London's Contrasts —my 2 favorite hotels in the city to experience both sides of its culture.
A dual portrait of London
London is a city of contrasts, where history and modernity collide in the most extraordinary ways. The English capital is home to grand palaces and royal traditions, yet it also pulses with the energy of street art, punk culture, and avant-garde design.
I have been traveling to London since 2010. Trips filled with music, polished vintage items, wild orange foxes in home gardens, discovery, art, interesting fashion and glimpses of how it would actually be to live here.
For both leisure and business experiences, London is an active city with happenings every day. I always make sure to look at the concerts and events announcements, so that I get to see my favorite bands or interesting exhibitions that would never happen where I currently live.
English are polite, independent and nonchalant. They truly do not care what other people think and they just show themselves as they are.
London has always been a city of dualities: the genteel afternoon tea coexists with the energetic dance of underground clubs and rock concerts; the polished architecture of Westminster meets the urban street murals of Shoreditch.
Among the finest examples of this dichotomy are The Churchill and Andaz London, two hotels that while serving as luxurious sanctuaries for their guests, couldn’t be more different in the personalities they exude.
On one hand, you have The Churchill, embodying the grace, tradition, and regal charm of the British aristocracy—a perfect snapshot of London’s refined past. On the other hand, Andaz London represents the bold, contemporary spirit of the city’s East End—a place where subcultures, street art, and rebellion reign. The Churchill transports you into the world of top hats, jewels, and British royalty, while Andaz London immerses you in the heart of a city that’s constantly evolving and redefining itself.
The Churchill
The Hyatt Regency London —The Churchill as the name describes is a tribute to Sir Winston Churchill former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom during the WWII and later in the 1950s.
Walking into The Churchill feels like stepping into a classic British novel—a place where history is not just honored but celebrated. The hotel embodies true elegance with a strong sense of timeless luxury.
It is located in Marylebone, overlooking to Portman Square Garden, just a few steps of Hyde Park and Oxford Street for convenient shopping.
Though the hotel is rather large, it has certain warmth to it and you feel well taken care of in a very cozy ambiance. The atmosphere is never stuffy; it’s relaxed elegance that makes you feel as though you’ve entered a space that honors tradition, yet welcomes you with open arms.
The reception showcases an imponenent Churchill portrait in an elegant area with chandeliers, neutral colored ceramic floors, a long hallway with a tail piano, and a cloakroom into the extensive dining room.
Rooms
Whether you're staying in one of the deluxe rooms, which offer extra space and expansive views of the city, or one of the junior suites, which offer an added layer of luxury with separate living areas, the rooms at The Churchill provide a perfect blend of elegance and comfort.
The spacious marble bathrooms are another highlight of the rooms, featuring rainfall showers, oversized bathtubs, luxurious toiletries and heated floors for winter months.
The overall experience is one of relaxed sophistication, where guests can enjoy the tranquility of a luxury retreat while also feeling connected to the rich history of London.
Food & Beverages
When staying at this hotel I would suggest you get Club Access, it really does add value to your stay as you can have breakfast, drinks, cocktails and hors-d'oeuvres in a private dining room with views of the city, tables, lounges and top service all day.
The hotel offers two restaurants and one bar: Montagu Kitchen, Locanda Locatelli and The Churchill Bar & Terrace.
Montagu Kitchen on the lobby level is The Churchill’s main restaurant. It serves guests breakfast, lunch and dinner, and this is where you want to be to taste traditional English delights. This restaurant offers an extensive buffet breakfast and special events such as the emblematic afternoon tea.
The hotel’s Churchill Bar & Terrace, with its impressive selection of gin and whiskey, recalls the city’s regal heritage, making you feel like you’ve entered a gathering of statesmen and intellectuals. This is a hotel that celebrates the finer things in life.
Getting there
It will depend which airport you are coming from, however, train is usually the most feasible way to get quick and easy to the city centre.
Coming from London Heathrow you should head to Paddington Station and there you could take a taxi or uber. Alternatively —if you are not carrying a lot of luggage— you could take the Bakerloo line in the metro and stop at Marble Arch. From there is a six minute walk South through shopping streets.
Things to do around this hotel
Oxford Street
Sherlock Holmes museum
Hyde Park
Buckingham Palace
British museum
Camden Town
Andaz London, Liverpool Street
From Hyatt’s luxury lifestyle brands, Andaz was born more than a decade ago to offer guests the kaleidoscopic experience of a destination. Offering guests a view a of the city through different lenses like: creativity, collaboration, cultural immersion, fashion, street art, music and essence of the city paired up with luxury and top service.
Located in the vibrant Liverpool Street and close to a variety of places to eat, breweries, rooftops, famous street markets and lovely shopping.
The train station located just steps away from the hotels entrance makes a difference in terms of access to other neighborhoods in London, international airports and connect with other cities within the United Kingdom. Also, the station comes handy should you need supermarket goods or electronic accesories.
Andaz London is in a prime location within the city and is close to both Shoreditch and Spitalfields, which are known for their vibrant arts scene, trendy restaurants, and nightlife.
The hotel is housed in a historic victorian building with a modern and edgy interior design, offering luxurious accommodations and excellent amenities. The lobby area is colorful, filled with urban art and unique pieces of furniture. Facilities are distributed through almost mysterious staircases and hallways making every visit to each restaurant or amenity of the hotel, exciting. Graffiti art, exposed brick, and quirky sculptures are at home here, reminding you that London is more than just an old monarchy — it’s a city of revolutionaries, artists, and dreamers.
The Masonic Temple at Andaz is a unique and intriguing feature of the hotel, as it was originally built in the 1920s. When the building was converted into a hotel, the Masonic Temple was preserved and now serves as one of the hotel's most striking and distinctive spaces for private events. The temple is known for its art deco design, featuring intricate details, a stunning ceiling, and beautiful wood paneling.
Rooms
The rooms have modern design and stylish decor, often combining sleek, contemporary elements with a nod to the building’s historical features. When you get an upgraded category, they include a sitting area with a comfortable sofa and coffee table for relaxation. A desk for work, smart tv, dimmable lights, charging ports, fluffy towels and robes, as well as slippers. Minibar stocked with a selection of snacks, beverages, and alcoholic drinks. Most of these items are complimentary and replenished daily.
For this property I do recommend upgrading your room to something spacious. The extra space definitely makes a difference, specially if you are traveling with other people.
The ensuite bathroom offers modern fixtures and subway tiles, featuring a combination of an oversized bathtub, rainfall and delicious herbal luxury bath amenities.
The graphic design in all their materials is very cool and worth mentioning. I must say that the best welcome gifts I have ever received have been from this hotel —every single stay.
Food & Beverages
Andaz London is not just a feast for the eyes — it’s also a gastronomic adventure. The hotel’s food and beverage offerings reflect its dynamic, eclectic character, blending contemporary flair with influences from all over the world and giving fresh new takes on traditional English dishes.
The hotel offers five restaurants that are interestingly laid out within the hotel building and delight with a selection of international dishes and local themes as well: Rake’s Cafe Bar, Lady Abercorn’s Pub & Kitchen, Eastway Brasserie, 1901 Wine Lounge, and Miyako.
A Vino and Vibes a wine hour is hosted at the lobby bar, DJs are also play some nights and art exhibitions just pop up in this space.
Getting there
Liverpool Street Station is a major railway station of London; connectivity from this hotel is actually ideal.
The easiest and quickest way to get here from Heathrow is taking the metro’s Elizabeth Line all the way to Liverpool Street, you don’t have to move or connect with other lines —keep calm and carry on.
Things to do around this hotel
Covent Garden
Spitafields Market
Tower Bridge
Tower of London
Tate Modern
St Pauls Cathedral
Borough Market
The Shard
Houses of Parliament
Westminster Abbey
London Eye
Over the years, I've come to appreciate that London isn’t just one thing — it’s a city of juxtapositions, where two very different sides of its culture coexist, often within the same street or even the same room giving that sense of a true open minded society.
London is definitely top two in my list of favorite cities, and I will hopefully continue to explore its coolness for many years to come.