Kula London – Tower Bridge

Hotel Description

You know what caught me off guard about Kula London? I was expecting another generic hotel in the City, but this place actually has personality. It’s tucked away on Minories – honestly, I walked past it twice before spotting the entrance because the street’s one of those narrow City lanes that feels more residential than hotel territory. But that’s kind of the charm.

The moment you step inside, there’s this whole industrial-chic thing happening that works way better than it sounds on paper. I mean, we’re talking exposed brick, these gorgeous high ceilings, and lighting that somehow makes even jet-lagged travelers look decent in the lobby mirrors. The staff actually remembers your name after day one (rare for London, trust me), and check-in was refreshingly quick – none of that corporate hotel runaround where they act like they’re doing you a favor.

What really sold me on this place though is the location situation. You’re literally a five-minute walk to Tower Bridge, and I don’t mean tourist-pace walking – I mean proper London stride. But here’s the thing nobody tells you: you’re also ridiculously close to some of the best pubs in the City that most visitors never find. The George on Borough High Street is just across the river if you fancy a proper historic pub crawl, and you can actually walk to Borough Market for weekend breakfast without dealing with the Tube. The rooms themselves are smaller than American hotel standards (it’s London, what do you expect?), but they’re smartly designed – lots of clever storage, USB ports where you actually need them, and the beds are honestly fantastic. I slept better here than I have in some five-star places. The bathrooms have those rainfall showers that actually have decent water pressure, which feels like winning the lottery in this city.

The neighborhood gets quiet after the City workers head home, which means you’re not dealing with drunk tourists stumbling around at 2 AM like you would near Leicester Square. But it also means most restaurants nearby close early, so plan accordingly – though honestly, being this close to London Bridge station means you’re connected to everywhere that matters. Weekend mornings are particularly lovely because the whole area feels almost village-like when the office buildings empty out.

Look, it’s not perfect – the AC can be a bit temperamental in summer, and if you’re on a lower floor facing Minories, you’ll hear the occasional delivery truck early morning. But for the price point and that 8.5 rating it’s earned, Kula London delivers on what matters most: a genuinely comfortable stay in one of London’s most interesting neighborhoods, without the tourist trap markup. Plus, watching the sunrise hit Tower Bridge from the upper floor rooms? That’s the kind of travel moment you can’t really put a price on.

Rooms

• Superior Apartment with 1 double bed and 1 sofa bed for 3 adults, 2 children
• Deluxe Apartment with 1 double bed and 1 sofa bed for 3 adults, 2 children
• Two-Bedroom Apartment with 2 × 1 double bed for 4 adults, 2 children
• Two-Bedroom Suite with 1 double bed and 1 large double bed for 4 adults, 2 children
• Penthouse Apartment with 1 double bed, 1 large double bed and 1 sofa bed for 5 adults, 2 children

Facilities