There are a lot of good hotels in London.
There is, however, only one Good Hotel – and it lives up to its name in more than one way.
Dedicated to supporting the local community, they employ local designers and tradesmen; donate to charities at home and abroad; and are committed to providing long-term training and job opportunities for the unemployed. And besides all that, they offer stylish, pared-back sleeping quarters; ample workspaces; and a sprawling rooftop bar.
Which is made all the nicer for the fact that the entire hotel is afloat on the Thames.
Step aboard…
THE LOCATION
We’ll level with you. Silvertown and the Royal Victoria docks are not the most hip happening place. London cabbies will stare, wide-eyed in fear. However, despite – and perhaps by virtue of – being in London’s more industrial, developing quarters, the connections into the city proper are solid (and definitively the most hilarious modes of transport; i.e. the driverless theme park trains that make up the DLR, and London’s only river-traversing cable cars).
It’s also conveniently close to London’s business district, Canary Wharf; and there’s local treasures to be found too. Hop across the river to Greenwich for the covered market, sprawling parks and observatory, or nip along to Trinity Buoy Wharf, home to London’s only lighthouse, unusual arts events and a parkour academy. Make sure you stop off for burgers and shakes in the transplanted 1940s New Jersey diner trailer Fatboy’s before you go.
THE ROOMS
In keeping with their humble ethic, the rooms here are clean, spruce and pared-back, whilst remaining unequivocally stylish. Expect Japanese-meets-Scandi chic, with minimalist lines, dinky decorative touches and clever uses of space (the bathroom door doubles as the shower door); but if you’re heading for a longer stay, consider plumping for the Corner Room – a much bigger home for the night, with a king-sized bed. And be assured, there’s no need to find your sea legs before bedding down – this whole place is steady as a rock.
THE FOOD & DRINK
Here, you can start the day with a continental breakfast buffet served up in the vast, airy lounge; or, start it a little later with a cooked breakfast served at any time of the day. The kitchens here are helmed by Spanish chef Miguel, who plates up tapas-influenced dishes throughout the day, ranging from salads to sharing plates of comfort food, and there’s also a coffee and booze bar open till 11pm.
If you’re heading back to dry land for the evening, take a peek at Pizza Pilgrims’ latest joint – a two-storey affair housed in a listed former dock warehouse, boasting a riverside terrace and a subterranean games room complete with Nintendo switch and giant table football.
THE AMENITIES
The sprawling communal ‘living room’ is the hub of the hotel, where you’re encouraged to work, eat and play; it’s fitted with free wifi throughout and they seem to actively enjoy people plugging into their laptops and taking up space for hours on end. Plus, in sunnier climes they also open up their roof garden, from which you can enjoy unobstructed views along the Thames with a glass of cool vino in hand…
Just make sure you get in there quickly – the Hotel’s sailing back to Amsterdam in 4 years.
NOTE: Rooms at the Good Hotel start from £53 a night. To find out more and reserve, take a look at their website HERE. Please also note that the rooftop is only open in the warmer months.
Good Hotel | Western Gateway, Royal Victoria Dock, E16 1FA
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