The Hotel Review: Bermondsey Square Hotel, Bermondsey, London
Review: Jennifer Bonfield
This boutique hotel is 10 minutes walk from London Bridge tube and overlooking the Square in the eclectic up and coming area of Bermondsay with close proximity to many hipster bars and restaurants. The Square hosts an antiques market on Friday mornings and for foodie lovers nearby Maltby street is host to a great food market. The Shard, Shortwave Independent Cinema, White Cube Gallery and the Fashion and Textile Museum are also located minutes from the hotel doorstep. The decor has a relaxed, laid back vibe with open-plan lounge, restaurant and bar area – aptly named ‘At Home’. Cool, old-school black and white photography is dotted around the walls paying homage to the great city of London.
The hotel has 90 rooms in total, four of which are luxury loft suites decorated with a super sleek finish and superior furnishings to those of the other standard rooms, one of which has a hammock and another has an amazing hotub with skyline views. You can also choose a Shard view room on the top floor.
On arrival at the hotel the check-in process was done in seconds at an informal old-fashioned bureau desk. My room was one of the newer terrace suites overlooking the Square, and as the name suggests, features a large terrace with table and chairs which is a great spot to enjoy an after dinner drink and watch the world go by. It is worth noting though, you’ll have to bring your own drinks as the hotel doesn’t serve alcohol, which doesn’t seem to be much of an issue as most guests use the hotel as a base to explore the city. The room was minimalist in terms of décor and furniture, with a double bed, work desk, mini bar and mirror with shelf (a.k.a the contemporary dressing table). The bathroom was a lovely space with huge rainfall shower and shelves peppered with The White Company toiletries.
The all day food menu is a duel fusion of traditional British and Mediterranean influenced dishes such as steak & horseradish sandwich on sourdough bread and halloumi wrap with hummus and roast red pepper. I had the crab cakes with tartare sauce and green salad, followed by the chargrilled Angus beef burger in a brioche bun topped with Monterey Jack cheese and hand cut chips – all of which was nothing less than delicious. For dessert I’d recommend the crème caramel with salted caramel ice cream or the lime & ginger crème brulee with homemade biscuits.
Breakfast consists of a self-service buffet with a good continental selection and also an a la carte menu where you can fill up on hearty options to set you up for the day.
The all round service was unimposing, relaxed, but definitely friendly and this is a great spot to set up camp to explore the sights of London with great transport links and a cool neighborhood vibe.
Bermondsey Square Hotel (www.bermondseysquarehotel.co.uk, +44 (0) 20 7378 2450) offer the Terrace Room from £167 a night based on two people sharing.
Tower Bridge Road, London, SE1 3UN, England.
020 7378 2450 www.bermondseysquarehotel.co.uk