Hotel review: Leonardo Royal London Tower Bridge
SLEEPING MATTERS
The view on the balcony was magical with Tower Bridge lit up in front of me at night and the black water of the Thames flowing past. The large room included a large desk for getting down to work, if weather permits a seat on the balcony is the ideal place for a morning coffee in front of a blue sky. The executive room with a comfortable King size bed provided a comfortable night’s sleep. The spacious bathroom with both a shower and bathtub also provides a robe and slippers.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Leo’s restaurant is a good place to dine within the hotel that has recently launched a new menu. It’s a busy evening with revellers, guests and business types all enjoying a meal. I opted for the duck salad to start and a main course of salmon served with fries. The cocktail bar is open late for after-dinner drinks and provides a good selection of wines and beers. I decided to go for a coffee and sticky toffee pudding served on the balcony.
NICE TOUCH
The hotel’s Rena Spa offers a Romanesque 25m indoor pool, sauna and steam room. It’s the ideal place to relax after a busy day. There are a number of treatment rooms tailored to your needs that also provide a range of massages. The lounger by the pool is the ideal way to spend an hour or two with a book or magazine.
DRINK IN THE SIGHTS
I visited the David Bowie Centre which is part of the V&A East Storehouse. The exhibit is currently on display is a single room featuring hand-written lyrics, film-scripts and an array of artefacts spanning Bowie’s long career. You can also book time to view a specific item from the vast archive such as his Ziggy Stardust costumes, such as the one he wore on Top of the Pops in 1972 while performing Starman . Bowie kept everything so even obscure items can be viewed up close for what is a unique experience.
ABOUT THE AREA
With the tube strike on during my visit I decided to stay local and visited The Tower of London, it’s about a fifteen minute walk and well worth a visit. In the chapel Anne Boleyn is perhaps the most famous person buried there. She was the only Queen of England to be tried and executed within the walls of the Tower. William Wallace was also held here before being executed in 1305 and the Tower held a letter to Wallace from the King of France. Sculptures along the walks of monkeys point to a Royal Menagerie that the tower once housed, the famous ravens that protect the walls are fascinating to watch when flying among the colourful Beefeaters.
GETTING THERE
I travelled with LNER which operates half hourly direct services between Edinburgh and London King’s Cross each day. Booking ahead can save up to 47% and family ticket prices can be save up to 60% for up to two adults and four children. It’s scenic journey travelling at 125mph with routes starting in the Highlands.
Hotel rates vary between £160 and £430 a night. Visit
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