

Being a member of the Montcalm Club, you can get a discount from a range of partners, including Virgin Wines, Heathrow Express, London Eye, Hamleys and Hackett.

Final Thoughts

Overall, I had a fantastic stay at The Chilworth. The hotel provided all the facilities and services I needed as well as being in the perfect location for my trip. It was lovely to be able to use the spa after a long day, and the delicious room service was a bonus too. I’ll definitely be checking the rates on future trips to London.

You can check prices and availability here.

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You may have to slightly sacrifice location to get the price you want, but when you could save hundreds of pounds and often get a nicer hotel. I think even with the odd Uber cost thrown in, it’s worth it.

One of the best examples is the hotels along Park Lane. Both the Intercontinental and Hilton are very underwhelming for what you pay unless you use points. I recently stayed at the Intercontinental on points, but the room would have cost £525 for the lowest category room in a very dated hotel with few facilities. If you compare that to staying somewhere like the Pan Pacific, it’s like chalk and cheese. 

I’ve chosen hotels that are 5* with a luxurious feel rather than a standard 4* hotel which there are plenty of. These hotels are generally well under £500 a night, but you get a lot more for your money than some other luxury hotels. 

Here are my top picks:

Pan Pacific

This would be my top pick of all the luxury hotels under £400 a night. If you love Asia and Singapore, this gives you a real flavour of that in an elegant and understated way. It’s one of my favourite hotels in London. 

Afternoon tea

The pastry chef is TV celebrity chef Cherish Finden who was formally at the Langham. Her Singapore-style afternoon tea was an absolute triumph, but they also offer a more traditional option. 

The hotel has lots of facilities including a pool, gym, spa and yoga/meditation space. 

It is very close to Liverpool Street station so easy to get around. However, there is plenty to do nearby to with places like Eataly, Brick Lane and Borough Market not far away. You are close to the Thames, St Paul’s, The Tower of London and the Shard too.

In the hotel is a casual restaurant which focuses on Asian favourites but has international choices as well. The atmospheric bar offers some great cocktails and an outdoor terrace. 

Ginger Lily bar

You can read my full review here. 

Prices start from £369 on Booking.com but if you book through our partners, GTC, you can get a number of extra perks:

• $100 USD Hotel Credit to be used once during the stay (exclusions apply)
• Complimentary full breakfast for two daily
• Early check-in and late check-out upon availability
• Property will offer upgrade at time of check-in – subject to availability
• Complimentary Wi-Fi
• Welcome Amenity: Seasonal amenity by executive chef Lorraine Sinclair and our world-renowned executive pastry chef Cherish Finden

The Westin London City

Only a couple of minutes’ walk from the river, this is not the greatest location for public transport as the nearest tube is a good few minutes away. It’s situated in the middle of Monument, Bank and Blackfriars with all a similar 10 minute walk away. However, it’s a very new hotel with a great spa and pool and a really good lounge too.

Westin The City’s beautiful indoor pool

It is 7 minutes walk from St Paul’s Cathedral and overlooks Shakespeare’s Globe and the striking Tate Modern. The wine bar, Hithe and Seek, has fantastic views and a wonderful selection of wines and small plates. There’s also a champagne bar in the lobby within the main restaurant. 

You can read my full review here. You can check prices and find more information on the official site. Or if you book with our partner GTC you get the following benefits:

• Early check in/late check out, based on availability
• Complimentary breakfast for 2, per room
• $100 Credit (for select hotels)

Prices start from around £305. 

Hilton London Bankside

Entrance to Hilton Bankside

A glass of Prosecco welcomes you to what I think is the best Hilton in London in terms of value for money and facilities. The large pool is perfect for relaxing and if you want to indulge there is a spa as well. 

Hilton London Bankside pool 

The lounge here is beautifully done with helpful staff and a good selection of drinks and canapes. If you don’t have access, I also like the bar for a late night tipple or to start your evening off. 

Living room of 1 bedroom suite  at Hilton Bankside London

Rooms are very modern and well equipped if a little dark. 

Executive lounge

The hotel is situated within walking distance of Waterloo and around 5 minutes walk to Southwark tube. It’s handy for Shakespear’s Globe Theatre, the Shard, Tate Modern and Borough Market. 

You can read our most recent review here.

Prices start from around £225. You can find out more information and prices here.

Sheraton Grand Park Lane

Sheraton Grand Park Lane standard room

Generally, most of the hotels on Park Lane are old-fashioned and overpriced. The one that has impressed me the most but is just on Picaddily rather than Park Lane is the Sheraton. 

Suite lounge area with views of Green Park

The hotel has a real sense of its 1920s grandeur as you enter, and staff are generally excellent. It doesn’t have a pool or spa, but you are right opposite Green Park if you want a stroll! There is, of course, also a gym.

The location has many of the top hotels, restaurants and shops within a short distance, and the nearest tube station is Green Park. 

Palm Court

I particularly like the Palm Court where you can have afternoon tea or a drink. 

As a Marriott Platinum, I have received a good upgrade both times I have stayed at the hotel. I’ve yet to experience the lounge yet as it wasn’t open the first time I went, and I didn’t have time on my second visit, but it does have one! I popped my head in last time and it looked elegant.

Sheraton Grand lounge

You can read my full review here.

Prices start from £350 You can check prices and book on the official site here.

The post What are the best value luxury hotels in London at the moment? appeared first on Turning left for less.

After having walked past the magnificent entrance many times and visited the bar, the newest Four Seasons Hotel London was firmly on my bucket list. I decided to give it a try when in London celebrating my birthday. (I highly recommend the Aubrey at the Mandarin Oriental for brunch, by the way. A generous set menu of sharing options with an individual main course and free flow champagne, rosé or sake alongside  exceptional staff made it a wonderful celebration). 

Booking and pricing

Prices for the ultra-luxury hotels in London at the moment are frankly, ridiculous. Before Covid, I’d expect to pay around £350 for something like the Intercontinental and £500 upwards for an ultra-luxury property like Corinthia or a Four Seasons. Now prices start at around £500 for the Intercontinental and £750 for top properties if you are really lucky. Basic rooms at many of them start at £1000! I’d love to know who would pay that for a tiny basic room. I will shortly be doing an article on the best value luxury hotels in London as there are still some decent deals around. 

I booked through Luxury Escapes. Not only do they offer special deals which are timed but they also offer a range of luxury properties which can be slightly cheaper than booking direct. I also had credit to spend with Luxury Escapes, which made it a no-brainer. 

If you don’t want to use Luxury Escapes or are likely to spend money in the hotel, then I would recommend looking at our partners GTC as they offer extra benefits on Four Seasons properties which could work out much cheaper:

• USD100 food and beverage (city hotels) or USD100 Spa credit (leisure hotels) but can vary
• Upgrade subject to availability at check-in
• Early check-in/late check out subject to availability
• Welcome note from Agent/General manager
• Wi-fi

Location

Four Seasons Hotel London is set in a Grade II* listed building overlooking the River Thames at Tower Hill. It is built in the Beaux Arts style and is the former headquarters of the Port of London Authority.

It has a good location right by the Tower of London and a couple of minutes’ walk from Tower Hill Tube station. It’s also close to Tower Bridge and St Katherine’s Dock, so plenty is nearby to see. 

Check-in

Prior to check-in I had struggled to get a spa appointment online so I emailed the hotel as I was pretty sure that kept some back for guests. I had a reply back from the spa pretty quickly and organised an appointment for the treatment I wanted at the exact time I wanted, which was great. Unfortunately, the other questions in the email were ignored.

I also received an email before check-in as you do in most 5* hotels, and this time my requests were replied to quickly and with an apology for not replying to them previously. I did mention that it was my birthday as they had asked if I was celebrating (always interesting to see what hotels do for a special occasion. You can do online check-in if you wish and they will email you when the room is ready. 

The doormen were really fantastic at Four Seasons Hotel London, and it is probably the greatest hotel entrance I have been through with its red carpet and towering columns flagging the entrance. I felt I probably should have worn a ballgown to turn up in! They immediately jumped to attention to help me out of the car and take my bag as soon as my Uber pulled up. 

The Four Seasons Hotel London entrance hall and reception is equally impressive with its high ceilings, beautiful orchids and chandeliers.

The Four Seasons Hotel London check-in experience itself was pretty impressive apart from the rude guest that pushed in front of me at reception! Just because you have already checked-in doesn’t mean there is a special queue for you now!

Once I started the check-in process, the front desk were also great and the whole front of house experience while I was there was excellent. They all remembered my name and were friendly and not at all stiff. 

The receptionist was chatting to me about my birthday plans and whether he could wish me happy birthday early as it was not my birthday until two days later. He also remembered when I checked out and wished me a happy birthday celebration. You definitely feel like you are a valued customer which is what Four Seasons usually prides itself on. I also got a one category upgrade, presumably as it was my birthday. 

After I had checked in, the doorman showed me to my room and mentioned a few points about the hotel. When I popped done later that day to find the spa, he remembered my name and escorted me personally to the spa lift, again, excellent personal service. 

The room

The Four Seasons Hotel London has a slightly strange layout with some rooms seemingly added on to the main building. You take a glass lift up which has a beautiful effect through the glass roof. 

The Four Seasons Hotel London room itself was modern but with a nod to a classic style with a hint of art deco and a warm colour palette. The lowest category room is the Superior room which only has a shower. Next comes the Deluxe room which has a larger bathroom with a bath. The Premier room that I had comes with an even larger bathroom and a walk-in wardrobe area. 

The bed was very comfortable and almost on a par with my gold standard for London, the Corinthia. The bed linen felt lovely and soft with great quality. The Four Seasons Bed is customisable with your choice of plush, signature or firm mattress topper, but I was happy with the standard topper. You could also request various pillows but I found the ones provided just the right level of softness versus support. 

There was a large desk area, but it was lacking in somewhere to sit and do make-up or hair, although a magnifying mirror was provided in the bathroom and there was a mirror with a socket in the dressing area. 

A well sized TV had a number of features that allowed you to connect your device to it, but I admit I tried several options and failed with all of them with my iPhone. You could also plug in a laptop via various sockets. 

There were plenty of sockets around the room with double sockets with USBs by the bed and at the desk. The lighting controls had several options and also housed the curtain controls – I do like a remote control curtain – the ultimate in laziness! You could have the lights on several different settings to set the mood but it was hard to see the controls with the white against the gold when the lights were on. In the dark they were very clear. 

There was a Bose Bluetooth speaker but also a number of things you could request such as Apple TV, game consoles and a laptop or printer. 

Naturally, there was a Nespresso machine and some beautifully presented high-quality teas. It was nice to see a proper bottle of milk, albeit long life. The minibar was in a drawer rather than a standard fridge, but I was glad that it wasn’t one of the annoying pressure-sensitive ones. Two bottles of still water were provided for free. 

In the huge walk-in closet, there was no iron and ironing board, a quirk of high-end hotels that really annoys me. Presumably, if you pay this sort of money, you are too posh to do your own ironing! Often for me is about time as I don’t have time to wait for someone to iron things even if I wanted to. I decided to try the chat function since this time it wasn’t overly urgent. It took them around 10 minutes to reply, and then the iron appeared around 5 minutes later, which I was happy with. Obviously, if you call them would probably be quicker. 

At these prices and level of hotel, I’d be expecting a Dyson hairdryer, but this was just a standard one. However, it was a very generous space for storage and dressing. 

When I arrived back from the spa, I was delighted to find a gorgeously delicate cake designed like a peach and filled with a light mousse. This was accompanied by a card wishing me happy birthday. 

The bathroom was the highlight for me with its decadent marble, mosaic and gold. The huge bathtub was just the right size for a long soak. However, I would have preferred to have the controls in the centre as they were too far to reach if you lay at the opposite end and were not tall. 

The bathroom had several other high points including a Japanese toilet with a cosy heated seat and a lovely warm floor thanks to the underfloor heating. Of course, there were good quality robes and slippers, but they could have been more generous in size for the bathrobes.

A large marble shower had plenty of shelves for storing your own toiletries and a choice of rainhead or normal shower. Is there anything nicer than a great hotel shower followed by wrapping yourself in a fluffy oversized super absorbent towel?

The toiletries were by Lorenzo Villoresi, an Italian brand I know nothing about. I could tell they were decent quality, but I found the scent very non-descript and definitely not ones that would fall into my suitcase!

I found it slightly odd that by 9.30 pm, when I went to put out my room service trolley, there was still no turndown. I don’t think I have ever had turndown later than around 8.30-9 pm before. As I was in the corridor, one of the housekeepers spotted me and offered to do it then. At this point, I was just about to hop in the bath, so I just asked for some more water which was delivered in a large bottle promptly. 

The spa and gym

This was a big reason for choosing the hotel as there are only a small number of hotels in London that have a decent hydrotherapy pool as well as a swimming pool. Again my gold standard is the Corinthia which has a stunning sense of tranquil drama with its fireplaces and black marble. 

The mood at the Four Seasons was more classic with the majority of the spa in muted neutral tones. The staff were very helpful and showed me to a locker with slippers and a robe. I had booked a massage and eye treatment but went to use the facilities first.

When I arrived, the spa was almost empty apart from one group of young men. I had the pool to myself initially. It could have been a little warmer, but I don’t mind too much when there is a separate pool you can relax in like here. The hydrotherapy had a good number of stations such as bubble beds, whirlpool and overhead waterfalls.

Unfortunately, despite the signs saying no under 16s there was a large family group with three children who were very definitely under 16 who took over almost all of this hydrotherapy pool and making quite a racket. The spa attendants came in several times but completely ignored them. I decided to pop into the steam room for some peace and quiet. There is also a sauna too and a relaxation corner as well as a number of loungers.

I returned to the hydrotherapy pool, and they were climbing over some of the hydrotherapy stations. At this point, a pointed death ray stare from me at the parents seemed to do the trick, and they all got out to my relief. There are specific times children are allowed to use the main pool, but they are forbidden from using the hydrotherapy pool at all times. 

My treatment got off to a slightly shaky start as she had got the time wrong and arrived 15 minutes early while I was still in the pool saying I needed to come now as she was going home after the treatment and I may not get the full time. I insisted she double-check as I knew when my time was and once she realised she spent the rest of the session apologizing for her mistake. I was glad I checked, as I didn’t want to be rushing into a treatment that is supposed to be relaxing.

The room and the treatment were both extremely good, as I would expect from a FS hotel. Afterwards, I was led to the relaxation area and offered tea or water and some dried fruit. Though I do think they could have stretched to a proper glass, even if it was plastic rather than an environmentally unfriendly paper cup. 

It wasn’t quite as good as the Corinthia as it was missing the multiple heated loungers that they have, and the relaxation areas were a bit lacking in comparison. But overall, it’s an excellent spa that I would visit again and definitely one of the top ones in London. 

The gym is modern and well equipped. It’s perfectly situated by the spa, so you can hop into the pool or steam room after your workout. 

Food and drink

The hotel is home to the Two Michelin star La Dame de Pic French restaurant by world-renowned chef  Anne-Sophie Pic. The signature dish sounds delicious – Pasta parcels with Brie de Meaux and pine nuts, wild mushrooms, watercress coulis and Douglas pine.

On this occasion, I did not get a chance to try it. I did try room service, and it came in around 30 minutes which was reasonable. During their hours of service, you can order selected items from Mei Ume, which is their Japanese and Chinese restaurant.

There was plenty to tempt you on the room service menu, from more basic dishes to Asian favourites. 

I had some sushi which was very good, and a steak which could have had more heat on the outside as it looked a little insipid for my taste, but it tasted good. I like my steak to have a good crust on the outside as that is where the flavour comes from.

The parmesan chips were amazing with a truffle mayo for dipping, and the richness of the roasted red onion was also a delight. 

Breakfast

Breakfast was not included in my rate, but I decided to pop down for something to line my stomach ahead of my birthday celebrations! The service was friendly but quite slow. 

Breakfast takes place in the impressive Rotunda which is used as a bar for the rest of the day and evening. It’s worth a visit if you are in the area as they often have someone playing on the grabnd piano which makes a lovely atmosphere. 

Here is the breakfast menu (don’t look at the calories!!)

I thought the prices for the a la carte were reasonable in comparison to the room prices. I just went for a coffee and the eggs royale. (I managed to steer myself away from my usual avocado toast, well, it was my birthday, after all!)

The eggs were a little undercooked with a slight jelly-like white, but this seems to be standard for all hotel poached eggs, sadly. The hollandaise was perfect, though, well balanced and a generous portion. I liked that it came with spinach and salmon, which helped counter the dish’s richness. 

I had a look at the Four Seasons Hotel London continental buffet on the way out, and it seemed to have a good choice and high-quality options. 

Check-out

I don’t normally mention check-out, but I spotted two things on the bill which really got my goat! Firstly (and I had heard something about it, so I was looking for it), a service charge for housekeeping of 5%. Given that all they had done on my one-night stay was hand me a bottle of water at 9.30pm I was blowed if I was giving a tip. The room I had been upgraded to cost £950 a night when I stayed. I’m sorry, but as I said to the receptionist (in a nice way) but if you can’t pay your staff enough at £950 a night to not to put a tip on every bill, then you need new management! The charge is not mandatory, so you can ask for it to be taken off. But if you didn’t notice or thought it was mandatory I think it’s very cheeky!

I was also charged for water at breakfast. I have never in any of my stays at luxury hotels recall being charged for water at breakfast, especially when they proactively offer it. I’m guessing again that they just assume you are so rich you don’t care. For me, it’s not about how much money you have, it’s about feeling like you are being taken for a ride, and I think this is very unnecessary. 

I did feed both of these back along with the other couple of niggles that I mentioned in the survey that I was sent. I got a personal reply from the management which I thought was an excellent way to handle this. However, it looks like neither of these is going to change anytime soon. Given the amount of competition in London at the high end of hotels, I’m surprised they would want to nickel and dime customers for the sake of it. The hotel appeared very quiet when I was there. 

Conclusion

Overall Four Seasons Hotel London is a stunning, very luxurious and comfortable hotel perfect for a special occasion. The front-of-house staff were really exceptional in making me feel welcome and not at all stuffy in such a grand setting. The spa is excellent, and assuming there are no children in the hydrotherapy pool, a great way to relax with a treatment or using the facilities. 

If it seems like I was being fussy, my view is that if I am paying this sort of money, I’m expecting perfection. Particularly when I compare it with other hotels like the Pan Pacific which are around half the price and still offer a fantastic 5* experience. 

I think if they could just start thinking in a more English way about tipping and charges, it would do them a lot of good. I understand they are a US brand, and tipping is how things work in the US. But don’t go bringing your excessive tipping culture over here! It generally does not play well with us Brits! Pay your staff a decent wage, and then tipping outside a restaurant or bar should be reserved for good service, not just turning up. 

You can find out more about the Four Seasons Trinity Square here. 

Like Our Four Seasons Hotel London review? You can read more hotel reviews here. 

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I was invited to stay at the Penthouse at nHow London hotel as well as trying their restaurant. I had heard of Nhow as we had previously featured a reader review. nHow is a small chain of hotels in Europe that are design-led and highly focused on local art. I hadn’t realised that they were part of the wider NH hotel group which you may have heard of and also own Anantara hotels. 

The hotel was listed as one of the best UK hotels in 2020 by The Times and gets 4.5/5 on TripAdvisor.

Location

The hotel is situated on City Road, on the fringe of Shoreditch and close to Islington (about 10 minutes walk) and Hoxton. It’s around 10 minutes walk from Old Street and Angel Tubes and 20 minutes to Farringdon station. There are plenty of restaurants and bars in the surrounding areas as well as boutique shops and markets. 

Check-in and communal areas

Reception

The outside of the nHow hotel is fairly non-descript but as you enter you are hit by an explosion of colour and fun design. The reception area is in one corner of a large open plan area on the ground floor that also consists of the bar/restaurant and sitting areas. At one end of the reception desk is a drink labelled ‘Drink me’, presumably in homage to Alice in Wonderland. It tasted like a fruit infused water and was refreshing, although it would have been good to know what was in it!

My favourite part of the downstairs area is the large Big Ben sculpture which looks like a rocket. The hotel has been designed under the theme ‘London Reloaded’ by Project Orang – a bold modern celebration of traditional British icons, such as London landmarks, the Royal Family and the underground. 

Another area I liked was the fireplace corner which made a relaxing place to sit that felt a bit like someone’s living room!

However, you couldn’t maintain that illusion for long when you spot these whimsical chairs that look like they are made from military uniforms!

The receptionist welcomed me to the hotel and apologised that the penthouse was not quite ready as I had arrived around 40 minutes before check-in started. After a short wait in the bar area, I was invited to collect my keys and head to the room.

Rooms of nHow London hotel

The guest floors were no less quirky than the main area, even before I got to my room. As I left the lift it felt like I was on a London street which continued as I headed down the corridor. 

You will notice that the carpet gradually changes as you walk along it, initially starting with sporadic flowers until it erupts into a sea of roses as you come to the penthouse. 

I also adored the front door-like room entrances which were apparently inspired by Notting Hill.

Penthouse door

As you enter the Penthouse there is a guest bathroom in the hallway with a rather unusual painting of the Queen. Not sure what her Majesty would make of the moustache (perhaps she needs to visit the beauty salon?)!

Then you enter the main part of the suite through a heavy door. The room is triangular in shape finishing in a promontory window seating area giving good views of the surroundings.

The theme of the room is floral and made me think of an English garden with its grass-like carpet and flower accents. The main living area felt spacious with a dining table that would comfortably seat six, a sofa and two chairs, and a desk for working.

I loved the old Bakerliete phones too as there was a second one in the bedroom. The garden theme continued with the flower decorated kettle which was accompanied by a proper teapot – something you rarely see in hotels nowadays. If coffee is more your thing, there was also a Nespresso machine. I liked that there were mugs as well as takeaway cups if you wanted to grab something on the way out. Also in this area was a proper bar kit with cocktail shaker, measure and ice bucket alongside some nice cut-crystal glasses. Two cartons of water were provided and there was also an empty fridge. 

The wicker back chairs were surprisingly far more comfortable than they looked, probably due to the extra cushion at the back.

There was a little welcome gift on the table of some beautifully decorated cookies.

There is also something of a dog theme to the room with this friendly chap keeping guard as you walk in. The hotel is dog friendly and the penthouse provides a dog bed and bowl for your fur babies. I just hope they don’t get confused by the green carpet and think it is grass! There’s a small charge to bring your dog or cat to the hotel – you can find out more here. 

The bedroom had a more romantic and luxurious feel with its large comfortable bed and open plan bathroom. I’m not always a fan of open-plan bathrooms but this one had the shower and toilet out of sight in separate cubicles, plus there was a curtain you could draw across to separate it from the bedroom. 

The highlight was definitely the huge bathtub with its decadent floral mural behind.

The marble bathroom also had a large walk-in shower with a rainshower head. 

….as well as this unusual large gold basin

There was a plentiful supply of bespoke toiletries from La Bottega which had a light fresh fragrance and felt high quality.

The his and hers Royal themed bathrooms were fun as well as the lime green flip flop style slippers.

The room was very quiet being on the 8th floor and the bed felt comfortable too. My only complaint was that some of the bathroom lights are on a timer so you have to wait for them to go out when you go to bed and switch off. There are motion-sensitive night lights which are a popular feature in new hotels and useful if you want to get up during the night. These ones were quite sensitive though and went off if you turned over in bed! I reported this to management so hopefully, they can adjust them for restless sleepers like me.

In case you are more interested in one of the standard rooms, here is a peek at one of the superior rooms:

As well as the Penthouse there are also the nHow suites which are only slightly smaller but substantially cheaper making them great value.

nHow suite living area

Food and drinkat nHow London hotel

The hotel offers a combined bar/restaurant, The Bell and Whistle, based on a reinvention of a traditional pub. Currently, only the bar and lounge areas are available for dining.

The menu is anything but pub food and both myself and my friend TV Presenter and fellow travel enthusiast Patrick Hoy (see his interview with TLFL here) were impressed with the menu’s offerings. We were torn on what to order but eventually decided to go for the rosemary doughnut and the bao bun to start. The barman who was looking after us was fantastic, friendly and knowledgable. The cocktails we ordered were great too.

The bao bun itself was a little heavy but the flavour of it and the accompaniments were great. I loved my rosemary doughnut which was packed full of flavour. The seemingly eclectic range of ingredients actually worked really well with the salty ham and cheese working with the herby slightly sweet bread and cut through by the acidity and crunch of the gherkin. 

We also ordered a couple of side dishes which were both amazing and worth a trip to the hotel alone, especially the tempura broccoli which was very moreish with its light as a whisper batter. The sweetcorn salad had just the right amount of chilli and the fresh lime perfectly balanced the sweetness of the corn.

For main courses we went for the crab tagliatelle and porchetta.

My porchetta was a huge portion with lovely light crackling puffs and plenty of rosemary jus for dunking the triple cooked roast potatoes. 

Despite being way too full at this point we had both been seduced earlier on by the intriguing dessert menu, so we vowed to soldier on for the review at the expense of our waistlines!

The bacon waffle cone sounded very interesting and often savoury things work well with sweet. Patrick went for the macaroon.

The macaroon had a perfect light but slightly chewy texture and the accompaniments added some freshness with the fruit. I enjoyed the ice cream which was velvety and creamy but I thought there was a little too much bacon versus the other elements. But overall it was enjoyable and fun. 

Breakfast at nHow London hotel

I had breakfast included and was expecting a fairly small breakfast choice since it was described as “continental” but was very pleasantly surprised. The breakfast buffet had a small selection of hot items as well as an extensive choice of high-quality cold options. From smoked salmon to sourdough and fruit salad to green salad, it had it all. You could also order a la carte for an additional fee.

I had to head to Heathrow quite early so I just had a lovely buttery and flaky croissant and some creamy Greek yoghurt with some perfectly ripe fruit. I thought it was very clever how when you entered they took your coffee order so you didn’t then have to waste time waiting for someone to come over. Why don’t other hotels do this? It’s always so infuriating having to wait for ages for someone to come and take your order!

Facilities at nHow London hotel

There is a large well equipped modern gym in the basement and three meeting rooms. There are also Brompton bikes available for use. 

Price and booking

Prices are very reasonable with superior rooms starting at around £140 and the Penthouse from around £500 a night which you could easily pay for a basic room in Mayfair. The nHow Suite starts from just under £300. However, you can get it slightly cheaper by joining the NH hotels loyalty scheme, NH Rewards, which can give up to 10% extra discount and you can earn points too. It’s free to join here. 

You can find more information about nHow London and rates here. 

Conclusion

I was pleasantly surprised by nHow London hotel as having seen the quirky decor before, I wasn’t sure if it would be all style and no substance. However, the room was well equipped and thought out as well as comfortable. I really enjoyed the food and the broccoli tempura really was to die for! The main communal area had plenty of places to sit and relax as well as a great bar and food. Breakfast was also great with plenty of choice and high-quality ingredients. Staff were all friendly and there appeared to be a lot of thought put into how everything works resulting in seamless service most of the time. 

If you want a reasonably priced luxury experience close to the fashionable areas of London to explore, then this is definitely a great choice. You get a lot for your money and even a suite is the price of a standard room in more expensive areas. The 10% discount makes it even more attractive!

Like our nHow London hotel review? You can read more hotel reviews here. 

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I have been working my way around the plethora of new hotels in London’s City and East area but was yet to try the new Hyatt which opened in July 2021. So when Hyatt kindly invited me to try their new restaurant Zoom East and their new rooftop bar along with a stay, it seemed the perfect opportunity. Having stayed at Hyatt Place at Heathrow before, I’ll admit I wasn’t expecting the food or bar to be anything more than a typical hotel restaurant – how very wrong I was….

Free stuff – here’s how I handle it

Up until Covid I rarely took many free stays as frankly, it makes everything all more complicated. However, in the interests of doing enough reviews to keep up with new openings etc, I have recently been accepting some more. Previously there have been some comments about how I am just going to write nice stuff because it’s free. So I thought it worth just explaining a little about how it works. For a start, I only accept free stays if I already know that the hotel is of a good enough standard. It could be that I’ve stayed before, or know someone that has or if not I look at online reviews as well before I accept. (Hyatt Place gets 4.5/5 on TripAdvisor)

If I was to have an issue during my stay I would state that in the review having given the hotel a chance to rectify it. I will always be honest and as you know go into detail about the hotel – good and not so good. There’s no point in writing a great review and then a TLFL reader stays and calls me out on it. I lose my reputation, so it’s not good for anyone.

If I had a truly disastrous stay I would not write the review at all but look at returning. I often do this with stays that I have paid for too. Last summer I stayed at a hotel that I really loved but one employee made the stay far less good than it should be. So I chose to inform the hotel and I will return another time to see how things have improved rather than perhaps colour people’s judgement based on one person. That one employee would have overly influenced the review, so I chose to give them a second chance. 

There were no issues at all on this stay, but I thought it worth pointing out how it works as people often interpret a good stay as me just saying that because it was free! I never accept free stays that do not allow me the freedom to write what I want to. I’d much rather just pay!

Hyatt Place London City East Location

Hyatt Place London City East is east of the city and about 5 minutes walk from Aldgate East tube. There’s plenty to do nearby as it’s close to the vibrant Brick Lane, Spitalfield’s Market, the Tower of London, and hip Shoreditch. If you are into art it’s also very close to the Whitechapel Gallery that’s around 3 minutes away.

Check-in at Hyatt Place London City East

I’ll be honest and say when you see the entrance, the hotel doesn’t look overly impressive as the facade is quite nondescript. But really, does that matter? Once you get inside it’s a different story. Hyatt Place is Hyatt’s select service hotel which is aimed at mid to upper-level business and leisure travellers. You could equate it with their competition at the Hilton Garden Inn or Courtyard by Marriott level. But in my limited experience with this one and the Hyatt Place at Heathrow, I’d say they are above that. 

Looking down from the entrance to reception

You enter on the ground level but have to go down to reception via either the staircase or lift. It’s clear that artwork is a big feature here, especially in the reception area where there are several murals. The ones directly by reception are by Olly Fathers @ollyfathers whose abstract art has been commissioned for Soho House and has been shown multiple times at the Saatchi Gallery. 

Reception

Once at reception, I was warmly greeted and given a sheet of paper with all the details of when things were open. This is one thing I really wish all hotels would do. I travel a lot and I really don’t want to listen and memorise the opening times for everything when I check-in. It’s much better to hand me a sheet of paper (or why not email it?) so I can refer back to it. 

Tables in reception

There is a fairly large area around reception which is handy for working as there are plenty of tables at the right levels. There are also two PCs and a printer that you can use as well.

I really liked this as it gave me somewhere to work after I checked out rather than having to go to a noisy cafe.

Here you will also find another fantastic mural by Spanish-born street artist Jay Kaes (IG @jaycaes) which is inspired by the urban landscape around the hotel and of course the London Underground. I really liked this one and the way the furniture blended in seamlessly with it. Jay’s artwork can also be seen on the menu for Pocketsquare. 

In reception, there is also a small cafe where you can grab a Starbucks, although this is due to be changed to a local coffee brand shortly which is great. They also have some soft drinks and snacks which is useful. 

The Hyatt Place London City East room

Generally, Hyatt Place rooms are very modern and simple in their appearance and this was no exception. I had a 1 King Bed High Floor with Balcony which is the category I would recommend. The room feels bright and airy when you walk in thanks to the abundance of windows and a door leading out to the terrace. It’s pretty rare to find outdoor space in London hotels, so I was very pleased to see a lovely big balcony at Hyatt Place! There was furniture to relax on and a view of the city skyline.

Unfortunately, there’s currently a crane nearby that slightly blocked the view of the famous Gherkin building, but once that’s gone it will be really spectacular. Even in the cold weather this week it was great to be able to just pop onto the balcony to get a little fresh air and admire the view. 

Nighttime view from the balcony

The hotel only opened in July 2021, so being new the rooms were well designed with almost every modern convenience. In these balcony rooms, you get upgraded amenities as well such as mineral water, a welcome gift, bathrobe, and a Nespresso machine. So you’d say it’s pretty much in line with what you would get at a 5* hotel. There were even lovely coffee cups rather than just mugs and a kettle too. There was a small fridge too which was empty apart from the long-life milk for hot drinks, but I really liked that you could switch it off easily from a wall switch. Even the quietest fridges still make some noise so it was great to be able to turn it off (instructions were clear on a sign on the shelf). 

If you want to work there’s a choice of a large desk or the generous sofa with its table. 

Again it was good to see that they had thought about having a mirror so people have somewhere to do their hair. This was situated at the desk so you could use it as a desk or a dressing table. There’s also a full-length mirror at the front of the open wardrobe. I found the bed very comfortable and I’m very fussy about beds. This definitely had plenty of padding even for this princess!

One criticism here was that it was not immediately obvious that the light inside the wardrobe could be turned off with the switch by the door. I had obviously as usual just hit all the switches when I walked in. I then spent a confusing few minutes trying to work out how to get the wardrobe light to go out by moving the sliding door/mirror as this is how most hotel wardrobes work!

There was a plug socket next to each bed with a USB for phone charging and two sockets by the bed, one on each side. The socket on one side of the bed had an AM/FM alarm clock radio with MP3 connectivity plugged into the socket which was a little annoying that they did not provide another socket here so you didn’t have to unplug if you wanted the socket. Also, the sockets by the desk were a little close to the desk which makes plugging some appliances that have a larger plug a bit tricky. But these are all fairly minor whinges! There’s a large 55″ TV which is a Smart TV so you can play your own content. 

Desk with welcome amenity

The bathroom is smallish although it has a generous size shower, though not nearly as small as some of the  5* hotels I have stayed in! This was perfectly proportioned so you weren’t squeezing around things like you have to do in some hotel bathrooms. There was enough room around the sink to put your own stuff and more room underneath. There were also a few hooks and you’d be surprised how many hotels miss adding this!

I always have a hanging toiletry bag so want to be able to hang it up somewhere as well as somewhere to hang your used towels. The shower was  spacious and easy to use with plenty of places to put shower gel etc. Toiletries are the same ones I have seen in Hyatt Place at Heathrow and are a decent size and good quality. They are by Dr. Barney Kenet who is a board-certified dermatologist. There was no body lotion though and no shower cap which is normal with Hyatt Place. 

Rooms are serviced every day with bed linen changed every 3 days unless you request otherwise. 

The entry level rooms are very similar minus the balcony and a few of the luxury items like the Nespresso machine. They still have the sofa and desk and although a slightly small footprint, pretty much everything else is identical to my room.

Hyatt Place London City East Food and drink

Zoom East dinner

Katie in London and I were the first people to try the new food for Zoom East, their new menu, which opens in a couple of weeks. I’ll be honest and say I never thought that I would consider going to a Hyatt Place especially for their restaurant, but if I was in the area I would definitely be back for both the bar and restaurant.

The new chef is from Sicily, so of course, the food is Italian. I was actually chatting to the chef saying that the food that is most frequently ruined in restaurants in the UK is Italian. Italian food is simple so needs to be made with the best ingredients and cooked perfectly otherwise it can be bland. I’m sure we’ve all had some insipid chopped pale tomatoes on a piece of rock-hard bread masquerading as bruschetta in a restaurant in the UK! This was definitely in a different realm.

Both Katie and I are pretty fussy about our food, so if they impressed us, it’s fair to say it was very good. We were served a set menu of a selection of dishes from the new menu. It’s just as well it gave a bit of everything as initially we weren’t sure and were worrying about what to choose as it all sounded so good! The pictures you see of the restaurant reflect how it is in the daytime as they had not yet got all the furnishings that will transform the space at night into a more cosy space.

There’s a tranquil “terrace” area too with a living wall. The highlights for me from the meal were the courgette flower which was delicately handled in a wafer-thin batter and a light goats cheese stuffing, the sea bass that had a rich tomato sauce with punchy flavours of olives and capers, and the meatballs which were full of garlicky goodness and topped with a little salty parmesan.

It was not completely faultless as the courgette flower didn’t need the addition of the truffle in the dressing as it was a bit overpowering but perhaps something a little fresher. However, overall it was pretty damn close to perfection! I also tried a few of the wines such as a Riesling and Prosecco and they were all of great quality, which again can be tricky to find in hotel restaurants. 

Zoom East – Breakfast

Breakfast again was more than I expected from a select-service hotel. There was a good variety of everything from waffles and a full English to fruit and high-quality yoghurts. You could get eggs cooked to order such as fried, poached or an omelet. Attention to ingredients had obviously been paid as there were things such as good quality jams like Wilkin and Son’s jam, a choice of salted or unsalted butter, and Marmite and Nutella for your toast. Their fresh fruit was ripe and tasty too.

There was a good choice of pastries including donuts and fresh bread you could slice yourself. Staff were very attentive and friendly. My only complaint was that the coffee was from a machine but actually it was of decent quality. 

Pocketsquare Skyline Bar and Terrace

If you are in the area, especially in decent weather, I would definitely recommend trying out the rooftop bar Pocketsquare.

Although there are many rooftop bars in the area, this one felt much more local and intimate compared with many of the others.

The staff member serving us was incredibly knowledgeable and went through the ingredients of each drink. There’s a wide range of cocktails, especially paired gin and tonic combinations and even a Negroni menu which I have not seen before. She also gave us a little taste of a couple of things too such as Discarded’s amazing Banana Peel rum which I highly recommend!

I tried the Marketa and Katie went with the Aqua Vita. It came with a fun flavour ballon that popped into a smoke over the drink. 

The glasses were quirky glass versions of what looked like a paper cup and hand blown. Mine came with a marinated pineapple garnish – there’s plenty of attention to detail here! Cocktails were definitely generous on the measures too – two of these and we were both feeling good!

Inside is just as nice as outside and has a sophisticated but relaxed vibe.

Even early on a Tuesday night, it was filling up by the time we left, so it is obviously getting a reputation locally. 

We had a quick try of the bar food with the tempura oysters which were fantastic. Whisper thin batter and a zesty but savoury ponzu dressing was the perfect morsel to start the evening’s feasting!

Facilties

There’s a well-equipped gym that’s available 24/7 with your room key.

Pricing

One of the best things about this hotel is the price. If you are a World of Hyatt member there aren’t really many properties at the affordable end of the scale in London apart from near Heathrow. The Great Scotland Yard and Hyatt Regency The Churchill are great luxury hotels, but prices start at around £350 upwards. If you are going to be out and about a lot, it’s not always worth paying top price for a hotel that you will barely be in. Prices at the Hyatt Place London City East start at less than £100 a night for an entry level room! If you wanted to use points, prices start from a crazy 9000 points a night off-peak! For a balcony room like mine, they are still very reasonable at £195 upwards. 

You can find more details and check prices here. 

Conclusion

I’ll admit I went with fairly average expectations and was blown away with the bar and restaurant offerings. I’m still very surprised by what you get for the price to be honest! The room was spacious and extremely well equipped as well as being bright and modern. A lovely large shower, decent toiletries and comfortable places to work or use as dressing table meant this room pretty much had everything you could want. I just wish more new hotels put as much thought into how they layout and equip rooms! Yes there were a couple of very minor quibbles and it’s not in the heart of everything in London, but it’s well connected and close to most of the City area attractions. 

And the million-dollar question – would I pay my own money to come back and stay here? Yes absolutely! 

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The City of London has become something of a hotspot for new hotel openings with the Westin London City also opening recently and the Hyatt Place which I will be reviewing soon. This is a review of Canopy by Hilton London City.

Canopy by Hilton

I’m guessing that many readers may not be that familiar with Canopy by Hilton. To be fair, prior to this I wasn’t too sure either! According to Hilton, Canopy by Hilton is Hilton’s “upper-upscale lifestyle hotel brand, located in the most dynamic neighborhoods across the globe, every Canopy hotel becomes a natural extension of the community in which it calls home and provides an energizing atmosphere with thoughtfully local touches.” Any clearer? 

One thing that is more simple to understand is the standards across every Canopy hotel:

• Signature mattress designed just for Canopy by Hilton, outfitted with the right amount of support and temperature control.
• Nespresso machine to start your day,
• Uncloseted storage,
• A large bathroom with a large walk-in shower.
• Every bed is topped with a canopy inspired by the neighborhood.
• Canopy Central – a central space for guests day to night.

Location

The hotel has a good location for public transport with Aldgate tube station only being 2 minutes walk away. With that and Aldgate East tube station,  you can catch the Circle, Metropolitan, Hammersmith & City, and District lines. It’s not the nicest of streets it is situated on but there is a good Thai restaurant, Thai Square, if you didn’t want to eat in the hotel. 

It’s also not great for access as there is a double yellow line outside so if you have a lot of luggage you may have to lug it across the road. It seems definitely designed for short-stay customers.

Check-in

The outside of the building is very modern and it has a rather random display of what look like stuffed birds (bit hopefully are fake) in the window.

In my head, I was expecting a super modern, slightly minimalist reception, but I was pleasantly surprised by the luxury feel of the reception area. The reception area is a large open-plan space with lots of seating and a bar at one end. 

There is also a seating area off to one side.

I found all the staff at the hotel super friendly and helpful. On checking in I was given some drink vouchers which I assume was due to my status as a Hilton Diamond member. I was also upgraded to a Junior Suite.

The room

The room was a little more in line with what I was expecting in terms of being modern and simple. It felt very spacious and had a good view of the Gherkin and the City of London.

There was a lovely note and some snacks in the room to welcome me. 

It did of course have the signature Canopy above the bed. I liked the fur throw on the sofa (which is a sofa bed) in case you were chilly while watching TV! Talking of TVs, this one was large at 55 inches and had the usual Smart TV features. 

I thought the room was particularly well equipped. It had a bathrobe and slippers which were in the open wardrobe. I liked the large area that you could lie your suitcase down on in the wardrobe. Much better than the annoying racks that can’t cope with a double-sided suitcase. 

There was also a Nepresso machine, a kettle and I loved the large water bottle you could refill. 

As you would expect there was a safe but it was large and well-hidden. So many safes it is a struggle to fit a laptop in, but this had plenty of space. 

Finally, there was a fridge which was empty except for some fresh milk which was also something I would only expect to see in a really top end hotel. 

I loved the little extras in the room with an eye mask and some slipper socks in bright orange (a little bit on the easyJet orange for me!)

The bathroom was also a good size and well designed. It had everything I would expect from a luxury bathroom – large rainhead shower, magnifying mirror, and plenty of soft white towels and face cloths. 

Toiletries were by Aptiva in Mountain Honey and had a mild unisex fragrance.

The bed was pretty comfortable and the room was super quiet. I could not hear any noise from the street below, although I was on one of teh higher floors. It is not a particularly busy street for traffic anyway. 

Food and drink

The hotel currently has the Freedom Café in the lobby and the Penny Squares for breakfast. Florattica Rooftop bar is due to open soon. 

Freedom cafe is for coffee, snacks, lunch, and an area to work in the day and then a bar at night with small plates. It has a great gin list with plenty of local options as well as some great cocktails. 

Breakfast 

Breakfast was also a pleasant surprise. The restaurant has a lot of large communal tables which I probably would not be a fan of if its busy. However, it was pretty quiet when we were there.

There were no real complaints about breakfast apart from having to use a machine for coffee but it was at least a good bean to cup one. There was certainly a large enough selection of food to choose from.

The cold selection had salad, meats, cheese, yoghurt, cereal and some lovely fresh fruit such as berries. The bakery selection was also great with slice your own artisan bread and some good flaky croissants. 

There was a full hot selection which also had a version of shakshuka, one of my favourites.

Everything seemed good quality and the dishes were topped up regularly.

Facilities

There’s a large well-equipped gym and a concierge service. 

Booking and pricing

I paid cash for the hotel and prices can be very reasonable if booked in advance. Prices start from around £150 a night or 56,000 Hilton Honors points. 

You can search for prices and availability here.

Conclusion

Overall I was impressed with the Canopy hotel. It was stylish with friendly staff and a good bar. The room had lots of extras and was comfortable and quiet. I also felt like my status was recognised which is always nice. Considering the price of the hotel it does make a good value option for a fairly luxurious hotel that is close to public transport. 

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This is my review of my stay at Nobu Portman Square London in Autumn 2021. As I said the other day, before I stayed at the Nobu hotel I was not expecting a lot. Much as I enjoy the food at Nobu, I have not heard great things about their hotel in Vegas and worried that it would be all style over substance. So what did I think?

Location

The location was what attracted me as I had some social events in Portman Square. I had often thought the terrace outside Nobu looked nice, but never been inside. 

The hotel is only a few minutes’ walk to Selfridges and opposite the Hyatt Churchill hotel. It’s 4 minutes walk to Marble Arch tube and 6 minutes to Bond Street, so it’s pretty well served for transport and things nearby. 

Check-in

As soon as my taxi pulled up there were staff to open the door and take my luggage.

The door to the hotel was opened for me as well as I was welcomed to the hotel. The reception area is beautiful and feels very luxurious and tranquil.

The reception staff were very helpful and friendly throughout my stay. I arrived early but there was no issue getting checked in. Although they explained a few crucial parts about the hotel, there was also a welcome letter which I always like so I can refer back to it. I was asked if I minded giving my mobile so they could add me on What’s app if I needed anything which seemed like a good idea. 

The room

I had booked a Deluxe room, one up from the entry-level superior room. As expected the room felt Japanese and slightly minimalist in style. I think when you see photos of the rooms they can look a bit stark, but it didn’t feel that way.

I liked that there was a huge desk that you could use to work at or dry your hair with a chair placed by the mirror. There was also an armchair and table which you could use to work at if you wanted a more relaxed position.

There was a note welcoming me to the hotel and some of the Senbei crackers which were left by the Japanese Tea set.

It felt like a personal touch and something unique to the hotel.

There was also a Nespresso coffee machine, kettle and fresh milk in the fridge. 

The mini bar was bursting with choices to run up a hefty bill! I liked that they had the Moth premixed cocktails including Negroni and Espresso Martini. It was good to see some nice glassware to go with it to. Two bottles of water were provided on arrival and topped up at turndown if necessary. The turndown service was excellent with all my bedside table rearranged nicely on a flannel and water put out too. 

There were the usual robes (very good quality) and slippers along with a safe and an umbrella. There was no iron or ironing board but provided one very quickly when I requested it. They also have garment steamers available. 

There were plenty of sockets everywhere including by the bed and the light switches were simple to operate. The bed was very slightly firmer that I would like but overall was comfortable and the hotel was quiet. It maybe was due to the exclusive Nobu (Simmons) mattress. You could feel the quality in the pure cotton, 400 thread count linens. I was on the 9th floor so fairly high up and heard no traffic noise. 

I particularly liked the bathroom which felt luxurious with its marble floor. I was surprised not to find a Japanese toilet though!

Grown Alchemist large size toiletries were provided alongside a good selection of Nobu branded amenities. I’m a fan of Grown Alchemist so I was happy!

The shower was the highlight as it was large with an enormous rain shower head, separate handheld shower and simple to use push controls.

Food and drink

One of the massive perks for me was they served breakfast until 2pm! I had it included in my rate and it was great to be able to have brunch after a late night out!

Slightly oddly it was served in the bar. The menu had lots of interesting choices and on day one I went for the Yuzu crab benedict since I adore Yuzu. You could choose whatever you wanted if you had breakfast included so I went for a croissant as well which was enormous as well as being beautifully light and flaky. It was served with a choice of fine butter and homemade jams. Delicious!

The benedict was also great and the eggs cooked perfectly. I really liked having the brioche toast instead of a muffin as it was much lighter and the sweetness went well with the crab. It could have done with a little more crab but that’s my only complaint.

The service the first day was great and the experienced waitress I had was gracious and very friendly which really made the experience. All in all, it was a fantastic way to start the day.

The second day it was slightly less successful due to having to wait quite a long time but the bar was full being a Sunday morning. The same waitress remembered me and when they had run out of croissants (to be fair it was probably around 12.30pm at this point) made the kitchen make one especially for me! This characterised the level of service I had throughout my trip. 

The second day I went for the full English. I loved the homemade baked beans and the sourdough toast. It was the attention to detail that really makes it. I had also sampled some of the crispy bacon the day before so I asked to swap in that for the back bacon which of course was no problem.

I did really like the lounge bar and have returned a few times for some great cocktails there. They do also have the Nobu lounge which is more of a nightspot. Here is the full cocktail list at Nobu:

If ever you are in the area I recommend popping in for a Japanese Fizz. I introduced all my friends to it and they all ordered another one or three! so they must have been good! They have that lovely citrus flavour of Yuzu with a hint of sherbet about them. It’s the sort of drink that feels very innocent but wreaks its revenge the next day!

Nobu restaurant

If you haven’t been it’s worth going once if you have deep pockets and like Japanese food. It’s basically a fashion of Japanese with a hint of Mexican. Portions are pretty tiny which is what makes them expensive. But I like being able to try several different things. I had a few of my favourites:

The crab tacos

Then yellowtail Jalapeno which comes with a soy/citrus dressing and just the right kick from the jalapeno. 

Then the beef Toban Yaki which comes sizzling on a ceramic plate. It was OK but I found it a little bland.

The highlight was actually the tempura asparagus which had a wafer-thin crispy batter around beautifully fresh asparagus and a lovely dipping sauce. It was so good I ordered another portion!

Facilities and spa

Nobu has three treatment rooms offering an array of bespoke treatments including the Nobu Zen – a Nobu Signature Ritual with stretching and massage techniques to balance the body and harmonise the mind. I went for a 60 minute “Restless traveller ritual” treatment. This consisted of dry leg brushing to activate lymphatic drainage and reduce puffiness, followed by a long foot ritual with acupressure before moving to an Indian head massage and antipollution face massage to cleanse and nourish. I’d say this is pretty much my dream treatment and very relaxing. The therapist was lovely and felt very pampered by the experience. I would definitely go back even if I wasn’t staying at the hotel.

Afterwards, I was offered their signature tea which was tasty (I hate most herbal teas so that’s saying something). There’s a nice area to sit and relax near the spa and gym which also has an outdoor space.

They do a decent variety of treatments although standard things like manicures and pedicures are on request. It felt more of a wellness spa than a beauty salon.

Nobu offers a full Pilates studio with a choice of classes from £35. There is a 24-hour modern gym too. 

Booking and offers

I had booked through Luxury Escapes as I had credit to use and it cost £300 a night including breakfast. Normally I would have booked through our travel agent partners GTC as you get extra perks if you book through them.

As well as being a flexible rate you get:

• 100 USD hotel credit
• Complimentary buffet breakfast for two daily
• Early check-in and late check-out upon availability
• Upgrade at time of check-in – subject to availability (Excludes Saijoukai Suites and The Nobu Penthouse)
• Complimentary Wi-Fi

You can request rates and availability here. 

Conclusion

I went with fairly low expectations but ended up loving it so much I stayed an extra night. They were happy to extend my stay for a reasonable rate and offer me free breakfast as the rest of my stay had included it. It doesn’t have the swimming pool/steam/sauna etc that I usually look for but the prices are reasonable and it’s perfect when I will be out and about a lot. 

I found it a very calm and luxurious hotel which really helped me relax. The staff were really exemplary apart from one breakfast when things were a little slow. However, they spotted this and apologised before I could say anything and chased things up. 

The spa, restaurant and bar are also worth a visit in their own right. 

NOTE: Things may have changed slightly as Covid restrictions have lifted further since I stayed in autumn 2021. 

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Up until around 6 or 7 years ago The Carlton Tower Jumeirah hotel used to be my go-to London hotel. Then it started to get a bit dated and in need of some renovation.

All that changed when it reopened in summer 2021 after an extensive 18-month refurbishment at the cost of $134 million (£100 million). The hotel has been rebranded as The Carlton Tower Jumeirah and there are now fewer rooms to allow for larger accommodations.

The hotel has a long history, and it originally opened in 1961 as London’s first tower hotel and was celebrated for being the tallest in London at the time. It was originally designed by Henry End, also responsible for the interiors of the Plaza Hotel in New York.

I stayed late last year to check it out – so have they restored it to its former glory?

Location

The Carlton Tower has a fantastic location a few minutes walk to Knightsbridge tube, Harrods, Harvey Nichols and Hyde Park. It’s also handy for Kings Road, the Natural History Museum and the Royal Albert Hall.

The rooms overlook Carlton Square making them quiet and giving a lovely outlook as well as views over London on the higher floors. 

Check-in

Check-in definitely felt like a very premium experience from the staff’s beautiful uniforms to the welcome drink.

As you walk in you enter a large lobby with a stunning light fitting. Off the lobby is the bar and the all-day cafe. When I was there it was close to Christmas and the hotel was decorated for the holidays.

The reception staff were extremely welcoming and friendly. I was offered a welcome drink and an individually wrapped hand towel on a tray. With the staff’ gorgeous silk print outfits as well, I felt like I was checking into a hotel in Asia. They even have separate day and nighttime uniforms, now that’s attention to detail!

I was also given an initialled leather key to keep as well as the more normal key card for the room. A brief overview of the hotel was given along with the times of breakfast etc.

The room

I had a Junior Suite with a balcony. You can also get a balcony with lower category rooms as well. 

There were some lovely welcome gifts laid out for me – I particularly liked the scrabble board with my name spelt out in Valrhona chocolate letters! There was also some fruit. 

The room felt very large with a sitting area, the table and chairs and a large hall area for clothes and tea and coffee etc.

There was also a dual-purpose desk/dressing table with plenty of sockets.

Many of the rooms have the Dyson hairdryer in the desk itself but mine was in the wardrobe. You can also request other Dyson hair accessories from reception if you wish. 

As you would expect, there was a coffee machine and a kettle with the Carlton Tower branding. I was pleased to see Jing tea which is a really high-quality brand and one of my personal favourites. I also loved the copper bar accessories which were also branded with CT. 

A beautiful set of fine china cups and saucers were in another drawer as well as some lovely crystal glasses.

It was good to have a balcony and enjoy some great views over London. The gardens below are private but guests at the hotel can get a key to them as well as enjoying the tennis courts adjacent. 

The bed was super comfortable and definitely up there with some of my favourite hotel beds such as the Corinthia. It was well equipped for charging by the bed with 2 UK sockets, an EU socket and 2 USBs. There was also a Bluetooth clock radio and simple controls to turn the lights off. You could also dim the lights at a central switch and where there was also an easy to use temperature control. 

The huge 55-inch widescreen HDTV featured high-definition streaming and device pairing.

Turn down service was particularly impressive with personalised slippers being laid out by the bed. There was also a gift of a set of Grown Alchemist body cream and moisturiser to take home since you can’t pinch the miniature toiletries anymore!

Bathroom

It was good to see a bath although some of the lowest categories of rooms only have a large shower. 

The bathroom felt very luxurious with its expansive use of marble and large soaking tub. I liked that they had large containers of shampoo, conditioner and body cleanser in the shower by cult brand Grown Alchemist, which offers high-quality all-natural products that smell great. There was also a dish or bath salts and some extras such as cotton buds and cotton wool. Soap was provided at the sink. 

The shower was large and had good pressure.

One thing that defines luxury for me is attention to detail and that was certainly something that the Carlton Tower excels in. Everything is branded with the CT logo and there are lots of thoughtful touches such as a black flannel to take your make-up off with. This was the first time I had seen that in a hotel. 

Other room types

The room I would recommend below the category I was in would be the Balcony room.

If you wanted something more spacious than a Junior Suite, there are also generously proportioned Luxury Suites with a separate living and dining area.

Food and drink

The hotel’s restaurants and bars have all been updated. However, the famous ‘The Chinoiserie,’ all-day dining area in the lobby, has kept its essence but refreshed with an elegant and lighter design. Here you can have afternoon tea or simply grab a drink or snack.

Also, in the lobby, the bar has been given almost a modern gentleman’s club feel with rich woods, including a parquet floor, a fireplace, a marble bar top, and chairs in chartreuse green hues. Their secret ingredient is the range of entirely natural aromatic sprays that they used to blend their signature cocktails from Black Pepper to lemon leaves. 

Al Mare

Formerly a masculine feeling steakhouse, the hotel’s destination restaurant has been turned into ‘Al Mare,’ offering modern Italian cuisine  Its terrace opposite Cadogan gardens provides a pleasant spot for lunch or dinner al fresco in the summer. 

I sampled several of their signature dishes during my stay.

To start a creamy saffron and liquorice risotto which was very well balanced against two such strong flavours. 

Then a crispy-skinned wild sea bass with clams and artichokes which was delicate and light but with lots of contrasting favours and textures. 

Finally, of course, you have to end any good Italian meal with Tiramisu, but this was definitely a sophisticated version.

Breakfast at Al Mare

I really liked the feel of Al Mare for breakfast which had sunshine streaming through onto its parquet floors and Mediterranean coloured decor. There was a choice of several set breakfasts as well as a la carte depending on what your room package included.

Between us, we tried the Eggs Royale and a Vegetarian version of the full English. I was torn between that and the standard Benedict with the truffle Hollandaise which sounded tasty too! The food was all excellent, but we did find the service although very friendly, a bit slow and haphazard with our veggie sausages completely forgotten even after reminding them!

The coffee came with a beautiful design on top and had a great flavour with a silky foam on top.

The fruit plate was also equally aesthetically pleasing.

The Peak cafe

My favourite area is The Peak’s light-filled cafe with panoramic views across the capital which is by the fitness area. This is only open to residents and members. They serve a buffet breakfast and then snacks and drinks.

The area can also be used as an event space if you are looking for something special.

Facilties

As well as enjoying the gardens and tennis courts, the hotel is well equipped for keeping fit. The 20m swimming pool was always very impressive in its light-filled position in contrast to many hotel’s basement swimming pools. The swimming pool has now been revitalized with a resort feel featuring poolside day beds and cabanas. The pool is London’s largest in a hotel with natural daylight and has a double-height glass ceiling and a jacuzzi next to it as well. 

There’s a spa-like feel to the pool with drinks and snacks laid out and well equipped high end changing rooms.

The hotel’s health club ‘The Peak Fitness Club & Spa’ is set across three floors in total and has been completely redesigned. New treatment rooms have been created at the Talise Spa on the second floor. Treatments feature products from 11 Skin, Aromatherapy Associates and Omorovicza. There’s a steam, sauna and relaxation area as well. 

Additionally, The Peak offers studio classes and a gym featuring bespoke ‘Technogym’ equipment on the ninth floor. 

Booking

Prices have definitely risen to a similar level as London’s other top luxury hotels with rooms starting at £665. Jumeirah do have their own loyalty scheme which we will be covering in more detail very shortly. 

If you want to get extra value for money, if you book through a specialist luxury agent such as GTC you get additional benefits for your stay:

• Daily complimentary breakfast
• Room upgrade on arrival, based on availability
• $75 food & beverage or spa credit, per room, per stay
• Early check-in and late check-out, based on availability
• Complimentary WIFI
• Complimentary 1-way airport transfer (suite guests, Europe, 2-night stay minimum)

You can enquire with GTC for prices and availability here. 

Conclusion

The hotel was certainly looking very elegant and refined from top to bottom. It truly felt like a very luxurious experience which I rarely find that every detail is taken care of. Here you felt that the staff were genuinely interested in you and what you wanted. There were so many little extra touches such as the personalised welcome, the turndown gifts and slippers. I would certainly rate it on a par with The Corinthia which is my favourite London hotel. In fact, I would say the rooms and overall facilities are better although I still like the spa at the Corinthia better due to its wider range of facilities. 

I liked the style of the hotel which was modern but classic and the reflection of the gardens in the botanic inspired prints used. The swimming pool has been restored to its former glory and on a sunny day, it almost feels like being on holiday lounging by the pool. All the food and drink I had was delicious and high quality, although the breakfast service was the one thing that could have been improved. 

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I was invited to have a look around the relatively newly opened NoMad Hotel London when I met with our luxury travel agent partners GTC last week. NoMad has been on my list for a while to stay at. Although I didn’t stay, I did have a good look around the facilities and eat and drink to form a good enough opinion. It definitely had a massive wow-factor and I’m looking forward to squeezing in a stay. If you want to go somewhere romantic but not too formal, this is perfect. I would definitely return for the chicken alone!

Location 

The location is fantastic if you plan to get out and about a lot. Just by Covent Garden and opposite the Royal Opera House there is oodles to do within a short stroll such as theatres, restaurants, bars and boutiques. You are also not far from the river and two minutes walk to Covent Garden tube. 

NoMad Hotel London

The London branch of NoMad opened in May 2021 following the previous two in Las Vegas and Los Angeles after the closure of the original NoMad in New York. I will be staying and reviewing NoMad Vegas in a couple of months but loved my dinner there in December. 

The hotel is set inside the historic, Grade II-listed building famously known as The Bow Street Magistrates’ Court and Police Station. The hotel has tried to incorporate as much history into the rooms and public areas while still making it modern enough for every comfort. NoMad Hotels are known for their dramatic and dark decor usually, but this hotel has a hidden surprise that really makes it special.

You enter into a dark and atmospheric reception area around which is the Library which is for residents only and the NoMad restaurant by executive chef Ashley Abodeely. Set in a light-filled atrium surrounded by cascading plants, the sheer size of it and the contrast with the surrounding dark hues makes it all the more dramatic.

If you want to learn more about the history there is a museum onsite including the original cells (one was specially set aside to deal with drunks for them to sleep it off!).

NoMad Hotel Rooms

The rooms are anything but cell-like though fortunately! Standard rooms range from the classic to the Salon before you move onto the suites. You need to plump for a suite if you would like a bath as is the way with many modern hotels now.

We looked at The Classic room and Grand within the room category. Even before you get to a suite all the rooms have a fireplace, dressing table and a gorgeous mini bar area. Cocktails are a big feature here with pre-mixed classics like a Negroni in the minibar and a book of all NoMad’s cocktails.

Bathrooms feature a large walk-in shower and are well lit. There are thoughtful design touches everywhere like the elegant glasses in the bathroom with bathrooms decorated in Carrera marble. 

Some of the lower categories overlook the atrium but as you get to the Grande Room and the suites you get some amazing views of the Royal Opera House.

If you didn’t want to go for a suite, I’d recommend a Grande Room for the extra space and views.

The duplex Magistrate’s Suite is quite stunning with its sweeping staircase.

Upstairs you find a typical NoMad feature – a bathtub in the bedroom (fingers crossed for one in Vegas!).

NoMad Hotel London Food and drink

The menu in the main NoMad restaurant features a modern eclectic mix from king crab tagliatelle to their famous chicken dinner, consisting of three courses.

As it was lunchtime I was keen to try the chicken, but maybe not the full free courses. So I went for the signature Chicken Truffle instead. Before that we tried a selection of starters including the hummus, the mushroom and the rigatoni. The standout for me was the mushroom which had a lovely hit of salty parmesan to offset the woody mushrooms and the fresh sage really lifted the plain ricotta. 

The chicken was an absolute triumph. I don’t normally order chicken when I go out as it seems a little mundane but this was hands down one of the best chicken dishes I have ever had and will definitely have to return to try the full chicken dinner. The chicken was described as having foie gras, brioche and truffle stuffing but I wasn’t sure what to expect. The truffle and foie gras was all in a stuffing layer under the skin.

The amazing crispy skin had a surprisingly deep umami flavour as well as the sort of crispness you would normally get only with a proper Peking Duck. Inside the flesh was juicy and tender. 

The pork was also popular with the table.

Their cocktail bar, Side Hustle, has already gained a reputation as one of the hottest bars in town with a fun selection of Mexican small plates to counteract their moreish cocktails. The margaritas and the Hot Lips cocktails are definite must-trys and the bar has recently been remodelled to include a larger standing area at the bar.

It’s set in the building’s former Police Station and is NoMad’s take on the classic British pub rather than a traditional cocktail bar. The cocktails feature a large selection of agave-based spirits along with classic and contemporary British, European and American choices.

There’s also a lavish speakeasy with several private rooms or snugs perfect for a private party or a romantic evening for two. 

The Library is a feature of all Nomads in some shape or form and at the London Nomad it’s a resident’s area for drinks and snacks.

The service here was particularly charming here and they make a mean Espresso Martini too!

NoMad Hotel London Facilities

For wellness, there are two very different options to choose from compared with the normal ubiquitous range of massages and facial. Firstly, Ricari Studios features a specific method of massage for face and body that stimulates skin and tissue to boost circulation, facilitate lymphatic drainage, tone skin, sculpt, and calm the nervous system.

Then, skin health specialist Annee de Mamiel offers the other options with a choice of just two facial treatments. Her signature treatment is individually tailored, or there is a Digital Fatigue Facial that uses the powerful natural antioxidants in de Mamiel’s skincare to target inflammation and boost skin cell metabolism to restore your glow.

NoMad Hotel London Offers

The hotel itself has a good offer for £250 a night off a suite. If you book through our partners GTC they can advise you on the current offers available and in addition you get:

• 100 USD hotel credit excludes transfers, valet parking, minibar and banquet charges
• Complimentary full NoMad Breakfast for two daily valued at 25 GBP per person a-la-carte credit
• Early check-in upon availability and 2pm late check-out guaranteed
• Property will offer upgrade at time of check-in  subject to availability
• Complimentary Wi-Fi

Prices start from £410 a night. 

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 I stayed at the new Westin London City in November very shortly after it had opened. There have been several new hotels open in this area in 2021 including the Pan Pacific (review here) and the Canopy by Hilton that I will also be reviewing. 

Location

The hotel is close to the Thames a couple of minutes walk from Southwark Bridge and 3 minutes to Mansion House Tube. There are plenty of attractions nearby such as Shakespeares Globe, the Millenium Bridge and The Tate Modern. With all the city’s restaurants mainly within walking distance it’s also a great place for a foodie. For modern casual food, I recommend Lupins over the bridge. Ten minutes’ walk away is the Ned which is a beautiful building with a lively bar and several eating options. Opposite there is Coq D’Argent for fine French dining and a great roof terrace.

Check-in

You enter the hotel by lift through a large building lobby area called the Haven that has views of the Thames. I loved the cloud-like art installation! There was a bit of a wait for reception but once I got checked in the staff were very helpful.

I am Platinum with Marriott and received an upgrade to a Privilege room which is on a higher floor than my original Signature choice. All the rooms until you get to the suites are basically the same, just with different views or higher floors. The Classic room is slightly smaller and accessible, so on points, you may want to select the Signature for the same price. 

The general area around reception was modern and tastefully designed. There’s a couple of small seating areas too.

The room

It’s a little bit of a trek to the lifts but its good to see no carpet to drag your suitcase along!

First impression of the room was good. It felt spacious and had elegant, contemporary fittings. I liked the fact that there was a separate table which you could use for eating as well as a chair with a footstool. Many hotels I am seeing nowaads seem to be doing away with a desk which I find annoying. But here there was also a decent sized desk too as well as an ottoman that was handy for a small bag or suitcase. 

I was impressed with the tea and coffee provision since there was a Nespresso machine and a kettle. It was good to see takeaway cups and well as some elegant china cups. 

Bottled water was provided as well. Underneath the coffee station was a small empty fridge which was very quiet. The usual robe and slippers were also provided.

Next to the beds, there were some thoughtful touches such as a wireless charger for your phone and the do not disturb sign which could be switched off. You could control all the lights from the bedside which was handy with one simple switch to turn everything off. There was a USB and a plug too.

I found the iconic Heavenly® Bed super comfy as usual. It had just the right amount of softness and nice squidgy pillows with high-quality linen. The Westin has a specific focus on wellness and good sleep at the moment. 

Next to the bed was a lavender sleep balm.

Bathroom

The bathroom felt deluxe with its dual marble finishes and lighting. The bathroom had a large sink area with oodles of room for even all my toiletries. The towels could have been more absorbant but that’s probably because they were new.

There was great lighting with the mirror lights which is something many hotels don’t have. The shining mirror was also lit. 

Toiletries were the usual Westin Heavenly Spa white tea and aloe which I like the fresh scent of. I just always think they look rather cheap looking or is it just me?

The shower was enormous in a luxurious marble finish and I liked that there’s a self to put your own toiletries. the rain head shower had decent pressure and was simple to work. 

The hotel also has some larger family rooms:

Plus there are a number of beautiful suites including the St Paul’s Duplex which has a lovely view of the cathedral.

The lounge

I was pleased to see that there was a lounge that was open for drinks and nibbles in the evening as well as breakfast. It was one of the nicest lounges I have seen for a while compared to some that are very dated or feel like a canteen. This had an exclusive 5 star feel. 

Putting candles on the tables at night is a lovely touch in the dining area. 

Leading on from the dining area is the buffet area. This was the one thing that was lacking with the lounge – the food was a little bit limited. However, the hotel was extremely quiet and it had just opened so it may well have changed by now. There was eggplant parmigiana and then some nibbles and fruit, so pretty basic compared to many other lounge offerings. 

Oh and some salad as well.

I liked the display of teas with the glass teapots and there was a coffee machine too. Jing is a great brand of tea and I like that they had Nespresso rather than some of the generic coffee machines that are only one step up from a vending machine coffee. 

The selection of drinks was also pretty limited with beer or wine but the wine was drinkable. 

I popped by in the morning to take a look at the breakfast offering.

It was good to see they had a hot selection with the basics of eggs, bacon, sausage, tomatoes, mushrooms and hashbrowns. Plus the usual continental choices with fruit, pastries, toast, yoghurt, and a selection of nicely presented meat and cheese in the fridge.

If you just want a quick breakfast this is the perfect place as it’s much quieter than the main restaurant and feels more grand than the main restaurant. 

Food and drink

Breakfast is served in Mosaic which is the main restaurant with a champagne bar at its centre. 

I was really impressed with the buffet here that had lots of choice. It was laid out over a large area so it didn’t feel crowded. 

Service was sadly very slow even though there were only about 4 tables occupied and nearly as many staff as tables. There was a lot of chat between staff and I waited around 15 minutes to order coffee by which time I was getting rather annoyed as they stood around chatting. One acknowledged me eventually and then disappeared for 5 minutes before taking my order! Once I’d actually ordered the coffee as very quick to come. 

I was spoilt for choice with the buffet with everything from a full English to salads. Everything I sampled was good quality and there was even a choice of types of smoked salmon with a tasty beetroot version for variety. 

The champagne bar is a sociable place to sit and have a drink in the evening (it was early in the photo below but was busier later).

Hithe + Seek

Unfortunately, when I was there the stunning-looking wine bar, Hithe + Seek, was not open yet. I will definitely be heading back there next time I am in the area. There’s an 80 strong eclectic wine list as well as professionally led wine tasting courses and masterclasses to personalised recommendations for you. The wine list features well known favourites plus rarer additions from Brazil, Greece, Lebanon, Croatia and Slovenia.

The Curator Corner is available throughout your Hithe + Seek experience for impromptu wine tastings or for booking of up to 12 people.

The bar also has great views of the Thames and serves small plates as well. The small plates are designed to be matched with the wines of specific regions, with classic and modern combinations – from a classic grilled Galatian octopus with forbidden rice and saffron aioli, to a contemporary take on tater tots, with trout roe and sour cream.

Pool, spa and facilities

Heavenly Spa by Westin

The spa has six treatment rooms and an indoor pool, which was carefully constructed around the archaeological remains of the Huggin Hill Bathhouse below. They offer a full range of treatments from Ayurvedic treatments to manicures.

Once you’ve had your treatment you can chill out in the relaxation room with drinks available. 

Another highlight for me was the pool and spa area. There was a large pool and hydrotherapy pool with lovely day beds for lounging around afterwards. The main pool was definitely too cold for me but if you want to swim properly it would be perfect for that. The hot tub was warm but not hot and had plenty of seating so you didn’t feel you needed to wait for people to get out. If you needed to warm up there’s also a steam room and sauna.

Gym

The state-of-the-art Westin Fitness Studio offers TRX® exercise equipment, Peloton Bikes, and a bespoke Hypervolt recovery station from Hyperice.

Booking

Prices start from around £279 a night at a weekend, but they do also add a  5% discretionary service charge to your accommodation bill upon check-out. Although this is clearly stated, I am not a fan of this at all. Service should be included in the price, not added on afterwards. I think the price is comparison to other hotels in the area is quite reasonable. I used 60,000 Bonvoy points to stay which is not a bad use of points for a mid-week stay where prices can start around £350 a night. 

You can check prices and book here.

If you want a flexible rate it could be worth asking our partners GTC for a quote as their Westin rates include:

• Early check in/late check out, based on availability
• Complimentary breakfast for 2, per room
• $100 Credit (for select hotels)

You can request a quote here.

Conclusion

I was really impressed with the Westin. It has a great location just by the river and plenty to do within a short walk. The rooms felt 5 star and had everything you could need. The Executive lounge had a good breakfast but the evening offering could have been a little more comprehensive but I loved its elegant decor.  Breakfast was great with lots of choice and high-quality produce. 

The highlight for me was the pool and spa which was great for relaxing at the end of a long day. I would definitely consider staying here again if I needed to be in the area. 

You can find out more about the Westin London City here. 

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