Disclaimer: Our 2-night stay and the Spa visit was kindly gifted by InterContinental London-The O2 in exchange for an honest review.
It’s hard to believe but this year my husband and I celebrated our 5th wedding anniversary.
5 years!
It honestly feels like last month when my knees were shaking like mad while I was walking down the aisle.
My dad was weepy when we were about to start walking but I asked him to help me stay calm/less nervous, which he did (best dad ever). My knees were more or less under control. Until I saw my (then-future) husband. He still claims (read: jokes) there must have been something in his eye, or maybe it was hay fever, that made his eyes so itchy. He did shed a little tear, or a few, when he saw me.
Those 5 years, hands down, have been THE best 5 years of my life. They weren’t perfect (because of all the challenges and trials we had to go through) but they WERE perfect (because of our relationship which only grew stronger while we grew closer).
We wanted our anniversary weekend to be memorable and blissful. It was that and more.
It was made incredibly special and simply perfect by the outstanding InterContinental London – The O2.
InterContinental London – The O2: Hotel Review
Our 2-night stay and the Spa visit was kindly gifted by InterContinental London-The O2 in exchange for an honest review.
1 – Location
InterContinental London – The O2 was the most ideal location for us on our anniversary getaway to London for a number of reasons.
We boarded the train from Chester to London Euston (quick 2hr journey), and then in less than half an hour we arrived at North Greenwich Tube station.
The InterContinental is only 5min walk from North Greenwich which is very handy.
Why we found the location of the hotel ideal for us:
– away from all the tourists (as you’re making your way from and to the Tube station, it’s peaceful and uncrowded)
– close to the Tube station, or, if you don’t feel like walking, InterContinental at The O2 offers complimentary Hotel Shuttle transfer service
– beautiful views onto the River Thames
– right beside The O2 Arena which is perfect if you attend an event there + many options of shopping and dining.
2 – Interior
My husband stayed at InterContinental – The O2 before with work and loved every minute of it. So we knew what to expect: top-notch everything, including the interior.
On top of that, we stayed together at other amazing hotels of the InterContinental family, including the most recent one in May last year – the fabulous InterContinental New York Times Square. It’s safe to say that InterContinental hotels never disappoint, and we have a record to prove that.
When we arrived, we were greeted by a smartly-dresses doorman as well as the team of hotel porters ready to help with our luggage.
As soon as you walk in, you’re wowed by a luxurious lobby with a stylish concierge desk on the left.
The check-in went smoothly and there was zero wait at the desk. The staff were incredibly friendly and professional.
Everywhere you look, you know you’ve arrived at the 5-star hotel. It’s luxurious, modern, sleek, extravagant and very well-run.
InterContinental – The O2 lets you indulge in all of your senses, especially visually.
3 – Our Room
Our cosy room was everything I was expecting it to be and more.
I have a few criteria I always look for when we are staying at a hotel:
* bed and quality of sleep
* bathroom / functionality & “sleekness”
* tea + coffee station
Okay, the last one is optional but desirable.
InterContinental over-exceeded my exceptions big time.
Sleeping in that bed for 2 nights was heavenly.
I’ve been tracking the quality of my sleep for a number of months now, and those 2 nights are still at the top of the chart. the most deep sleep I got and probably the most snoring I did haha.
The bathroom in our room was something else.
Cosy soft robes, big bath tub, spacious shower with two different shower heads: regular one but with strong water pressure (which I prefer) and a rainfall shower head (which my husband prefers), a set of luxurious shower goodies which were replaced/topped up at least 3 or 4 times during our stay (don’t think my hair has ever been that soft), two sinks and a giant mirror (flawless makeup application guaranteed).
The coffee and tea station is also worth mentioning. I made myself a few cups of tea and hot cocoa and then cosied up in one of the comfy lounge chairs beside the bed reading a book with TV playing quietly in the background.
One of the many things that impressed me a lot was the high-tech room temperature and lights hub. One touch – and your room’s temperature was as warm or as cool as you like it. There’s also a switch for different lights. I especially enjoyed the night mode. It automatically turns on night light when you walk into the bathroom in the dark. There’s also a button for when you would like some privacy called “Do not disturb” (which cancels having to hang that sign over a door handle on the outside) as well as “Make up room” which lets the staff know your room needs tidied.
Upscale, swish, contemporary and comfortable rooms with panoramic views – what else can you ask for. We will definitely be back.
4 – The Spa
On the same day when we arrived, we got to experience The Spa at InterContinental – The O2.
It was one of a kind visit.
Upon arrival we were greeted by the receptionists at The Spa and asked to fill in the forms.
InterContinental has kindly provided myself and my husband with a 30-min treatment and full access to the pool and thermal suite with saunas and steam rooms. We could also use the gym if we felt like it.
I know there are people who work out even when they travel. I am more of The Spa rather than the gym person.
Our 30-min massages were incredible and so relaxing. I felt revived and very much zen.
Then we stayed around to just chill and were offered drinks and treats.
After our massages we headed to the pool, then the hot tub and finally to the steam room.
Thankfully, it wasn’t busy one bit so we were able to enjoy all the facilities without any waiting around.
We came back to the pool and then sauna again the following day. It was so relaxing to just go for a swim and then let all the daily stresses melt away in a steam room.
They also have spacious male and female lockers with clean showers, beauty stations and individual private dressing rooms with big mirrors and comfortable seating. You’re also able to use a swimsuit dryer after your dip. So handy!
5 – Breakfast
Do you remember I mentioned how much a comfortable bed and a good night’s sleep means to me?
Well, I think breakfast might just top that, and everything else.
InterContinental – The O2 offers the most indulging breakfast experience at the Market Brasserie.
Its spacious, contemporary and floor to ceiling windows provide the spectacular Canary Wharf panoramic views.
The selection of the buffet for breakfast is simply outstanding. I couldn’t help myself but go back and forth to enjoy all the breakfast treats. I can skip lunch no problem but I can never say no to a hearty breakfast.
6 – Restaurants & Bars
There is a beautiful selection of various dining options available at the InterContinental – The O2.
You can get anything there: from a cup of coffee to a 6-course gourmet dinner.
Places worth visiting include:
– Meridian Lounge (light lunch, afternoon tea and coffees/teas)
– Market Brasserie (from breakfast to dinner)
– Peninsula Restaurant (award-winning restaurant, modern European cuisine)
– Eighteen Sky Bar which offers a selection of cocktails along with stunning London views
– Clipper Bar (maritime-themed bar which offers an assortment of drinks and small bites + panoramic views)
We ate at the Market Brasserie and also got a complimentary voucher for the Clipper Bar.
I don’t do the whole bar scene (as in, you’ll never find me in a bar) but Clipper Bar is a different story. It’s luxe, spacious, airy and feels more like an exquisite restaurant apart from the fact that they don’t serve food (only snacks). It wasn’t too busy and we got a big sofa and 180-degree views onto Canary Wharf plus an epic sunset.
It’s incredibly romantic and peaceful.
It’s safe to say it was difficult to leave this cosy atmosphere but my comfy bed was calling. It was not easy to say goodbye to beautiful InterContinental – The O2 the following day.
7 – The View
A picture is worth a thousand words. So here you go.
I could sit right there, on their cosy sofa, and look at nighttime London-town for hours.
Thank you, InterContinental London-TheO2 for a wonderful stay.
You can book your stay at InterContinental at the O2 here.
Here is the InterContinental – The O2 contact page.
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