Housed in a grand Grade II listed building on the former grounds of King Henry VIII’s Bridewell Palace, the recently opened Hyatt Regency London Blackfriars enjoys a prime location in the City of London business and leisure district, which is home to all manner of global corporations, big banks and influential businesses – making it the perfect spot for the business traveller to check in whilst visiting the capital.
Originally built all the way back in 1515, or thereabouts, the hotel still retains plenty of olde world charm, and it’s thrilling to know that over the years, its grounds have played host to everything from a prison to a public school. But now, its historical Square Mile location has been re-imagined as a lavish retreat for visitors to the capital.
Leisure travellers, too, will find this an appealing place to stay thanks to its great connections to all that the capital has to offer, with Blackfriars Underground and Rail stations just minutes away and many of London’s most popular attractions within walking distance.
I recently checked in for a night to find out what it was all about, and to find out what the latest offering from this well-known hotel group had to offer.
Hotel
As per the Hyatt Regency brand ethos, the hotel has been intuitively designed with productivity and relaxation in mind, and it certainly shows. Besides its 205 plush rooms and suites, it also features comfortable communal environments where guests can work or relax, and it’s a philosophy that extends to its guest rooms, too.
As you’d expect, the hotel’s interiors have been heavily influenced by its local history with its former iteration as one of King Henry VIII’s royal palaces referenced in the luxury features and finishes you’ll spot throughout the property. Think opulent marble ceramics and regal gold accents that can’t help but evoke a sense of historical charm and all-round decadence.
Fleet Street, which has been known as the capital’s hub of printing and publishing for centuries now, is just around the corner, and so Hyatt Regency London Blackfriars also draws inspiration from this, paying homage to the craftsmanship of the trade through the bespoke artwork that is displayed on its walls.
The hotel is home to three exciting new food and drink destinations, and three spacious meeting rooms that can be hired out to host a range of different events on request. Add to that a 24/7, state-of-the-art fitness centre, and you have all you need in the most convenient of London locations.
Rooms and suites
Boasting 205 elegant guest rooms and suites, one of the highlights of any stay here is the views down over the City of London skyline. Their design is contemporary but understated, taking a less-is-more approach that results in a sophisticated look and feel overall. Think simple wood furniture and white bedding with a hint of mustard in the sofa that sits at the end of the bed, exuding an almost Scandinavian vibe. My room also had an ergonomic work area, which came in handy when I needed to log on for a couple of hours and send some emails, but it had all I needed for a relaxing stay when I was done, too.
Features of the room included a super comfy and spacious Hyatt Grand Bed, individually controlled heat and air-conditioning, high-speed WiFi, an 65-inch UHD TV and high quality bathroom amenities – and of course, the ever-essential tea and coffee making facilities and a minibar.
On that note, the bathroom is the real standout feature of the room, with its gorgeous marble vanity unit and walk-in shower – the height of luxury, if you will. Plush marble surfaces, stylish tiling and a spacious rainfall shower are topped off with a choice of lavish toiletries, providing everything you could want to get ready for a busy day in the city, or to wind down after getting back from a long one.
Food and drink
There are three innovative food and beverage concepts to choose from during your stay at the Hyatt Regency London Blackfriars, making it a destination in itself for foodies.
The Chinese Cricket Club is the hotel’s fine dining option, and a specialty restaurant offering Chinese classics with a modern touch. Combining traditional techniques and quality ingredients in a contemporary take on Chinese classics, the restaurant is named in honour of the story of the captain of the Shanghai XI cricket team, Feng, who travelled to England in 1857 with his bride Xiu. Arriving in Blackfriars docks, the couple made their way to Limehouse, where Xiu opened the first traditional Chinese restaurant in London.
Here, with head chef Tony Truong at the helm, their legacy continues, in a rich and exciting menu of homemade dim sum and signature specialities, with such a diverse range of options that I was spoilt for choice. After much deliberation, I started with the mouth-wateringly delicious Peking Duck, which was crispy on the outside, succulent on the inside and a real treat when combined with the soft pancakes, crunchy cucumber, flavourful leek and punchy pineapple and Hoi Sin Sauce it was served with. Next up was the Shaoxing Wok-fried Atlantic Monkfish served with prawns, soy sauce and rice wine for a light but decadent main course, all rounded off with the sweet and sticky mango and coconut pudding.
The steamed dim sum menu is quite something indeed, and I’ll definitely be back to try it. From traditional xiao long bao – made with pork and broth – to lavish creations like the jade lobster tail dumpling, there’s something for everyone, and by all accounts, it’s some of the very best dim sum in the city. Breakfast is also served in the Chinese Cricket Club, and comprises a buffet with a wide array of choices, as well as an a la carte menu for those who want it.
Truong has been leading the kitchen at the Chinese Cricket Club since the restaurant opened in April of this year, and although he was born and raised in Vietnam, his heritage is Chinese, with his family cooking mainly Chinese dishes at home throughout his childhood, so he was fully immersed in traditional Chinese cuisine from a young age. At just 16 years old, he began his own culinary career in Guangzhou, China, starting as a restaurant host before making his way into the kitchen when he realised his real passion was for food. He’s been working at a host of reputable restaurants in London since the age of 20, most notably opening and running another Chinese restaurant at an esteemed five-star hotel in the city back in 2017 before joining the Chinese Cricket Club.
At the Chinese Cricket Club, Tony’s creative approach to authentic Chinese cuisine is already winning him much acclaim in food and drink circles, and at the restaurant Chinese festivals are often celebrated with the addition of special festive delicacies to the menu – so if you happen to be staying during Chinese New Year or any other Chinese dates of note, then be sure to check it out, as you’re certain to be in for a treat.
NYnLON is a neighbourhood bistro offering an eclectic upscale menu, and draws influence from the cities of London and New York to offer up a casual dining atmosphere. The all-day menu is based around locally sourced and sustainable ingredients – you can start with small plates like the crispy squid or the honey BBQ chicken wings, before moving onto rock oysters or prime handcut angus beef tartare. For mains, there’s a choice of salads, sandwiches and burgers and grills – and of course, a selection of tempting sweet treats to finish your meal with.
There’s an extensive drinks list on offer here too, showcasing authentic American whiskies and exceptional natural wines.
Then, there’s The Leaf and Cane – a South American inspired hideaway where you can enjoy street food paired with crafted cocktails and premium rums. Set against the most vibrant and colourful of backdrops, it’s a space that aims to bring lively Latino flavours to life in all their glory, and it certainly does it well.
If you’re looking for something a little lighter, then you can head to the City Lounge, the lobby lounge where you can order a decent range of freshly-made baked goods, healthy light bites and premium roasted coffee.
And finally, there’s the Regency Club Lounge, which you can enjoy if you book a Regency Club room or suite. It’s just one of the many exclusive privileges doing so comes with, and here it includes complimentary daily breakfast, all-day refreshments and evening cocktail and canapes.
To do
For those travelling for business, the Hyatt Regency London Blackfriars offers up to 430-square-meters of flexible event space. There are two medium-sized that are well suited to meetings and interviews, while a larger and more elegant main function room offers capacity for up to 150 guests, so if you’re planning on holding a conference or larger event, then look no further.
If you’re the type of traveller who likes to maintain your fitness routine whilst on the go, then head to the 24/7 gym whenever suits you. It features plenty of state-of-the-art machines and an array of free weights, too, so you’ll find everything you need to squeeze in a quick sweat session.
Outside of the hotel’s walls, you won’t have much trouble finding things to do in your spare time. Cultural hotspots including the Tate Modern, Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre and St. Paul’s Cathedral are all within easy walking distance – although the likes of Buckingham Palace and Oxford Street are a little further afield. Even so, if you know London then you’ll know it’s extremely well connected, and a few stops on the tube will get you just about anywhere.
In a nutshell
A stylish and contemporary hotel that still exudes historic charm and elegance in equal measures, the Hyatt Regency Blackfriars London is perfectly located for the business traveller. Rooms are simple, but the hotel’s dining concepts really stand out – so if you enjoy eating like royalty and like the concept of staying in a former palace too, then you know what to do.
Factbox
Address: 19 New Bridge St, London EC4V 6DB
Phone: 020 3375 1234
Website: hyatt.com/en-US/hotel/
All imagery credit: Hyatt Regency London Blackfriars
