Clayton Hotel London Wall

Hotel Description

Honestly, I wasn’t expecting much when I first walked up to the Clayton Hotel London Wall – the entrance on Copthall Avenue is pretty understated, almost easy to miss if you’re not looking for it. But you know what? That turned out to be part of its charm. This place sits right in the heart of the City of London, and I mean properly in the thick of it, where all those glass towers and historic churches somehow coexist without anyone batting an eye.

The thing that struck me immediately was how they’ve managed to create this calm, modern bubble amid all the financial district chaos. The lobby has this sleek, contemporary feel – lots of clean lines and muted colors – but it doesn’t feel cold or corporate like some business hotels do. Actually, the staff seemed genuinely pleased to see guests, which is refreshing when you’re used to that rushed, transactional vibe you get at a lot of central London places. Check-in was smooth, no fuss, and they clearly know their neighborhood well. When I asked about getting to Borough Market the next morning, the guy at reception didn’t just point me toward the Tube – he mentioned the nice walk through the old Roman wall remnants if I had time.

What really sold me on this place was the location itself. You’re literally a two-minute walk from Moorgate station, which connects you to pretty much everywhere (the Metropolitan, Circle, Hammersmith & City, and Northern lines all stop there). But here’s the insider bit – you’re also walking distance to some genuinely cool spots that most tourists miss. There’s this brilliant little gastropub called The Jugged Hare just around the corner that does proper British food without the tourist markup, and if you head toward London Wall, you’ll stumble onto sections of the actual Roman wall that most people rush past on their way to work. The whole area goes eerily quiet after about 7 PM when all the finance folks head home, which means you get this almost village-like feeling in one of the world’s busiest cities.

The rooms themselves are what you’d expect from a solid 4-star – comfortable beds, good shower pressure, and windows that actually open (surprisingly rare in London hotels). Mine faced the courtyard, so it was properly quiet at night, though I imagine the street-facing ones might catch some early morning delivery trucks. The air conditioning worked well, which matters more than you’d think given how stuffy London can get in summer. One small thing – the WiFi was excellent throughout the building, including the lifts, which is handy when you’re trying to navigate the Tube system on your phone.

I’d definitely stay here again, especially if I needed to be anywhere in the City or wanted easy access to both the West End and the more authentic east London neighborhoods. It’s that sweet spot where you’re central enough to walk to major attractions but tucked away enough that you feel like you’ve discovered something rather than just landed in tourist central.

Rooms

• City Twin Room with 2 single beds for 2 adults, 1 child
• Superior King Room with 1 extra-large double bed for 2 adults, 1 child
• Deluxe King Room with 1 extra-large double bed for 2 adults, 1 child
• Junior Suite with 1 extra-large double bed for 2 adults, 1 child
• Deluxe King Room with Balcony with 1 extra-large double bed for 2 adults, 1 child
• Junior Suite with Balcony with 1 extra-large double bed for 2 adults, 1 child
• City King Room with 1 large double bed for 2 adults

Facilities