We’re nearly halfway through the year, and the Business Traveller team has been traversing the UK capital for some of the best new hotel openings.
Here we round up some of the properties that have impressed us, whether you’re looking for business, leisure, or a bit of both (just please don’t call it bleisure…)
Crowne Plaza London – Albert Embankment
This 14-storey new-build overlooking the River Thames is the ninth Crowne Plaza property in London.
It is a great new addition to an area which still has few hotels, and benefits from a riverside location and rooftop bar and restaurant with an outdoor terrace.
Read our full review here.
Lincoln Plaza London, Curio Collection by Hilton
There is already a Hilton Hotels-branded property in Canary Wharf, however Lincoln Plaza is part of the Hilton group’s Curio Collection, a smaller, upscale brand.
It’s another new-build and has an impressive food and drink offering and spacious rooms, as well as a subterranean meeting room complex, 18-metre pool and gym.
Read our full review here.
Bankside Hotel, Autograph Collection by Marriott
A third new-build, this time on the south side of the Thames just next to Blackfriars Bridge. The hotel has gone big on design and art, guided by interior designer Dayna Lee.
It is a very impressive property, with large, stylish rooms and fantastic soundproofing, technology and service.
Read our full review here.
Vintry and Mercer
The hotel is tucked away at the end of the cobbled muse-like Garlick Hill, nestled amongst both old architectural landmarks – St Paul’s Cathedral and Tower Bridge – and modern glass skyscrapers – the Gherkin and the Shard. The nearest stations are Bank and Mansion House.
It will suit those looking for a boutique-style alternative to more run-of-the-mill business hotels in the City. Staff are friendly, rooms are luxurious and well equipped, and the Mercer Roof Terrace offers great views and food.
Read our full review here.
The Nadler Covent Garden
Nadler Hotels is a small, UK-based chain that prides itself on offering high-quality hotels in central locations, while reducing costs for itself and guests by not having a restaurant, event spaces or a gym.
The rooms are very comfortable, staff are friendly and it’s walking distance from some of the main sights of the city. Just don’t expect breakfast.
Read our full review here.
Sloane Place
This boutique hotel is a new enterprise by the company that owns the adjoining members’ club, and occupies a large five-storey Victorian red-brick development in Chelsea.
It is elegant, comfortable and relaxed. There is a spa, roof terrace, and the café-bar on the ground floor is very much a venue in its own right rather than an addendum to the hotel. The food is for the most part very good, a fact reflected in some of the prices.
Read our full review here.
The Moorgate by Saco
The latest aparthotel from Saco has retained character from the original building yet has all the expected mod cons. If you are looking for a long stay right in the City of London, it can’t be beaten (you certainly won’t be late for work).
The public areas and apartments have been furnished to a very high specification, with lovely flooring and wall finishes, limited print artwork by Artiq, custom-made furniture by Gubi and Saba Italia, and feature lighting by Flos. Sound-proofing is excellent.
Read our full review here.
The Dixon, Autograph Collection by Marriott
Another addition to Marriott’s upscale Autograph Collection, this time in an impressively renovated magistrates’ court building near London Bridge.
The design is a great example of what can be achieved within the strict rules imposed by the heritage authorities and also with some imagination, with lots of mementos of the court’s previous life.
Rooms, meeting spaces and food and drink are all of a high standard.
Read our full review here.
The Chronicle by Supercity Aparthotels
Supercity is a small chain of aparthotels, the first of which opened in Earl’s Court in 2009. It has since opened three more London properties, one in Manchester, and a Brighton opening is set for later this year.
This location is near Chancery Lane, and will no doubt suit plenty of nearby office workers. The surrounding area is busy, but the aparthotel feels tucked away and private.
The kitchen/living space is well equipped and the property has two floors of meeting space and a gym. There is also a cafe/bar/restaurant called 26 Furnival Street in the same building. But overall the property feels more on the apartment than hotel side of an aparthotel.
Read our full review here.
Kimpton Fitzroy
OK, we technically reviewed this hotel at the end of 2018, but it was a big one, marking the entry of IHG’s luxury Kimpton brand into the UK market. It occupies a huge Grade II-listed building in Bloomsbury and recently had a £75 million renovation.
Rooms are not huge, with singles starting at 11 sqm, but the public spaces certainly are – the plant-filled Palm Court is beautiful, as is the restored ballroom.
The whole place is extremely plush, though friendly staff and extra touches (complimentary drinks during a daily ‘social hour’, free bike use, pet-friendly policies) keep it from feeling too pretentious.
Read our full review here.
