The Tower Hotel, London – Review
By Roger Crow, September 2025
‘Never judge a book by its cover’, as the old saying goes. And rarely has the old adage been truer than The Tower Hotel in the heart of London.
It opened in September 1973, the same month that one five-year-old kid bawled his eyes out on day one of school. And apparently there were a few hypothetical tears from Londoners in the months and years that followed. In 2006, the hostelry was voted one of the most hated buildings in London according to a BBC poll. Not that we know this going in. I prefer to ignore any reports and make up my own mind, rather than have a head full of other opinions muddying the waters.
Mrs Crow and I approach Tower Bridge, looking for said hotel, not expecting the brutalist architecture on the left to be our destination. But there it is. Blocky, slabby, and initially underwhelming. Then again, when located next to one of the world’s most beautiful landmarks, you’re always going to lose in the aesthetics stakes.
“Iconic”
We find the entrance by the Thames, passing the elegant restaurant Vicinity en route.
Check-in is fast, friendly and efficient, which is what any weary traveller wants after looking round London for the afternoon. Mrs C and I are recovering from the foot-tapping Live Aid musical Just For One Day, a bittersweet affair with a sucker punch middle which left me speechless. What’s needed now is some serious R and R.
I’d been looking forward to this stay for weeks after being offered the chance to review a hotel with a view of Tower Bridge. It had long been on my to-do list. After all, who wouldn’t want to have a room looking out onto one of the world’s most iconic landmarks?
After Dev on the front desk sorts our wooden room keys, the same sort synonymous with the Clermont at Charing Cross where we’d stayed at a few weeks earlier, we track down said room on the fifth floor. (The Tower is part of the Clermont Hotel Group, so I knew we’d be in safe hands after that blissful experience in July).
“Added bonus”
The reveal is as thrilling as expected – and then some. THAT view of Tower Bridge is everything I’d hoped for and more.
It’s a warm August evening, so we’re glad of the cool air con fan as we unpack and drink in the incredible sight. Everything about the room is a joy, from the mini bar with free drinks, to the comfortable bed, posh pod-based coffee maker, as well as kettle with a selection of teas, sachet coffees and UHT milk cartons as standard.
There’s a great TV should you want to just crash out with a cuppa or something stronger. A strange lack of USB ports though, so best to take a plug or two for charging phones and tablets.
The bathroom is impressive, with a phone by the loo, which seems a tad retro, and a terrific bath, with easy-to-use shower. Complimentary toothbrushes and toothpaste too, which is an added bonus. I like the shampoo, but Mrs C absolutely loves it. She has an almost forensic approach to finding just the right stuff for her luxurious locks, so extra points on that front.
There’s everything you need after a hard day tackling the crowds, and a nice iron for getting those wrinkles out of crumpled clothes ahead of a night on the town. But like moths to a flame, everything comes back to THAT vista.
“Recharge the personal batteries”
I’m not sure how many videos, photos and stop-motion clips I take during our stay, but it’s not enough. The exterior may not be loved by some, but on the inside looking out? It’s hands down one of the best views I’ve seen during my assorted stays in the smoke over the years. And that’s exactly what you need to recharge the personal batteries, even if it’s just for one day.
After freshening up, we head down to Vicinity at 7pm for dinner, where an excellent team show us to THE best alfresco spot. By an elegant fire pit in the table, we enjoy drinks, fabulous nachos, moreish mac and cheese bites, and delicious burgers. Mine is a good old bacon cheeseburger, while Rachel’s veggie burger also gets a big thumbs up. After a great margarita, I also savour a beer, and yes, the flickering flames behind it mean I have to take a dozen more pics at least.
While the sun goes down, we can’t enough of the scenery. It’s a balmy evening, and as we soak up Tower Bridge at twilight, this is easily in the top three of greatest evening meals with the best view. It takes a couple of hours for us to even get close to saturation point, and of course what’s needed after a delicious, filling dinner, is a walk across that bridge.
I can only imagine the reception said structure must have received in 1894, when it was finally completed after eight years of construction. Designed by Horace Jones, this magnet for tourists around the globe is one of the wonders of Blighty, and little wonder a default for any filmmaker needing an establishing shot of the capital, whether in one of John Wayne’s final films, Brannigan 50 years ago, or more recent blockbusters like Spider-Man: Far From Home.
“Fabulous room”
So, after a few more photo ops, it’s back to the hotel via one of the many local shops to pick up chocolate and milk. Yes, there’s no shortage of local amenities, but the hostelry also has an on-site shop if you don’t fancy venturing out.
‘When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life,” is one of those quotes that always returns to me during every stay in the city. And Samuel Johnson’s 1777 classic never feels truer than today.
The exterior of The Tower Hotel’s main building may not be elegant, but the interior is a far richer, infinitely more rewarding experience. It’s one of those times I don’t want to sleep because of what’s outside the window, though a fabulous room ensures we feel at home during a brief stay. And the external noise levels are minimal, which is a major bonus.
The next morning, we head for breakfast at 9, which is suggested should be the quieter period. Not a bit of it. The dining area on the upper floor is heaving with punters and staff, and little wonder. I enjoy a terrific buffet of bacon, sausages, beans, eggs, toast, coffee, juice and a lovely view of Katharine’s Dock. Rachel’s veggie version isn’t bad either.
“Quality”
With a heavy heart, we return to the room to pack up, and eventually check out at 11am on the dot, which is when our stay officially runs out.
Naturally there’s plenty to do on the doorstep, from river cruises to a trip sightseeing up the Shard, which has long been in my to-do list. And that doesn’t disappoint either, once you get past the vertiginous views.
From that God’s eye view, I look down at our slabby home for the night with a warm, fuzzy feeling. I’ve already considered returning to The Tower Hotel for my birthday next summer, because prices aren’t as extreme as I’d expected. In fact, given the quality of the experience, the great food and amenities, and the calibre of staff, this jewel in the crown of the local area is absolutely priceless.
Prices start from £170 based on two sharing week commencing 29th September. To book visit www.towerhotellondon.com or call 020 7523 5063.
The hotel is currently running an exclusive NFL package, including a stay for two, breakfast for £10pp and beer and a burger or pizza and prosecco to pre-game the NFL in London this October. Prices start at £216 for the ultimate game-day stay.
Adopted Yorkshireman Roger Crow developed a passion for film and TV in the 1970s and 1980s. He has been a published film and TV reviewer since the 1990s; a world travel and restaurant critic since the noughties, and for the past decade has assessed the pros and cons of live gigs and theatre productions around the UK. His ideal day would involve reviewing a performance of Bat Out of Hell, followed by a Pad Thai while being serenaded by Texas on a cruise around Europe.
crowsfeat.com
At a Glance
- Location: Beside Tower Bridge and St Katharine Docks
- Vibe: Brutalist exterior, superb bridge and riverside views
- Rooms: Bridge-view options; minibar; coffee maker; comfy beds
- Dining & drinks: Vicinity – alfresco spots with fire-pit tables
- Stand-outs: Iconic outlook; quiet rooms; friendly, efficient check-in
- Good to know: Limited USB points – bring plugs for charging
- Nearby: Tower of London; river cruises; The Shard (viewing platform)
- Transport: Near Tower Hill (Tube) and Tower Gateway (DLR)
Pros & Cons
- Pros: Unbeatable Tower Bridge views; central riverside location; lively terrace dining; quiet rooms; helpful staff.
- Cons: Brutalist façade divides opinion; few in-room USB ports.
The Tower Hotel – FAQs
Is The Tower Hotel next to Tower Bridge?
Yes. The hotel sits beside Tower Bridge with many rooms and terraces overlooking the landmark and the Thames.
Which rooms have Tower Bridge views?
Selected room types face Tower Bridge or the river. Check room descriptions and request a bridge-view room when booking.
Where can guests eat on site?
Vicinity serves casual dishes and drinks with alfresco seating and fire-pit tables, ideal for sunset bridge views.
Is the location good for sightseeing?
Excellent. The Tower of London, St Katharine Docks and river cruises are on the doorstep; The Shard is a short hop away.
How do I get there by public transport?
The nearest stations are Tower Hill (District/Circle lines) and Tower Gateway (DLR). River services operate from nearby piers.
Does the hotel have shops or amenities nearby?
Yes. There’s an on-site shop, plus supermarkets and convenience stores around St Katharine Docks.
