Some hotels are just fine. From stunning lighting and stylish decor without trying too hard to catchy music, spas and restaurants, some hotels have their own vibe, and the Andaz London Liverpool Street is a complete vibe in all the best ways.
I’ve been there once before, about ten years ago, and I remember it being good but not memorable. It has improved in recent years, however. Now, Andaz London Liverpool Street isn’t just playing the part of a hip hotel; it’s basically a hip hotel in east london.
The hotel has beautiful corners with bright colors and fabrics, several restaurants and bars and more amenities than you will find in most hotels in London.
Here’s what you need to know about the Andaz London Liverpool Street to decide if it’s the right hotel for your trip to the British capital.
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What is Andaz London Liverpool Street?
At the risk of sounding like I’m liberating myself, I’ll elaborate on this point. A cookie-cutter hotel, isn’t it. There’s a DJ in the lobby several evenings a week and a bold use of art, colors, shapes and forms that, while pretty, just work.
Rooms are large and hip
My royal bedroom was filled with gray, black and brown leather – topped off with a pink desk, of course. A decorative lamp also added drama to the room.
The heavy drapes did an excellent job of blocking out the sun from the large windows, and the bed was perfect for an airplane sleep – just the right amount of firmness and softness. A small chaise at the end of the bed made a great place to sit if you were just hanging out for a while before starting your day in the city. At just over 300 square feet, the room felt comfortable even by London standards.
Unlike other hotels that struggle in this department, housekeeping promptly made my bed and room without asking me during my stay. There was even a newspaper dropped off at the door every morning, something I almost never saw again.
Remember to pack your power adapter if it is from the US as G type AC plugs are standard in the United Kingdom. The unit also has USB-A ports. There were various outlets in the room, including some on either side of the bed to charge your devices. And I heard the front desk rents out an adapter, if you need one.
The bathroom was white and black, mostly used with shiny subway style (or is it London Tube style?) tiles and black stone floors. It was nice to have my choice of a relaxing bath or a separate shower, with T-London quality products all available, which are not offered these days.
A place with pluses and minuses
Housed in the same building that was once known as the Great Eastern Hotel, a railway hotel dating back to the 1800s, now known as the Andaz London Liverpool Street has been enjoying its life for nearly 150 years. a secret masonic lodge, and now welcomes guests to the World of Hyatt.
But through it all, East London’s location has remained stable and close to Liverpool Street Station which can take you anywhere in the city you want to go, including to and from Heathrow’s Elizabeth Line.
East London is good for some places, like visiting the Tower of London, but not good for other things like visiting Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben and seeing shows in the West End. You’re close to Liverpool Underground Station at the Andaz, so you can get to any part of London, but for some trips, it’s easy to just walk to everything from your hotel.
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‘Free’ snacks and drinks
Andaz hotels are known for their fun minibars, which was the case at the Andaz London Liverpool Street.
It was nice to have soda, water and free bottled water in my room fridge that was replenished daily. Most interestingly the included snacks and drinks were not in the room itself. In addition to the welcome glass of Prosecco guests receive, there was complimentary red and white wine in the lobby from 6 to 7pm each evening.
During my stay, I also noticed some small items outside the lobby during the evening, such as salmon toast point and arancini. In the morning, mini-croissants and orange juice were available for guests to enjoy.
It’s not enough to make a meal, but it was a thoughtful touch that left a lasting impression.
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Good places to eat and drink
There are five bars and various restaurants that are gradually “following the yellow brick road” around the hotel. Fortunately, the expected signs on the ground light the way.
Accommodation options at the Andaz London Liverpool include:
- 1901 Wine Lounge: Serving wine, afternoon tea and breakfast on weekends.
- Rake’s: A cozy corner that is a cafe during the day and turns into a bar at night.
- Miyako: Open Tuesday through Saturday for Japanese cuisine.
- Eastway: This is an all-day dining and weekend brunch spot.
- Lady Abercorn’s Pub & Kitchen: British pub and kitchen open for lunch and dinner with a Sunday roast served on, well, Sunday.
For dinner one night, I tried Miyako, which was on the small side and had decorations like a ceiling made of flowers. The service was quick, and the dishes were solid. I had a tuna avocado roll, three pieces of sushi and two pieces of tamago for a total of $43 – not a cheap meal, but not expensive for a sushi dinner, either.
Although I only had time for one dinner at the Andaz, I ate breakfast twice (mandatory, given my Hyatt Globalist status), once during the week at Eastway and once on the weekend at 1901.
Eastway had a large spread of buffets set up around the room with cold meats, cheeses, pastries, fruit etc. on one side of the room and hot items on the other. (Don’t skip the hash browns, they’re delicious and scrumptious.) I got to the end of the breakfast window and didn’t feel rushed or chased out the door.
While Eastway is a great restaurant, 1901 is the best. Maybe I’m easy to please, but it was fun for me during Titanic.
Its classic Victorian architecture, with ornate arches, crown moldings and a glass dome, screams that you’re somewhere familiar, even if you’re only there for the modern coffee and yogurt parfait. The menu was the same as at Eastway, but if you are choosing between spots or days to have breakfast at the Andaz London, choose 1901, if possible.
I didn’t get a chance to enjoy the bars or the nightlife at the Andaz. However, it was a beautiful place all around when I walked, don’t miss the opportunity to grab a drink here if you have time.
Great Hyatt Globalist elite benefits
The breakfast provided by the Hyatt Globalist had all the buffet items and some options from the small menu which included choices like omelets or pancakes. Coffee, juices and tea are also included, along with interest, making this a great way to start the day.
I didn’t do well on this stay, even though I was moved from the queen room I booked to a king room, which was nice, if a bit small, which would have cost $20 or more per night. I was also given a late check out at 4pm and a free drink voucher valid at any venue on site as a thank you for being a Globalist.
Reasons why the Andaz London may not be for you
I have stayed at the Andaz London Liverpool Street several times and would do so again. But even though I’m a big fan, it’s not the right hotel for every trip. That is why:
- This location is not ideal for first-time visitors who want to see London’s most popular attractions. If you want to be within walking distance of Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey etc., book this hotel for another trip.
- If what you want is a place where you can unzip and get out of your room quickly, this hotel is not that place. It’s a bit spread out and rambling, which can add character, and it also creates a way to eat breakfast, at the reception, back to your room and to other places. This also means that it is not my top recommendation for travelers who can’t walk, walk, paddle, row or similar.
- I loved the bold decor, the DJ and everything else that set the vibe. But nothing is for everyone, so if you prefer a fun place, then I suggest you go with a traditional hotel with less pizzazz.
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Another place to stay
For the first part of this trip to London, I wanted to stay in the center, so I stayed at the same price Mayfair Hotel, which is part of the Radisson family.
The hotel is a 12-minute walk from Buckingham Palace and is ideally located for a first visit to London. I’ve also had the pleasure of staying at the Hyatt Regency London – The Churchill, which is part of the World of Hyatt like the Andaz, but offers a more central location and traditional style.
Reachable
The downside of being a famous hotel is being built in a time when people were not famous.
There are grand staircases and doors and many twists and turns at the Andaz London. When I searched for available rooms at the hotel on different dates, nothing was shown. However, when I called, I was told that there are four accessible rooms in the hotel – two standard king rooms and two twin rooms, although none are downstairs, so you have to use the elevator if stairs are a problem.
The hotel has an accessible section on its website, although apart from some words about providing equal access to people with disabilities, the only information on the website is that it is a pet-friendly hotel. If you want to book an accessible room here, I recommend calling the hotel – and be aware that with the layout of the property and the use of stairs in some areas, there may be some difficulties beyond the room.
Getting out
There are many hotels in London that can feel cramped, but the Andaz London Liverpool Street is not. It feels strong and alive without being forced. The little touches, like the minibar drinks and snacks and the evening entertainment, are the extra touches that make you feel as welcome and at home as a guest.
If you don’t need to stay in this part of town, then this place can be very small on your trip to London for tourists. However, a quick ride on the Tube or a push of a button in the Uber app and it’s a problem that can be solved. As for me, I am a repeat visitor and I hope to keep the tradition.
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