Hotel review: Four Seasons Hotel London Tower Bridge
Iconic buildings dominate the skyline around Four Seasons’ central London outpost; there’s the Shard, the Tower of London, the imposing buildings of Bank and of course, Tower Bridge itself. The hotel holds its own, housed in a grand building that was once the home of the Port of London Authority.
Opened in 1922 by Prime Minister David Lloyd George, thousands of visitors would bustle through daily to pay fees on imported goods. When I visited recently, however, a calmer scene greeted me – amidst the stone columns and crystal chandeliers small groups of friends were enjoying afternoon tea, their chatter accompanied by piano melodies, the sound of tinkling teaspoons and clinking glasses. Whether you’re visiting for an overnight stay or just the afternoon, there’s plenty to relish across the rest of the hotel too.
Rooms and facilities
There's not a dud room at the Four Seasons; they range from the 'Superior Room', which boasts a king-size bed, surrounded by wooden paneling and calming blue-grey hues, to palatial suites, some of which have views of Tower Bridge. Each room comes with a modern bathroom and luxurious touches like super-soft dressing gowns and a coffee maker. Certain room categories also have access to the private members' club, which includes a billiard room and cigar lounge.
In the basement there is a seriously impressive spa, offering a wide range of massages, facial and body treatments. There is also a hammam, steam room, sauna and sizeable pool, plus a 24-hour gym should you be looking for something more active.
I tried the SAVA Sound Pod (£75 for 45 minutes), a meditative experience in which you lie on a giant, curved bed, which begins to hum and vibrate as you lie down. It's similar to a sound bath, bringing in the sense of touch too, and is very relaxing (if strange at first!)
Food and drink
No upmarket London hotel is complete without a bougie afternoon tea, and the Four Seasons Tower Bridge certainly delivers. I tried the Lily Vanilli afternoon tea (£48 per person), which features her signature quirky bakes and some welcome upgrades on the classic finger sandwich (crispy confit potatoes - yes please). The best bit was a fully iced vanilla sponge cake each (my five-year-old's eyes nearly popped out of her head). The tiramisu tart was top notch too.
Afternoon tea is served in the Rotunda Bar and Lounge (above), which is also where you can enjoy a chilled-out breakfast (buffet or a la carte). The hotel also has another restaurant, Mei Ume, which serves excellent Chinese and Japanese sharing plates, as well as Asian-inspired cocktails
Hotel highlights
The stunning location, the can't-do-enough staff and the spa. This is a hotel that ticks many boxes.
What to do nearby
You're spoilt for choice in this area - whether you want to board HMS Belfast for a history lesson, whizz to the top of The Shard for astounding views of London or hop onto a boat for a river cruise down to Greenwich. It would be rude not to visit the Tower of London to see the crown jewels. My top tip? Head out early for a walk along the river before it gets busy - there's nothing quite like watching London wake up and the sense of that great heart coming to life.
Prices start from £650 per night, including breakfast. For more information visit the website here.
