City of London / Bank

The Ned

★★★★★

The Ned turned one of the City of London's grandest buildings into its liveliest hotel. The former headquarters of the Midland Bank at 27 Poultry, designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens in the 1920s and 1930s and Grade I listed, sat empty for years before reopening as a hotel and members' club in 2017, its name a nod to the architect's nickname. The scale is the first thing that strikes you: the ground-floor banking hall, lined with green verdite columns and walnut counters where tellers once worked, now holds several restaurants and bars under one vast ceiling, open to the public and buzzing from breakfast to late at night, often with live music. Hotel guests sleep upstairs in 252 rooms across seven floors, designed in a 1920s-and-1930s spirit with antique furniture, rich fabrics, vintage-style bathrooms and generous beds; categories run from compact rooms to large suites. The rooftop holds a heated outdoor pool, a restaurant and a bar with views across the City to St Paul's dome — one of the most memorable hotel rooftops in London. Deep in the basement, the original bank vault, entered through its massive round steel door, has been turned into a members' bar. The Ned's location in the heart of the City is a strength for some trips and a quirk for others: weekday daytime is all suits and energy, weekends are quieter, and the immediate area empties on Sunday. But Bank station sits directly beneath, giving fast access to the West End and beyond, and St Paul's, the Tower of London, the Sky Garden and Borough Market are all within easy walking distance.

Lutyens designed the building as a statement of financial confidence, with a monumental classical façade and banking halls of extraordinary richness; the conversion kept these features rather than hiding them, and much of the pleasure of staying is exploring the building — the vault's safety-deposit boxes, the panelled former boardrooms, the original staircases and bronze details. The hotel's design takes cues from the era of the building's construction, mixing antiques, Art Deco lamps and velvet in rooms that feel like a well-appointed private club rather than a corporate hotel.

Living in it: rooms vary considerably in size, from cosy categories suited to solo travellers to large suites, and many retain period proportions with high ceilings. Hotel guests typically get access to Ned's Club facilities during their stay, including the gym, spa areas and the rooftop pool, though some spaces are reserved for members at times; confirm what your rate includes when booking. Food and drink are a major part of the appeal, with options ranging from all-day brasseries in the banking hall to more formal dining, and the rooftop is the place for sunset drinks in warmer months. Expect a busy, sociable atmosphere, especially on weekday evenings.

Base math: staying in the City puts the historic eastern half of London at your feet — St Paul's, the Tower, the river walk to Borough Market and the Sky Garden — while Bank station connects quickly to the West End, Waterloo and King's Cross. Weekend rates can be good value, as business demand drops; weekday rates follow the financial calendar. Book The Ned for sociable couples, groups of friends, design lovers and anyone who wants a hotel that feels like an event, with history built into the walls.