A Sneaky Overnight Stay In London – 2023
Introduction
We don’t get the opportunity that often, but when we do we take it. We had been given vouchers to walk over the top of the O2 arena, and decided to combine this with our anniversary celebrations. Grandparents took Frankie and off to London we went to experience the amazing Londoner hotel.
The Londoner
Having stayed here on a business trip, I was keen to get back and experience this together. The Londoner opened in 2021 and offers an exceptional hotel experience. Unlike many London hotels, it is new and purpose-built as a hotel, as such it has been designed around the modern traveler. In interesting fact the hotel is as deep underground as it is high over ground, with the Spa and conference areas underground.
We were greeted upon check in by the head of sales, who we had been talking too about the reservations, of all the hotels we have stayed in the welcome stood out, and really set the tone for the rest of the stay.
We stayed in a gorgeous king corner room, that was roomy and large especially compared to what you usually get in London. It really is the small details, there are a pair of binoculars for the view, an umbrella on the way, and every amenity you can imagine.
The bathroom has a small bath (it is small), walk in shower and is as big as some other London hotels.
Being on Leicester Square the location is perfect, you are two minutes from everywhere, and the views are amazing especially on a stormy day as it was when we stayed.
The focus on service just excelled throughout the stay, as it was our anniversary the hotel gave us a complimentary bottle of sparking, and chocolates.
Food and Drink
Leaving Frankie at home means we can really do what we love, and that is eat and drink !
We started with lunch in the hotels signature French restaurant “Whitcombs” https://www.thelondoner.com/restaurants-bars/whitcombs we could have eaten everything on the menu, but calamari, fries (like you have never seen before), escargot and a tuna salad was the order of the day, all washed down with Provence Rose. If we didn’t have a reservation at the O2, we wouldn’t have left! We will be back here, every time we venture into London from now on.
The evening began with cocktails on the roof top “8” restaurant https://www.thelondoner.com/restaurants-bars/8-at-the-londoner , this Japanese izakaya bar shouldn’t be missed, set as if you are in a Japanese garden, with a terrace giving some of the best London views shouldn’t be missed. We had a number of cocktails here and it really kicked off our evening.
For dinner we did leave the hotel (but it was a tough call !) we headed to the Dean Street town house https://www.sohohouse.com/en-us/restaurants/dean-street-townhouse as part of the Soho house brand, we kept to our same theme as the Londoner ! A great english restaurant and bar, relaxed but sophisticated, whether you want dinner, a snack or just a beer you cannot go wrong
After a long day of exploring, eating and drinking, we returned to the Hotel and found our place at the “Stage” https://www.thelondoner.com/restaurants-bars/the-stage just off the reception area, with a band stand, playing jazz, wood fire burning away, and after dinner cocktails. Amaretto sours and old fashioned ensured we got a great night sleep!
The following morning we had access to The Residence, which is a private area in the hotel where they serve a buffet breakfast, and even if you don’t have breakfast included you get access to pastries.
The SPA
The only maybe slightly disappointing part of the stay was our visit to the spa prior to us leaving, a lovely space, but the sauna and steam rooms were out of order, and the jacuzzi was luke warm! However on the bright side, I guess we will need to go back and stay again so we can try out the spa again.
