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Vintry & Mercer

Nicole Trilivas experiences the warm vibes & buzzing atmosphere of Vintry & Mercer, Bank

The Credentials

Well placed in the heart of the City, just a few minutes walk from the Mansion House and Cannon Street tube stations, the 92-room Vintry & Mercer—a member of the Small Luxury Hotels consortium—is an under-the-radar independent alternative to London’s big chain corporate hotels.

Sleep

Upon checking in, I am luckily given a welcome upgrade to a suite, room 401. This cosy space is well appointed with a thick velvet headboard and vintage-inspired design touches like a rotary telephone, Marshall speaker, and monochrome palm wallpaper. The ceilings are a little low, but an outdoor terrace that runs the length of the room certainly makes up for any feelings of claustrophobia. There are no views of the Thames, but you can see the Shard quite well from here, and the hotel is located next to a charming old church with regular ringing bells. One thing that I really appreciate is a complimentary mini-bar. Here, it’s not filled with much (juice, soda, popcorn), but it’s a generous touch that goes a long way.

Bathrooms are stylish with a sea-green chevron backsplash and black-and-white tiles. Floors are heated, and there is also a soaking tub.

Overall, the cleanliness of the room could be a tad better. For example, there were some greasy handprints on the windows and a grimy remote control for the bathroom TV, but everything else was fine.

Dine

There are several dining options at Vintry & Mercer. On the top floor, there’s a rooftop restaurant, Mercer Roof Terrace, which is kitted out with heated igloos and glass sheds for outdoor dining in the winter. The Terrace is currently styled by Beluga Vodka, so expect photo ops with gold lounge chairs, sleighs, and skis. There are fantastic views of the dome of St Paul’s Cathedral. Inside the restaurant, the atmosphere is warm too (though I’d say slightly less cute). The food is upscale pub fare; nothing disappointing but nothing to get too overly excited about. There were a few snags as far as the dishes go, for example, a still-frozen brussel sprout in a butternut squash soup and overcooked fish. Service was attentive though, and you could tell the staff really wanted you to enjoy yourself.

Breakfast is served downstairs on the ground floor, at the cafe-like Vintry Kitchen, dressed in hanging greenery. Here, the food hits all the right notes with well-seasoned dishes like seasonal mushrooms on toast sprinkled with Parmesan cheese and smashed avocado with perfectly fried eggs, dusted with chilli flakes.

Lastly, there is the not-so-secret speakeasy-style bar called Do Not Disturb or DND. This is the place to be, with a lively and buzzing atmosphere and some excellent cocktails. The bar hosts afternoon tea and a happy hour (Tuesday to Saturday 5 pm to 9 pm) with two-for-one cocktails like Negronis, expresso martinis, and margaritas infused with pineapple. At £16 for two high-quality drinks, it’s an excellent deal for the city of London.

Who Goes There?

Due to the location, there’s a distinct mature corporate crowd here, especially during the day and at breakfast. However, come nightfall, lots of local office workers drop in for happy-hour drinks and dinners, making the atmosphere convivial, fun, and less corporate. I didn’t see any families, but it would work well for families with teenagers.

Out & About

The location here is fantastic. You’re very close to iconic London sites like St Paul’s Cathedral, The Shard, and Tower Bridge. The hotel is also right by the River Thames. The neighbourhood has plenty of great restaurants, be sure to ask the desk staff for recommendations if you’re struggling to pick a favourite. Because of the excellent transportation links, the hotel would work well for visitors coming in from out of London as well, especially as the Liverpool Street Station and City Airport aren’t too far away.

The Worst Thing

The food could be better on the rooftop, especially considering the high prices. Lifts are also slow and crowded at peak times, such as around check-in and check-out times.

The Best Thing

The staff are friendly and genuine. Even with a few snafus (wrong orders; the maid cleaning the room before I checked out; the bar staff thinking I didn’t pay my bill when I already had), they are very apologetic, kind, and helpful.

The Details

Rooms start from £335 per night, including breakfast.

Vintry & Mercer, 19-20 Garlick Hill, London EC4V 2AU www.vintryandmercer.com