First Impressions
196 Bishopsgate sits right in the heart of the City of London, and honestly, you can’t miss it — it’s this sleek glass tower that feels more like a modern office building than your typical hotel. When I walked in, I was struck by how the lobby manages to feel both corporate and welcoming at the same time. The staff actually seemed to know what they were doing, which isn’t always a given in busy central London hotels.
Location & Getting Around
You know what’s great about this spot? You’re literally steps from Liverpool Street Station, which means getting anywhere in London is ridiculously easy. I mean, if you need to catch the Tube or hop on a train to the airport, you’re sorted. The thing is, being in the financial district means it gets pretty quiet after business hours and on weekends — some people love that, others find it a bit dead.
The Room Experience
The room I stayed in was surprisingly spacious for London standards, with floor-to-ceiling windows that gave me this amazing view of the city skyline. What I really appreciated was the tech setup — everything from the lighting to the curtains was controlled through a tablet, which felt pretty futuristic. The bed was comfortable enough, though I’ll be honest, the bathroom was where this four-star place really showed its quality with a proper rainfall shower.
Dining & Amenities
The restaurant downstairs (called Aster) is actually quite good — I wasn’t expecting much from a hotel restaurant, but their breakfast was solid and the dinner menu had some interesting options. There’s also a rooftop bar that locals seem to know about, which gives you these panoramic views across London. The gym is decent if you need to work out, though it’s not huge — but then again, space is premium in this part of town.
Why Guests Love It
Look, if you’re doing business in the City or just want to be connected to everything London has to offer, this place works really well. The combination of modern amenities, that unbeatable location near transport links, and rooms that don’t feel cramped makes it a solid choice. Sure, it’s not the most characterful hotel you’ll find in London — it’s more sleek than charming — but sometimes you just want things to work smoothly, and 196 Bishopsgate delivers on that front.
You'll need to let the property know in advance what time you'll arrive.
