South Place Hotel

The Scene

In the middle of Moorgate and Liverpool Street Tube stations sits London City’s nightlife superstar South Place Hotel. Between your feet and a Tube ride or two, you can easily hit popular landmarks like the Tower of London and St Paul’s Cathedral. If you fancy artsy digs like these, you’ll probably find the contemporary Barbican Centre a must-see and you’ll also be glad to know you don’t have to walk too much farther to reach the Tate Modern.

The Concept

South Place Hotel draws a diverse (though arguably art-inclined) crowd from all over into the City of London proper, livening up the atmosphere considerably after dark. Where other notable party pad Soho House Group oozes exclusivity, South Place relishes its openness for everyone in London. Get a great start in the more casual 3 South Place with a scrumptious breakfast or kickstart your night with hearty bar food, handcrafted cocktails, and the resident DJ. For a more refined gustatory experience, cruise over to Michelin-starred Angler (which, for the record, took all of one year to earn) that capitalizes on London’s ideal port location and features British seafood in either the indoor restaurant or rooftop terrace. The public’s focus generally converges on the eating and mingling aspects of South Place Hotel, but as a guest you can discover a secret bar in the Garden bar on the first floor or challenge someone to a game in the cozy guests-only Le Chiffre (yes, inspired by the infamous Bond villain from Casino Royale). If you need some relaxation, head to the in-house spa run by Aromatherapy Associates for a rejuvenating treatment; our favorite is the Hangover from Hell.

The Look

Interior designer Conran’s influence is evident: much like near-ish Boundary Hotel (which he also designed), the place is fairly littered with modern art from local artists---there’s a different work featured in every room against a backdrop of grays. No matter what room or suite you select, you’ll be fairly spoilt in its size (a rarity for London without shattering your piggy bank entirely). The rooms are chock full of luxury amenities like a Bang & Olufsen television, but the real beauty is in the light-driven details. Enormous floor-to-ceiling windows drench the room in light (or not if you take advantage of the electric blackout blinds) while general lighting tricks you into thinking the bed is hovering above the floor and mood lighting with presets for reading, bathing, and even packing. If you really want to knock your wildest dreams out of the park, book Suite 610 with the stunning glass bath and skyline views.

In Short

Party pads always pour resources into the design of their common areas, but it’s refreshing to see a hotel that balances both mingling and intimate spaces with equal care and class. Slide into London City’s vibrant (and delicious) party scene at South Place Hotel.