The Vintry & Mercer hotel has been all over my feed for a while, and as part of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World collection — which I love — I’d been wanting to try it for a long time. So here’s my honest, paid-for verdict.
Quick facts:
- Area: City of London
- Closest station: Mansion House (Lines: Circle, District)
- What’s nearby: River Thames, Bank of England Museum, Leadenhall Market, Monument, Sky Garden
- Main draw: Luxury-standard room and service
(BTW, if you want to see my hotel reviews in video form, click below)
Image Courtesy of Vintry & Mercer via Booking.com
Location
This hotel is in the City of London, which sounds obvious until you realise that the City of London actually refers to a very specific, historic square mile, founded by the Romans as Londinium. It has its own government and police force, and it’s the banking and business district.
It’s also home to some of the city’s oldest (and greatest) pubs. You can find them on your own, but I think this historic pubs tour is a much better way to do it.
What that means in practice: during the week it’s full of suits, and on weekends it’s almost completely dead, because very few people actually live here. There’s no local vibe, no neighbourhood buzz, nothing.
For me, that’s a significant downside. You’re about 20 minutes’ walk from Tower Bridge and Shoreditch, and 20-30 from other major sights, so you’re not stranded, and I show you how to do this part of the city in Day 3 of my London Itinerary.
But if atmosphere matters to you on a city break, this area won’t deliver it, especially on weekends.
Image Courtesy of Vintry & Mercer via Booking.com
The Hotel
The entrance and lobby are small but luxurious, very on brand for Small Luxury Hotels of the World. Everything is in beautiful, modern condition, and even the room key felt a bit futuristic. Great first impression.
Image Courtesy of Vintry & Mercer via Booking.com
The Room
I booked the Standard Double, which was… cosy. There was just about enough room to fit a large suitcase on the stand, but dealing with two would have been a real struggle. If space matters to you, it’s worth upgrading.
That said, the decor? Loved it. Lots of brassy gold features, a big luxurious bed, and details that made it feel more like a boutique bolthole than a standard hotel room. The bathroom was a great size, with a big shower, beautiful tiling, good storage, and even underfloor heating. The robes, the in-room snacks and drinks, the bath products — all felt exactly right for this price point.
Image Courtesy of Vintry & Mercer via Booking.com
Dining
This is actually one of the hotel’s stronger suits. There are a few options:
The rooftop restaurant, Mercer Terrace, is where I had dinner and drinks. It was great, though it’s better in summer. On the ground floor there’s a cafe serving à la carte, which I also tested and enjoyed. I even got a chunk of work done there, despite it being quite dark.
Then there’s Do Not Disturb, a speakeasy bar that’s cool in concept. But I wouldn’t expect a buzzy atmosphere, especially at weekends. Given there’s virtually no one around, it’s more of a quiet drink than a night out. They also run a kid-friendly Magic afternoon tea here during the day, which is a nice touch.
Image Courtesy of Vintry & Mercer via Booking.com
Service
Top-notch. My bags were taken from me the moment I arrived at the front doors and brought straight up to my room. I was told that everything in the room was complimentary and unlimited, with a butler number to call for more of anything I needed.
I did try to call for more cookies and no one picked up — these things happen — but overall the service was excellent and at the level I’d expect from this hotel collection.
Price
Here’s where it gets interesting.
I paid £320 for a Friday night in January, which is a lot for a January stay. The Standard Double is actually only around £265 in peak summer, so I’d use that as your benchmark rather than what I paid. I suspect a nearby conference may have pushed my rate up, which would also explain why the hotel felt entirely business travel-focused. I got zero “I’m on vacation” vibes.
Image Courtesy of Vintry & Mercer via Booking.com
The Verdict
Vintry & Mercer is a beautiful, well-run hotel with standout decor and excellent service. But the location is a real consideration. If you’re visiting London for the experience of the city, the City of London at weekends is a strange place to base yourself. If you’re here for work, or you don’t mind a quiet neighbourhood in the oldest part of the city, it could be a great fit.
For leisure travellers though, I’d think carefully before booking.
Interested? You can book Vintry & Mercer here.
Other similar, great hotels:
- The Ampersand Hotel – A charming South Kensington boutique with a great location for museum lovers. Book here
- The Prince Akatoki – A sleek, Japanese-inspired hotel in Marylebone with a serene feel. Book here
- The Welbeck Hotel – Another stylish Marylebone pick with great service. Read my full review here
