Marking the Singaporean brand’s European debut, Pan Pacific London brings a sleek dose of Asia to the UK capital’s historic heart, wrapping guests in a cocoon of calm the moment they step away from the city’s relentless rush and raucousness.
The hotel plants its flag in the financial district, a stone’s throw from Spitalfields, the Gherkin, and the Tower of London — right beside the remnants of the Roman wall that once encircled the city nearly 1,800 years ago.
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That empire may have crumbled, but its innovations live on in this slick, forward-thinking stay. Bathrooms come kitted out with underfloor heating – a high-tech nod to the Roman hypocaust system – while the knockout spa and infinity pool, spread across an entire floor devoted to “Sensory Wellbeing,” channel ancient thermae baths with a thoroughly modern twist.
This five-star pied-à-terre is a dream for couples and families alike, and, spoiler alert — each child guest even gets an adorably cute Singa the Lion, the hotel’s sustainable cuddly toy mascot.
Middle East Traveller checked into an Executive City View room at Pan Pacific London.
The Arrival
I hop out of a taxi to be met with radiant smiles from the hotel’s impeccably turned-out greeters and porters, a touch of old-school charm that nods to London’s deep-rooted hospitality traditions.
My room is ready before check-in time, but if it wasn’t I could have curled up for a snooze in the spa’s ultra-plush relaxation lounge — one of the many perks of flashing an AMEX Platinum card.
Designed for pre-check-in (from noon, subject to availability) and post-check-out guests, this serene hideaway is a jet lag antidote, tailor-made for unwinding before or after a long-haul flight.
The Room
In my Executive City View room, the Prince of Wales check carpet looks so fresh it could have been rolled out that morning. In a prime corner spot, this category of rooms look out south over the financial district’s gleaming glass towers and east across the rooftops toward Whitechapel.
With the wardrobe neatly tucked near the door, the main space is blissfully uncluttered, allowing the king bed, sofa, and marble coffee table to take centre stage — all framed by sweeping, sky-high views. Pine-green velvet cushions on the sofa come embroidered with delicate bees that look as if they have flitted straight in from the Natural History Museum.
A soft mauve mural behind the bed infuses the space with a distinct Asian flair. Further subtle nods to the brand’s Singaporean heritage crop up elsewhere, including a teapot delicately painted with cherry blossoms, paired with two Japanese-style cups and a trio of jade-green miniature bamboo sticks adding a quiet touch of Zen.
Bathrooms come with spacious tiled walk-in showers, marble bathtubs ideal for thawing out after a damp London day and Jo Malone amenities to elevate the soak.
If money is no object, check in to one of the hotel’s five suite categories. These peak with the 120sqm Pan Pacific Suite on the highest floor, coming with the best views plus dedicated butler service.
The Service
Service in Asia is in a league of its own, so it’s no surprise that the team at Pan Pacific London operates at such a high standard. There are the occasional slip-ups – as in any bustling city hotel – but more often than not, the staff go above and beyond.
Take Natia, the housekeeper who came to refresh my room one afternoon. Efficient and meticulous, but also warm and engaging — a standout for someone with limited English and little guest interaction.
There was a minor hiccup at Ginger Lily, and if I were feeling particularly fussy, I’d say the service at Straits Kitchen lagged slightly during my evening meal. But I was in no hurry — and perhaps it even helped my digestion.
The Activities
Pan Pacific London is all about serenity and wellness, and its dedicated Sensory Wellbeing floor is the heart of it. The 18.5-metre infinity pool glows an irresistible shade of turquoise as afternoon light floods in through floor-to-ceiling windows, setting the perfect scene for a languid float.
Canvas deckchairs are scattered invitingly around the space, with adorable tiny versions for kids. Family swim hours run for four hours each day, and little ones can even get an early taste of the spa life with treatments designed in partnership with French kids’ fashion house Bonpoint.
Next door are the spa and a 24/7 gym is kitted out with the latest high-tech machines, including a device that measures your physique and suggests an optimal workout. Handy for some, humbling for others — especially if last night involved one too many gyoza dumplings at the hotel’s Straits Kitchen restaurant.
Step outside, and the electric energy of this part of London takes over. Sip flat whites in Spitalfields Market, feast on fiery curries along Brick Lane, soak up the corporate sheen of the City or wander the Thames riverside, tracing a path through millennia of history. It’s all at your feet — if you can tear yourself away from that infinity pool.
The Restaurants and Bars
Straits Kitchen is the culinary heart of the hotel. Mornings kick off with an impressive spread — full meat or vegan breakfasts, pillowy omelettes and steaming bowls of congee with goji berries (a quiet standout on the menu).
By lunch and dinner, Straits Kitchen leans into its East-meets-West ethos, showcasing Asian flavours lifted with locally sourced ingredients. Highlights include dry-aged Gressingham duck served with crisp, Peking-style pancakes, smoky blackened aubergine drenched in yellow curry sauce and lemongrass, and North Atlantic cod in a fragrant laksa-style broth with braised bok choi.
Everything hits the mark, but the fried vegetable Japanese dumplings – golden, crisp, and served with sweet soy and sesame – are a revelation, easily holding their own against those in Utsunomiya, Japan’s gyoza capital.
For dessert, opt for the Gula Melaka crème brûlée, a decadent balance of sweetness and acidity, paired with mango lime compote and a mango-coriander sorbet that somehow all works together. The dish takes its name from the deeply caramelised palm sugar native to Malaysia’s Melaka in a fitting tribute to the restaurant’s roots.
Beyond the lobby, Ginger Lily Bar & Lounge channels the sultry allure of a 1950s Singapore speakeasy, all low lighting, plush seating and a champagne-forward drinks list. It’s the perfect pre-dinner hideaway, whether you’re toasting with a glass of bubbly or sipping on an Endless Joy mocktail — a zippy mix of pineapple juice, yuzu hot sauce, lime, and grapefruit soda.
Service, however, can be a bit of a roulette. On one visit, it was seamless, while on another, a 10-minute wait to get served had me heading elsewhere. But when it’s on form, Ginger Lily is as smooth as the cocktails it serves.
Why Stay?
The Pan Pacific London is right in the thick of this thrilling and historic part of the UK capital, surrounded by centuries-old landmarks, cutting-edge culture, world-class dining and a skyline that never stops evolving.
The hotel itself wraps guests in charm and warmth, with a dedicated wellness floor, tempting dining scene and delightful rooms that strike an effortless balance between Asian-inspired elegance and plush comfort.
The Essentials
- Rates: Rooms start at GBP446 per night, including taxes but excluding breakfast, during the summer months.
- Phone number: +44 (0) 20 7118 6888
- Website: panpacific.com/en/hotels-and-resorts/pp-london.html
- Address: 80 Houndsditch, London, EC3A 7AB, United Kingdom
