The opening of Canopy by Hilton London City was a long-awaited one, but in October 2021, set within the multi-million-pound Minories development close to Aldgate station, it finally opened its doors. With sustainability at the heart, this spacious new establishment is the latest in a growing portfolio of more than 30 new lifestyle hotels under the Canopy umbrella across the globe, and follows on from the recent openings of the Canopy by Hilton Paris Trocadero and the Canopy by Hilton Madrid Castellana earlier this year – but it’s the first of its kind in the UK.
Designed to cater to the design-conscious traveller, the hotel is conveniently located in London’s lively East End, within easy reach of many of the capital’s major hot spots for shopping, eating and doing business, and draws inspiration from its surroundings in order to give guests an authentic experience that is steeped in local culture.
The hotel
The bespoke eco-building aims to appeal to the eco-conscious traveller who demands the hotels they choose to stay at do more to limit their environmental impact, and its eco-credentials are visible even from the outside. Solar panels line the roof to provide the hotel with renewable energy throughout the year, and the building’s management system is designed to optimise the use of lighting and heating throughout to reduce energy waste.
It’s a theme that continues inside, too, where beds in the rooms and suites are made from recycled steel and wood from sustainable forests and reusable filter water bottles are provided for guests to top up at leisure from any of the refill stations located on each floor. The hotel takes its sustainability credentials seriously, and the latter is one of the many measures it has taken to limit the consumption of single-use plastics amongst guests and staff.
It’s all part of Hilton’s Travel with Purpose 2030 Goals, which include doubling the brand’s investment in social impact and cutting its environmental footprint in half by 2030 to become more sustainable.
Now, onto the aesthetics.
Inspired by the area’s historic textile industry and the Huguenot silk weavers who settled in Spitalfields in the 17th century, the hotel’s interior is just as opulent as you’d expect. Floral patterns and woven fabrics accent the dining areas, as well as the rooms and suites, while furnishings are simple and modern.
Paying tribute to Whitechapel’s thriving contemporary art scene, artwork created by neighbourhood creatives can be seen throughout the hotel, with touchable woven fabrics and industrial accents putting the finishing touches on this fresh and welcoming place to stay.
The orange bicycle at reception might appear random, but, in fact, there is method to the madness. It’s a reminder to guests of the complimentary rentals available at the hotel, showcasing a greener alternative to the usual taxis, Ubers and even public transport.
The room
Offering a choice of 340 luxurious rooms and suites in total, the décor in each is unequivocally stylish and sophisticated, with a distinctly modern feel. There’s parquet flooring and a neutral colour palette of nude tones accented with the occasional pop of colour, with dark wood furniture, metallic spotlight lamps and plush, curvy furnishings, and it all makes for a comfortable and cosy space in which to relax and unwind during your stay in the city.
I stayed in a King Premium room, in which I enjoyed the added benefit of black-out curtains for an even better night’s sleep in my cloud-like king-size bed before waking up to a quality cup of coffee from my personal Nespresso machine in the morning. In the bathroom, the fixtures and fittings were just as modern and elegant, with a sizable rainfall shower offering the perfect way to refresh and wake up ready for a busy day in London.
Other perks of my trendy Aldgate hideaway for the night included free Wi-Fi, a huge 49-inch HD Smart TV and Canopy bathrobes and slipper socks to lounge around in.
Food and drink
The hotel’s main restaurant, Penny Squares, is named after a quilting technique, once known as redwork, that was taught to schoolgirls as an essential part of a young woman’s upbringing in the 19th Century.
The eatery has been the talk of the neighbourhood since opening its doors in March, fusing modern British cuisine with Middle Eastern flavours and offering a fresh take on the tastes that typically define the area. Inspired by the international flavours of the East end and paying homage to those who have settled in the capital from around the world over the years and the culinary flair they’ve brought with them, the mouth-watering menu comprises a range of dishes based around locally sourced and sustainable seasonal ingredients, and the results are something rather special.
With executive chef Walid Farag – formerly of The Lanesborough, Conrad St. James Hotel and the Corinthia Hotel – at the helm, it’s perhaps unsurprising to see such a tempting array of small plates and sharing-style dishes to choose from. Highlights range from baba ghanoush with sesame breadsticks and lemon garlic tahini with pitta bread to hazelnut harissa with cornbread to start, followed up with small plates of succulent, melt-in-the-mouth Zaatar braised beef cheek, punchy Madras octopus and Chaat masala spiced cauliflower, to give you a taste.
There are also some more traditionally sized individual main courses to tempt you if you prefer to keep your order to yourself – the grilled Scottish cod, marinated in tamarind sauce, coconut dahl, baby squid, and curry oil, or the grilled vegetable moussaka with nutmeg cream and harissa sauce are the perfect pick if you’re feeling particularly hungry or perhaps dining alone.
As the latter applied in my case, I decided to go for a starter and a main course. The spiced soft shell crab, comprising spiced tempura crab with dressed white crab meat with a creamy coriander mayonnaise, was my starter of choice, and with its contrasting textures and delicate sweetness with a spicy kick, it was quite simply to die for. For my main, I took a punt on the decadent crusted rack of lamb, which was juicy, succulent and utterly delicious alongside its welcome accompaniments of pea mash, minted courgettes and a rich and sumptuous lamb sauce.
Although I didn’t have much room to spare after enjoying such an indulgent start to my meal, I made sure to keep a little bit back for dessert. The mango chocolate mousse, comprising a crumbly chocolate soil, tart mango meringue and crisp freeze dried mango was the perfect combination of sweetness and tanginess, and a wonderful way to round off a superb meal.
Much like throughout the rest of the hotel, the Penny Squares aesthetic reflects the area’s historic textile industry, with pretty floral patterns and tactile woven fabrics featuring throughout. Industrial lighting, embroidered curtains and stylish wooden furnishings all make for a modern and inviting dining space that feels relaxed and unpretentious.
Penny Squares is undoubtedly one of Canopy’s major selling points, yet during my visit, despite the hotel itself being busy with guests, only one other table was filled besides mine. However, as word spreads, it’s certain to become a bustling foodie hot spot that books up well in advance – so try it now while it’s still easy enough to get a table.
Before dinner, you can relax in the spacious and stylish bar area just off the lobby with an aperitif – the perfect way to whet your appetite for what’s to come.
The hotel’s stunning rooftop terrace, Florattica, is due to open later this year, and boasts uninterrupted views of St Paul’s Cathedral and the City of London, serving elegant, refined small plates and a selection of drinks against a vibrant aesthetic backdrop.
To do
The hotel itself offers a well equipped fitness centre, which is ideal for anyone wanting to keep their fitness routine going while on the go. If you’re travelling for business, there’s a fully flexible meetings and events space that’s perfect for hosting meetings and exclusive events. And, of course, there’s a concierge service on hand to help ensure your stay goes smoothly and to accommodate your needs.
Thanks to Canopy by Hilton London City’s proximity to Aldgate tube station, it’s well connected with much of the capital. Brick Lane, which is famed for its vast array of excellent Indian restaurants, is just a stone’s throw away, as is the bustling Spitalfields market, which is known for its rich and diverse history of traders dating back as far as 1197 and is today filled to the brim with unique and original artwork, vintage wares and designer stores. It’s also a haven for foodies, with a plethora of modern cafés and world street food to try, and plenty of stylish restaurants and bars to hang out in, too.
And of course, shopping hot spots like Oxford Street and Covent Garden, major London sights like the London Eye, the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben and Buckingham Palace, and cultural highlights including the Tate Modern and Tate Britain art galleries and the National History Museum, are only ever a short tube ride away.
In a nutshell
A modern and stylish hotel in the heart of London’s East End, check in at the new Canopy by Hilton London City for an authentic experience of this intriguing slice of the capital and embrace the rich combination of cultures and flavours in the vicinity – all whilst making an environmentally conscious choice.
Factbox
Website: hilton.com
Address: 11-15 Minories, London EC3N 1AX
Phone: 020 3988 7480
