A Beautiful Night in The City at Vintry & Mercer

In the heart of the city, tucked away on Garlick Hill (what a name – immediately looked into the etymology of this street name – I’ve included at the bottom of this post) is a beautiful five star hotel, full of character and greenery, named Vintry & Mercer. I was invited to come and spend a night to experience its escapist charm for myself, and it was wonderful.

“Vintry & Mercer is nestled at the heart of the City, among the livery halls, guilds and narrow streets that line the banks of the Thames. This is where past and present intersect, where the long traditions of trade and commerce come to life in the contemporary style of the 92 bespoke rooms and suites.”

Vintry & Mercer

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I was staying in one of their corner suites, which look out onto the City through floor-to-ceiling windows, where the London light floods through. There was a huge (HUGE) bed, a gorgeous bathroom with a large walk-in shower, double sinks and an in-built tv by the bath (heaven) and a little seating area with an upholstered sofa, where I could work happily and comfortably, before meeting my friend, Caroline for supper up on the Mercer Roof Terrace.

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“Our inspiration comes from the historic trading guilds of the area. Vintry was the centre for London wine merchants; Mercer was for noble textile sellers who specialised in fine silks and damasks. In the narrow streets near our hotel, this history perseveres.”

Vintry & Mercer

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I met Caroline in the lobby of the hotel and we made our way up to the 7th floor, to the Mercer Roof Terrace for what was to be a very gorgeous supper, on a sun-drenched terrace, with unexpected, very special views…

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Everything was delicious and we couldn’t quite believe our luck with the weather after such a rotten few weeks of rain, wind and cold. We nattered until late, when the heaters and blankets came out to keep us cosy as we polished off pudding. As the sun dipped, St Paul’s looked on, bathed in a Mary Poppins sky – totally magical.

I was awoken the next morning by the church bells, chiming in the day and brekky 🙂 But first, I cannot NOT turn on a television when it’s in my bedroom. So I lay in bed, watching re-runs of Everybody Loves Raymond, chuckling away to myself, until I realised it was 8:45am and I should really get up. A glorious rain shower gave me an excuse to wrap up in the hotel’s robe and slippers as I packed up my bits and bobs. Then I bashed out a few emails before wending my way downstairs for breakfast and a read of my Tea & Toast Book Club book..

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I gobbled up pancakes with bacon and maple syrup and sipped my tea slowly. Taking a moment to fully appreciate how lucky I am to be able to have these wonderful experiences in my city, which I can enjoy on my own. These are moments when I am not a mummy. Or indeed anything to anyone. I am just me, Eva, sipping English Breakfast Tea, alone with my own thoughts in my favourite city in the world.

An enormous thank you to Vintry & Mercer – a diamond of a hotel in the City of London – for having me.

It was glorious.

GARLICK HILL:

The name of this City of London street – which leads from Upper Thames Street to the intersection of Queen Victoria and Cannon Streets – speaks to the City’s past when it originated at the now-lost dock or jetty known as Garlickhithe. Garlickhithe was, not surprisingly, where garlic was landed and sold in a tradition dating back to at least the 13th century. It’s one of numerous thoroughfares in the City named for what was traded there.

Taken from Exploring London