Canopy by Hilton London City

Complete with panoramic views over the City of London, Canopy by Hilton London City echoes the spirit of one of the capital’s most vibrant neighbourhoods. This is the UK’s first Canopy by Hilton hotel which is set within the multi-million-pound Minories development close to Aldgate station offering the perfect base for design-conscious visitors looking to immerse themselves in London’s East End. The Luxury Editor recently stayed here. Read our review below.

Canopy by Hilton London City opened in 2021 and marked the inaugural launch of Canopy by Hilton in the UK. This 340-room establishment in the Minories development project in Aldgate pays homage to the vibrant local culture of London’s East End. With its commitment to offering refined, boutique lodging experiences, Canopy by Hilton emphasises the essence of the surrounding community designed to reflect the character of its neighbourhood and aims to be an extension of its locality, offering a tranquil space to unwind and rejuvenate, complemented by friendly relaxed service, elegantly comfortable surroundings, and a design that captures the locality’s spirit.

From Corporate Headquarters to Cultural Beacon

The hotel was formally Aon Insurance and occupied the site as its headquarters until 2002, after which the building became unused. To prevent major demolition, the building was repurposed keeping the original structure to meet the requirements of a modern hotel, including the addition of a new section and establishing new public pathways at ground level.

The original facade, characterised by structural concrete fins, was renovated to add insulation and improve energy efficiency. The reimagined cladding, designed to maintain the original pinstripe fin aesthetic, incorporates folded, three-dimensional metal to forge a vibrant identity for the hotel, blending historical and contemporary elements. The facade redesign incorporates seven unique fin shapes, arranged in a diagrid pattern, with varying colours on each fin side to mimic the play of light and shadow, enhancing the visual appeal even on the building’s north side.

The hotel’s interior design and furniture, conceived by ACME, celebrates the East End’s rich history, including its connections to monastic orders, the meat trade, textile craftsmanship, and the arts. Drawing inspiration from the Huguenot silk weavers of the 17th century, the hotel’s guest rooms and dining areas are adorned with floral patterns and fabrics that echo the Huguenots’ weaving techniques. In a nod to Whitechapel’s vibrant contemporary art scene, local artists’ works are featured throughout the hotel’s communal spaces too.

From Medieval Gateway to Modern Cultural Hub

Located in the heart of Aldgate which was once one of the busiest gates of the medieval City of London. It was the heart of the East End and notorious for its slums and Jack the Ripper. Today, it is the eastern part of London’s banking and insurance district and handy for visitors looking to immerse themselves in East End culture. The Tower of London and London Bridge are a short 10-minute walk away, the Barbican Centre 20 minutes in the other direction and the area is peppered with galleries – make sure you have time to visit Whitechapel Gallery it is well worth it. Aldgate Underground station is a two-minute walk from the property which connects with Liverpool Street Station and you can be in central London in about 15 minutes.

Rooms and Suites

340 rooms and suites are located across 11 floors. Ranging from Queen, through to King, Premium, Junior suites and King one-bedroom suites. Spaces are bright and airy with excellent views of the city. Mildly industrial in its finish with fabric walls, exposed ceilings, herringbone flooring, lightweight steel structures for wardrobe space and the signature canopy over each bed, along with a wooden television unit housing a curio of historical local objects. 

Modern Elegance Meets Industrial Chic

During the stay we were in one of their King Rooms which includes a large king bed, writing desk, blackout blinds, 49-inch flatscreen TV, free Nespresso and tea-making facilities. And a generous-sized bathroom.

Bedroom

The large king bed was incredible to sleep on, and there is a selection of plug sockets and light switches on each side of the bed. Across from the bed is a large desk plus a bespoke ‘snuggle chair’. To the right is an open-plan style wardrobe (which upon further reading is a design element that flows through all Canopy by Hilton properties).

View

The view is incredible day and night, this was a front-facing room looking out toward Aldgate Underground Station and there are blackout blinds which was a bonus in the morning.

Bathroom

A large walk-in shower with powerful rain and paddle shower is perfectly complimented by their signature bathroom amenities.

Amenities

Quite a nice touch is the water jug left in rooms, which can be replenished as much as you wish from the water fountains on each guest floor. I was also given a selection of goodies to try out including some rather fun Popcorn Shed which comes in a variety of unusual flavours – including Goats cheese and Bakewell Tart along with a couple of Nio premixed cocktail sachets – just top-up with ice and cheers it is!

From Ground Floor to Skyline, Three Unique Dining Experiences

Three food and drink outlets are on offer in the hotel.

St Clare Coffee and Bar

St. Clare Coffee and Bar is located on the ground floor and is the hub of Canopy Central. Offering a space to welcome guests to work or unwind where you can enjoy locally sourced coffee accompanied by an all-day menu. In the evenings, the Café transforms, presenting tastings that showcase a selection of wine, beer, and spirits from local artisans.

Penny Squares

Penny Squares is the hotel’s private dining and event space. It is also where breakfast is served. The breakfast really set the bar high, with its buffet offering along with a la carte options. You could see and taste the high quality of both the ingredients and the presentation.

Breakfast

Florattica

Saving the best for last – Florattica is located 11 floors up at the top of the building. This beautiful rooftop cocktail bar is elegant and refined, with interiors comprising floral installations inspired by the silk-woven floral patterns created by local 17th-century French Huguenots. Serving a selection of creative cocktails along with a selection of delightful small plates and one of the best views of the city skyline, Florattica should not be missed whether you are staying in the hotel or just visiting the city check yourself in for a cotail here. Florattica is on our list of the best cocktail bars in London.

Final Thoughts

I was unfamiliar with the Canopy by Hilton brand but left impressed, it’s fresh, fun and young at heart with just the right balance of sophistication, quality and service. The property is included in our best hotels in Aldgate guide and cool hotels in London guide.