TL;DR

Fresh take: Modern luxury in a historic hotel.
Financial District flair: Sleek, businesslike, and with velvet, gold, and marble touches.
Location: By Blackfriars and the Financial District.
Check prices here

We do like the heritage-forward grandeur of most London historical hotels, but we know they’re not everyone’s cup of tea.

Vintry & Mercer is a chance for classic sophistication without most of the old baggage.

The hotel is old, but it draws more from the sharp, business-like aesthetics of its Financial District setting than from any aristocratic past.

There’s still plenty of overlap, though; their take on luxury still includes plenty of classic velvet, gold, marble, and all the rest.

There’s everything you expect from a luxury historical hotel here, but all in a far more unfussy, straightforward way.

Vintry & Mercer has no need, it seems, for nostalgia for Olde England as a selling point.

What are the rooms like?

Number of rooms: 92
Variety: From standard doubles to sprawling Southwark Suites.
Design: Velvet headboards, marble bathrooms, and plush elegance.
Family-friendly: Suites with sofa beds for groups or kids.
See each room in detail here

Rooms start with a cushy but not mind-blowing set of Double or Queen Standard rooms.

They include the best of the basics, like TVs, tea and coffee, robes and slippies. Heated marble bathrooms might not be the basics, but we definitely like ’em.

Superior and Deluxe options up the bed size, the room size, and typically the floor number, allowing for more light and better views.

Yet, our rule of thumb when hitting the hard luxury is that an extra splurge is often worth it.

Studio Suites have floor-to-ceiling windows that look out onto London, some with walk-out terraces.

One-bedroom Southwark Suites have sofa beds, perfect for families or friends who like each other.

Decor is basically all the classic luxury markers simply arranged.

Headboards are velvety, bathrooms are marble, and furnishings are plush and elegant.

There’s a good bit of the printed wall popular with more contemporary boutiques, from florals to city maps.

It’s straightforward without being boring, opting for the best in quality, making for a supremely comfortable stay.

What are prices like?

Check prices here

And what’s the food like? Any facilities we should know about?

Dining: Vintry Kitchen breakfasts, Roof Terrace meals, and Afternoon Tea.
Evenings: Cocktails in Do Not Disturb, the chic basement bar.
Wellness: Fitness space, spa, and private event rooms available.

Noting the name, it’s not surprising that the hotel prides itself on its cuisine as well as its accommodation.

You can start at the Vintry Kitchen, the breakfast café with both a continental buffet and an a la carte menu.

It’s a well-loved spread sure to start your day off well.

Head upstairs for lunch and dinner, served on the Mercer Roof Terrace.

They’ve also (no surprise here) got a gorgeous Afternoon Tea Service you’ll want to book in advance.

Once it gets dark, it’s worth heading down for a cocktail or two at Do No Disturb, the basement bar.

Outside of mealtimes, the hotel provides access to a simple yet effective fitness space.

Many other beautiful spaces are available for meetings and private parties, including a TV-sporting Library and a record-filled Music Room.

How is the neighborhood? Anything interesting nearby?

Central: A short walk to St. Paul’s Cathedral and Blackfriars.
History: Guildhall, Barbican, Great Fire Monument close by.
Riverside: Easy access to Tate Modern, Borough Market, Globe Theatre.
Transport: Surrounded by Underground stations for citywide travel.

It’s hard to find anywhere in the heart of London that isn’t close to something fascinating, and this is no exception.

The streets directly next to the hotel aren’t too exciting, but in less than 10 minutes, you can walk to St. Paul’s Cathedral and the winding alleys around Blackfriars.

Here, there are plenty of spots for food and drink that have a nice local flair.

Guildhall, a point of inspiration for the hotel, is close, as are a handful of historical spots, the Barbican, and the Great Fire Monument.

The Tower of London isn’t too far beyond that, just a 20-minute walk.

Cross the Thames over London Bridge, and you’re headed right towards Tate Modern, the Borough Market, and Shakespeare’s Globe.

There are plenty of other attractions nearby, enough to fill up a holiday, no problem.

And when you want to explore further, you’re basically surrounded by Underground stations.

Cannon Street, Mansion House, and Bank Station are all in walking distance.

And what about the reviews? What did other guests think?

Some things guests liked:

“This hotel truly matches its rating. The room was beautiful, spotless, and very comfortable. The staff were super kind and attentive, and the thoughtful birthday details made my stay extra special. Highly recommended!…”

“Excellent room, location, service, bathroom amenities. Roof terrace restaurant with amazing views and great food. Late check-out. Free minibar….”