"Our first stay here at the high end and modern Intercontinental O2 London arranged for a special and amazing Raye gig. We extended our stay either side for a total of 3 nights and the hotel was great at linking the bookings so we could keep the same room.
Courteous arrival, the bell hop took care of our suitcase straight away and then into the grand lobby with a perfect lobby smell! The very welcoming receptionist Rachel was really good at explaining everything with local hints and tips and got us checked in. Then up to a lovely 6th floor classic king room with great views over Canary Wharf/Docklands and overlooking the hotel ballroom/entrance. The room was well appointed with basic storage and spotlessly clean. Plenty of sockets and a large TV. Black out curtains. Large bathroom with walk in shower and bath and plenty of fluffy towels. The bed was comfy but we found the pillows to be too soft. Slippers and robes provide a luxury not often seen in base rooms.
We had spa access and found the indoor pool area nice with pool beds. We found that it did get busy in the afternoon and beds were not always available. The hot tub was on the larger side and very inviting. We spent an hour or two here. There was a sauna and steam room but we did not use, accessed from the pool area and unisex. Changing rooms and lockers available with towels. The spa does offer treatments and massages but we did not have time on this trip.
Breakfast is held in the first floor Market Brasserie Restaurant. It gets super busy here towards the end of service but the staff manage the queue quickly. The food choice is amazing, a really good selection of cooked and cold breakfast items including fruits. Good quality hot breakfast, lovely sausages!
We did not use the ground floor bar but did venture up to the 18th floor bar for a cocktail and stunning views over Canary Wharf and the city at night. We found the prices expensive but pretty standard for the area. Worth a visit for the service and view. We popped into the Clipper Bar on the first floor which if at the right table offered the same stunning views. Two drinks here, pleasant with the same good service as upstairs. However, and strangely, the lower part of the windows are frosted and obscure some of the great view. Bemusedly, the bar had placed chairs and tables facing the view but too low, so guests have a view of only the frosted glass. Like “London on a foggy night”! We could not identify a reason for this frosted glass and would recommend removing it to increase interest in this bar.
A last night dinner was back to Market Brasserie. Now a calm oasis at this time and perfect service. We recommend the seafood platter to share and the rib eye steaks. Very tasty. They have clearly got a good chef here. And a special mention to Yuki, such an attentive and friendly waitress.
The hotel is perfectly located right next to and connected by an indoor walkway to the O2 Arena. Very handy for the main arena, Indigo venue and all the other bars, restaurants, cinema and entertainment spots under the big white tent structure originally built for the 2000 millennium. The Jubilee underground line and TFL Uber river boats along with buses and taxis all a short 10 minute walk away, parking limited at the hotel.
This hotel was almost perfect. The hotel is great but the staff were amazing. A real “nothing is too much trouble” attitude from every member of staff. Always checking appropriately that everything was alright. It is very clear that the staff were happy and appear to be extremely well invested in. This is different from many other London hotels we have stayed at.
Check out was sad, well we didn’t want to leave. But it was quick and efficient. Rachel was just as helpful as when we arrived, she is an asset to the Intercontinental. Did we like it here? Oh yes. We will be back for two nights in July. BeLu London. 26Feb-01Mar26."
