The Luxury Travel Magazine
The Luxury Travel Magazine
Ravens perched like sentinels, Beefeaters pacing in scarlet and gold, the Crown Jewels glinting behind impenetrable glass –The Tower of London is a stage for the echoes of history. A place of royal intrigue, mysterious rituals, and whispered betrayals, it has loomed over the Thames since William the Conqueror cast its first stones in 1075. Once a symbol of absolute power, where traitors met their fate and queens lost their crowns- and sometimes their heads -it now stands as one of London’s most compelling attractions. For those drawn to its stories, there’s no better way to experience its formidable presence than by staying just steps away. Enter Hotel Saint, an urban retreat where contemporary comfort meets the pulse of the city’s past and present.
Set beside Aldgate Station, at the threshold of London’s ancient walls, Hotel Saint offers a front-row seat to the capital’s layered history. This is where Roman legions once patrolled, medieval merchants traded, and the city’s skyline now soars with shimmering steel and glass. Just beyond the hotel doors, the Tower of London invites visitors into its maze of courtyards and dungeons. At the same time, a GoCity pass unlocks effortless access to this and other storied landmarks. Yet the Tower is just the beginning.
A short stroll east leads to the ever-evolving East End – once the heart of London’s working class, now a haven of creativity and reinvention. Shoreditch hums with independent galleries and boundary-pushing restaurants, while Spitalfields Market fuses history with cutting-edge fashion and design. The echoes of the Victorian docklands mingle with the energy of a modern metropolis -gritty, polished, and endlessly fascinating.
Hotel Saint stands tall with 267 rooms, offering sweeping views across the capital. The City of London buzzes at its feet, with landmarks like Tower Bridge and The Gherkin just a glance away. Inside, the design leans sleek and understated, a refuge from the city’s restless energy. For those travelling with family, a self-contained suite delivers the best of both worlds: a stylish adult bedroom and a lounge that transforms into a second sleeping area.
Floor-to-ceiling windows frame the skyline, while thoughtful touches such as fresh flowers, a Laurent-Perrier champagne welcome, and plush teddy bears for younger guests add a sense of occasion. A deep soaking tub and rainfall shower beckon after a day spent tracing the city’s past, while blackout curtains ensure a night of uninterrupted rest.
Classic British fare meets contemporary finesse at The Cardinal Bar and Kitchen, Hotel Saint’s culinary offering. A Scotch egg to start, paired with a glass of velvety Rioja, sets the tone for an indulgent meal. The signature lamb cutlet arrives perfectly seared, nestled among crisp green beans and blistered cherry tomatoes, while the Cardinal Burger proves equally well-crafted. Executive Chef Glen Padiyar’s newly launched à la carte menu showcases the breadth of his vision: confit duck bao with pickled cucumber, delicate chicken momos bathed in chilli oil, and a standout whole baked seabass glazed in miso. Desserts lean toward the decadent – think pistachio cheesecake and warm Nutella-stuffed cookie dough. For those dining midweek, the set menu offers an accessible entry into this culinary escape.
No stay here is complete without an evening at Jin Bo Law, the hotel’s sky-high cocktail bar. Here, the city unfolds in panoramic splendour, with the Tower of London glowing against the inky Thames. The terrace is a coveted spot for sunset drinks, where guests sip Negronis and gaze across the city’s ever-changing silhouette.
A stay at Hotel Saint offers more than just proximity – it places guests at the heart of London’s eternal narrative. Whether you’re delving into the Tower’s dark past, exploring the East End’s creative undercurrents, or indulging in rooftop revelry, this is a place where history and modernity converge in the most effortless way.
