Honestly, when I first walked into South Place Hotel, I wasn’t expecting much – I mean, it’s tucked away on this tiny street between Moorgate and Liverpool Street, and from the outside it looks almost… understated? But then you step inside and it hits you: this place gets it. The lobby has this warm, rich vibe with dark wood and brass details that feel deliberately chosen, not just expensive for the sake of it.
What really won me over though was how the staff actually seemed to know the neighborhood. When I asked about dinner recommendations, the concierge didn’t just rattle off the usual tourist spots – he mentioned Dishoom on nearby Boundary Street (which, honestly, has better black daal than half the places in Mumbai) and pointed me toward some proper gastropubs tucked away in the Barbican area that I never would’ve found on my own. The rooms themselves are surprisingly spacious for central London – you know how most boutique hotels give you a shoebox and call it “cozy”? Not here. Mine had these floor-to-ceiling windows that looked out over the mix of Victorian terraces and glass office buildings that makes this part of Islington so interesting. The bed was one of those you sink into but don’t feel trapped by, and the bathroom had a rainfall shower that actually delivered decent pressure (minor miracle in London, let’s be honest).
The location is sort of perfect if you’re doing business in the City but want to feel like you’re staying somewhere with personality. You’re literally a five-minute walk from Moorgate station, which gets you anywhere fast, but South Place itself is quiet enough that you won’t hear the morning commuter stampede. I loved that I could walk to Borough Market on weekends or catch a show in the West End without feeling like I was trekking across the city. The hotel’s restaurant – Angler – is actually worth eating at, which is rarer than it should be. Their seafood menu changes with what’s fresh, and the rooftop terrace gives you these unexpectedly lovely views over the London skyline. Fair warning though: weekday evenings can get busy with the after-work crowd from the surrounding financial district, so if you’re looking for a quiet romantic dinner, maybe book for earlier in the evening. The 8.4 rating feels about right – it’s genuinely excellent without being stuffy or trying too hard to impress. This is the kind of place that makes you feel like you’ve discovered something special, even though it’s been here for years.