Borough Charms
Near bustling Borough Market, the London Bridge Hotel makes a perfect base to explore the City of London
Review by Christiane Bazynski
Located in the buzzing area of Borough, the London Bridge Hotel is the perfect location for a sightseeing weekend in the City of London. This 4 star hotel is situated in the shadow of the Shard, next to Borough Market, with numerous attractions within a short walking distance, such as Tower Bridge and Shakespeare’s Globe, as well as the thriving pub and bar scene in the area.
Despite the bustle of the nearby market, the busy streets and London Bridge station, the hotel is found in a surprisingly quiet street. The glamorous building, which dates back to 1916, gives it a classic character when compared to its modern glass neighbour, as well as a distinctly welcoming feeling.
Walking through the front door you are greeted by a friendly concierge who is representative of all the staff who are well dressed, courteous and polite. The entrance lounge area has a modern yet cosy vibe which makes for an inviting and relaxing atmosphere.
Moving upstairs to our room, a standard double, we immediately felt at home in our clean, modern and quiet room with soft contemporary furnishing and good use of indirect lighting. Despite the incredibly urban surroundings to the hotel the double glazed windows provide excellent sound insulation and air conditioning keeps the room at a comfortable temperature.
Dominating the room is a king size bed with a soft mattress and quality white linen provided us with a restful night sleep. Complementing the room you will find the usual high quality furniture you expect of a 4 star hotel including a large flat screen TV, desk, armchair and wardrobe, as well as tea and coffee making facilities. A stylish, up to date bathroom with a generously proportioned washbasin and bath completes the room.
For dinner we ventured downstairs to the tastefully decorated Quarter Bar which offers a wide range of interesting cocktails and beverages as well as a selection of bar food and snacks. We chose the Quarter beef burger and French fries (£17) and a fresh salmon salad (£13) with hand cut fries (£5.50). Both meals were very well presented, the burger with a tasty brioche bun, crunchy lettuce and delightful mustard mayonnaise sauce while the salmon salad was a main in its own right with an appealing variety of ingredients. After a busy day of enjoying London the Quarter Bar is a perfect place to kick back and unwind.
Breakfast is served in the Londinium restaurant located in the basement of the building. A choice of full English and continental options are offered in a small buffet area. Both during dinner and breakfast the well presented staff catered to all needs while discretely going about their duties.
The London Bridge Hotel is truly a gem in the heart of an exciting area with a lot of history. This, combined with the ability to walk to most of the main sights and a well connected location ensure a perfect base for a stay in the city of London. 
Enquries: London Bridge Hotel, 8-18 London Bridge Street, London SE1 9SG / 0207 8552200 / [email protected] / www.londonbridgehotel.com/