Lost Property
This 2022 newcomer was an instant hit not only for its easygoing, comfortable style and sensible prices, but also for its location—practically on the steps of St Paul’s Cathedral. It would be easy to get up at dawn to re-create “Feed the Birds” from Mary Poppins if only there were still pigeons around and you wouldn’t get fined for feeding them (it’s a £500 ticket in Trafalgar Square). Only rooms with numbers ending in -06 will catch a glimpse of the cathedral, and none are likely to hear the hourly gong of the 16-ton Great Paul bell because the hotel’s soundproofing is just that good. Stay here and you can also dash across the Thames to South Bank via the nearby Blackfriars Bridge, but it might be hard tearing yourself away from the rooms, which are smallish (this was once an old office building) but not unkindly so, and well-appointed with Nespresso coffeemakers, Penhaligon’s toiletries, a king or queen bed (only 5 rooms have twins), and if you’re in a Deluxe room, robes. The restaurant, Found serves British French cuisine and a good breakfast (look for the antique alley freight cranes through the windows), while its café/coffee bar fronts Ludgate Hill. It’s simply a likeable place to stay (part of the Curio Collection by Hilton brand) that’s near plenty of good things but unlike the West End, still gets quiet at night.
This 2022 newcomer was an instant hit not only for its easygoing, comfortable style and sensible prices, but also for its location—practically on the steps of St Paul’s Cathedral. It would be easy to get up at dawn to re-create “Feed the Birds” from Mary Poppins if only there were still pigeons around and you wouldn’t get fined for feeding them (it’s a £500 ticket in Trafalgar Square). Only rooms with numbers ending in -06 will catch a glimpse of the cathedral, and none are likely to hear the hourly gong of the 16-ton Great Paul bell because the hotel’s soundproofing is just that good. Stay here and you can also dash across the Thames to South Bank via the nearby Blackfriars Bridge, but it might be hard tearing yourself away from the rooms, which are smallish (this was once an old office building) but not unkindly so, and well-appointed with Nespresso coffeemakers, Penhaligon’s toiletries, a king or queen bed (only 5 rooms have twins), and if you’re in a Deluxe room, robes. The restaurant, Found serves British French cuisine and a good breakfast (look for the antique alley freight cranes through the windows), while its café/coffee bar fronts Ludgate Hill. It’s simply a likeable place to stay (part of the Curio Collection by Hilton brand) that’s near plenty of good things but unlike the West End, still gets quiet at night.
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