You know what struck me first about the Novotel London Tower Bridge? It’s actually tucked away on this quiet little street called Pepys Street – honestly, I walked past it twice before spotting the entrance because you’re expecting some massive hotel frontage, but it’s surprisingly understated for being so close to one of London’s biggest tourist magnets. I mean, you’re literally a three-minute walk from Tower Bridge, but the street itself feels almost residential, which is pretty rare in the City.
The thing about this place is that it gets the balance right between being a proper business hotel (and trust me, it’s crawling with suited executives during the week) and somewhere that actually works for tourists. The rooms are what you’d expect from Novotel – clean lines, decent space by London standards, and those floor-to-ceiling windows that make even a small room feel bigger. What I really appreciated though was how quiet it stays despite being in central London. Sure, you’ll hear the occasional siren, but nothing like the chaos you get staying near some of the busier stations. The air conditioning actually works properly too, which – let’s be honest – isn’t always a given in London hotels.
But here’s where it gets interesting: the location is almost too good. You’ve got Fenchurch Street station practically around the corner, so getting anywhere is dead easy, and you can walk to the South Bank along the Thames path in about ten minutes. That little route takes you past some gorgeous old warehouses that most tourists never see because they’re too busy queuing for the Tower of London. Speaking of which – yeah, it’s right there, but early morning is your friend if you want to avoid the crowds. The hotel staff actually knows this stuff and will tell you the best times to visit things, which feels refreshingly honest rather than just pushing the usual tourist traps. There’s also this little Waitrose basically next door, which might sound boring but is actually brilliant when you want decent coffee or snacks without paying hotel prices. The breakfast is solid (though not cheap), but honestly, with Borough Market about fifteen minutes away on foot, you’ve got better options if you’re not in a rush. One small thing – the elevators can be painfully slow during busy periods, so factor that in if you’re on a tight schedule.