We recently visited The Ned Hotel in London, and there’s nothing quite like first walking into this particular building. You enter into the delightful surprise of the Banking Trading Hall of the former Midland Bank headquarters and are immediately greeted by the sheer vastness, history, and grandeur of the space.
The stunning architecture and ambiance are breathtaking, and the ground floor is the beating hub of the hotel, with its amazing restaurants, bars, and reception check-in. Their excellent service starts as soon as you enter, and the rest of the hotel experience does not disappoint either with the luxe spa, gym, The Vault bar & nightclub, and the wonderfully comfortable guest rooms.
Location
The Ned London can be found in the vibrant City of London. The hotel enjoys a prime location within close proximity to some of the capital’s most iconic landmarks. Both St. Paul’s Cathedral and the Tower of London are a pleasant stroll away.
Bank underground station lies just steps from the hotel making it a great spot from which to explore the city. Bank Station offers a direct DLR train connection to Canary Wharf and London City Airport, which can be reached in 30 minutes.
Style & Character
The Grade I-listed building itself was designed in 1924 to house Midland Bank. Having stood empty for eight years an extensive renovation led to it re-opening its doors in 2017 as The Ned London.
Stepping into The Ned is akin to entering a bygone era of glamour and sophistication. The grand floor’s majestic architecture, adorned with marble columns and ornate detailing, harkens back to its storied past as a Banking Hall.
Yet, amidst this historical splendor, the hotel seamlessly blends contemporary design alongside its 1920’s and 1930’s glamour. The piece de la resistance of the 3,000 square meter Banking Hall is surely the circular statement podium from which live music is hosted well into an evening.
The elegance, luxury, and a vibe of exclusivity continue throughout the guest rooms, the wellness facilities, and all the many communal areas.
The hotel is vast, and exploring is part of the fun of staying here. One of my favorite facts is why it’s called The Ned, which seemed an unusual name to a hotel geek like myself. The hotel is named after the building’s architect Edwin Lutyens, who was known to his friends as ‘Ned’, history even in the name!
Service & Facilities
For a central London hotel, the facilities are impressive. Space is not an issue here. The basement holds the chic spa and fitness center, which are just as extensive as the choice of restaurants and bars!
In addition to a 20-metre swimming pool, there is a sauna and steam room. The gym takes over several rooms, and there’s a large Studio for classes.
There’s even Ned’s Parlour for ladies and Ned’s Barbershop for the gentlemen to ensure you are camera-ready for your evening’s activities.
For Ned members, there’s also a rooftop space with a heated pool, restaurant, and outdoor terraces. The hotel boasts a private meeting and events floor, too with that sense of history and luxury being more than evident throughout these spaces as well.
The service at The Ned is nothing short of exemplary. We were warmly welcomed upon arrival, and an early check-in that we hadn’t expected was offered with grace.
The concierge team definitely deserves a mention. They were attentive, professional, and very friendly. All our interactions with the team at the spa and across the various restaurants and bars continued to be consistently excellent.
Rooms
Each of The Ned’s 250 rooms and suites reflects the hotel’s fabulous Art Deco heritage, with luxury and comfort paramount. The furnishings are opulent, the bedding is plush, and the amenities are excellent.
All rooms include access to Ned’s Club Gym and Spa and you can enjoy your own mini spa experience in your room with a range of Cowshed products to make good use of.
You can opt for a Cosy Room for a short stay (or perhaps where you want to spend most of your time in the spa or enjoying the ground floor’s establishments!), a Medium Room, or a Large Room.
Opt for a Heritage or Grand Heritage Room to maximize the period features. The impressive Suites range in size as well. A Particular mention must be given to the Terrace Suite, which gives you a stunning 35 square meter terrace, ideal for entertaining before the main event on the ground floor. Opt for a Large Room and upwards for a bath.
Food & Drink
The Ned’s reputation as the place to go for an astonishing array of dining establishments, bars, and live music.
It’s known as THE only place to go in the Financial District, and I can wholeheartedly echo this sentiment. With no less than ten restaurants and bars, this is choice with a capital C!
Choose from classic British fare at Millie’s Lounge to authentic Italian cuisine at Cecconi’s. The culinary offerings are as diverse as they are delicious. With weekly rotating menus and most corners of the globe represented, narrowing down our choice to decide on where to dine was our biggest problem!
We opted for Malibu Kitchen, usually known for its Californian vibes, which was hosting Cantina Mexican, so we feasted on plates of excellent Mexican cuisine, making sure to leave a little space for cocktails afterward.
The Nickel Bar, adjacent to the podium, is a great spot to kick back with a drink, nibbles, listen to live music and people-watch! Open until late, it has a fabulous ambiance and is clearly popular with Londoners and hotel guests.
The bank’s vault has been converted into a cocktail lounge, offering a rather magnificent location for your evening jaunt. Behind a 20-ton, 6.5-foot-wide door, you’ll find several rooms (one of which is still lined with the original safety deposit boxes), a live DJ, and a decedent cocktail bar.
Usually exclusively available to members, guests who book with our luxury travel concierge are entitled to Virtuoso benefits, which include complimentary access to The Vault, an absolute must on a visit to The Ned in my opinion.
Conclusion
The Ned London is a true gem among the city’s luxury hotels, offering a perfect fusion of historical grandeur, contemporary elegance, extensive facilities, and impeccable service.
Every aspect of the hotel is designed to indulge and delight, from its sumptuous accommodations and extensive dining options to that heavenly spa.
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