There’s no denying we’ve had a good summer in some parts of the UK, and if you believe the weather forecasters, there could still be more sunshine as we dive into autumn. For those wanting a glamorous spot to enjoy the last of the sunny days, head over to the Lawn Bar by Tower Bridge which is exactly what Sabi Phagura did.
London is undoubtedly a busy place with people rushing about but go along to The Lawn Bar for a bite to eat and drink, and you’ll feel as if you’re a million miles away from the capital. As my mother and I perched on the high stools after a vigorous afternoon of walking, we felt time here had stopped.
With an awesome riverside setting, The Lawn sits adjacent to The Tower Hotel, which it’s part of. The area outside the hotel, right on the river, used to be a dormant space, but it has been cleverly transformed into an al fresco bar. Upon entering the Pimm’s-branded floral archway entrance, we were greeted with branded parasols, an outdoor bar, stunning flower boxes and two giant deckchairs, which are ideal for those Instagrammable moments in the sunshine.
Wafts coming from the wood-fired pizza oven soon made us focus on food. The menu is not extensive by any means (there are vegan options across the board and a selection of cocktails, mocktails, craft beers and wines.) The pizza and chicken burger we ordered was just what we needed to soak up our mocktails as we enjoyed unmatched views of The Shard, Butler’s Wharf and, of course, the striking Tower Bridge. And if, like me, you enjoy a spot of people-watching, then this is the perfect place.
Wanting to extend our stay in London, we had enquired about staying at the hotel. However, the hotel was fully booked during our visit, but the staff were kind enough to put us up at the nearby The Clermont Hotel, Charing Cross, a 19th-century great railway station hotel.
Deciding to burn off some calories after polishing off all that carb-loaded food, my mother and I meandered through London to the hotel on foot. The hotel is set above the entrance of Charing Cross station, its French Renaissance exterior is slightly camouflaged, but the Eleanor Cross memorial in the forecourt helps it stand out. While the entrance and lobby are contemporary and modem, the rest of the hotel is super impressive in contrast. We marvelled at the original winding staircase as we climbed the five floors to get to our room.
Our studio suite (there are 239 rooms at the hotel over five categories), including 31 studio suites, had a fresh feel to it with neutral tones and just a splash of colour. We had our very own Nespresso machine, radio and a complimentary mini-bar. I was impressed with the Smart TV, which had a wellness programme allowing guests to stream online yoga. And despite our suite overlooking the main road, the triple windows kept the noise out. Just the peace we needed after a day of wandering around the streets of London.
Unlike the contemporary lobby and suites, the rest of the hotel is full of delightful opulent interiors. From the hallways to The Clermont Restaurant and Bar on the first floor, there was plenty to take in, including French influences in the shape of fashion-orientated paintings, vintage drinks sideboards, sculpted ceilings and glass-stained windows. It’s a camera lovers’ paradise.
While we didn’t have the chance to dine at the hotel (not that we had any room for it), we did head down to the glass conservatory for breakfast in the morning. With another beautiful clear sunny day ahead of us and great views, it was the best place to be seated to break our fast and have a coffee. Sometimes you just need to slow down and watch the world go by.
The Lawn – Where and How?
The Pimm’s Sundowner x Lawn activation at Tower Hotel is running throughout the summer months to maximise the al fresco drinking opportunity. The Lawn at the Tower Hotel is at St Katharine’s Way, London, E1W 1LD. The Clermont Hotel is located in Strand, London WC2N 5HX.
For more information on The Lawn, visit www.guoman.com. Details for The Clermont Hotel can be found via www.theclermont.co.uk.
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