Apex City of London Hotel, London

The Cranley Report

Apex City of London Hotel

Apex City of London Hotel, London

Hotel Address

No 1 Seething Lane
London
EC3N 4AX

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Cranley Rating

Hotel Entrance

Photo 1 of 20. Click to enlarge

Hotel Summary

Category	Hotel
Awards Won	2008 Visit London Awards Gold winner - Large hotel of the year 2007 'Best Large Hotel' at the Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards. Winner at the ITM Icarus Environmental Awards. HRS Hotel Excellence Award - 'Excellent Social Responsibility-Independent Hotels'. Major Commendation - Business Commitment to the Environment Awards. Bronze Award - Visit London Sustainable Tourism Awards.

Hotel Opened

The hotel opened in 2005 having been converted from an office building that originally opened in 1960

Cranley Summary

The Apex City of London Hotel is located in the heart of London’s business and financial district in the centre of London. The hotel is just a few minutes walk to the Tower of London, Tower Bridge and St. Paul’s Cathedral. Tower Hill and Bank underground stations are approximately a five minute walk from the hotel giving access to wider London areas. In the immediate vicinity of the hotel are restaurants, bars and cafes. Within a five minutes walk are the shops of Fenchurch Street with supermarkets, department stores and pharmacies. The hotel has 130 guestrooms and suites which are spread over seven floors. The rooms are contemporary in design, offer modern up-to-date amenities and include complimentary broadband internet and WiFi connections. Complimentary WiFi is available throughout all the public areas in the hotel. Most ensuite bathrooms offer a separate shower and bath. The hotel has a fine dining restaurant, a bar and a more informal all day restaurant and terrace. The hotel has five conference and meeting rooms, some of which are available for private dining, and a gym for guest use only.

Hotel Location & Layout

Location Description

The Apex City of London Hotel is located in Seething Lane in the heart of London’s business district in the centre of London. Within a 5 minute walk from the hotel are supermarkets, department stores and pharmacies. In the immediate vicinity are restaurants, bars and cafes. The hotel is just a few minutes walk to the Tower of London, Tower Bridge, St. Katherine's Dock and St. Paul’s Cathedral. The London dungeons and many other attractions are all close by and just a short taxi drive away. Tower Hill underground station is a 5 minute walk from the hotel and gives access to the Circle and District lines. Bank underground station is a 5 minute walk from the hotel and gives access to the Northern and Central lines. The Docklands Light Railway runs from Bank and Tower Gateway stations which are a 5 minute walk from the hotel. River boats offering commuting and tour services are accessible from Tower Pier which is a 2 minute walk from the hotel. Heathrow Airport is 31 kilometres by taxi and car with a driving time of approximately 55 minutes. Tower Hill underground station to Paddington Station is approximately 30 minutes. The Heathrow Express takes 15 minutes from Paddington Station to its terminus at Heathrow Airport.

Airports
Distance	11 km
Airport Transfers	Taxi or car journey of approximately 30 minutes

Cities and Sights
Distance	0.9 km
City/Sight Transfers	Approximately a 5 minute walk from the hotel

Layout Description

The Apex City of London Hotel is laid out over seven floors and guests enter the hotel through glass doors and up several stairs into the lobby area. Located near the front entrance is a special needs lift giving wheelchair access to the lobby. The reception desk is immediately opposite the entrance stairway. Turning right at the top of the stairs leads to the hotel's conference and meeting rooms. Turning left leads to the Addendum Restaurant, Addendum Bar, the Brasserie restaurant and terrace which is located below the Addendum Bar. The lifts and stairs are located at the back of the lobby on the Addendum Restaurant side of the reception desk. These lead to all guest room floors including the hotel Gym which is located in the basement.

Lobby & Guest Relations

Open Hours	24 hours
Languages Spoken	Multi-lingual including English, French, German, Italian, Spanish and Russian
Payment Methods	All major credit cards accepted. The hotel does not accept Diners cards. Should guests wish to pay by cheque they should make arrangements with the hotel before arrival.
Foreign Exchange	24 hours. All major currencies accepted.
Taxis Arranged	There is no taxi rank outside hotel. The concierge can book taxis for guests.
Tours Arranged	The Concierge or Guest Services can arrange sightseeing tours of London and the UK. Tours are arranged through an outside company. A private car service is available for transfers to London airports and any destination in the UK with daily and hourly rates.

Guest Relations	Standard services
Concierge Services	Standard services
Medical Facilities	There is a doctor on call 24 hours with an arrival time of approximately 90 minutes, according to the hotel.
Parking	The hotel has no on site car parking facilities. There is metered car parking available in the surrounding streets and a 24 hour multi-storey car park is approximately a 5 minute walk from the hotel. The hotel has no valet parking.

Cranley Comment

The lobby of the Apex City of London Hotel features marble flooring and walnut wood panelling on the walls throughout. The dark wood reception desk is lit with soft panels of lighting along the front and is immediately opposite the stairs of the hotel entrance. The two lifts and stairway are located toward the back of the lobby area and lead to all guestroom floors including the basement gym area. The Addendum Restaurant, Addendum Bar and the Brasserie restaurant and terrace are located to the left on entering the lobby. The Addendum Bar has a seating area with leather sofas and chairs. Turning right on entering the lobby are the hotel's meeting and conference rooms.

Shops & Amenities

Cranley Comment

The Apex City of London Hotel has no in-house shops or boutiques. In the immediate vicinity of the hotel and less than a five minute walk, Fenchurch Street offers food stores, pharmacies, department stores, restaurants, cafes and bars. For shopping areas further afield, Tower Hill and Bank underground stations are a five minute walk away.

Rooms, Suites & Villas

Number of Floors	7
Total Rooms	130
Elevators	2
Rooms per Elevator	65
Total Staff	100
Staff per Room	0.8

Check-in Time	14:00
Check-out Time	12:00
Late Checkout	Late check-out is subject to availability and an additional charge is levied until 18:00. After 18:00 a full night's charge will apply.
Smoking Rooms	There are 13 smoking rooms available on the second floor.
Room Service	24 Hours The in-room menu has a range of dishes from the Addendum Restaurant.
Laundry Service	Laundry and dry cleaning handed in before 09:00 will be returned the same day by 19:00 seven days a week. There is no guaranteed laundry service or dry cleaning on public holidays.

Cranley Comment

The Apex City of London Hotel has 130 guestrooms which are spread over seven floors. The rooms are contemporary in design and feature custom made wooden furnishings. The rooms have large windows and are decorated in pastel shades with accents of colour in the soft furnishings. All the rooms have modern up-to-date amenities and include WiFi and broadband Internet connections. Most of the ensuite bathrooms have a separate shower and bath and a few of the rooms feature a balcony.

Type of Room, Views & Facilities

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
Standard	69	Street	Queen, king & twin beds available Chargeable wireless Internet access Complimentary wired broadband connection Desk and chair 62 of the rooms have a separate walk-in power shower and bathtub 7 of the rooms have a shower over the bathtub Widescreen TV and CD/DVD player Choice of DVDs from guest services which are free of charge (Deposit payable and refunded on return of DVDs) Bathroom toiletries Complimentary newspaper Complimentary tea and coffee making facilities Complimentary bottled water Complimentary local calls Fridge In-room safe Iron and ironing board Hairdryer Pillow menu (choice of hard or soft pillows)	2 Adults. (6 of the Standard Rooms have sofa beds and can accommodate 4 Adults or 2 Adults and 2 Children under the age of ten)	17

Cranley Comment

The rooms are approached along carpeted corridors. Entering the room into a wooden floor hallway there is a bathroom to one side and cupboards on the other which house the fridge, safe, tea and coffee making facilities, hair dryer, iron and ironing board. The bedroom area is carpeted and decorated in pastel tones of grey and have colourful coordinating soft furnishings. Standard guestrooms have the choice of queen, king or twin beds. Each room features a purpose-built walnut desk with an adjustable desk chair, both of which are ergonomically designed. Above the desk is a mirror. The beds have a fitted walnut headboard attached to the wall and walnut side tables with lamps. All the rooms have an easy chair, TV and feature commissioned, framed and signed photographs by David Springford depicting local life and buildings that surround the hotel. The bathrooms feature glass panelled entrance doors and most have a separate walk-in shower and bath. The sink is set in a wooden display area with a large heated mirror which prevents fogging.

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
Superior king	22	Street	As per the standard rooms with the added benefit of: More space All rooms have king size beds	2 Adults	18

Cranley Comment

Superior King rooms are slightly larger than the Standard rooms and all have a king size bed. The bedroom area is carpeted and decorated in pastel tones of grey and have colourful coordinating soft furnishings. Superior rooms have the same layout, custom made furniture, facilities and accessories as the Standard rooms. Several superior rooms have a small balcony with a table, two chairs and decorative potted plants.

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
Deluxe	38	Street	As per the Superior rooms with the added benefit of: More space All rooms have a sofa Some rooms have two wide screen TVs Two bathrobes and slippers Selection of magazines	2 Adults	31

Cranley Comment

Deluxe rooms are considerably more spacious and are decorated in the same pastel tones as the Superior rooms. All the rooms are bright and airy and have large windows. Each room has a wooden floored hallway with the bathroom off one side and a closet area on the other. The hallway has two shelves displaying various pieces of decorative artwork. The open plan living and bedroom area is separated by a central display wooden cabinet which houses two TVs and two entertainment systems, one on the lounge and one on the bedroom side. The lounge area has wooden floors, a purpose-built walnut desk with an adjustable desk chair. There is a sofa and coffee table opposite the TV. The bedroom area has a further desk and chair. All Deluxe room bathrooms have a separate shower and bathtub. Several deluxe rooms have a balcony with a table and two chairs and decorated with plants.

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
Junior Suite	1	Street	As per the Deluxe room with the added benefit of: More space Separate living area partitioned off from the bedroom	2 Adults	33

Cranley Comment

The Junior Suite is larger than the Deluxe rooms and includes a separate living area which is partitioned off from the bedroom. The rest of the Suite is decorated and furnished in exactly the same manner as the Deluxe rooms. The Junior Suite has a balcony with a table and two chairs and is decorated with plants.

Restaurants & Cafés

Number of Restaurants

Addendum

Restaurant Type	European
Restaurant Capacity	64
Opening Times	Breakfast Monday to Friday 06:30 to 10:30 Lunch Monday to Friday 12:00 to 14:30 Dinner Monday to Friday 18:00 to 21:30 Closed Saturday and Sunday
Dress Codes	Smart casual

Air-Conditioning	Yes
Smoking Policy	Non-smoking
Children’s Facilities	High chairs available
Breakfast Options	Continental buffet breakfast Cooked to order full Scottish breakfast A la carte menu

Cranley Comment

The Addendum Restaurant is located to the left of the lobby area on the ground floor and offers contemporary European cuisine. The modern restaurant is decorated with natural colours. To one side of the restaurant are leather booths that provide discreet dining areas. The remainder of the restaurant is furnished with dark leather dining chairs, tables covered with white cloths, surrounding mirrors, walnut flooring all warmed by subdued amber lighting. It is a fine dining restaurant and has a wine list consisting of a range of 'traditional' and 'new world' wines.

Brasserie

Restaurant Type	Traditional European
Restaurant Capacity	56 total (of which 36 inside and 20 on the terrace) There is standing capacity of 100 for functions.
Opening Times	Breakfast Monday to Friday 06:30 to 10:30 Saturday and Sunday 07:00 to 11:00 Lunch 12:00 to 14:30 After 14:30 afternoon tea and a light menu is available until 23:00
Dress Codes	Smart casual

Air-Conditioning	Yes
Smoking Policy	Non-smoking inside Smoking on the terrace is permitted
Children’s Facilities	High chairs available No children's menu
Breakfast Options	Continental buffet breakfast Cooked to order full Scottish breakfast A la carte menu

Cranley Comment

The Brasserie restaurant is situated to the left of the lobby entrance of the hotel and below the Addendum Bar. It is situated on street level and is a large glass extension with floor to ceiling windows allowing natural light and views over the street and the gardens across the road. The modern dining room has a fully opening glass front on to the street with a number of tables and chairs for al fresco dining. The Brasserie follows the theme of the lobby area and is decorated with walnut wooden panels. The seating area has neutral coloured leather chairs and wooden tables. At the far end of the restaurant is a raised large flat screen TV. The Brasserie serves traditional, classical and modern dishes as well as breakfast and afternoon tea. On a Thursday evening throughout the summer months there is a live jazz band including a singer performing from 19:00 to 22:30.

Bars

Number of Bars

Addendum Bar

Bar Type	Cocktail Bar
Bar Capacity	60 total (of which 20 seated and 40 standing)
Opening Times	Monday to Saturday 10:00 to 01:00 Sunday 10:00 to 23:00
Dress Codes	Smart casual

Air-Conditioning	Yes
Smoking Policy	Non smoking
Admissions Policy	Children are allowed when accompanied by an adult

Cranley Comment

The Addendum Bar is located on the lobby level of the hotel and is situated between the Addendum and Brasserie restaurants. The Bar seating area has leather sofas and chairs and looks down over the Brasserie restaurant and terrace which is located on street level. There is a large wooden bar area with standing space and several high circular tables and chairs. The bar has a relaxed ambiance and may be used as a venue for pre-dinner drinks and cocktails.

Business & Event Facilities

Wireless Internet

Complimentary WiFi is available in all public areas and guestrooms

In-Room Services

Desk and Chair
Complimentary:
WiFi internet access available
Wired Broadband connection
Local land line calls

Business Centre

The hotel has no Business Centre. However, a PC with complimentary internet access is available and is located in the lobby opposite the reception desk. A wide range of business services including photocopying, secretarial services, fax, messages, courier services are available through guest services, some of which are subject to availability.

Meetings & Events

The Apex City of London Hotel has three meeting rooms, most with natural daylight from floor to ceiling windows. All meeting rooms are located on the lobby level of the hotel.

City Suite
The City Suite is the largest of the meeting rooms and may be used as a venue for presentations, announcements, press conferences, receptions and private dining for up to 80 guests. The City suite size is 63 square metres with a ceiling height of 3.2 metres and can be configured reception 90, banqueting rounds of 10 seating 40, banqueting rounds of 8 seating 60, cabaret 30, open square 38, u-shape 35, boardroom 30, classroom 36 and theatre 80.

New York
The New York is a multi functional room and opens out onto a private courtyard (enclosed by four walls, no smoking permitted). The New York room size is 35 square metres with a ceiling height of 2.4 metres and can be configured reception 40, banqueting rounds of 10 seating 20, banqueting rounds of 8 seating 24, cabaret 18, open square 18, u-shape 17, boardroom 18, classroom 18 and theatre 40.

Geneva
Geneva is a contemporary boardroom and is decorated with landscape images of Geneva. The room may be used as a venue for drinks, breakfast, lunches, dinners, interviews, office meetings and interactive activities. Geneva room size is 21.5 square metres with a ceiling height of 3.3 metres and can be configured reception 30, banqueting rounds of 10 seating 10, banqueting rounds of 8 seating 8, cabaret 6, open square 14, boardroom 10, classroom 6 and theatre 20.

All the meeting rooms are equipped with power points, direct dial points, air conditioning, WiFi and broadband, black out, TV and video, two flipcharts, TV and aerial points, LCD projector, personal drinks bar and ISDN.

Cranley Comment

The Apex City of London Hotel has three meetings and event facilities all with natural daylight. All the rooms are contemporary in design and are decorated with walnut wooden panelling, in keeping with the hotel's decorations. The meeting rooms are all grouped together off the lobby area on the ground floor. The entire meeting room area can be closed off from the lobby by large wooden doors to provide additional privacy. City Suite, New York (with a private courtyard area), and Geneva are available for exclusive private dining with a menu to suite the occasion. There is a dedicated team of event planners who will organise any type of event tailored to specific needs and budget. The meeting and conference rooms have state-of-the-art audio visual facilities. Catering and banqueting is available through the hotel's Addendum Restaurant.

Children’s Facilities & Clubs

Restaurant Facilities

See Restaurants

Babysitting service

Babysitting can be arranged through guest services, a minimum of two hours notice is required. Outside babysitters are used and guests should enquire through guest services for further details.

Cranley Comment

The Apex City of London Hotel accepts children but the facilities are more suited to business guests. There are a number of rooms available with sofa beds enabling children to share with their parents. Cots for young babies are available in all room types and should be requested on booking. Children under the age of ten may be accommodated in their parent or guardian's room free of charge, dependant on room type booked, with meals charged as taken. For children over the age of ten sharing a room with their parent or guardian, an additional cost is levied per night.

Sports & Gym

Gym & Health Club

Opening Times	24 Hours
Description	3 x Treadmills 3 x Steppers 2 x Bicycles 2 x Rowing machines 1 x Multi gym 1 x Ab rocker 1 x Fit ball 1 x Exercise stretching mat 1 x TV screen
Size	8 metres by 5 metres

Cranley Comment

The air conditioned gym is unsupervised, is located in the basement of the hotel and is accessed via the hotel's two elevators or the stairs. The room has no windows and is decorated with floor to ceiling mirrors on two walls and wooden flooring. The gym is equipped with a selection of state-of-the-art Techno Gym muscle-toning weights and cardiovascular equipment.

Golf

Stoke Park

Description

As well as being a challenging and demanding course you will find it hard not to be stirred by the exquisite views and landscapes of the Club's championship course known as Stoke Poges. The club's true 27 hole course is made up of the three nine hole courses Colt, Alison and Jackson. The course was designed by Harry Shapland Colt who is arguably the greatest golf course architect in history. He and his partners have certainly had more influence on the game around the world than any other firm of architects. In l908 he was commissioned to create his first unassisted design at Stoke Poges.

Green fees range from £50 to £150 depending on the time of year.

Location	42 kms
Holes	Three loops of nine holes
Length/Par	6,721 yards, par 71, SSS 72

Facilities

Golf Academy
PGA Qualified Tuition
Practice Facilities
Hotel

The Grove

Description

The Grove golf course in Hertfordshire, is widely regarded as one of the finest new golf courses in Europe and recently hosted the World Golf Championships, American Express Championship 2007. 'The Grove is a 7,152 yard par 72 championship golf course, located just outside London, designed by the distinguished American architect Kyle Philips and is playable all year round. Built to USGA specification, with the latest A4 creeping bent grass for firm, fast putting surfaces. Following the slopes, ridges and mounds of the natural landscape the course also includes a continuous hidden cart path around all 18 holes, full length driving range, practice area and putting green. Visitors should note that metal spikes are not allowed.

Green fees range from £105 to £165 depending on the seasons.

Location	49 kms
Holes	18
Length/Par	7,152 Par 72

Facilities

PGA Tuition
Practice Range
Restaurant

Wentworth

Description

Wentworth has three courses. The West is world famous and is home each year to the HSBC World Matchplay and the BMW PGA Championship. The other "original" course is the East and finally the most recent addition is the Edinburgh which opened in the 1990’s. Many golfers visit Wentworth for the West course and very few courses can boast a tournament history on a par with the West course. It hosted the 1953 Ryder Cup and then in 1956 the Canada Cup, the forerunner to today’s World Cup of Golf. It has the distinction of hosting two of golf’s most prestigious championships; the World Matchplay and the PGA Championship. In addition the East course is in most golfers' lists of the top fifty courses in the British Isles. It was the setting for the inaugural Curtis Cup in 1932 and hosted a friendly match in 1926 between two teams from the US and Great Britain and Ireland which was the inspiration for the contest we now know as the Ryder Cup. Lastly the Edinburgh course was opened in more recent times and was designed by coach and former Ryder Cup player and captain John Jacobs in consultation with nine-time major champion Gary Player and the Club’s then professional Bernard Gallacher.

Location	45 kms
Holes	54, West, East and Edinburgh courses
Length/Par	West Course par 72 (7308 yards). East Course par 68 (6201 yards). Edinburgh Course par 72 (7004 yards).

Facilities

Three courses
Par 3 nine hole course
Practice range and grounds
PGA qualified tuition
Restaurant
Outdoor pool

Spa

Cranley Comment

There is no Spa at the hotel

Special Needs

Communal Areas

The Apex City of London Hotel has steps leading up to the main lobby but there is a disabled lift next to the steps to take special needs guests to the lobby area. Elevators serve all floors including the basement where disabled toilets are available.

Rooms & Bathrooms

There are 7 special needs rooms available at the Apex City of London hotel.

Restaurants & Catering

The Lobby area has good access to the Addendum Restaurant and Addendum Bar. The Brasserie has steps leading down into the restaurant from the Addendum Bar, however, wheelchair access is available from the street entrance into the Brasserie.

Cranley Comment

The Apex City of London Hotel is DDA (Disability Discrimination Act) compliant.

There are 7 special needs rooms available at the hotel and all are Standard room types. Each room has a wider entrance door enabling wheelchair access. All light switches in the rooms are at a lower level as are the cupboard handles and hanging rails in the cupboards. All the beds have an emergency cord and intercom. There is also a pillow vibrator facility for the hard of hearing. The bathrooms have wide doors enabling wheelchair access and are equipped with a low sink with a railing and a wide shower for wheelchair access. The shower has railings and a seat is available on request.

The hotel endeavours to offer a range of facilities for guests with special needs including induction loops which can be arranged by advanced request with the hotel. Assistance dogs are welcome at the hotel. There is an on-site wheelchair available for special needs guests.

Environment

Measures

Recycling
Energy Saving
Community Service
Water Saving

Cranley Comment

The hotel recycles paper, plastic, cardboard, glass, CDs, polythene wrappers, mobile phones, polystyrene, waste cooking oil, toner cartridges and dry cleaning coat hangers.

The hotel reduces the use of energy through awareness programmes and through designing efficiency into new buildings, equipment, travel and transport and other working practices. There is a set target for the reduction of energy consumption.

Apex hotels are supportive of local community projects in each hotel region and provides assistance to local charities.

Apex hotels reduce the use of water and materials through awareness programmes. The hotel has dual flush toilets to save water. Many rooms have separate walk in showers to encourage guests to use the shower instead of the bath. Guests are given the option to re-use towels in order to save water.

The hotel has won numerous awards for its environmental practices which are detailed in the awards section.

Apex City of London Hotel, London, Report Details

23rd July 2007 (first review)

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