Review of Threadneedles, by Barb Sligl

Threadneedles boutique hotel is in the heart of London’s financial district. Steps from Bank tube station, St. Paul’s Cathedral, the Tower of London and London Bridge, the five-star flagship hotel of the Eton Collection is named after its address at 5 Threadneedle, the same street on which the historic Royal Exchange (boasting posh shops like Lulu Guinness and Paul Smith) and the Bank of England sit.

Enter through the almost-anonymous entrance into a surprisingly spacious lobby topped with an intricate, hand-painted glass dome dating from 1856. The Grade-II listed building, a former Victorian banking hall, also retains Corinthian columns and marble counters, including the original cashiers’ counter that’s now the bar in the attached Bonds Restaurant & Bar.

During the week Bonds is a hotspot for power brunches and post-work drinks amidst the well-heeled. Nosh on modern-European fare—think fresh, local ingredients like balsamic onions (pickled on site), smoked eel, handmade treble-pork sausage and crème brûlée with cassis sorbet (churned upon order).

On the bar side, sip one of 65 signature cocktails, or sample a seasonal special, like the Cucumber and Wasabi Fizz. A quieter spot for a tipple is in an over-size armchair under the luminous dome in the expansive-yet-cosy lobby, where the honesty bar is stocked with exotic brews like Staropramen and Moretti.

Or hole up in the understated elegance of one of the 69 guest rooms. A subtle, neutral palette with walnut furnishings is punctuated with bright contemporary art and homey touches like a selection of whimsical books—from The James Bond Girls to The Strange History of Buckingham Palace.

Substantial, limestone-tiled bathrooms have full tubs, plus some have separate walk-in showers. Every room is outfitted with the basic (hair-dryer, trouser press, laptop-size safe) and the not-so-basic (Highland Aromatics toiletries, down duvet and Frette linens, available for purchase). There’s also free Wi-Fi, iPod docks, flat-screen TVs, in-room tea-making facilities (stowed cleverly in the desk) and international plugs.

There may not be an on-site spa or gym but in-room treatments can be arranged and there’s plenty of opportunity to stretch your legs on the surrounding streets.

On weekends Threadneedles becomes a down-tempo base away from the teeming West End from which to explore happening markets like Spitalfields, Sunday UpMarket and Brick Lane. The hotel staff — friendly and attentive — even writes up a list of notable events and things to do within walking distance for weekend-goers.