Right where the city meets Shoreditch, Liverpool Street is a pretty convenient spot if you need somewhere to stay in east London. Pick of the hotels in the area is Andaz, tucked just around the corner from the station; an original railroad hotel, this beautiful Grade II-listed, red brick building was designed by the very same architects who worked on the Houses of Parliament. With 267 boutique rooms plus a number of suites, seven bars and restaurants, fitness room and sauna, we took the short hop, skip and a jump from the station to check it out.
After a bit of a strange check-in (who actually works here and why does it feel like an open hot desk area), we got inside our standard room (£176 low season / from £339 high season) and found lots to like in the contemporary and cool interior: the giant lamp (we love lamps), the ample space to unpack and hide the luggage in the fitted wardrobes, the huge walk-in shower, the art, the books and the colours. The views from our (small) window looked inwards, facing another (small) window of another room and over the hotel courtyard – though there are rooms that do offer killer views out over East London. There’s even a very special suite, which has been created in collaboration with RED, the AIDS organisation founded by Bono and Bobby Shriver, and personally designed by Sir Terence Conran.
Before heading out to dinner we took advantage of the complimentary Wine & Canape hour, obviously, which happens daily between 5.30pm – 8.00pm. This was made even more enjoyable thanks to the architecture; the stairwell is crazy impressive and the lobby itself is stunning, though with just a few seating areas you may find yourself lingering by the table where the wine lives, no bad situation in our book.
Up bright and early, after a rather enjoyable sleep in the kingsize bed, we made our way to the fitness centre. The best thing about a hotel gym is that you’re likely to have the whole space to yourself and the gym in the Andaz has all the gear as well as being a decent size. We rewarded ourselves with 30 minutes in the steam room, an absolute must post-workout (or no workout).
[easy-image-collage id=115824]For brunch, we hit up the Eastway Brasserie, where the ever-changing sharing menu provided more than a feast. There’s everything, a whole table laid out full of desserts, croissants, bread, fruit and that’s before you get all of the starters brought to your table. Yes, all of them. Then you choose your main dish… it really is a lot of food. And you can add in some Bloody Marys to the mix by knocking one up at their Bloody Mary station.
All in all Andaz Liverpool Street is a decent place to stay for both business or pleasure, as you’re perfectly positioned to enjoy both.
40 Liverpool Street, London, EC2M 7QN
londonliverpoolstreet.andaz.hyatt.com