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Our rating
THE LOCATION
This slick new Thames-side affair hugs the northern tip of the Greenwich peninsula, right by the O2 (a portal links the hotel's marble-floored lobby with this giant south-east London entertainment mecca). Quaint Greenwich village – a UNESCO World Heritage site – is a 15-minute bus or cab ride away, and the financial skyscrapers of Canary Wharf are just across the water. While central London seems a hike, Jubilee line tube trains will spirit you to London Bridge in eight minutes – and the Thames Clipper river boat connects North Greenwich jetty with several central piers, including London Eye and Embankment (for the West End). On a sunny day, it's the way to travel.
THE SPACE
With its high-end gloss and attentive multinational staff, this can feel like your typical large chain hotel. So the locally inspired decor is a welcome touch. Across the 18 storeys, antique seafaring maps, models of tall-mast ships, vintage clocks and brass tilted globes pay homage to Greenwich's maritime history and position on the Prime Meridian line. There are over 20 events spaces and meeting rooms (the highlight being the Arora, one of Europe's largest, pillar-free ballrooms). A stylish fitness centre has cardio machines, weights, medicine balls, a sauna, beauty spa and an alluring pool.
THE ROOM
There are 453 rooms and suites (some incredibly lavish, like the two-bedroom penthouse with a grand piano). Mine – 1213, a deluxe riverside choice – is less flashy, but has lots to like. At about 30 square metres , it's reasonably spacious by London standards with arresting Thames vistas through the floor-to-ceiling windows, a touch-screen lighting system, USB docking pods and a bathroom with an exceedingly large mirror (plus separate built-in bathtub and walk-in shower). Other pluses: complimentary espresso, bottled Willow Lake District water and aromatic Anne Semonin (Paris) toiletries. More importantly, the king-size bed, soundproof windows and black-out curtains make for a good night's kip (not always easy in the buzzing, sleep-deprived British capital).
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THE FOOD
Elaborate tasting menus, paired with wine, draw gourmands to the dapper Peninsula restaurant (expect the likes of Iberico pork fillet, with prawn ceviche, squid ink and capers, and Rubia Gallega sirloin, with kidney and barley casserole and piccalilli). At the Market Brasserie, choose from a selection of regionally sourced meat and fish and have it cooked in front of you. The chic Clipper Bar serves afternoon tea (and other tipples). You'll find delectable cakes and chocolates in the ground-floor Meridian Lounge, while, after dark, the top-floor Sky Bar has a seductive ambience and lit-up London panoramas.
STEPPING OUT
With its hodge-podge of crane-peppered brownfields, futuristic modern structures and drab car parks, North Greenwich isn't the most picturesque part of London. But walk – or jog – along the Thames Path, which fringes the hotel's grounds, and you'll be pleasantly surprised by how bucolic it is. Barges and ducks float by, reed-beds flutter in the breeze, birdsong spikes the air and you may even glimpse some fish (more than 100 species live in a waterway that, despite its murky look, is apparently Europe's cleanest metropolitan river). For a gull's eye view, board the Emirates Air Line, a cable-car over the Thames.
THE VERDICT
If you're in London for business or an O2 show, look no further. Even if you're not, consider staying here. A bit cut-off from the capital's hustle and bustle, perhaps, but this is a very fine hotel, and excellent transport links mean you can be in the thick of things fairly quickly.
![InterContinental London The 02.](/web/20160817063626im_/http://www.traveller.com.au/content/dam/images/g/p/9/k/c/n/image.related.articleLeadwide.520x294.gp9k5g.png/1465544951145.jpg)
HIGHLIGHT
The buffet breakfast is fabulous. Give yourself at least an hour to tuck in. You'll need it for those super-sized croissants (and all the dairy products, bacon, juicy sausages, smoked salmon, charcuterie, fresh fruit ...).
LOWLIGHT
Over-priced mini-bars are a given, but £25 for a 375ml bottle of La Crema Pinot Noir? And £10 for 50ml of Glenmorangie 10 whisky? No thanks.
ESSENTIALS
The InterContinental London - The 02. 1 Waterview Drive, SE10 0TW
![A fine hotel: The InterContinental London - The 02.](/web/20160817063626im_/http://www.traveller.com.au/content/dam/images/g/p/9/k/c/c/image.related.articleLeadwide.520x294.gp9k5g.png/1465544951145.jpg)
Doubles start at around £156 ($306); www.iclondon-theo2.com
Steve McKenna was a guest of Visit Britain (www.visitbritain.com)