The more you know about Ten Trinity Square in advance of your stay, the deeper of an appreciation you’ll have for every detail inside.
Ten Trinity Square
The Beaux-Arts building is one of London’s most important, initially constructed in the early 1920s as the headquarters of the Port of London Authority. Here hundreds of people per day would enter to pay duties on goods that arrived in the port.
Before this, Ten Trinity Square was the site of a 17th-century building by Christopher Wren that housed a division of the Royal Navy. In the 18th century, it was a warehouse for the East India Company.
The luxury hotel’s construction involved consulting experts and archeologists to preserve the building’s heritage and painstakingly restore some original features. New accents pay tribute to its maritime history and other momentous occasions that include hosting the inaugural reception of the first UN General Assembly meeting.
A favorite feature includes the arrow marker near the entrance, marking the distance an arrow from the Tower of London could travel. Back in the day, you’d always want to be sure to stay on the safe side of the marker. Only 22 of these remain in London today. Every year they’re visited during a traditional Beating of the Bounds ceremony by Tower of London Yeoman. They’re joined by local community members and children who carry sticks to ceremoniously “beat” each marker.
Why We Love This Location
My husband worked not too far from the hotel (we used to live in London), so we’ve spent quite a bit of time in this part of town. It is a bit southeast of London’s main tourist hubs of Mayfair and Soho, but this shouldn’t discourage you. This is a walking city, and you’re going to take the Tube or a taxi at some point anyway. Plus, there is a lot to do in within walking distance.
The Tower Hill Tube station, where the Circle and District lines stop, is right next door to Ten Trinity Square. There’s no need to change trains to get to Westminster, Victoria, Sloane Square (for Chelsea and Sloane Avenue shopping), Notting Hill and other favorite spots. I would say it takes maybe 20-30 minutes by Tube to reach West End shopping, depending on where you’re going. Truthfully, it might take you just as long from Mayfair especially if your walk to a Tube stop is longer (common).
Find the Tower of London, one of London’s most popular attractions, across the street. Spy the Tower Bridge off in the distance. Walk across the river to the Tate Modern, Shard or Borough Market (please don’t miss the latter, I love it).
Speaking of markets, there are five within walking distance of Four Seasons Ten Trinity including Leadenhall Market (10 minutes) and Old Spitalfields Market (15 minutes), two of my favorites. We also walked to Brick Lane (20 minutes) for the market and a curry. I would otherwise take the Tube to these places.
The Room
I booked in with a Four Seasons Preferred Partner rate, so we were upgraded into an Executive Room, which had plenty of space, a huge bathroom, and a little office nook.
It’s a historic building so each room, I believe, is ever so slightly different in layout.
The carpet’s wavy pattern is a nod to fish netting, representing the building’s maritime history. Some rooms have a (luxe) ships’ cabin also feel with Art Deco accents. The rooms are spacious by London standards.
I loved the bathroom.
We’d receive little treats in our room every so often that were incredible.
Delicious Dining
With a kid feeling under the weather, we ate a lot of room service at the beginning of our stay. And, that was no hardship with English classics like fish and chips on the menu.
Michelin-starred La Dame de Pic is the first UK restaurant by Chef Anne-Sophie Pic, the only current French female chef to be awarded three Michelin stars. Its where we ate breakfast, and while the decor is stunning, it’s meant to be casually elegant and approachable with local, seasonal French cuisine prepared with her unique methods.
Mei Ume offers a menu of both of Chinese cuisine and Japanese cuisine. Their claim to fame is the best Peking duck in London in addition to a fantastic sushi bar.
The Rotunda Lounge is where all-day dining including afternoon tea happen. We were also frequent patrons of the gelato cart.
Also impressive are the stone carvings on the walls surrounding the rotunda that pay tribute to essential trading partners from Canada to India and other historical facts that are relevant to the building’s history.
I would also highly recommend pulling a stool up to the Art Deco Rotunda Bar for a craft cocktail.
Spa and Fitness
The 18,000-square-foot, Roman-inspired spa includes a hammam, sauna and nail salon in addition to a gorgeous, 14-meter pool. (Remnants of the original Roman Wall can be seen within a short walking distance of Four Seasons Ten Trinity.)
Good to Know
When considering which room to book, look at maximum occupancy. Families of three or four need an Executive Room or larger. It’s rare that London hotels have rooms to accommodate two adults and two kids.
The hotel does offer an array of kids amenities like welcome gifts, robes, slippers, and cribs. Four Seasons overall are incredibly kid-friendly which is why we stay in so many.
If you would like to book in with Four Seasons Preferred Partner benefits, send us your dates.
Four Seasons Hotel London at Ten Trinity Square
10 Trinity Square
London
EC3N 4AJ
+44 (0) 20 3297 9200
