Look, I’ll be honest – when I first walked into Club Quarters Hotel on Gracechurch Street, I wasn’t expecting much. The entrance is pretty understated, wedged between all those imposing City buildings, but that actually works in its favor. You’re literally in the heart of London’s financial district here, which means you’re a two-minute walk from Monument station and you can practically see the Tower of London from some of the upper floors.
What really struck me about this place is how they’ve managed to create something that feels genuinely comfortable in an area that’s usually all glass and steel. The rooms aren’t huge – I mean, this is central London, so you know what you’re getting – but they’re thoughtfully designed. The beds are actually decent (I’m picky about this), and the bathrooms have proper water pressure, which honestly can be hit or miss in older London hotels. You know what I appreciated? The blackout curtains actually work. Sounds silly, but when you’re dealing with jet lag and those early summer sunrises, it matters. The neighborhood goes pretty quiet after about 7 PM when all the office workers head home, so you’re not dealing with street noise all night.
Here’s the thing about staying in the City – you’re perfectly positioned for exploring, but you need to know the rhythm of the area. Weekends are almost eerily quiet (which some people love), but during the week it’s buzzing. There’s a Pret practically next door for your morning coffee fix, and if you walk five minutes toward the river, you’ll hit Borough Market on the weekends. The hotel staff seem to actually know the neighborhood well – they pointed me toward a proper pub on King William Street that I never would have found otherwise. The 8.3 rating makes sense to me; it’s not trying to be flashy or over-the-top luxurious, but everything works the way it should. Sometimes that’s exactly what you want, especially when you’re spending most of your time out exploring the city anyway.