Native Fenchurch Street

Hotel Description

You know what struck me first about Native Fenchurch Street? It’s tucked away on this narrow lane that feels completely separate from the chaos of the City, even though you’re literally in the heart of London’s financial district. I mean, Creechurch Lane isn’t exactly where you’d expect to find a boutique hotel – it’s more known for office buildings and the occasional pub where bankers grab pints after work. But that’s actually what makes this place interesting.

The hotel itself has this industrial-chic thing going on that works really well in the space. You can tell they’ve put thought into the design without going overboard with it. The rooms are compact (this is London, after all), but honestly, they’ve maximized every inch smartly. What I really appreciated was how quiet it gets at night – once the City empties out around 7 PM, you’re basically in a ghost town, which is brilliant for sleep. The air conditioning actually works properly too, which… well, anyone who’s stayed in London hotels knows that’s not always a given. Check-in was straightforward, though the lobby can feel a bit cramped when there’s more than a couple of people waiting around.

Here’s the thing about the location that the booking sites don’t really capture – you’re about a three-minute walk from Aldgate East tube, which puts you on the Circle and Hammersmith & City lines. That’s your gateway to pretty much everywhere, and you avoid the absolute madness of Liverpool Street station (though it’s close enough if you need the mainline trains). Fenchurch Street station is literally around the corner if you’re heading to Southend or anywhere along that line. The area gets completely dead on weekends, which is either perfect peace and quiet or slightly eerie depending on your perspective. For food, you’ve got Brick Lane a short walk east – proper curry houses, not the tourist traps – and Borough Market isn’t far if you fancy a Saturday morning wander. There’s a decent coffee shop on Houndsditch that opens early, which saved me more than once when the hotel breakfast didn’t fit my schedule. The 7.9 rating feels about right – it’s a solid choice that does what it promises without any major surprises, good or bad. If you’re here for business in the City or want to explore East London without paying West End prices, it makes a lot of sense.

Rooms

• Premium One-Bedroom Apartment with 1 double bed for 2 adults
• Premium Two-Bedroom Apartment with 2 × 1 double bed for 4 adults

Facilities