Mike Fletcher catches the ferry to check out the recently renovated DoubleTree by Hilton London Docklands Riverside
As I stood in the middle of Canary Wharf’s shopping labyrinth one lunch-time, with a tidal wave of suits washing over me as they spilled into the surrounding sandwich shops and cafes, I realised I was in fact, lost. I was looking for Canary Wharf Pier but having entered this indoor retail maze, all sense of which direction the river should be had left me.
Fortunately, the bankers and hedge fund managers who occupy this part of London are a friendly lot and I was soon directed down an escalator, out an exit, over a fountain, across a roundabout and down some steps to the banks of the Thames.
From here, I could see my intended destination on the opposite river bank - the newly rebranded DoubleTree by Hilton London Docklands Riverside.
This 379-room hotel recently underwent a multi-million pound extensive renovation. It’s spread across three buildings, including the Grade I-listed Columbia Wharf, which dates back to the 17th century and boasts London’s last remaining dry dock.
Its other distinguishing feature is that it’s the only London hotel to have its own private pier, with exclusive ferry service every ten minutes to where I was waiting opposite.
Having your own Thames ferry may seem a little extreme, considering the crossing only takes around two minutes. But the alternative, (as I found out when missing the last ferry back later that night), is a 30-minute round-the-houses drive through the Rotherhithe tunnel. Besides, the ferry is a great way to arrive and guests disembark straight into the hotel reception.
Looking back across the Thames, you instantly appreciate how fortunate this DoubleTree by Hilton is to have such a spectacular city-scape view. It certainly makes the most of it as well - from floor-to-ceiling windows in the lobby to balconied bedrooms with no restrictions on opening windows. Add to this, two expansive riverside terraces, one complete with bar and barbecue and the other a cigar terrace, and it’s tempting just to while away the hours watching how the Canary Wharf skyline changes as evening draws in.
Located within the Columbia Wharf part of the hotel complex, where the rooms enjoy exposed brickwork to compliment their heritage setting, the Columbia restaurant has several private dining options. Guests can congregate around the Captain’s Table in the centre of the dining room or re-treat to The Library, which can be hired for up to 30 guests.
The bridge that connects the hotel reception to Columbia Wharf crosses the unique dry dock, which is also available for celebrations under the stars.
There’s 14 other upgraded and refurbished event spaces on this side of the hotel as well.
The London Room is the largest with a capacity for 300 delegates. The Millennium Room can host 150 and both connect to a riverside terrace, ensuring lots of natural light and al fresco break-outs if required.
During my stay, I enjoyed Executive Chef Vernon Strachan’s seasonal British menu and appreciated how the hotel is celebrating both the maritime and industrial aspects of its location through its new and refurbished decor, particularly the vintage sepia toned maps in the rooms and in reception.
The overriding reason to venture across the river and choose DoubleTree by Hilton London Docklands Riverside however may simply be to take advantage of a different and unique perspective - sometimes that’s all that delegates need.
Article by Mike Fletcher