Near+Far Four Seasons Hotel London at Ten Trinity Square: 8/10

Why book Four Seasons London at Ten Trinity Square

Those looking to explore east London, be close to the river Thames and some of the city’s most famous historical sights can do little better than Four Seasons London at Ten Trinity Square. The property opened in 2017 as London’s second Four Seasons property – following its European debut in Mayfair in 1970, and the vibe is distinctly more modern and east London. That said, the building’s rich history is apparent at every turn in the Grade-II listed facade, the imperial columns, the marble steps, the nautical motifs representing the Port of London Authority and the displays of ancient artefacts from the c. 8500 BC. Guests can experience an elegant Rotunda hotel hub, the beating heart with a restaurant and sleek bar, Anne-Sophie Pic’s London outpost, an exclusive members club for The City’s elite and a fabulous wellness area with swimming pool. This is a hotel that combines history, power, business and finance, with a huge dose of pleasure, too.

Location: 9/10

There’s a reason William the Conquerer chose this position for the Tower of London back in the 1070s – powerful, right on the river, and that was before the surrounding area developed into a social, financial and artisan-filled hub. The property is pretty much on the grounds of the Tower itself, yet just tucked away behind a park avoid the throngs of tourists that surround the historic building. It’s a two-minute walk from Tower Hill tube station – meaning easy access across the city – and a 20-minute walk to top sights like trendy Spitalfields Market, Brick Lane, St Paul’s Cathedral and the Barbican Arts Centre, plus the old-world pubs, hipster cafes and historical walks of east London. What’s more, the Thames and Tower Bridge are all right on the front doorstep.

The vibe: 7/10

Four Seasons Ten Trinity Square is a smart hotel, a hotel for grown-ups, a hotel where most nose comes from the click-clack of heels and the polite chatters of business people and well-dressed guests. This said, it’s not the place to wander in your dressing gown or shorts, with an air of quiet luxury making the public spaces feel peaceful and exclusive. With that said, this isn’t the ideal hotel for families or children – though the swimming pool does have child swimming hours, and children would be very well taken care of.

Rooms and Suites: 8/10

As well as a hotel, Four Seasons Ten Trinity Square is also home to residences and a discreet private club, so as a result, rooms take up a small area of the property. There are 100 rooms and suites, including speciality suites with views of the Tower of London and Tower Bridge. Rooms are decorated in neutrals, whites and shades of brown and beige (suites in sultry, darker tones), adding a comforting, cosy, grown-up feel to the room, and bathrooms are brilliantly white marble, These are some of the most spacious in London, and you’ll get 28 to 34 m2 (301 to 366 sq.ft.) as a minimum. Our Premier Room has ample floor space and all the usual five-star amenities, plus the signature Four Seasons bed – arguably the best around. Our bathroom is the star of the room – bright, white, gleaming and with a huge picture window looking onto the cobbles below (and if you squint, the park and maybe even the River), complete with soaking tub, rainfall shower and electric blinds. Housekeeping is discreet yet always present – there to plump the pillows and create a cosy East London cocoon twice a day.

Food and Drink: 9/10

As mentioned, this is a very elegant hotel, and the dining outlets follow the same theme. International all-day cuisine is served in the lobby Rotunda – a bright, circular space with white marble, red velvet and a chandelier, plus a platform in the centre for pianists and live music. This is the elegant backdrop for afternoon tea and breakfast. Breakfast is a buffet with a strong al la carte offering, but be aware rooms have different allocations of price to spend, meaning that in some entry-level rooms, you can’t enjoy both the buffet and menu as part of your rate. In the corner is a slick hotel bar framed by columns perfect for an aperitif or nightcap between the hotel’s star dining establishments. The piece de resistance La Dame de Piuc – Anne-Sophie Pic’s Michelin-starred French restaurant and gastronomic adventure. As the most decorated French female chef (holding three Michelin stars), Pic’s tasting menus are creative, delicate, delicious, and not fussy or confusing. One course sees guests head into the kitchen to eat ravioli and watch the army of chefs at work – a fabulously immersive touch. There’s a distinct light, breezy feel to the space in contrast to the stoic, storied feeling of the hotel – no doubt a Pic touch. Guests can also dine at Chinese-Japanese restaurant Mei Ume – which has a Twenties Shanghai feel with Chiniosserie wall panelling, red details, dark wood and mood lighting.

Spa And Facilities: 9/10

Four Seasons Ten Trinity Square may come off as a luxurious corporate hotel, but it’s also home to some fantastic facilities. The property has a coveted underground wellness space with a 14-metre swimming pool, bubbling warm vitality pool, sauna, steam and heated marble hammam (for booked treatments only) – offering a steamy respite between exploring, or business in, the city. The 24-hour gym is large and has everything you need, and there’s a small yoga studio, too, plus eight treatment rooms for the usual luxuriating spa treatments. Day passes are available for external guests, so the space can get a little gull, and make sure to watch out for dedicated children’s swim times. Guests can also use the on-site Gielly Green hair salon with both women’s and men’s grooming services.

The Verdict

Four Seasons Hotel London at Ten Trinity Square is an elegant, peaceful and poised choice in the frantic, fast-paced world of the City of London, perfectly bordering old and new. There are the charms of the river Thames, Tower Bridge and the Tower of London, and its illustrious facade, but also proximity to the shiny, bustle of London’s financial district and hipster hotspots. Guests can expect all the hallmarks from Four Seasons, but with an almost masculine, exclusive members club feel.

Doubles from around AED3,600, fourseasons.com