Review: Andaz London Liverpool Street

Andaz London Liverpool Street is the original Andaz property, having opened in 2007. Its location on the boundary of the City of London and East London makes it an ideal base for exploring the city.

I often stay with friends when visiting London; however, this time, I decided to forego my usual plans and review one of the city’s better-rated hotels, while making progress towards toward re-qualifying for Hyatt Globalist status.

Andaz London Liverpool Street – Booking

Hyatt is one of the only hotel rewards programs to stick to a published award chart with prescribed redemption prices for hotels.

Andaz London Liverpool Street is a Category 5 property within World of Hyatt, which means a standard room redemption costs 20,000 Word of Hyatt points per night. Peak and off-peak pricing will cost 23,000 and 17,000 points, respectively.

For my two-night stay at the Andaz London Liverpool Street, I redeemed 20,000 World of Hyatt points per night at the standard rate.

Cash rates at the property typically fall in the range of £300–450 ($490–740 CAD).

We value World of Hyatt points at 1.9 cents/point (CAD), and given the prevailing cash rate, redeeming Hyatt points was indeed the most discerning option.

If you’re booking a cash rate at Andaz London Liverpool Street, be sure to get in touch with a travel advisor with access to Hyatt Privé, Hyatt’s preferred partner program.

You’ll pay the same as the publicly available refundable rate, but you’ll get extra perks such as free breakfast, a $100 (USD) property credit, a room upgrade, and more.

Andaz London Liverpool Street – Location

Andaz London Liverpool Street is situated in the northeastern corner of the City of London, the capital’s financial district. It’s approximately one mile north of the notable London Bridge.

The Andaz is within easy walking distance of several key sights and vibrant neighbourhoods. St. Paul’s Cathedral and The Museum of London can both be reached in about 20 minutes on foot, while Shoreditch and East London are just a 10-minute walk away.

While many of London’s most popular tourist attractions are generally located in Central London or the West End, the Andaz is well-connected to these areas by public transportation. The hotel is located just a few steps from Liverpool Street Station, a major transportation hub in the city.

There’s ample connectivity on a series of underground and train lines from the hotel, including the Elizabeth Line, London Overground, and Central, Circle, Hammersmith & City, and Metropolitan tube lines.

You can reach popular attractions, such as Buckingham Palace, the British Museum, and the Tower of London, by tube in about 20–30 minutes from Liverpool Street Station.

From London Heathrow Airport to Liverpool Street Station on the Elizabeth Line, it’s about a 40-minute journey. In comparison, it’s about an hour and a half journey to the hotel by vehicle or Uber.

For travel to and from London Gatwick Airport, the Gatwick Express or Thameslink trains may be your best, bringing you to Victoria or Farringdon Station respectively and then making the rest of the journey by tube.

London Stansted Airport might be the most convenient airport if you’re staying at the Andaz, as the Stansted Express trains depart directly from Liverpool Street Station and complete the journey in 50 minutes. 

Andaz London Liverpool Street – Check-In

The hotel’s Victorian brick façade dates back to the construction of the Great Eastern Hotel in 1884, and maintains a historic charm that’s hard to miss. The entrance to Andaz London Liverpool Street sits directly on Liverpool Street.

Stepping inside the timeless edifice, the lobby is notably influenced by the city’s industrial heritage, which has been modernized to have a contemporary feel.

At the far end of the lobby lounge, you’ll find an eclectic mix of vibrant, plush furnishings that are paired with striking artistic murals on the walls.

The hotel’s front desk sits at the centre of the lobby, a sleek and modern contrast to the flair of the seating area. You’ll notice the “GEH” design near the ceiling here, paying homage to the property’s history as the Great Eastern Hotel.

True to its laid-back approach to luxury, guests at this Andaz property are assisted by front desk associates with iPads who roam the lobby, rather than a traditional check-in process.

As we began the check-in process, my Hyatt Globalist status was acknowledged, and I was treated to a voucher for two complimentary drinks.

Furthermore, I was generously upgraded to an Andaz Large Suite, which is one of the hotel’s premium suites, thanks to a bit of “suite-talking” prior to arrival.

I made my way to the ground floor elevators and rode up to the third floor, where my not-so-humble abode for the next two nights, Room 302, awaited me.

Each floor of the building features a contemporary atrium with a unique, circular cut-out allowing for views into the lobby below. The guest room hallways certainly were more muted than the dynamic lobby, a theme that carried into the guest rooms.

Andaz London Liverpool Street – Andaz Large Suite

The Andaz Large Suite is extremely spacious, with a separate bedroom, living room, and work area. As you step into the suite, the living area is at the forefront.

The interiors feature grey and black walls and stark contemporary lighting, as well as some traditional English elements. Touches of creativity can be seen in the graffiti artwork hung around the suite, which represents the vibrancy of the nearby Shoreditch neighbourhood.

In the far left-hand corner, there’s a large, plush L-shaped couch flanked by two mismatched side tables and a small coffee table in front. One side table was proactively set with a complimentary bottle of wine upon my arrival, and I also found some chocolates waiting for me.

A flat-screen TV is mounted to the adjacent wall, and can fold outwards for a better viewing experience.

A circular dining table with seating for three sits in the right-hand corner.

At the back, the living area opens up to a small hallway which leads to the bedroom.

There’s a bespoke desk with a leather upholstered chair and a playful cabinet. Here, you’ll find a Nespresso coffee maker, a selection of tea, and a bottle of still spring water.

Additionally, the suite had a well-stocked minibar, and all items were complimentary. This is a major perk of staying with the Andaz brand, as you typically pay a premium for minibar items at luxury hotels.

The fridge was stocked with apple juice, orange juice, sparkling water, still water, and soda. In the drawer, there was a bag of potato chips and chocolate chip cookies.

Naturally, I helped myself to the chips and cookies, as well as orange juice and still and sparkling water, on both nights.

Stepping into the bedroom, the hardwood floors turn into a pinstripe carpet, a nod to the traditional uniforms of London bankers.

The bedroom boasts a spacious layout, featuring a comfortable king bed with a chic upholstered headboard. The bed is accompanied by small floating side tables and stylish hanging lighting fixtures.

On the left-hand side of the room is an eccentric armchair and a large side table.

Heading into the bathroom, I was met with a contemporary aesthetic, with striking white brick patterned walls and a bold black-and-white colour scheme.

A walk-in rain shower is immediately in front as you enter the bathroom. The toilet and an alcove tub sit towards the left-hand wall, and a single vanity is in the centre.

Overall, I was very pleasantly surprised with this suite upgrade. The rooms were designed to blend the hotel’s rich history and heritage with the lively and creative atmosphere of Shoreditch.

The result is an industrial vibe with contemporary artwork, plenty of space, and an overall comfortable atmosphere.

In addition, the bathroom boasts a sleek modern design that I found particularly appealing. The shower had excellent water pressure, and the bathtub’s elegant circle-shaped tap dispenses water in a very graceful manner.

Andaz London Liverpool Street – Large King Room

I also had the opportunity to view a few other room types at the hotel: the base-level Queen Room, the King Room, and the Large King Room. 

The Large King Room that I visited was one of the more spacious ones, complete with a lofted ceiling and a king bed that features a bench at its foot. 

Opposite the bed, a flat-screen TV is mounted on the wall.

The room is equipped with a desk and chair situated on the right-hand side of the room. Large floor-to-ceiling windows allow natural light to pour into the room.

The interior design and décor were in keeping with the Andaz Large Suite, although this particular room was also made more impressive by its lofted ceiling.

The bathroom was essentially identical to the Andaz Large Suite I stayed in.

Andaz London Liverpool Street – Queen Room

The Queen Room is the standard base-level room that the hotel offers, with a similar layout to the Large King Room, albeit with half the size.

The room was fitted with a queen bed and the armchair was placed in the far right corner, adjacent to the desk. The flat-screen TV is positioned on the wall opposite the bed.

The bathroom layout varied, with the walk-in shower on the right-hand side. Additionally, there was a single vanity and toilet with no alcove tub.

Andaz London Liverpool Street – King Room

The King Room is one step above the base-level Queen Room, and mirrors it in terms of its layout and amenities. There’s a comfortable king bed, a desk, an armchair, a flat-screen TV and an identical bathroom.

However, in this particular room, there’s a distinctive curved wall with windows, which is a nice standout feature.

All the suites and room types here at the Andaz London Liverpool Street have a cohesive identity in terms of their design. It’s worth noting that due to the unique structure of the building, each room in a category can be different.

I’d recommend asking for the rooms on the first three floors, which are more spacious. The rooms on the sixth floor have a sloped ceiling and tend to be less popular.

Furthermore, as I explored these different room types, I noted that the building is a lot more interesting on the inside than it might initially appear from the outside.

The Andaz London Liverpool Street is a historic building that has been thoughtfully expanded with modern additions. This has resulted in a unique layout that includes winding catwalks, open atriums, and staircases that connect the various sections of the property.

Andaz London Liverpool Street – Breakfast

Andaz London Liverpool Street offers a fairly generous breakfast benefit for Globalist members. Breakfast is served buffet-style in either 1901 Ballroom or à la carte in Rake’s Café, where Globalist members get two entrées.

I popped into 1901 Ballroom on my first morning. The room is enormous, with elegant high ceilings and a stunning stained glass dome.

Aside from breakfast, this venue is only open occasionally for events.

At the buffet, there was a good selection of fresh pastries, seasonal fresh fruit, and berries.

There was a traditional European breakfast spread of meats, cheeses, and vegetables. You’ll also find bacon, sausage, hash browns and scrambled eggs, and for guests who don’t eat meat, there were a good number of vegetarian options, including vegetarian sausages, mixed vegetables, and baked beans.

The buffet also had a salad bar with a wide range of accompaniments, and a chia pudding station.

Lastly, there was complimentary coffee and tea, as well as a juice station with vegetable juices and smoothies. Guests were provided with their own French press at the table, which I thought was an awesome touch.

The Andaz offers a solid buffet spread, on par with many of the breakfast spreads I’ve encountered at other Andaz properties around the globe.

What’s more, it’s rare to find a hotel that offers not one, but two dining options for breakfast, making the Andaz London Liverpool Street truly stand out in this department.

Unfortunately, I didn’t get a chance to try the à la carte breakfast at Rake’s Café, as it only opens at 8:30am and I needed to depart early on the second day. However, I certainly hope to return in the future to give it a try.

Andaz London Liverpool Street – Dining

There is an impressive number of dining and drinking venues at the hotel, which was another pleasant surprise for me.

In addition to 1901 Wine Lounge and Rake’s Café Bar, there’s Lady Abercorn’s Pub & Kitchen, The Eastway Brasserie, and Miyako.

1901 Wine Lounge is open for occasional events during the day, and serves as a wine bar in the evening.

Both Lady Abercorn’s and Rake’s Café Bar are charming and historic establishments with panelled walls and crafted Victorian ceilings.

Lady Abercorn’s offers a variety of local beers, wines, and spirits with traditional pub fare. The venue got quite noisy during my stay when the England vs. France World Cup match was on. 

As the name might suggest, Rake’s Café Bar is a café by day and bar at night, with comfort food, coffee, and a specially crafted cocktail menu.

The Eastway Brasserie is accessible outside the hotel or via an incredibly large stairwell. The environment is classy, with dark wooden touches, pine green columns, and brown leather chairs.

Miyako is the hotel’s Japanese restaurant, and has an intimate setting with less than 20 seats. The restaurant offers an authentic Japanese dining experience with a traditional menu of sushi, sashimi, teriyaki, and sake.

Additionally, the hotel offers a wine hour from 6–7pm, along with some evening canapés for all guests in the Andaz Lounge, which is the hotel’s lobby.

This reminded me of the Andaz Tokyo Toranomon Hills, and it’s an amenity that is truly above and beyond, since it’s available for all guests staying in the hotel and not just elite guests.

There’s also coffee, juice, and pastries available in the Andaz Lounge in the mornings for all to enjoy. Again, this is very generous on the hotel’s part, which could be a factor in choosing to stay here even if you aren’t a Hyatt loyalist.

Andaz London Liverpool Street – Other Facilities

In terms of the hotel’s other facilities, the hotel has a fitness centre located on the basement floor. The room was adorned with numerous pieces of art and artifacts, enhancing the atmosphere and giving it a unique and artistic feel.

It was a small space but fairly well-equipped for its size, as there was ample cardio equipment, weight machines, and free weights.

Furthermore, during the conversion process from the Grand Eastern Hotel to the Andaz, a masonic temple was discovered within the hotel.

Though it was being repaired during my stay, I found this fascinating and thought it was an incredibly unique element of the hotel. How many hotels do you know that have a masonic temple inside them?

Lastly, the Andaz London Liverpool Street boasts a grand, multi-level atrium with a variety of amenities, including a terrace seating area, pool table, and event space.

Conclusion

The Andaz London Liverpool Street certainly lives up to its reputation as a premium property in the city, and is a true statement piece within the Andaz portfolio.

Straddling the City of London and Shoreditch and drawing inspiration from both, the Andaz exudes a fresh and vibrant atmosphere, yet maintains sophistication with its spacious rooms, grand staircases, and towering ceilings.

The location of the Andaz is indeed a highlight of the property, with easy access to Liverpool Street Station and thus within reach of London’s most popular attractions.

The hotel offers all the modern amenities and top-notch service that guests have come to expect from the Andaz brand, including an impressive set of two breakfast options for Globalist members, as well as morning treats and an evening Happy Hour for all guests.

Moreover, there’s no shortage of dining and drinking options at the hotel, with each venue showcasing the hotel’s rich history in distinct ways.

I had a very enjoyable stay at the Andaz London Liverpool Street, and I look forward to inevitably staying here again in the future, despite the fact that London’s other high-end hotels will certainly be calling my name too.