A full review of our stay at Four Seasons Hotel London at Tower Bridge

There may be numerous five-star hotels scattered across the area encompassed by the City of London and East London. But few offer as much wow-factor as the stately Four Seasons Hotel London at Tower Bridge. We checked in to find a world-class stay infused with London’s unique history.

While this stay was complimentary, all thoughts and opinions are our own.

Review of Four Seasons Hotel London at Tower Bridge

History is everywhere at this hotel—both within the building and in its surroundings. The River Thames, the Tower of London, Leadenhall Market, and the ruins of St. Dunstan in the East are mere steps away. But the hotel itself is a microcosm of London’s past.

The imposing, Beaux-Arts edifice was designed by renowned architect Sir Edwin Cooper and opened in 1922 as the Port of London Authority. Through the years, it bore witness to significant historical moments; the first United Nations General Assembly was held in 1946 in what’s now the U.N. Ballroom.

The building fell into disrepair in the 1970s when the government department moved downriver. Its current iteration is the result of a seven-year renovation largely overseen by architect Aukett Swanke and design firm 4BI & Associates. The Corinthian columns and statue of Old Father Thames, trident in hand, on the building’s façade are immediately impressive, but that’s just the start.

The welcome experience

Inside, just past the marble-clad foyer, is the heart of the hotel, a restaurant that sits under a soaring glass dome, created to replace the original rotunda that was destroyed during World War II, that mimics that of nearby St Paul’s Cathedral. Elsewhere, public spaces are cleverly infused with a sophisticated, slightly masculine energy, plenty of grey, gold, red carpet, and Art Deco-inspired furniture and lighting, alongside gentle modern touches.

The lobby also offers glimpses of the site’s fascinating past, from its Roman antecedents to its function as an anchor of global trade and commerce. Curated display cases in the lobby showcase ancient artefacts excavated from the site during the building’s renovations, including a prehistoric flint dating from 8500BC-4000BC.

And, in the week leading up to the Formula One race at Silverstone, the hotel has tapped Hedley Studios to display two classic Bugatti Baby IIs. It’s the perfect surprise for this F1 fan and a great segue to a race weekend.

Suite life

There might be 110 rooms at the Four Seasons Hotel London at Tower Bridge, but you’d be hard-pressed to find one as impressive as the majestic Royal Garden Suite. Slipping through the heavy front door, there’s an immediate sense of being cocooned in silence, luxury, and privacy. A refined colour palette of black, grey, white, and gold weaves through thick carpets, layered panels, and plush furnishings, while period details—sloping floors, plasterwork, and 16-foot ceilings—add a sense of grandeur. The pièce-de-résistance, though, is the private garden, accessed through glass-panelled doors, where lush greenery envelopes a gold-hued sculpture.

Elsewhere, the suite feels like a James Bond hideout. There’s a concealed wet bar (hidden behind Art Deco-esque mirrored panels) where cut-crystal glasses and gin (I spot Plymouth and Sipsmith) stand ready to be shaken—not stirred—into a chilled martini. The massive marble dining table, with its imposing crystal chandelier, is a cinematic setting for breakfast, while the many sofas and armchairs in the living area are almost enough for the whole of MI6 to sink into. They might be too busy saving the world to notice the subtle touches that add flair, the gallery wall of sketches in one corner, and the oversized ottoman in the dressing room, but surely Q would appreciate the technology controlled through bedside buttons and an iPad.

Personally, there are two highlights. One is the study area, which feels appropriate for a Bond villain, complete with a comically oversized work desk and armchair, and floor-to-ceiling shelves of beautifully bound books. The second is the gargantuan (and well-appointed) dressing room that makes getting ready an event, and the opulent bathroom that’s dressed in white and grey piazza tile and gold accents, and features a recessed bath fit for a Roman emperor.

High-life perks

The Rotunda Bar & Lounge, a resplendent spot clad in marble and gilt tucked under the hotel’s imposing rotunda, is the place to be at all times of day. There’s a lavish semi-buffet breakfast delivered in an elegant hush, brisk business lunches, and lavish afternoon teas. By night, there are lingering cocktails at the backlit, copper-topped bar in the far corner.

For something more lavish, some guests head to Mie Ume, the hotel’s fine-dining restaurant that pays tribute to Japanese and Chinese culinary traditions. Although I only have time for breakfasts and a quick lunch at the hotel, it’s clear that the food here is as high calibre as its décor.

Wellness is also far from an afterthought, thanks to an 18,083 sq-ft urban oasis in the basement. I slipped into the 24-hour gym at 6 am one morning and was surprised to find a couple of guests already there, most sporting coordinated Alo outfits. It’s also impossible to resist a few laps in the 46-foot pool surrounded by sleek, modern columns. There’s also a spa with a hefty menu, including meditation in a sound pod, though I don’t manage a treatment.

Final thoughts

Admittedly, there wasn’t enough time to experience the Four Seasons Hotel London at Tower Bridge as fully as I’d have liked. But even this quick two-night stay was enough to impress. I was enthralled by all the building’s original fixtures and storied past, but beyond that, the carefully considered facilities, quality dining, and personalised service elevated this stay into something special.

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