The Chamberlain

Hotel Description

You know what struck me first about The Chamberlain? It’s tucked into this fascinating corner of the City where London’s ancient history bumps right up against the gleaming towers of modern finance. Walking up Minories toward the hotel, you’ll pass the Tower of London on one side and catch glimpses of the Gherkin peeking over Victorian buildings on the other – it’s honestly one of those “only in London” moments that makes you stop and take it all in.

The hotel itself feels like someone took a traditional English inn and gave it just enough contemporary polish without losing its soul. I mean, the building has this lovely Georgian bones thing going on, but inside they’ve managed to create spaces that actually work for modern travelers. The rooms are what I’d call thoughtfully compact – not huge by American standards, but everything has its place and the beds are genuinely comfortable (which, let’s be honest, is what really matters after a long day wandering around London). The staff seems to actually enjoy working there, which you notice immediately – they’re helpful without being overly formal, and a couple of them gave me restaurant recommendations that were spot-on.

Here’s the thing about staying in this part of London that most people don’t realize: you’re literally walking distance from some incredible stuff, but it gets refreshingly quiet in the evenings when all the office workers head home. Aldgate East tube station is maybe a three-minute walk, which puts you on the Circle and Metropolitan lines – perfect for getting to King’s Cross or paddling around the West End. But honestly, I found myself walking everywhere because you’re so central. Borough Market is about a 15-minute stroll across London Bridge, and if you head the other direction, you’ll hit Spitalfields and all those brilliant curry houses on Brick Lane. The hotel sits just outside the congestion charge zone too, which is handy if you’re thinking about driving (though parking around there can be… well, it’s London). What really won me over was how the hotel manages to feel both sophisticated and unpretentious – like staying at a well-traveled friend’s place who happens to have excellent taste and knows all the good local spots.

Rooms

• Luxury Double Room with 1 double bed for 2 adults, 1 child
• Deluxe King Room with 1 large double bed for 2 adults, 1 child
• Super Deluxe Double Room with 1 extra-large double bed for 2 adults, 1 child
• Deluxe Double Room with Roof Terrace with 1 double bed for 2 adults

Facilities