the bermondsey square hotel

New to Bermondsey — and walkable from
London Bridge — the 1960s design-led, 79-room Bermondsey Square
Hotel is filled with sleek lines and bright colours. Walking into the
large and airy reception-cum-bar area, I felt like I’d walked
straight into something from an Austin Powers movie.

The theme doesn’t stop downstairs,
though, with standard rooms boasting fancy iPod docks, Apple TVs that
connect to laptops and wetroom-style showers. The four loft rooms —
the hotel’s piece de resistance — are named after ladies in 1960s
songs (namely Jude, Lucy, Ruby and Lilly). I stayed in Lilly,
presumably from the 1960s hit Lily the Pink, despite it being
predominantly white in tone: white curtains, white bed, white gadgets
and a white hammock perched on a large balcony offering views of the
square below with its shops, bars and independent cinema. Those lucky
enough to stay in Lucy can also enjoy a private eight-man hot tub on
their own deck.

The hotel has an open-plan bar,
restaurant and shop serving locally sourced food and drink, as well
as events space, including a terrace holding up to 150 people. Best
of all, it’s three-star, so the price tag won’t send your wallet
into a spin.