Overlooking London landmarks, this grand Four Seasons outpost has just the right amount of quirk not to feel stuffy or intimidating

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Location

The hotel is situated across from Trinity Square Gardens in Central London, with views out towards the historic Tower Bridge as well as the Tower of London.

Four Seasons Hotel London at Tower Bridge is also a short walk from many of the capital’s hotspots. Restaurants, pubs and tourist favourites, including the stalls of Borough Market, are all a short walk distance away. Take a stroll across the historic bridge after dinner when the crowds have thinned out, or stop for a bite or a drink in one of the bars or eateries that are moments from the hotel.

The hotel is just a few minutes from Tower Hill Station on the Central and District Tube lines. It’s a 15-minute walk from London Bridge, which has National Rail services to southern counties including Kent, Surrey and Sussex, with stops including London Gatwick. It is around a 15-minute walk to Bank station, which connects to St Pancras International for more domestic routes across Britain, and the Eurostar.

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The vibe

The hotel is housed in an early 20th-century, neoclassical-style building with four imposing columns that are flanked by door attendants who offer a warm greeting. There is a nod to the hotel’s history with a small “museum” of objects that were found on the site during previous renovations.

Bombing in the Second World War led to the caving in of a domed roof that was replaced in what is now the central Rotunda Bar with a new glass dome which draws inspiration from St Paul’s Cathedral. This is the beating heart of the hotel – romantic and elegant with a Jazz Age feel.

Service

Service was excellent throughout my two-night stay, with luggage taken off my hands as soon as I approached the hotel, helpful suggestions made for wine at dinner, and staff being forthcoming about my last-minute request to move breakfast to room service one morning.

Bed and bath

There are 89 rooms and 11 suites, plus guest residences, spanning six floors and ranging from Standard rooms to Skyline Penthouses. Some rooms face into a futuristic-looking garden courtyard, though bear in mind that these are overlooked by all other rooms that face inside – so you may want to keep your curtains closed for privacy.

The rooms are tastefully decorated in neutral tones, with accents of gold. A curated selection of books, including British literary classics and interior design tomes, adds a homely feel. The suites have dining and lounge areas, and desks with custom stationary and postcards, as well as separate dressing rooms.

With marble and chrome, the bathrooms feel grand, opulent and spa-like. The huge bathtubs invite guests to take lazy soaks, and the heated floors coupled with soft robes and slippers make the post-bathing experience super relaxing, too.

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Food and drink

The Rotunda Bar and Lounge is where breakfast is served along with drinks and afternoon tea. The breakfast buffet features perfect pastries and fresh berries, plus the elements of a full English. The iced latte was spot-on. The Chinese breakfast includes noodles, steamed buns and fresh fruit.

Mei Ume is the hotel’s Japanese-Chinese fusion restaurant. A second restaurant specialising in steaks called Cooper’s Cut opened earlier this year.

The tasting menu at Mei Ume is divine from start to finish, featuring sashimi, delectable traditional Peking duck pancakes, spicy dan dan noodle soup, a sweet flaky sea bass fillet and barbecue char siu-style pork. The restaurant itself is striking in its decor, with dark wood, jewel-toned cushions and Asian-inspired art including a giant red cat sculpture to welcome guests – which is the inspiration for the dessert that concludes the tasting menu.

Facilities

The enormous spa and wellness facilities, spanning over 18,000 sq ft, include a 24-hour gym equipped with Technogym equipment, a 14-metre lap pool, sauna and steam rooms, plus a vitality pool for deep relaxation including massage pods, neck massager and underwater jacuzzi beds.

The spa includes eight treatment rooms with a hammam suite with heated marble plinth for traditional Moroccan treatments and there’s even a sound pod for guided meditation sessions. With a hairdresser and nail salon on site too, you can have the full beauty works done without leaving the hotel.

Other facilities include valet parking, 24-hour room service, chargeable laundry and dry-cleaning and a complimentary shoe shine service.

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Accessibility

There are wheelchair accessible entrances, and fully wheelchair and hearing accessible rooms available. They include lowered beds, chairs, light controls and roll-in showers.

Pet policy

Dogs and cats under seven kilos are welcome with no extra fee, but you must inform the hotel before your stay. There is a dedicated dining menu for dogs with meats and a side of your choice, starting at £14.

Check-in/check-out

Check-in is 3pm, check-out is 12 noon.

Family-friendly?

The hotel offers options for connecting rooms, which can be equipped with complimentary cots. Children under 18 stay free when sharing a room with their parents. Kid-friendly pool times are twice a day from 6.30am to 11am, and 2pm to 6pm. Kids receive welcome gifts on arrival. Baby bath tubs, bottle warmers and kids bathrobes can be provided.

At a glance

Best thing: The luxurious and deeply relaxing rooms.

Perfect for: Exploring central London’s tourist hotspots.

Not right for: A low-key stay.

Instagram from: The Rotunda Bar and Lounge during afternoon tea.

Address: 10 Trinity Square, London EC3N 4AJ

Website: fourseasons.com

Phone: 020 3297 9200

Samuel was a guest of the Four Seasons Hotel London at Tower Bridge

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