Some hotels just get it right. They possess that elusive cool factor, effortlessly blending stylish design with a relaxed atmosphere. It’s not about trying too hard; it’s about creating a genuine vibe that resonates with guests. Andaz London Liverpool Street embodies this perfectly, offering a unique and memorable experience in the heart of East London.
Having stayed at Andaz London Liverpool Street many years ago, I recall a pleasant but not particularly standout experience. However, the hotel has undergone a significant transformation, a true “glow-up,” in recent years. Today, Andaz London Liverpool Street isn’t just pretending to be a trendy hotel; it genuinely is a vibrant and stylish destination on London’s dynamic east side.
From dramatically lit, cozy corners adorned with vibrant colors and plush fabrics to a collection of buzzing bars and restaurants, Andaz London Liverpool Street offers thoughtful touches and a level of detail that surpasses many other hotels in London.
Image: The stylish and vibrant lobby of Andaz London Liverpool Street, showcasing its unique atmosphere.
Here’s a comprehensive look at Andaz London Liverpool Street to help you decide if this is the perfect hotel for your next visit to London.
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What Makes Andaz London Liverpool Street Stand Out?
Let’s be clear: Andaz London Liverpool Street is far from your average cookie-cutter hotel. It pulsates with energy and individuality. You might find a DJ spinning tracks in the lobby on certain evenings, and you’ll certainly be captivated by the bold and eclectic use of art, colors, patterns, and textures throughout the hotel. While undeniably flashy, it all comes together harmoniously to create a truly unique and captivating environment. This is a hotel with personality, designed to be more than just a place to sleep.
Spacious and Stylish Rooms
My king room at Andaz Liverpool Street was a haven of contemporary style and comfort. The color palette was sophisticated, featuring shades of gray and black complemented by rich saddle-leather brown accents. A playful touch was added with a pink desk, injecting a pop of color into the room’s design. The spotlight-style lamp provided a touch of drama, enhancing the room’s ambiance.
Image: A spacious and stylish King Room at Andaz Liverpool Street, highlighting the contemporary design and comfortable furnishings.
The heavy drapes were incredibly effective at blocking out sunlight, ensuring a restful sleep, and the bed itself was perfectly calibrated for comfort – striking that ideal balance between firmness and softness, ideal for recovering from jet lag. A small chaise lounge at the end of the bed offered a convenient spot to relax before heading out to explore the city. At over 300 square feet, the room felt exceptionally spacious, especially by London standards, where space can often be at a premium.
Unlike some hotels where housekeeping can be inconsistent, my room was promptly and efficiently serviced daily without any need for request. A delightful surprise was the daily newspaper delivered to my door each morning, a touch of classic hotel service rarely seen these days.
Remember to pack your power adapter if you are traveling from countries using different plug types, as type G plugs are standard in the UK. However, the room was thoughtfully equipped with USB-A ports for device charging. Outlets were plentiful and conveniently located, including bedside outlets on both sides of the bed. Should you forget your adapter, the front desk is readily available to loan you one.
The bathroom continued the stylish design theme, with a sleek black and white aesthetic. Glossy subway-style tiles (or perhaps Tube-style, in London parlance?) and black stone floors created a sophisticated and modern space. Having both a relaxing bathtub and a separate walk-in shower was a luxurious touch, and the inclusion of British skincare brand T-London products in both was a welcome amenity, something not always guaranteed in hotels these days.
Image: A modern and well-appointed bathroom at Andaz Liverpool Street, featuring both a bathtub and walk-in shower.
Location Perks and Considerations in East London
Andaz London Liverpool Street is located within the historic building of the former Great Eastern Hotel, a grand railway hotel dating back to the 1800s. This iconic building has witnessed many transformations over its 150-year history, serving as a haven for rail travelers, a secret Masonic lodge, and now, a premier destination for World of Hyatt guests.
Image: The convenient proximity of Liverpool Street Station to Andaz London Liverpool Street, highlighting its excellent transport links.
Throughout its various incarnations, its East London location has remained constant, offering unparalleled convenience to Liverpool Street Station. This major transport hub provides easy access to virtually any part of London, including direct connections to Heathrow Airport via the efficient Elizabeth Line.
While East London is exceptionally convenient for exploring attractions such as the Tower of London and the vibrant Shoreditch area, it’s not as centrally located for reaching iconic landmarks like Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, or the theaters of the West End. While the Andaz’s direct access to the Liverpool Underground Station ensures you can reach any part of London easily, it’s worth considering that for some itineraries, particularly for first-time visitors, the convenience of walking to major attractions from your hotel might be preferred.
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Complimentary Treats: Snacks and Beverages
Andaz hotels are well-known for their generous complimentary minibars, and Andaz London Liverpool Street certainly lives up to this reputation.
It was a genuine pleasure to find a selection of complimentary cold drinks – soda, water, and juice – in my room’s refrigerator, all of which were replenished daily. However, the highlight of the complimentary offerings extended beyond the in-room minibar. In addition to the welcome glass of Prosecco upon arrival, guests are treated to complimentary red and white wine in the lobby each evening from 6 to 7 p.m.
Image: Guests enjoying the complimentary evening happy hour in the lobby of Andaz London Liverpool Street.
During the evening happy hour, I also noticed a variety of complimentary small bites circulating in the lobby, including delicious salmon toast points and arancini. In the mornings, mini-croissants and orange juice were available for guests to enjoy – a perfect little pick-me-up before starting the day.
While these complimentary treats aren’t designed to replace a full meal, they are thoughtful gestures that add significant value and create a welcoming and hospitable atmosphere.
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Diverse On-Site Dining and Bar Options
Andaz London Liverpool Street boasts an impressive selection of five distinct bars and restaurants, cleverly connected in a somewhat maze-like fashion, reminiscent of following a “yellow brick road.” Thankfully, projected signs on the floor guide you through the hotel’s culinary landscape.
The dining and drinking venues at Andaz London Liverpool Street include:
- 1901 Wine Lounge: A sophisticated space offering an extensive wine list, traditional afternoon tea, and weekend breakfast.
- Rake’s: A versatile and cozy corner that transitions seamlessly from a relaxed cafe during the day to a vibrant bar in the evening.
- Miyako: A Japanese restaurant open Tuesday to Saturday, serving authentic Japanese cuisine.
- Eastway: The hotel’s all-day dining venue, serving breakfast on weekdays and a diverse menu throughout the day.
- Lady Abercorn’s Pub & Kitchen: A classic British pub and kitchen serving lunch and dinner, with a traditional Sunday roast offered every Sunday.
Image: The interior of Miyako restaurant at Andaz Liverpool Street, showcasing its playful décor and ambiance.
For dinner one evening, I chose Miyako. This intimate restaurant features playful decorative touches, including a ceiling adorned with colorful floral parasols. The service was efficient, and the sushi dishes were expertly prepared and flavorful. My meal, consisting of a tuna avocado roll, three pieces of sushi, and two pieces of tamago, totaled around $43 – certainly not inexpensive, but reasonable for a quality sushi dinner in London.
While my stay only allowed for one dinner at Andaz Liverpool Street, I enjoyed breakfast on two occasions (complimentary, thanks to my Hyatt Globalist status). Weekday breakfast was in Eastway, and weekend breakfast was in the stunning 1901 Wine Lounge.
Eastway offers a generous buffet-style spread featuring cold meats, cheeses, pastries, fruits, and a selection of hot dishes. (Don’t miss the hash browns – they are exceptionally crispy and delicious.) Even arriving towards the end of the breakfast service, I never felt rushed or unwelcome.
Image: The grand and opulent 1901 Wine Lounge at Andaz London Liverpool Street, serving breakfast in a spectacular setting.
While Eastway is a perfectly adequate breakfast venue, 1901 is truly breathtaking. Its over-the-top Victorian architecture, complete with ornate columns, intricate crown molding, and a magnificent glass dome, evokes a sense of history and grandeur, even if you’re simply enjoying a modern-day coffee and yogurt parfait. The breakfast menu was similar to Eastway, but if you have the choice, experiencing breakfast in 1901 is highly recommended.
Although I didn’t have the opportunity to experience the bars or nightlife at Andaz Liverpool Street, the hotel had a lively and energetic atmosphere throughout. If you have time, be sure to explore the bars and enjoy a drink in this vibrant setting.
Excellent Hyatt Globalist Elite Benefits
My Hyatt Globalist elite status significantly enhanced my stay. The complimentary breakfast extended beyond the buffet items to include selections from a supplementary menu, offering options like omelets and pancakes. Coffee, juices, and tea were also included, along with gratuity, making for a truly valuable and budget-friendly start to the day.
Image: A visual representation of Hyatt Globalist elite benefits enjoyed at Andaz London Liverpool Street.
While a suite upgrade wasn’t available during this stay, I was upgraded from a queen room to a king room, a modest yet appreciated upgrade that would have cost approximately $20 more per night. I was also proactively offered a 4 p.m. late checkout and received a complimentary drink voucher valid at any of the hotel’s bars as a gesture of appreciation for my Globalist status.
Why Andaz London Liverpool Street Might Not Be For You
While I thoroughly enjoyed my stays at Andaz London Liverpool Street and would happily return, it’s not the ideal hotel for every traveler or every trip to London. Here are a few reasons why it might not be the perfect fit for you:
- Location for First-Time Visitors: If your primary focus is seeing London’s most iconic landmarks and this is your first visit, the East London location may not be optimal. If you desire to be within easy walking distance of Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, and Westminster Abbey, consider a more centrally located hotel for this trip.
- Hotel Layout and Mobility: If you prioritize quick and easy access to your room and hotel facilities, Andaz Liverpool Street’s somewhat rambling layout might be a drawback. Its unique character and charm come with a slightly spread-out design, which can make navigating to breakfast, the lobby, or your room a bit of a journey. This layout also makes it less ideal for travelers with mobility limitations, strollers, wheelchairs, or similar needs.
- Décor and Ambiance Preferences: While I appreciated the bold décor, the DJ, and the vibrant atmosphere, these elements might not appeal to everyone. If you prefer a more traditional and understated hotel ambiance, a different hotel style might be more suitable.
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Alternative Accommodation Options
For the initial part of my London trip, I sought a more central location and stayed at the Mayfair Hotel, a similarly priced hotel within the Radisson family.
The Mayfair Hotel’s location, just a 12-minute walk from Buckingham Palace, is ideal for first-time visitors wanting to explore central London. I have also enjoyed a stay at the Hyatt Regency London – The Churchill, another World of Hyatt property, offering a more central location and a more traditional aesthetic compared to the Andaz.
Accessibility Considerations
Being a historic hotel, Andaz London Liverpool Street was constructed in an era where accessibility wasn’t a primary design consideration.
The hotel features grand staircases, heavy doors, and a somewhat complex layout. While searching for accessible rooms online across various dates yielded no results, a phone call to the hotel revealed that they do offer four accessible rooms – two standard king rooms and two standard twin rooms. However, none are located on the ground floor, requiring elevator access.
Image: A grand staircase within Andaz London Liverpool Street, highlighting the hotel’s historic architecture and potential accessibility challenges.
The hotel does have an accessibility section on its website, but beyond general statements about providing equal access, the only concrete information pertains to its pet-friendly policy. If you require an accessible room, it’s highly recommended to call the hotel directly. Be aware that the property’s layout and use of stairs in certain areas might present challenges beyond the room itself.
Final Thoughts
In a city filled with hotels that can sometimes feel a bit formal or stuffy, Andaz London Liverpool Street offers a refreshing contrast. It’s a hotel that feels genuinely vibrant and welcoming without being pretentious. The thoughtful touches, such as the complimentary minibar and evening happy hour, enhance the guest experience and create a sense of value and hospitality.
Image: The exterior of Andaz London Liverpool Street at night, showcasing its prominent location and vibrant atmosphere.
If being in this specific part of London isn’t essential for your trip, the location might be a minor drawback for a traditional tourist-focused visit. However, with easy access to the Tube and ride-sharing services, this is easily overcome. As a repeat guest myself, I look forward to continuing my tradition of staying at Andaz London Liverpool Street.
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