Burgundy Bliss Elegant Retreat – Pluxa Mocha

Hotel Description

Look, I’ll be honest – when I first walked up to the Burgundy Bliss on Southwark Bridge Road, I wasn’t expecting much from the exterior. It’s tucked between some pretty ordinary buildings, and you might actually walk past it if you’re not paying attention. But step inside and… well, that’s where they got the “elegant retreat” part right.

The lobby hits you with this warm, sophisticated vibe that actually lives up to the burgundy theme without being over the top about it. I mean, they could’ve gone full Victorian nightmare, but instead it’s more like someone with really good taste decided to use rich colors properly. The staff at check-in were genuinely helpful too – not just going through the motions, which honestly surprised me given how hit-or-miss London hotel service can be. My room was ready early, which never happens to me, so that was a nice start.

What I really appreciated about this place is how it sits in Southwark. You’re literally a five-minute walk from Borough Market (get there early on weekends unless you enjoy being sardined with tourists), and the Thames is right there when you want to clear your head with a proper walk. The Tate Modern is close enough that you can pop over without planning your whole day around it. But here’s the thing that locals know – you’re far enough from the main tourist chaos that you can actually breathe. The area gets properly quiet at night, which is gold if you’re a light sleeper like me.

The rooms themselves are well thought out. Mine had this great view toward the river, and the bed was one of those where you sink in just enough without feeling like you’re being swallowed. They’ve got decent blackout curtains too, which matters more than people think when you’re trying to sleep past sunrise. The bathroom was modern without being cold – good water pressure, plenty of hot water even when I tested it with a ridiculously long shower. Only minor gripe? The air conditioning unit makes this soft humming sound that took me a night to get used to, but honestly, that’s pretty standard for London hotels.

You know what impressed me most though? The little details that show someone actually thinks about guests as real people. There’s a proper coffee setup in the room – not just some sad instant sachets. The WiFi actually works throughout the building. And when I asked the front desk about getting to Heathrow early in the morning, they had current, accurate information about transport options, not just “take the Tube” like most places tell you.

The 8 rating makes sense to me. It’s not trying to be the Ritz, but it delivers on what it promises. For a 4-star place in this part of London, you’re getting solid value – especially if you want to be near the South Bank action without paying South Bank prices. I’d definitely stay here again, particularly if I wanted to spend time exploring Southwark properly rather than just ticking off the major tourist spots.

Rooms

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

Facilities