If views are everything, then this three-floor sky scraping restaurant and bar has it all. Bokan in London city is an understated day-to-night destination where you can have breakfast while watching the sun rise, lunch when the city below is abuzz with people and dine as you unwind during sunset.
Our reporter Sabi Phagura couldn’t get enough of the views from this modern high-rise hotel restaurant during a recent visit.
Housed at the very top of the newly opened swanky Novotel Hotel in Canary Wharf, Bokan – meaning lighthouse – is awash with Docklands yesteryear maritime charm as is the hotel throughout. Think exposed bricks, overhead metal pipes, chairs made of rustic sacking and brass lamps.
Yet one look out of the numerous floor-to-ceiling windows on the higher floors, and you know you’re in modern day London.
With the restaurant and bars, including an alfresco drinking terrace, happily sitting on the 37th, 38th and 39th floor, you really don’t know where to head first. I had to remind myself that I wasn’t here for an evening but an overnight stay so I could have my fill of the best seats for the next 24 hours.
With the sun starting to set just moments after I checked-in (all swiftly done on an iPad), Melanie and I decided to have dinner to watch it. We took a prime position at the dinner table overlooking the stunning views as we intermittently mulled over the menu. It boasts European dishes with a British twist and a quick glance at fellow diners food being served, it caters for all tastes.
There is plenty of fish dishes here and meat lovers can stick their teeth into lamb cutlets, steaks and lobster from the Josper grill. Portions sizes are just right allowing you to save room for pudding or the delightful cheese board complete with crackers, grapes and chutneys.
Post dinner drinks slipped down nicely on the roof terrace which has a whiskey-focused bar. And mixologists were only too pleased to whip up a concoction from the lengthy cocktail list as drinkers relaxed on leather-backed chairs and sleek corner sofas while enjoying the serene night in the open air.
Finally managing to peel myself away from the humdrum of the action on these opulent floors and I was back in my suite (313 rooms altogether including suites) on the 34th floor.
Views rivalled those of the bar areas so there was no need to switch on the TV. Just a coffee from the Nespresso coffee machine and taking a pew on the chaise lounge and I had my very own ‘reality TV’.
Due to its location, the hotel attracts business visitors as expected but unlike normal bland meeting rooms, all nine here are individually designed with bespoke interiors representing London’s Docklands history. Just like the Docklands one was, these rooms delight the senses with the hint of exotic spices, tea, rum, coffee and silk from the West Indies.
A fitness centre with an indoor heated pool caters for your physical needs while a coffee shop on the ground floor is shared equally between those working or taking a leisurely break. Stuffed from a hot buffet breakfast from the Bokan restaurant, I treated myself to a fresh coffee while I tapped away on my laptop. Seriously, if I could work from a hotel like this on a daily basis I’m sure I would be a lot more productive.
Where and How.
Novotel Canary Wharf, 40 Marsh Wall, Isle of Dogs, London E14 9TP, 020 3530 0500, Bar and restaurant: BOKAN. For more information visit www.accorhotels.com
Rooms Start from £115.
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