You know what struck me first about the Mercure London Bridge? It’s actually got character, which honestly surprised me for a chain hotel. Walking up from Borough Market – and I mean, you’re literally a two-minute stroll from all that amazing food chaos – the building has this sort of understated presence on Southwark Street that doesn’t scream “tourist trap.” The lobby’s got these warm wood tones and industrial touches that feel deliberately London without being cheesy about it.
The location is where this place really shines, though. I mean, sure, you’re paying for it (this is Zone 1, after all), but you can walk to the Tate Modern in about eight minutes, and London Bridge station is right there when you need to escape to other parts of the city. What I loved is that you’re in the thick of things but on a side street that doesn’t get the full brunt of tourist foot traffic – though you’ll still hear some late-night revelers on weekends, just so you know. The rooms themselves are what you’d expect from a solid 4-star – nothing groundbreaking, but the beds are actually comfortable and the bathrooms work properly, which honestly puts it ahead of some pricier spots I’ve stayed in central London. The air conditioning was a godsend during that weird heat wave last summer.
Here’s the thing about this area that most people don’t realize until they’re here – you’re perfectly positioned between the South Bank’s cultural stuff and the City’s business district, so whether you’re doing the tourist thing or here for work, it just works. The 8.1 rating feels about right; it’s not going to blow your mind, but there’s something refreshing about a place that does the basics well without trying too hard to be trendy. Check-in was smooth when I arrived around 3pm on a Thursday, and the staff actually seemed to know the neighborhood when I asked about dinner spots (they steered me toward some great tapas place on Union Street instead of the obvious Borough Market recommendation). If you’re the type who wants to feel like you’re staying in London rather than just visiting it, this hits that sweet spot.