Andaz London Liverpool Street review: contemporary minimalism meets creative spirit

London in a heatwave is a delight if you are one of the few lucky residents with a pass to a lido or a rooftop pool. But for those of us who missed out on a highly-coveted ticketed timeslot, finding somewhere to cool off this summer has proved something of a challenge.

Hiding out in the Hyatt hotel group’s Andaz London Liverpool Street is highly recommended. Whether it’s for a quick pit stop in one of the establishments five bars and restaurants, or an overnight respite in a serenely air-conditioned room, the team behind this impressive 267-room operation pull out all the stops to ensure visitors find the solace they’re after.

Why stay here

If you often travel to and from east London, it’s highly likely that you’ve passed the Andaz London. Spread across an expansive site, the entrance is a stone’s throw from Liverpool Street station – or you can do as I did, and get a little lost in this rabbit’s warren of a building to make your way to reception through one of the dining outlets that sit across the ground floor.

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Guests can expect a five-star greeting on arrival, with a glass of Prosecco making the very smooth check-in process that little bit more relaxing. The lobby, I should also stress, is not a lobby; the Andaz Lounge is flamboyantly decorated, with bold colours, statement lighting and elegant seating areas. A quick trip in the lift takes guests to the Guggenheim-esque Gallery, adorned with works from local east London artists. Less dramatic corridors lead from this impressive space to the rooms.

While the communal areas offer bold design features, the rooms are on the more minimalistic side – although double height ceilings and windows (and the huge curtains that come with them) make it impossible to forget the grandeur of this historic building. The hotel sits on the site of England’s Bethlehem Royal Hospital – or “bedlam” – which first opened in 1247. By 1884, this corner of London was home to one of the capital’s railway hotels, the Great Eastern.

Today’s guests will find all amenities to hand, with a comfortable desk and armchair available for working or relaxing, and we settled in quickly with the complimentary mini bar (non alcoholic, for the record) and Nespresso coffee machine. The spacious monochrome bathroom featured both a rainfall shower and a bath that purposely fills quickly – always a good sign.

Guests have 24-hour access to the Health Club, a state of the art fitness space with top of the range equipment. Book in for a personal training session if you prefer to workout in company. Or, if you’d rather exercise in private, you can book a fitness-equipped bedroom which comes with a Peloton bike, dumbbells and yoga mat. A trip to the steam room is recommended after any of those options. If relaxation is more of what you’re after, take a look at the in-room spa treatment menu which features a range of massages and beauty treatments.

Eating and drinking

Guests can enjoy a complimentary drink in the Andaz Lounge every evening of their stay, and I’d recommend taking the opportunity so that you can choose what and where to eat, given the range of options available. We stayed on a Friday, so had the benefit of a DJ setting the scene too.

Whichever eatery you choose, you can be sure of excellent service, delicious drinks and fresh, flavourful food.

Eastway Brasserie is a relaxed restaurant with a crowd-pleasing menu. From mushroom arancini or crispy calamari starters to mains of grilled tiger prawns, currywurst and a rack of lamb, there’s likely to be something to tick each diner’s box. The king prawn and crayfish linguine is a feast. In the mornings, an extensive breakfast buffet is also served here with a delicious offering of fresh fruits, juices, an array of hot and cold foods, and moreish coffee.

Rake’s Café Bar is a more decadent option, serving signature cocktails and a range of small and larger plates in the bright red Parlour, or garden-inspired Front Room. Miyako serves up Japanese food, while Lady Abercorn’s Pub & Kitchen is an upmarket taproom with gastropub favourites.

The 1901 Wine Lounge is the hotel’s newest addition. The dramatic space blends elegant soft furnishings with mirrored tables in a cavernous space dotted with impressive columns.

Out and about

East London can offer something for every type of visitor. If you enjoy indulging in thrift shopping, head straight to Brick Lane. And if your visit falls on a Sunday, it’d be remiss not to join the crowds thronging the Columbia Road flower market – a coffee at Broadway Market is recommended to recuperate.

The popular Sky Garden is a short walk from the hotel, but can quickly get booked out. If you can’t secure a ticket, try The Garden at 120 instead. Just a few minutes around the corner, this open-air rooftop garden offers stunning views and gives visitors the option to enjoy a takeaway beverage during their visit too. Booking isn’t required, and queues tend to move quickly.

If it’s a sunny day, come back down to ground level and seek some shade at St Dunstan in the East church garden. A church first occupied this corner of London in the Saxon era, but several disasters – including the Great Fire of London and the Blitz – have seen it severely damaged. Christopher Wren’s church tower survives, as do several of the impressive walls, but now plants have taken over and grow beautifully throughout the ruins. It’s an idyllic spot to spend a quiet morning, and you’re likely to find yourself among a handful of visitors.

Andaz London Liverpool Street, EC2M 7QN; rooms start from £319; hyatt.com