Tried & Tested

Hotel check: Apex Temple Court

30 Jan 2013 by ScottCarey7

BACKGROUND Open since March last year, the Apex Temple Court is the third property to open under the four-star Apex brand in London (there are five in Scotland), and the first to be housed in an Inns of Court building.

WHAT’S IT LIKE? As the Fleet Street frontage is listed, Apex has not been allowed to place a prominent flag or sign outside the building, so keep an eye out for the large green elephant in the front courtyard, a nod to the group’s corporate social responsibility commitments, for which it has won several awards. The public areas are minimalist and modern, and there are individual booths with PCs and printers.

WHERE IS IT? The hotel is accessed via the main entrance through a courtyard off Fleet Street, or from the courtyard behind, where taxis can drop guests off. The closest Tube stations are Chancery Lane, Blackfriars and Temple, from where it’s a pleasant walk to the property.

ROOM FACILITIES The décor in the 184 rooms is smart, featuring shades of purple and black, and walls are adorned with photographs of London landmarks (taken by one of the chairman’s sons). Entry-level City rooms average 25 sqm, Superior rooms 30 sqm, Deluxe rooms 33 sqm, Junior suites 37 sqm and Master suites 49 sqm.

Facilities in all include free wifi, local calls and mineral water, 40-inch LED TVs with Sky Sports channels, Bose iPod docks, workdesks, tea and coffee facilities, media hubs, fridges and safes. All have a separate bath and walk-in shower, and Elemis amenities, as well as the group’s signature rubber duck, which guests are encouraged to take away.

Guests in Deluxe rooms and suites have access to the ground-floor Club lounge, which offers free breakfast and drinks. Eleven Superior and Deluxe rooms have small outdoor terraces, which would be great in summer, and my Deluxe room had fantastic views of the London Eye and Houses of Parliament.

RESTAURANTS AND BARS Chambers restaurant and bar are on the ground floor on either side of reception. The restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and has pink-upholstered seating and light wood tables, as well as outdoor seating in the rear courtyard. Dishes include roast top side of venison (£15.25), braised brisket (£13.25), and the tasty Chambers beef burger with hand cut chips and onion rings (£12).

BUSINESS AND MEETING FACILITIES There are no meeting rooms. Guests can print from the PCs in the bar area.

LEISURE FACILITIES The basement houses a 24-hour gym with Technogym equipment.

VERDICT This is a great addition to the Apex portfolio, with smart, comfortable rooms featuring good facilities such as free wifi and multimedia hubs.

Fact file

  • HOW MANY ROOMS? 184 – 120 City, 37 Superior and 17 Deluxe rooms, and seven Junior and three Master suites.
  • HIGHLIGHTS The separate walk-in shower in all rooms, the peaceful rear courtyard, and the great views from rooms with terraces.
  • PRICE Internet rates for a flexible midweek stay in March started from £166 for a City room.
  • CONTACT 1-2 Serjeants’ Inn, tel +44 (0)131 4410 440; apexhotels.co.uk

Mark Caswell

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