St Katherine Docks. Copyright Gretta Schifano
As I wait for my hotel room card I reflect that I could be anywhere in the world. I’ve been at the hotel for three hours but haven’t met anyone else British apart from the friends I’m here with. The staff and guests at London’s Grange Tower Bridge hotel are a truly international bunch and the bland architecture and design give no clue to our location in the City (the capital’s main financial district) not far from the Tower of London.
I’m here with three friends on a belated and low-key hen weekend (no strippers, fancy dress or L-plates allowed). We wanted a decent hotel in London with a spa and were pleased to find rooms available here online at short notice.
Lunch at St Katherine Docks
The weekend starts for two of us with a delicious lunch at The Boat House in St Katherine Docks, a quirky café 10 minutes’ walk from the hotel. The soup is so good that we ask for the recipe. We’re told that we can’t afford it: there are about forty ingredients and the chef has already declined £200,000 to sell the recipe to a supermarket. We help ourselves to more slices of delicious soda bread from the bread table and discuss inventing our own marvellous soup recipe. St Katherine Docks is a nineteenth century dockyard which has been redeveloped into a marina and it’s interesting to wander around looking at the yachts and old warehouse buildings now housing shops, bars and cafés.
Grange Tower Bridge Hotel spa break package
We meet our friends and the four of us chat our way through the sauna, steam room, pool, hot tub and foot spa at the hotel. The spa area is fine but not really somewhere to linger as there are only a few wooden beds to stretch out on and a couple of dozen people in there. A few people are sitting on the floor on towels and we squish onto two seats when they become available. The overnight spa package we’ve booked includes a 30-minute massage and mine is absolutely wonderful.
Dinner at Café Spice Namaste
Massaged and relaxed we nip up to our very swish rooms to change for the evening. The five-star hotel is new and so the rooms have everything you’d expect in the way of toiletries, Wi-Fi and drinks as well as floor to ceiling windows offering fab views of the London skyline. We head back to St Katherine Docks for pre-dinner mojitos (a Porn Star Martini just didn’t appeal) at the Slug and Lettuce. Dinner is at the friendly and welcoming Café Spice Namaste on Prescot Street, just along from our hotel. I choose a mixed vegetarian starter followed by goan prawn curry and it all tastes divine and is beautifully presented.
Brick Lane market
Breakfast next morning is good but not amazing. We’ve been given a late check-out time of 2pm but all agree that we don’t want to spend any more time in the spa. We resolve to explore the area and so consult my brilliant DK Eyewitness Travel 2014 London guide and decide to walk to Brick Lane Market in Shoreditch.
This vibrant weekend market is at the heart of London’s Bangladeshi community and buzzes with everything from street food vendors to handmade crafts to second hand books and clothes. I’m too full from breakfast to eat anything at the market, unfortunately, but I enjoy wandering around looking at the different stalls and love these foxy handmade scarves:
Brick Lane market. Copyright Gretta Schifano
Whitechapel Gallery
On the way back to the hotel we pop in to the Whitechapel Gallery to see SITUATION, an interesting exhibition by Sarah Lucas. I’m surprised that SITUATION comes with a warning that it’s unsuitable for children: I think it would be fine for kids unless they’d be bothered by seeing a photo of a naked man. I reckon my kids would enjoy this exhibition in a faintly hilarious way, especially the food used to represent genitalia. Anyone for a cucumber sandwich?
The lowdown
We paid £107 per person for a one night spa package at the Grange Tower Bridge hotel including breakfast and a massage. The Whitechapel Gallery is free to enter. The DK Eyewitness Travel 2014 London guide rrp is £14.99 but I was sent a copy to review.
Kirstie says
February 11, 2014 at 8:14 amMade me laugh out loud that you couldn’t afford to make the soup! Nice balanced review. I love St Katherine’s Dock and would consider staying there. Want a fox scarf!
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Gretta Schifano says
February 11, 2014 at 9:02 amI know, I really should have bought all of those scarves to give to people as presents!
Catherine Culmer says
February 2, 2014 at 12:40 pmI adore London.
Cat
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Gem says
January 28, 2014 at 7:28 pmSounds like a lovely weekend! That market sounds like a lot of fun to walk through!
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Trish - Mum's Gone to says
January 26, 2014 at 6:46 pmI saw this post a few days ago and tried to see if the hotel was available for when my hubby and I are having a night in London. Sadly not. Great value for such a super package.
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Gretta Schifano says
January 26, 2014 at 9:55 pmIt was good value – I hope you find somewhere lovely to stay.
Sarah Ebner says
January 24, 2014 at 11:33 amYou should have dropped by! I work right near St Katherine’s Dock and think it’s a great place with a lively atmosphere (except when you’re walking to walk at 8am on a Sunday morning). Sounds terrific fun. Lucky you!
Gretta Schifano says
January 24, 2014 at 10:28 pmI didn’t know you worked near there – I’ll have to come another time!
model mummy says
January 22, 2014 at 9:24 pmGretta i adore all of your posts.
Exactly what i have just told my sister to arrange for my hen night. Lovely hotel, nice meal – cocktails! classy.
Gretta Schifano says
January 23, 2014 at 10:32 amThank you, that’s really lovely of you. I hope you have a fab hen night.
Swazi says
January 22, 2014 at 5:40 pmLiving in London we never stay in the hotels, but this sounds lovely.
We’re having a spa day soon – must remember to blog about it 🙂
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Gretta Schifano says
January 23, 2014 at 10:33 amYou definitely should blog about it – where are you going?
Vicky says
January 22, 2014 at 3:11 pmThis sounds so great! When I think of London I think busy and bustling – I forget it’s not all city center. The places you visited look divine – and I’m glad you had a wonderful time x
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Gretta Schifano says
January 23, 2014 at 10:34 amLondon’s so huge that there’s something for everyone really!
Mrs. Chasing the Donkey says
January 22, 2014 at 2:50 pmI have not (yet) ventured to any of these places…. but I am pinning for later as I think I should. (Also, if you care too, I run a travel linky each Sunday, you may love to link up of your wonderful travel tales)
Gretta Schifano says
January 23, 2014 at 10:34 amOh thank you, I’ll pop over and look.
Emmys Mummy says
January 22, 2014 at 7:50 amLooks like a wonderful weekend 🙂
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Gretta Schifano says
January 22, 2014 at 12:35 pmIt was very relaxing – and lovely to spend time with old friends.
Kara says
January 22, 2014 at 7:28 amTrying to find somewhere to stay with the children when I go to britmums – sadly a bit pricey for us but it looks lovely
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Gretta Schifano says
January 22, 2014 at 12:36 pmWe found it on a last minute booking website but then actually got a better price by booking direct with the hotel. I hope you find somewhere reasonable.
Sarah Bailey says
January 22, 2014 at 2:26 amI have not been to London in ages, and I often forget about all the wonderful things to do, I love all the little (ok big) markets. x
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Gretta Schifano says
January 22, 2014 at 12:44 pmI know, markets are great as there’s always something different to see.
Shell Louise says
January 21, 2014 at 10:47 pmThis sounds great, I’d love to a mini break in London.
Alison Perry says
January 21, 2014 at 10:05 pmAhh I like St Katherine’s Dock. My office is a 10 min walk away so I really should go more often.
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Gretta Schifano says
January 22, 2014 at 12:45 pmYou’re in a great spot there, but it can be hard to get out and about when you’re busy at work!
Nell@PigeonPairandMe.com says
January 21, 2014 at 8:41 pmWow, that sounds like a really good deal – some friends of mine have been trying to get a spa stay for us all recently, and this compares favourably with the one they went for, price-wise. Thanks for the tip about the Whitechapel Gallery. I might just take Austin and Gwen along one afternoon – sounds lots of fun!
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Gretta Schifano says
January 21, 2014 at 9:02 pmI hope you find somewhere lovely for your spa stay and enjoy the Whitechapel Gallery. Their exhibitions change and I think there’s one about collage on now.
anna says
January 21, 2014 at 8:16 pmsounds relaxing 🙂 I used to spend loads of time in whitechapel (nowhere as posh as hotel and spa though!) but not been there for ages, as we are west london now so it seems so far away!
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Gretta Schifano says
January 21, 2014 at 9:02 pmI know what you mean – London’s so huge!
mellissa williams says
January 21, 2014 at 6:59 pmThat’s a great price for a break in London
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Gretta Schifano says
January 21, 2014 at 7:19 pmI think we got a good deal especially as it included a fabulous massage.
Lil says
January 21, 2014 at 5:54 pmLooks like you had a great trip. We love the London markets, there’s so much individuality.
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Gretta Schifano says
January 21, 2014 at 7:20 pmI know, it’s great to see some things on sale which are different from the usual high street offerings.
Mammasaurus says
January 21, 2014 at 5:25 pmOh its been ages since I visited London and a good market!
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Gretta Schifano says
January 21, 2014 at 7:25 pmI love a good market too, you never know what you might find!
Ninja Cat says
January 21, 2014 at 4:38 pmI love London. I love the area around Katherines Dock ! . thank you for the recommendation of a Spa just what I am looking for.
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Gretta Schifano says
January 21, 2014 at 7:22 pmI’m sure there are better spas in London but this one was OK.
Louisa says
January 21, 2014 at 4:34 pmI’m going to London for a weekend soon so will be looking for things to do. We’re stopping at a spa hotel too, I super excited! Your weekend looks lovely.
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Gretta Schifano says
January 21, 2014 at 7:22 pmIt was great. Where are you going to stay?
oana79 says
January 21, 2014 at 4:28 pmThe idea of a weekend away with friends and a massage sounds blissful! I chuckled at the idea of food used at genitalia, contemporary art :-)…
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Gretta Schifano says
January 21, 2014 at 7:23 pmIt was an interesting exhibition and I think the kids would have enjoyed it too.
Tanya says
January 21, 2014 at 4:21 pmI really need to do a weekend break with my friends! it is so overdue.. and London would be my first choice.. such a beautiful city.
Gretta Schifano says
January 21, 2014 at 7:24 pmI hope you manage to arrange something fun. It’s lovely getting away with friends.
Fritha says
January 21, 2014 at 3:23 pmlooks like a fantastic weekend away, I love city breaks! need to go to london again soon! x
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Gretta Schifano says
January 21, 2014 at 3:29 pmI know, it’s great to have a night away.
Jen Walshaw (@Mum_TheMadHouse) says
January 21, 2014 at 3:18 pmLondon is MIni’s favorite place in the whole wide world. I am not a fan of spa’s at all. Must put Brick Lane on our next visit itinerary
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Gretta Schifano says
January 21, 2014 at 3:29 pmI think kids would enjoy Brick Lane as there’s so much to look at.
Janie says
January 21, 2014 at 1:27 pmSounds like a wonderful weekend. & definitely sold on The Boat House after that story about the soup! I reckon my eldest would get the Sarah Lucus; I’d probably leave the younger 2 in case they ruined our experience with their constant poking of things though …
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Gretta Schifano says
January 21, 2014 at 3:30 pmThe soup there was really good and it’s in a lovely spot on the dock.
MummyNeverSleeps says
January 21, 2014 at 12:54 pmOoh a weekend in the city to explore sounds like bliss. Pre-baby I never made the most of London, will have to explore it together when he’s a bit older 🙂
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Gretta Schifano says
January 21, 2014 at 3:31 pmThere’s so much to do there with or without kids in tow but it was lovely just being with friends.
Em @ snowingindoors says
January 21, 2014 at 12:30 pmWorth the trip to get one of those awesome fox scarves!!
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Gretta Schifano says
January 21, 2014 at 3:32 pmI know, I wish I’d bought one. Maybe I’ll go back and see if there are any left!
suzanne3childrenandit says
January 21, 2014 at 12:08 pmNow that I am older and london as become a place of my past (used to live there in my early twenties) I love a weekend break there, or even a night out! I have never been to any of the places you mention – St Katherine’s Dock looks like a must-visit!
Gretta Schifano says
January 21, 2014 at 3:33 pmI lived in London in my twenties too but never went to the area we stayed in on this trip. It was good to explore somewhere different.
Mummy of Two says
January 21, 2014 at 12:01 pmSounds like a lovely getaway!
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Gretta Schifano says
January 21, 2014 at 3:33 pmIt was great, very relaxing.
Hellie's Corner says
January 21, 2014 at 11:50 amI love those knitted foxes. London is such a great place for a mini break, there is always something to do.
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Gretta Schifano says
January 21, 2014 at 3:34 pmThere really is. even though I often pop to London for the day or the evening I rarely stay there so this was a real treat.
Jenni says
January 21, 2014 at 11:48 amI love many of these places from living in London, but we actually stayed in St Katherines Dock for a holiday when I was a child and I still remember it.
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Gretta Schifano says
January 21, 2014 at 3:35 pmWow, that’s really interesting. I wonder how different it is from when you stayed there.
Nicola Baird says
January 20, 2014 at 6:07 pmI do so many weekend mini breaks in the city with my kids – went to Dr Johnson’s house off Fleet Street to see the dictionary at the weekend… marvellous. But where are those amazing foxy scarves? Do you remember the shop or do I have to try and knit them myself? Nicola
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Gretta Schifano says
January 20, 2014 at 8:38 pmThey’re great aren’t they? They were on a stall in the covered part of Brick Lane market. You have to send me a picture if you knit one yourself!