Canary Wharf is often written off as an area of all work and no play – a world of corporate employees in suits and skyscraper offices – but whether you’re in town for business or pleasure, you’ll see that it actually has so much more to offer. Here’s Culture Trip’s pick of the five best hotels in Canary Wharf.
Once uninhabited docklands, Canary Wharf has been repurposed in recent years into a glinting collection of skyscrapers. While perhaps often overlooked as solely a professional hub, there is much to discover beyond the banking HQs. The influx of corporate workers means some some of the city’s best-loved dining destinations, like The Ivy, have opened here en masse, and rooftop bars are the norm – perfect for taking in panoramas of the sparkling city. Experience a slice of new London, with a stay at one of these luxurious hotels.
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel London – Docklands Riverside
Hotel
Courtesy of DoubleTree by Hilton London – Docklands Riverside / Booking.com
The DoubleTree Docklands Riverside overlooks London’s 17th-century wharf, so there’s no shortage of dazzling views. Housed in an old factory building with exposed-brick walls, original windows and ceiling beams, it’s certainly not your average chain hotel. If you happen to be there in the summer, make the most of the free ferry shuttle service from the hotel into Canary Wharf and request a barbecue from the chefs at The Columbia Restaurant to enjoy on the terrace. The rooms are more tranquil than you’d expect, too. Plenty of natural light and space make them comfortable enough to relax in, and the amenities (think free WiFi, desk space, flat-screen TVs and large bathtubs) are all designed to add comfort and convenience.
Housed in a Grade II-listed building, the Lansbury prides itself on being the only boutique hotel in Canary Wharf. The rooms are just as grand as the exterior, bringing together a mixture of Regency elegance and smart modern amenities befitting a luxury hotel. There are 25 individually designed rooms each boasting a fridge, flat-screen TV and modern bathroom with L’Occitane toiletries. Pop down the road to the Museum of London Docklands to learn all about the maritime traders who made the city what it is today, or head into Canary Wharf for some serious shopping. Want to stay indoors? The Lansbury Spa offers an extensive menu of treatments as well as a sauna and steam room to hunker down in.
Considering it only opened in 2017, the reputation that Canary Wharf’s Novotel has garnered for its sprawling views and excellent rooftop bar is impressive. It’s another chain hotel that feels anything but, and you’re just as likely to see revellers heading up to enjoy rooftop cocktails as you are digital nomads hunkering down to some work on a stylish swing seat. There are plenty of locally inspired decorative and design nods paying homage to the area’s dockland history, including hurricane lamps, copper fixtures and the use of wood.
Perfect for digital nomads, or those looking for something more permanent, The Collective has been designed around the concept of ‘co-living’. Private rooms come complete with kitchenettes, but you are encouraged to make the most of the common areas and get to know the other guests and residents. Part hotel, part co-working space, part apartment block, rooms can be rented on a monthly basis for up to 12 months. A long-term stay is tempting given the facilities which span a fully equipped gym, a spa, a restaurant and bar serving seasonal food and cocktails, and an indoor pool up on the 20th floor which comes with panoramic city views.
Resembling a game of Tetris from the outside, Lincoln Plaza London is warm and inviting as soon as you enter through its grand rotating door. Bringing a much needed slice of old-world charm to the otherwise hyper-modern Canary Wharf, the interiors are all about Art Deco patterns, warm woods and brass finishes. Nab some wine, cheese and charcuterie from in-house grocer The Store for your own DIY happy hour, or soak up the buzzy atmosphere at the hotel’s restaurants and bar. TV chef Cyrus Todiwala heads up in-house Indian restaurant Mr. Todiwala’s Kitchen, where you’d be remiss not to spend a night loading up on one too many chilli cheese naans before heading to speakeasy-style bar Jack Speak for a nightcap.
