Superb views from every corner of this hotel are what make it so special. From the rooms and the sky-high bar to the sauna and pool, you’ll never not be drawn to the eye-catching vistas. Request a room with a bathtub and survey the lay of the land with the in-room binoculars.
Hotel Location
Quite simply, the raison d’etre for staying here. Views from every room, as well as the restaurants, bar and pool, are standout. An added bonus is the amenity of binoculars, from which you can survey the streets of London from bed or bath – there’s something particularly fascinating about watching commuters cross bridges, builders scale heights and boats floating down the river from your tucked-away bird’s eye view.
It’s also a great base for exploring, with Borough and its markets on your doorstep, and many of the capital’s key neighbourhoods and attractions within walking distance or a few tube stops away. London Bridge with its underground and rail stations is a three-minute walk.
Service and Facilities
Service is particularly friendly, and staff are happy to answer questions and help with your stay. The Skypool is a huge draw, with its views of the city below, and adjoining wooden sauna. There’s also a fully equipped gym and you can have treatments in converted hotel rooms (note that the pop-up nature of this meant that the experience and ambiance didn’t quite match what I would have expected from a hotel of this standing). That said, technicians are highly skilled and offer great treatments such as the aromatherapy massage.
Rooms
The shape of this iconic building – part of the London skyline since the early 2010s – means every room has a ssubtlely different layout and size (even within the same category). Huge, ultra-comfortable beds with Frette linens face the windows; it’s worth setting an early alarm to raise the blackout blinds and watch the city come to life from beneath the sheets. Asian-inspired artworks and headboards complement the neutral design, and you’ll find all the usual amenities along with those aforementioned binoculars. In the marble bathrooms, the best of which have freestanding tubs, you’ll find a rainfall shower, L’Occitane toiletries, underfloor heating and a mirror-embedded television.
There are also several standout suites (the Southwark, London, Westminster and Shangri-La), which are sprawling in size with spacious furnishings and telescopes. The latter comes with a separate dining area that seats up to 10 guests, and would make for a spectacular celebration dinner party setting.
Hospitality and Cuisine
Ting’s menu mixes Asian-inspired dishes, and changes regularly. Expect the likes of delicate tuna tartare topped with avocado and sesame seeds, before a twist on duck pancakes that swaps the carbs for delightful lettuce cups.
You’ll feel suitably swish at Gong, with a full bar and the subtles of London twinkling below. Drinks are expertly mixed, and come with moreish nuts and olives. Try the Punjabi Mango: gin, mango lassi syrup, smoked paprika and lime. Oh, and ask for a table with a view of Tower Bridge.
There’s an impressive spread at the buffet breakfast: pastries, hams, cheeses, bacon, sausages and everything else and more you might expect. You can also order à la carte items such as pancakes and poached eggs.
Access for guests with disabilities?
Yes – the hotel is fully accessible from street level up to level 52 with lifts on all floors, and all areas have step-free access. There are also accessible bathroom facilities in the restaurants, bars and event spaces and adapted bedrooms available.
Family-Friendly?
Families are very welcome and there are a number of services that cater to them; that said, the atmosphere feels more suited to adults and common areas maintain a serene ambiance.
The hotel has interconnecting room and suite options, and can arrange cots and babysitting services. Ting has a children’s menu. Some of the Signature Suites such as the Shangri-La Suite have a separate kitchen with heating facilities, hob and fridge. The hotel can even arrange escapist kids room set-ups with expert children’s event planners My Kid Atelier and the Proposers.
