Canary Wharf is the place to be since the Elizabeth Line opened. Gone are the days when the area was known as solely the business hub of the capital; these days, the district is alive with riverside bars, ravishing restaurants, alluring shopping and much more.
Last August (2022), TRIBE chose Canary Wharf as the location for their first UK hotel, harmoniously matching what this area is now all about: working, playing, eating, and meeting. I took a visit to TRIBE London Canary Wharf to review whether the spot really does live up to its ethos.
A 24-hour hotel
While TRIBE London Canary Wharf states that they are a ’24-hour hotel’, my inner grandma is pleased to confirm that this isn’t code for ‘party hotel’ – though there are plenty of bars nearby and Central London’s clubs are just a short hop away via Canary Wharf Station (underground, DLR and Elizabeth Line).
Instead, this 24-hour claim references the Social Hub, open to guests and non-guests around the clock, whether you wish to work, eat, or just kill time. The Social Hub has an array of comfy chairs dotted around, some suitable for solo working, while others promote collaboration or straight-up chats with friends.
If you do work ’til late or take advantage of the neighbouring nightlife (which, contrary to my inner grandma, I actually did during my stay), the Social Hub also serves food throughout the night, the perfect salve to any midnight snack cravings. The ‘Grab & Go’ counter offers barista-style coffee, pastries, snacks, and freshly prepared ready-to-eat meals, created by the chefs at TRIBE’s in-house restaurant.
The rooms
TRIBE London Canary Wharf has 312 rooms set across the upper six floors, each stylish and functional, aiming to perfect the balance between high on comfort and low on fussy frills. There are three room types: TRIBE Comfort, a cosy space with city views; TRIBE Comfort Atrium, a tad larger, overlooking the hotel’s atrium; and TRIBE Comfort XL, which although still compact, was the most spacious of the three, overlooking Wood Wharf.
We stayed on the eighth floor of the hotel, manoeuvring past a labyrinth of rooms to our TRIBE Comfort XL. With its floor-to-ceiling windows on two sides, I felt like I was in the heart of Manhattan, New York! I loved the views from our high-up vantage point, surrounded by other tall buildings, plus views out across the area from two sides.
If you’re looking for some extra indulgence during your stay, overnight guests at the hotel have complimentary access to the local Canary Wharf Third Space health club, where they can benefit from access to the leisure facilities, including a spa, climbing wall, and exercise facilities. There is also a gym in the hotel itself.
A review of the restaurant
Feels Like June, TRIBE’s restaurant, is inspired by the sunny climes of California and makes for a relaxed dining experience. The space is big, bright and airy, making use of soft furnishings, retro tiles, and plenty of plants to create an ‘outside in’ vibe. I felt very relaxed dining here both for dinner and breakfast, casting an eye over the open kitchen as we awaited our dishes.
When it comes to the food, the Californian inspiration is very much honoured. The dinner menu is ‘Europe meets West Coast’, with twists on US favourites – for example tater tots with a cacio e pepe filling.
To start, we had the halloumi and chilli jam, with a side of focaccia bread. While the balsamic-olive oil dip that comes with the bread makes for a traditional savoury taste, you’ve just got to add some of the chilli jam too. If I could have nabbed pots of that jam to take home, I would have; lightly spiced, it was both savoury and sweet, and very moreish. For mains, steak and sea bass graced our table – these were nice and hearty. Make note: the side dishes are pretty sizable themselves – we most definitely didn’t need a portion of chips each.
Come breakfast the next morning, you’ll find a hot and cold buffet, serving a delicious spread. Fitting for their ethos, the food is very tasty (those sausages and mushrooms, mmmm), despite being served with a no-frills approach.
The cocktails
The cocktails at Feels Like June are particularly delightful. At dinner, I started with a Wharf Swizzle, which I thoroughly enjoyed; it was like a refreshing mojito, with bitters that gave it a different depth of flavour. However, my favourite was the sangria – sweet, fruity, and proper holiday vibes. Served in a cute carafe, the sangria is poured over monochromed ice in a shallow glass. The cocktails sit alongside a curated wine list, with a nod to the West Coast, and a range of premium beers, lagers and spirits.
Although we enjoyed our drinks with our meal, the hotel’s bar area, located within the restaurant, leads to an 80-cover terrace, perfect for cocktails in the sun on a warm day. Until the early hours, relaxed soul and funk music make for easy listening while sipping on your drink of choice.
To sum up this review, TRIBE London Canary Wharf is a great spot to stay. It is functional yet fun, and is perfectly placed for all manner of stays – work, shopping, going out, and whatever else brings you to stay in our dear city.
TRIBE London Canary Wharf