Inspired by its East London location, Canopy by Hilton has made quite the impression since its debut a couple of years ago. From its shimmering golden exterior to its beautifully crafted interiors, there’s plenty of design eye candy to soak up in this modernist eco-friendly hotel.
Just a few minutes’ walk from Tower Bridge and close to Aldgate Station, it’s perfectly placed to take in as much of the big London action as you can handle. The local area itself has come a long way in the past 15 years. Once a rather drab district desperately in need of some TLC, the East End is now awash with trendy coffee shops, rooftop bars and cutting-edge restaurants.
After a shaky start to our stay which saw us waiting in reception for 45 minutes past check-in time wondering what was going on, we were rewarded with a room upgrade to a stunning junior suite.
These rooms are not only generously spacious for such a major city but come packed with luxurious amenities. A mix of crisp whites and soft muted colour tones gives the space a calming ambience, whilst the extra-large bed, Nespresso coffee machine, 55-inch TV and Peloton bicycle elevate the room further. The bathroom too is a vision, complete with wooden features, a 2-person shower and eco-friendly toiletries.
It’s worth noting that beds in all 340 rooms are crafted using wood sourced from sustainable forests and recycled steel. Canopy’s overall commitment to the environment is impressive, from the solar-panelled roof to its choice to reduce single-use plastics around the hotel.
Guests can even hire a bicycle for free from reception to reduce the need for tubes and taxis. The hotel also offers a rather striking bar just opposite the reception, a restaurant and a gym. Canopy is also home to one of the area’s hottest new rooftop bars, Florattica, which is perched up on the 11th floor.
We indulged in some cocktails and snacks prior to our Shoreditch bar crawl and it’s an experience you don’t want to miss. Floral installations might be overdone in modern bars and restaurants, but they’re done with such style and panache here, that they stand out from the crowd.
Cocktails here are imaginative and just as visually appealing as the setting. I began with the Alma, a sour and spicy mix of Casamigos Blanco Tequila, mezcal, chilli liqueur. Lavender syrup and citrus. Tequila cocktails are all the rage at the moment and this is up there with the best.
Ever the sucker for an Old Fashioned, I couldn’t resist the DaisyRac, which blends Rittenhouse, Hennessy, chamomile syrup, chocolate bitters and applewood smoke to perfection. Nibbles here are great too. We went with the incredible Pecorino Truffle Nuts and Nocellara Olives, before moving on to the Prawn Dim Sum and Teriyaki Chicken Skewers.
Unfortunately, outside seating was off-limits due to a burst of rain but managed to take in views of the Gherkin from our table. Florattica is a hot ticket in the East End right now (popstar Becky Hill even dropped in to perform last month), so we recommend booking your table in advance.
Final verdict
Canopy offers those looking for a cosy, contemporary and eco-friendly hotel a memorable stay. Just a 10-minute walk from the buzz of Shoreditch and Tower Bridge, it’s close to all the action whilst quiet enough to enjoy some peaceful downtime. The Florattica Rooftop Bar takes the hotel to the next level, making this one of the East End’s finest hotels.
Canopy by Hilton, 11-15 Minories, London, EC3N 1AX.
Reviewed by Fletch.