I don’t usually make hotels that are part of a chain the subject of a blog post unless they’re special, and this one is. It warrants special attention because of its history and its close proximity to several well-known attractions in London (and because I’m always interested in developments in my original home city.)
Hyatt Hotels Corporation has fully opened the Hyatt Regency London Blackfriars – a rebranding of the former Crowne Plaza London The City – marking a key milestone in Hyatt’s strategic brand growth in the British capital.
In the last six years, Hyatt has increased its brand presence in the UK from five to 14 properties, with nine of those situated in London and two more in the pipeline, indicating that the United Kingdom is a priority growth market for Hyatt.
Guests can enjoy convenient access to all that the capital has to offer, with Blackfriars Underground and railway stations just a few minutes away. Many of London’s most popular attractions including St Paul’s Cathedral, Tate Modern and Shakespeare’s Globe are also within walking distance of the hotel.
This opening is long overdue, given that it was first announced in late 2021, following Hyatt’s acquisition of IHG’s Crowne Plaza London The City hotel – a well-regarded property that many considered the best IHG hotel in London. The new hotel, with a new name only slightly shorter than the old one, had a soft opening last year but has been plagued by delays.
Housed in a grade II-listed building on the former grounds of King Henry VIII’s Bridewell Palace, Hyatt Regency London Blackfriars claims a prime spot in London’s business and leisure district, home to global corporations, key businesses and law firms.
The pictures below were taken as we walked across the Millennium Bridge in both directions, passing very close to the new hotel. The pedestrian-only steel suspension bridge opened to the public in 2000, but then had to be closed for two years while engineers corrected an unfortunate swaying motion that occurred when the bridge was crowded.
Millennium Bridge links St Paul’s Cathedral on the north bank of the River Thames with Tate Modern and Shakespeare’s Globe theatre in the Bankside area of Southwark. And from there it’s just a nine-minute walk to the popular Borough Market and Southwark Cathedral.
Guestrooms
The hotel’s interiors have been designed by hospitality specialists, THDP Limited. THDP is a leading designer of hotels, bars and restaurants, formed in 2005 by Italian architect Manuela Mannino and British interior designer Nicholas Hickson. The firm has offices in London and Milan and undertakes projects throughout Europe.
The interior of the hotel has been influenced by the fascinating history of the locale. The building’s past life as one of King Henry VIII’s royal palaces is referenced in the materials used throughout the hotel. Bridewell Palace was built around 1515 as Henry VIII’s short-term residence. Over the years the grounds have been used for various diverse purposes including a public school, a prison and a warehouse.
Fleet Street, the historic hub of printing and publishing and home of the British press until the 1980s, is just around the corner and the hotel gives a nod to the craftsmanship of the trade with artwork inspired by newspapers adorning its walls. The guestrooms and suites all provide impressive views of the listed buildings that once held traditional printing presses.
Culinary Experiences
Three innovative food and beverage outlets are set to mark Hyatt Regency London Blackfriars as a new destination for inspired cuisine.
The Chinese Cricket Club offers a contemporary take on Chinese classics. The restaurant is named in honour of the fictional former captain of the Shanghai XI cricket team, Feng, who is said to have travelled to England in 1857 with his bride, Xiu. The couple, the story goes, arrived at Blackfriars docks and made their way to Limehouse, where Xiu opened the first traditional Chinese restaurant in London. Their legacy lives on in The Chinese Cricket Club with its rich and diverse menu of homemade dim sum and signature specialties.
The habit of mangling names to form an abbreviation continues with NYnLON – isn’t that awful? – a fusion of New York and London presented as a neighbourhood-style bistro that rises above its name and celebrates the influence of the two great cities. There is an all-day menu accompanied by an extensive drinks list showcasing authentic American whiskeys.
Bringing the lively flavours of Latin America to central London, The Leaf and Cane is a 1920s-inspired hideaway offering a vibrant atmosphere and authentic street food paired with crafted cocktails and premium rums.
Meetings and Events
Hyatt Regency London Blackfriars offers up to 430 square metres of multifunctional event space. Two medium-sized spaces have been designed to optimise productivity and are well suited for meetings or small group gatherings. The main function room can seat approximately 150 people and is suitable for conferences or large events.
For those who want to stay in the Blackfriars district in one of the world’s great cities, this hotel is an ideal choice.
Hyatt Regency London Blackfriars is located at 19 New Bridge Street, London EC4V 6DB.
Hotel interior photos supplied courtesy of Hyatt Corporation
