Review: Canopy by Hilton London City

A glossy eco-conscious hotel with a boutique feel, Canopy by Hilton London City boasts fantastic food, luxurious rooms and a warm welcome for families

Words: Natasha Lovell-Smith

STAY

I always think there’s something so tempting about a brand new hotel – everything is so fresh and glossy. This is the first hotel from the eco-conscious Canopy by Hilton lifestyle brand to open in the UK, and despite being a pretty massive affair (340-rooms in total) it has a real boutique feel.

Launched late last year, everything is still absolutely sparkling and the hotel’s warm and welcoming interior design reflects the rich culture of the area’s historic textile industry. Inspired by the Huguenot silk weavers who settled in Spitalfields in the 17th century, thoughtfully decorated guest rooms and dining spaces are welcoming with soft wood and low lighting, plus historically inspired floral patterns and woven fabrics.

The sprawling lobby and lounge has lots of cosy spots to tuck yourself away with a coffee or glass of wine, and in celebration of nearby Whitechapel’s contemporary arts scene, artwork created by neighbourhood artists adorns the public spaces.

We visited with baby in tow and the staff at reception couldn’t have been more welcoming. Our connecting rooms were modern and plush but still had lots of character, while the industrial chic-style bathrooms felt very luxurious. A nice touch was having reusable glass water jugs in the room instead of bottles.

EAT

The main dining option is Penny Squares, a beautiful restaurant serving fusion cuisine inspired by the East End’s eclectic food heritage as well as craft beer, paired cocktails and a well-chosen wine list. Highlights from the menu include meltingly tender zaatar braised beef cheeks, baharat spiced roast quail leg with bulgur wheat and maple charred peppers, and madras-spiced octopus with curried sweet potato.

Breakfast, also served in the Penny Squares, is a superlative buffet with top quality versions of everything you could possibly want, from smoked salmon and soft bagels to warm pastries, piles of fresh fruit and a perfectly cooked fry up

DO

The Tower of London and Tower Bridge are within 10 minutes’ walk, as is Spitalfields Market and Brick Lane, both of which have tonnes of food spots to explore. Aldgate and Aldgate East tube stations are around the corner, and from there you can quickly get into the more touristy parts of London.

For more information visit hilton.com