Eco-friendly hotels are popping up from India to Egypt, and the world’s most sustainable hotels consider everything from energy consumption to food waste. When an international hotel chain goes sustainable, it might be easy to skimp on design and service to focus everything on being green. However, the newly opened Canopy by Hilton London City, located just a short stroll from the Tower of London, hits all the right spots from its East London inspired interiors to the locally sourced British menu.

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

Canopy by Hilton London City review

It’s hard to miss this hotel, whose unique exterior is made up of 1,900 rotating aluminium
fins and which was itself recycled from two previous buildings that stood onsite. Walking into the lobby, with its winding green velvet sofa, soft rugs and pendant lights, it is immediately obvious that every design detail has been carefully considered by the team at ACME.

Canopy by Hilton London City
The hotel cuts a striking exterior. Photo: John Athimaritis

From the golden lobby lifts, which are based on the Holy Trinity in Minories Church that once stood on the site, to the cosy Retreat, which features an installation by ceramic artist Noe Kuremoto and designer Isabel Fletcher, the interiors are a rich celebration of the textiles industry once integral to East London.

The rooms

The influence of Whitechapel’s contemporary art scene begins as soon as you exit the lift, with the hallways decorated in colourful murals featuring portraits of East London residents. Canopy features 340 guest rooms, many of which are pet friendly. We stayed in a beautiful Junior Suite, which came with a king-sized bed, living area, his and hers shower, and 55-inch TV.

The beds are made from recycled steel and wood from sustainable forests; however, our favourite part of this room was the Peloton which sat next to the bed, allowing you to get in your workout without leaving the room.

Canopy by Hilton London City guestroom
Get comfy at this stylish new hotel. Photo: Photo: John Athimaritis

Environmental consciousness is evident throughout, from the sustainably produced toiletries, to the water from its refill stations, served in recycled glass bottles in order to limit single-use plastics.

The bespoke pink velvet sofa was also the perfect place to sit and enjoy our view over the Gherkin and other city landmarks in the morning, accompanied by a cup of fresh coffee from the Nespresso machine.

Eat and drink

The breakfast buffet at Canopy by Hilton London City was so extensive that I wasn’t sure I could try everything, such as the adorable miniature croissants and cinnamon rolls from artisanal bakeries, yoghurt bar, freshly cooked English breakfast and a range of squeezed juices. If you can’t quite make it downstairs, you can opt to have breakfast delivered to your room, which comes in a recycled brown bag on which to write your order.

For a late-night drink or somewhere quiet to get work done in the day, the St Clare’s Coffee and Bar had all the sunken sofas and caffeinated drinks I could need.

lobby Canopy by Hilton London City
From the moment you step in the lobby, you’ll be blown away by the design here. Photo: John Athimaritis

In the evening, we headed to Penny Squares for some classic British food. The restaurant feels formal, with China plates and linen napkins, but this is deliberately done to reduce plastic use throughout the hotel. Curated by Executive Chef Walid Farag, the menu is based on seasonal ingredients in order to reduce wastage and is sourced from local suppliers and community gardens. The slow roasted Cotswold chicken was a standout, as was the carrot and apple pie for dessert.

In the lobby or in the restaurant, you’ll be offered a beer. Can’t decide? The ever-attentive staff serve up a line of five samples, all from local craft breweries so you’ll no doubt find something to quench your thirst.

The extras

Despite the in-room bike, having the option to visit the 24-hour TechnoGym, which is designed with light wood, leafy plants and plenty of equipment was a nice touch. Alternatively, although London was chilly when I took to the streets, Canopy offers complimentary bike hire which makes for an eco-friendly way to explore the nearby area.

To add to London’s natural spaces, the hotel has its own green roof, which is designed for passive heating, allowing the building to use less energy. It also provides insulation and a habitat for wildlife such as bees and insects, and holds the hotel’s major source of energy: solar panels.

Canopy by Hilton London City combines top notch food, impeccable design, and unmatched service from the moment you step in the door. The brand is a beautiful example of sustainability done right and with Canopy Cannes opening next Spring, you can count on us to be there.

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