4 minute read
e Westin London City
The Westin London City
BACKGROUND This is a new-build hotel on the north bank of the Thames. Westin is the Marriott brand that focuses on five star ‘wellness’, and this is the first Westin to open in the UK. The property is owned by 4C Hotel Group and managed by RBH.
WHERE IS IT? The hotel straddles busy, four-lane Upper Thames Street. Taxis can pull in for the south building, but if you are coming by public transport, head for Huggin Hill then Huggin Court; alternatively use the footbridge.
WHAT’S IT LIKE? The hotel is two buildings – south and north, with the connecting ‘bridge’ containing the lobby, main restaurant and four floors of rooms.
The ‘meaningful wellness’ brand attribute has ‘six pillars of wellbeing – sleep well, eat well, move well, feel well, work well, and play well.’ The moment you step inside there’s a sense of leaving the city behind. The entrance lobby (‘The Haven’) has a triple-height ceiling, views across the Thames and a beautiful bespoke paper sculpture by Dutch artist Peter Gentenaar.
The lift takes you up to the fourth floor reception, though note this is the third level if you enter from the north because the ground slopes towards the river. At the time of my stay in December, the government was warning people not to go out, so it was quiet and check in was quick. There is a lobby area opposite (‘The Refuge’) with a warming fire. To access the lifts you walk past the Westin Club (for top tier members in the Marriott Bonvoy programme). ROOMS There are 222 rooms on floors 5-8, with a variety of views. The best is across rooftops to the Shard. Despite the riverside location of the hotel, only the Penthouse has a river view (and a terrace), as do the nine apartments that are for sale.
Instead, most of the rooms look to the city and along the road which runs underneath. Soundproofing is, thankfully, very e ective, and I assume so is the air filtration system, since this is a very polluted area because of the tra ic.
There are four room categories. Entry level Signature rooms are 28 sqm and have a sturdy desk, sophisticated lighting, which took some working out, wood floors but a carpet around the very comfortable ‘Westin Heavenly’ bed, large recessed headboard with lights, plenty of plug sockets and USB charging points. There is a large flatscreen TV operated by a tablet that we could not understand, though we occasionally got the TV to work. The hotel is in the process of putting in handheld controls because of guest feedback. The amenities include tea
and a co ee maker, Heavenly Spa toiletries, robes and slippers, and a minibar (unfilled because of COVID at the time of writing).
FOOD AND DRINK The hotel o ers two options. Hithe and Seek on the third floor takes it name from the location – a ward of the City of London called Queenhithe. The views from here, both day and night, across the Thames to Shakespeare’s Globe are what makes it special. There is a long, cushioned, bench-like seat facing the window so that’s what to aim for (though at night the view is slightly obscured by the reflection of the bright atrium behind).
Hithe and Seek o ers small plates of food, but really is a pre-dinner drinks venue with an extensive selection of lesser-known wines guided by an excellent sommelier. On the main floor is Mosaic, an all-day restaurant, and the Champagne Bar. There is a wide range of food. Dishes include a main course of pumpkin and sage tortelloni, roasted pumpkin purée and pumpkin seeds ($26), and from the Westin Eat Well menu, pan-seared Cotswold free-range chicken breast, corn purée and confit Datterini tomato (starter portion $13, main course
$29) or a crispy quinoa salad, broccolini, blueberries, pecans and orange slices, lemon vinaigrette (starter $6.50, main $13).
LEISURE The facilities on the second floor of the north building are impressive – a spa, a 12m swimming pool, six treatment rooms with a wide range of treatments, a relaxation area and a well-equipped gym.
MEETINGS In the north building there is a total of 1,060 sqm of meeting rooms, including a ballroom which could seat 190.
VERDICT A short walk from St Paul’s and Bank, this is an excellent hotel with superb service. Its calm atmosphere enables you to leave London behind. Tom Otley
BEST FOR Being in the heart of the City yet able to relax because of the serenity of the hotel
DON’T MISS A drink in Hithe and Seek at sundown to watch the river tra ic go by
PRICE Internet rates for a flexible midweek stay in April started from $443 for a Classic room
CONTACT 60 Upper Thames Street, London EC4V 3AD; +44 (0)20 3146 2690; marriott.co.uk
