The King Junior Suite at Canopy by Hilton London City (Image: Canopy by Hilton)
The Canopy brand offers the reliability of Hilton but with a “modern, boutique twist”
Highlights
- Friendly, knowledgeable staff
- Chic, modern interior design
Canopy by Hilton London City Review
Canopy by Hilton London City is the latest addition from Hilton’s trendy Canopy brand to find a home in London, conveniently located in the capital’s hip East end. While Hilton is a globally renowned name, its Canopy brand might not be one you’re quite as well acquainted with – but if you get the chance, you should get to know it.
The Canopy brand offers the reliability of Hilton but with a “modern, boutique twist”. And this is certainly true of its London location. Canopy by Hilton London City first opened in 2021, after several delays pushing the hotel back from its initially planned grand opening in 2018. Now, two years into operation, it’s a hotel which is buzzing with life.
The hotel is easy to spot, with its geometric facade standing out against the surrounding tower blocks. Step through the revolving doors into a chic lobby and the adjoining St Clare Cafe. A neutral and earthy palette is complemented by rich jewel tones, and furnishings, while modern, have a distinctly vintage feel.
The lobby also features one of Canopy’s signature city bikes – a complimentary perk that allows guests to explore the city like a local.
Canopy London City pays homage to its neighbourhood throughout the hotel, with nods to the capital’s East end everywhere, from the wall art to some of the food and beverages it has on offer. Take the check-in desk, for example, which utilises locally made products such as beer and soda cans as a decorative feature.
Though the hotel has lots of style and flare, it’s a laid-back affair, with friendly staff kitted out in the hotel’s cool, casual uniform. At check-in, concierge staff are knowledgeable and inquisitive, on hand to offer advice and recommendations to elevate your stay in the city.
The lobby area is a modern mix of neutrals and jewel tones (Image: Canopy by Hilton London City)
The Rooms
Rating: 4/5
Guests can choose to stay in one of six rooms; the Queen Room, Twin Room, King Room, Queen Premium Room, King Premium Room and King Junior Suite. Though there are certainly differences in size, the interior design remains consistent throughout each of the rooms, with sleek modern fixtures and ambient lighting adding a touch of glamour.
Certain rooms have better views than others, and the higher up you are, the more impressive it’s likely to be. And even your furry friends are welcome, with Canopy London City offering a selection of pet-friendly rooms.
For our stay, we checked in to the King Junior Suite, which has a number of options to choose from. The King Junior Suite with sofa offers a comfortable place to relax in front of the 55-inch HD Smart TV, while the King Junior Suite with Peloton bike is perfect for those who want to work out in the privacy of their own room.
The Peloton bike addition is new to the hotel thanks to a partnership between Hilton and the indoor-cycling fitness brand. And Hilton Honours members who are first-time Peloton users residing in Canada, Germany or the UK can also receive a 90-day free trial of the Peloton App until July 4, 2023.
Though the hotel has lots of style and flare, it’s a laid-back affair
Even with the addition of your own private fitness area, there is plenty of space to enjoy. At the heart of the room is the bed, a plush, 300-thread count King-sized affair set beneath a modern, concertina headboard. Lighting can be adjusted in the room from the bedside panel, which also features electronic charging ports and plugs.
Each King Suite also features a chaise lounge or bespoke sofa bed, a 55-inch HD Smart TV, a Nespresso Machine and a pleasantly spacious mini-fridge perfect for storing snacks or a celebratory bottle of bubbles.
And, much like the rest of the hotel, there are nods to the hotel’s East London home. Themed trinkets are displayed, including intricately painted thimbles, harkening back to the former Huguenot silk weavers who settled in nearby Spitalfields.
The adjoining bathroom features a huge walk-in double shower and complimentary toiletries from luxury brand Prija, as well as a ring-light mirror perfect for guests who prioritise their skincare and makeup routines. Once freshened up, guests can slip into the Canopy dressing gown and slippers provided.
Nods to the East London location can be found in the graffiti inspired artwork (Image: Canopy by Hilton London City)
Dining and Drinking
How does Canopy by Hilton London City compare to other London hotels?
Rating: 4/5
Canopy is home to three dining spots along with its diverse morning breakfast buffet.
For casual dining, take a seat at St Clare Coffee and Bar. By day, the cafe serves as a hip hangout serving coffee, lunch and a relaxed working environment.
By night, the cafe transforms into an atmospheric hotel bar, with a selection of hand-crafted cocktails, small plates, and an array of burgers, wraps and salads.
Although an easygoing eatery, there is a wide enough offering to ensure diners are left satisfied and prices are fairly standard for London.
There are also plenty of drinks to choose from, with an extensive list of spirits and liqueurs, as well as wines, beers, soft drinks and mixers. Their signature cocktail list, however compact, is strong.
And even if you can’t decide which cocktail best suits your taste buds, the friendly serving staff will be on hand to help you navigate the menu and pick the perfect drink for you.
For a more high-end experience, hop in the lift and zip up to the 11th floor to the rooftop bar Florattica.
Here, you can expect dazzling views across the London Skyline, with key focal points including St. Paul’s Cathedral and across Whitechapel.
The experience is very much centred around the vistas, with a selection of outdoor seats (and heaters for colder days) on the terrace, and indoor seats dotted along the interior window.
Rooftop bar Florattica offers vistas across the capital (Image: Canopy by Hilton London City)
Much like the wider hotel, the bar takes elements of East London’s textile history and incorporates them into the decor. Chairs are made from Floriated textiles typical of the French Huguenots, meanwhile, golden foliage adds an earthy element overhead.
And the floral theme continues on the cocktail menu, which is written in the “language of flowers”.
This isn’t the spot to come if you’re expecting a sit-down meal, but there are plenty of small plates to choose from, and the chef can customise dishes to account for dietary requirements such as plant-based diners.
While the food is average considering the price tag, the cocktail menu steals the show, with aesthetically crafted drinks that are almost too good to drink. Try the Alma for a spicy, smoky twist on the traditional Margarita.
Florattica’s vistas draw quite a crowd, especially on the weekends, which can equate to sluggish service, with some orders getting lost among the hustle and bustle.
Penny Squares makes up the hotel’s third restaurant, offering guests a menu of British cuisine. Guests who add breakfast to their stay can enjoy a diverse buffet once morning arrives. Forget your standard orange juice, water, coffee and tea, this next-level hotel offers smoothies, an array of juices, teas and coffee beverages.
There’s a continental variety made up of fresh and dry fruit, yoghurt, cereals, cold meat and fish, cheeses and even a selection of olives and cornichons. For the hot breakfast lover, there are both vegetarian and traditional options available.
Amenities
- Pet-friendly
- Accessible rooms
- Fitness centre
- Bar and restaurants
-
Smart TVs
- Nespresso machine
- In-room Peloton bike (optional extra)
- Meeting rooms
Location
Rating: 4.5/5
Though the hotel isn’t slap-bag in central London, it’s well connected enough to get you around the capital. Aldgate East tube station is a short five-minute walk away, while Liverpool Street Station can be reached in 10 minutes, offering tube as well as national rail connections.
But, given the hotel’s location just a stone’s throw from hip Shoreditch and the trendy shops, bars and restaurants of Spitalfields, you don’t need to travel far.
Canopy by Hilton London City stands out thanks to its unique geometric facade (Image: Canopy by Hilton London City)
Value For Money
Rating: 3.5/5
Rates vary depending on dates and demand, but typically start at £181 per night, with breakfast available for an extra £15 per person. Find rooms and book direct on the Canopy by Hilton London City website.
Or, compare deals and prices for a stay at Canopy by Hilton London City with Booking.com or Hotels.com.
Final Verdict
With Hilton, you generally know what you are getting, but Canopy elevates standard experience to new heights, with sleek interior design and contemporary features.
On the lower level, guests can find a decently stocked fitness centre, but the option to add an in-room Peloton to your booking is a great option for gym bunnies who want to fit an extra quick workout into a jam-packed schedule.
Its unique perks like this that set the hotel apart from others.
Despite the boutique nature of the hotel, however, it isn’t snooty and guests can feel relaxed and at ease.
The hotel’s welcoming, engaging and fun staff are the driving force behind an atmosphere that can’t be created with stylish decor alone.
From the bartender in St Clare Coffee and Bar to the concierge and cleaning team, there is always a friendly face to lend a hand or simply have a chat with.
This story originally appeared on Express.co.uk
