I arrive at London Heathrow on an overnight flight from San Francisco. I am ultimately heading to Cambridge to immerse myself in philosophy courses (more on that later), but first stop is four days at the sparkling new Westin London City.

I am intrigued to interview Raffaele Ruocco, the General Manager, to find out why an American brand hotel is getting rave reviews in London, a city known for its iconic hotels. I spend the morning with Raffaele and now I understand exactly why. Raffaele is passionate about the guest experience and also about the hotel’s role in revitalizing this unique area of London.

We meet at the beautiful Mosaic lounge which has floor to ceiling glass overlooking the River Thames.

Over espresso, I learn that whether it is nature or nurture, Raffaele is destined to lead this exciting new property. Born into a family that has been in the hospitality business for years, Raffaele is continuing in his family’s footsteps. After graduation from Università degli Studi di Palermo, he begins his career in Rome and Milan, rising through a variety of positions in the hotel business. He arrives in London in 2018 when he is recruited to the Conrad London St. James Hotel as the Food and Beverage Director. In 2021, there was an exciting buzz in the hotel business. Westin was going to open its very first property in the UK. And the property was not in the typical tourist area of Knightsbridge or Mayfair. Strategically located over old Roman baths, Westin was opening in the City of London. The start-up general manager knew just who he wanted for his #2. Raffaele Ruocco. Raffaele took on the challenge and during that first year devotes himself to every detail of the strategy of making this new property a success. One year later, he is recognized for his efforts and made General Manager.

I enjoy our conversation because Raffaele is so passionate about this unique property and its staff, guests, vendors and partners. Like many cities, the financial district of London became less busy and less vibrant when Covid resulted in many office workers working remotely. That is why, if it was going to succeed, Westin London City needed to attract both tourists and business clientele based on offering something unique to its guests. One of the areas Raffaele focused on was design. I had taken the new Elizabeth Line from Heathrow to nearby Liverpool Station and then jumped into a taxi. I arrive at the lobby and am not sure if I am in a garden, a museum or a hotel. A sweeping atrium greets me with sculptures and plants everywhere. As I make my way to reception, I am constantly surrounded by nature. Planters and walls of moss and fresh foliage make the space inviting and welcoming.

Simone checks me in after offering me a glass of Prosecco. I am wowed by his professionalism, but I learn during my 4 days here that Raffaele has instilled that quality in all of his hires. Simone walks me to my room, but first shows me the beautiful spa. There are five treatment rooms, a pool, a thermal suite, a well appointed gym, and a relaxation room. After eleven hours on the plane I am already starting to relax.

Once in my room, I note that the bed is made up to my specifications (no duvets for me…I prefer blankets). Oh but what is that noise? As you will recall from my last hotel review in Siracusa, I am quite sensitive to noise. It appears to be some sort of fan noise. I try to disable it but cannot . I call down to reception and within 10 minutes an engineer is in my room disabling the noise. This is only the second time in all my hotel stays that I have been taken seriously and had the noise eliminated (the last was in fact the Grand Hotel des Étrangers in Siracusa). I am very pleased!

The hotel is a bit of a maze. It is part of the redevelopment of the Queenhithe Dock, which is the oldest in London.  The hotel runs north to south, going across Upper Thames Street and therefore it has a gorgeous position over one of the main routes through the City of London. The design team did a magnificent job in making the bridge between the two sides a lovely reception area and home to the aforementioned Mosaic Restaurant. From the South Bank, the hotel has panoramic views over the River Thames.  The  riverbank walkway outside goes between the Tower of London and Millennium Bridge.

Having gotten settled in my room, I decide to walk over the bridge to the South Bank for lunch. Immediately on the other side of the bridge is the Tate Modern, one of my favorite museums in London. But I am hungry, so I head for Capricci, an Italian restaurant recommended by my friend Nick. I am not disappointed as I meet the owner Lorenzo and start to get over jet lag with a lovely pasta and wine.

Refreshed, I walk through the Borough’s Market and along the South Bank and admire the cityscape.

To get on London time as quickly as possible, I later join a London Walks’ pub crawl. I discovered London Walks when I spent Shirleyfest in London in 2012. Led by expert guides there are usually 5 to 6 walks at all hours of the day and evening. For a reasonable 15 GBP you can join the group and be entertained while getting some steps in. And in my case…some pints in.

I have a full day the next day. I meet my friend Kevin for lunch at the Walkie-Talkie building ( real name is The Fenchurch Building). Fantastic views and delicious food at the Sky Garden Restaurant.

Kevin works at the Financial Times and he graciously takes me over there after lunch and we enjoy the FT rooftop garden.

I scoot to meet my friends Huw and Deirdre at the museum at the Barbican Centre. There is a three decade photography exhibition of Carrie Mae Weems. It is provocative and educational and well, beautiful.

We walk all over the area.

Afterwards we have a pint near Brick Lane at The English Restaurant before having a delicious laughter-filled dinner together at Babel.

The next day is a free day and I am delighted to roam. I head over to stroll around SoHo and return to one of my favorite spots, Barrafina. For some reason, I have the magic touch with this popular place. As has happened several times before, I queue up and prepare for the wait when I am picked out of the line and told to come inside. Right smack dab in the middle of the counter I am given a menu and before long enjoying the tapas that makes me return time and time again.

Afterwards I head over to Chelsea and visit my old Shirleyfest apartment, local pub and engage in some nostalgia.

That night I ramble the other way along the South Bank and see the Bee Hive (City Hall).

I find myself at a restaurant recommended by Raffaele….Brigadiers. I am offered a table but prefer to eat at the bar. The food is Indian and spicy and divine. Wimbledon is on in the bar area and I end up watching it a bit with my new acquaintance Nalesh.

Walking home, I notice Enoteca da Luca and decide to stop in. There I meet the lovely Alessandro. I see they have Sicilian wines and I’m intrigued having gotten back recently from Sicily. The entire night turns out to be a party as the owner, Roberto, is also at the bar and also a chef from one of his other restaurants. Waiters Normi and Paula join in the fun. I walk the few blocks back to the hotel with the light of St Paul’s Cathedral guiding me.

My friends Nick and Ivan arrive tomorrow. I take the Elizabeth Line far out to the west and Nick meets me at the Woolwich train station. It’s an intriguing area built as a separate community on the South Bank. After a bite at the cute cafe, we pick up Ivan and grab an Uber boat to get back to the city for dinner at the 125 year old seafood restaurant J. Sheekey.

How have I not eaten here before now? It’s a classic restaurant and Nick and Ivan are regulars. Champagne is immediately poured and we have a delicious meal. We have to hurry now as we are going to see Carbaret. The production has turned the Playhouse Theatre into the Kit Kat Club and it’s a wonderful musical.

I take the tube back to my hotel and as I cross the bridge I see Mosaic’s maitre d’ , Mathew, and bartender Naim.

They are so welcoming and friendly. I feel like I am home. At the front desk Giulia welcomes me home. There is nothing more relaxing than feeling like you are “home” when you are a guest at a hotel.

The next day, I call a cab to the train station to head to Cambridge. Turns out there is a marathon in the city and many of the roads are blocked. The young man helping me, Gabor, goes well beyond the call of duty and doesn’t abandon me. We go back upstairs and across the bridge to yet another exit where he hails another cab from an area not affected by the race. This brings me full circle back to what makes this hotel so special. Raffael has instilled a genuine desire to go out of the way for guests and make the experience stress free. The space, the amenities but most of all the people make for a stress-free relaxing experience. I will return to London and this is where I will stay.

Now I’m off to Cambridge to immerse myself in the study of philosophy. I think therefore I am.

#Westin London City

#Capricci Restaurant

#London Walks

#Barrafina

#Brigadiers Restaurant

#J. Sheekey Restaurant

#Enoteca da Luca