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Pan Pacific London: Why Sunday Is the Best Night to Check In

LONDON


All images are courtesy of Pan Pacific London.


There was a time when staycations became the holiday of choice. During the pandemic, checking into a luxury hotel a few miles from home felt wonderfully indulgent. Since then, I've usually chosen airports over hotel lobbies. But one Sunday night at Pan Pacific London reminded me that sometimes the best way to reset for the week ahead isn't boarding a plane,  it's checking into the right hotel, right on your doorstep.



I've spent over a decade living in Hong Kong, while my family is spread between Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia and the UK. I've been fortunate enough to experience some of Asia's finest hotels, including the iconic Pan Pacific Singapore, where the legendary Sunday brunch is reason enough to visit. If you've been, you'll know exactly what I mean: live cooking stations, endless choice, bold Southeast Asian flavours and the kind of hospitality that feels effortless.




As a Hong Konger in London, I miss Asian food almost daily. But more than that, I miss Asian hospitality. There is a warmth and attentiveness that is difficult to describe until you've experienced it. Staff seem to know what you need before you've even realised it yourself. It's thoughtful rather than overbearing, polished without feeling formal, and it's something I have always associated with the Pan Pacific brand.


Founded in Singapore in 1975, Pan Pacific Hotels Group has grown into an international collection of luxury hotels across Asia, Europe, North America and Oceania, yet its Singaporean heritage still shines through in every detail. Walking into Pan Pacific London, I immediately recognised that familiar sense of calm.



Pan Pacific Location


Situated on Bishopsgate, directly beside Liverpool Street Station, the hotel couldn't be better placed for exploring the capital. Within a short walk, you'll find Spitalfields Market, Shoreditch, Leadenhall Market, Sky Garden, the Tower of London and some of London's most recognisable architecture. Whether you're visiting for business meetings in the City or a weekend of sightseeing, it's an incredibly convenient base. Although I now live in London, I'm actually from Gloucestershire, so the city still gives me those "wow" moments. Pan Pacific certainly delivered plenty of them.



Room 1613: Views Worth Waking Up For


We stayed in Room 1613, with panoramic views across London's financial district. Floor-to-ceiling windows framed the skyline perfectly. Directly ahead stood 30 St Mary Axe, better known as The Gherkin, alongside The Leadenhall Building (the Cheesegrater), 22 Bishopsgate and the impressive glass towers that house many of the world's leading financial institutions. By day, the City buzzes with energy. By sunset, the skyline glows golden before transforming into a sea of twinkling lights after dark.




I treat every staycation like a mini wellness retreat. The things that matter most aren't always the biggest things. The Jo Loves bathroom amenities. The powerful rainfall shower. Thick, fluffy towels. Silky-soft robes. Crisp linen. Blackout blinds. Perfect air conditioning. Those little details quietly elevate an overnight stay into something restorative.


The service was equally thoughtful. We enjoyed evening turndown service before bed and fresh towels arrived the following morning without us needing to ask. Nobody hovered, yet somehow everything we needed simply appeared. For me, that's the definition of luxury. The bed was wonderfully comfortable with crisp white sheets and pillows you sink into. There is something undeniably special about climbing into bed sixteen floors above London while the city continues humming below.



Spa Time


One of the reasons Sunday is such a great night to stay is that you can truly switch off. We headed down to the SENSORY Wellbeing Floor on Level Four for an afternoon at the spa. While it's more intimate than some luxury hotel spas, it's beautifully designed. The infinity pool is elegant, the atmosphere is peaceful, and during summer the poolside Taittinger Lounge creates a wonderfully relaxed setting for an afternoon drink.


Families can enjoy the pool until 6pm before it becomes a quieter adults-only space during the evening, making it the perfect place to unwind as the sun begins to set. We braved both the steam room and sauna before padding around in fluffy robes and slippers. Interestingly, research has shown that regular sauna use may help reduce stress by lowering cortisol levels while encouraging the release of endorphins, those feel-good hormones responsible for that wonderfully calm feeling afterwards. Many people even describe becoming unexpectedly emotional after a sauna as their bodies finally begin to relax. If you sometimes cry in the sauna, I do too! Apparently it’s a cortisol release thing. Whether that's science or simply permission to slow down, I left feeling noticeably lighter.


The state-of-the-art Technogym equipment includes free weights, extensive cardio machines, functional fitness areas and the impressive D-Wall, an interactive digital training system that guides workouts on a huge wall-mounted screen. There are even reformer Pilates machines, plenty of space to move and enough greenery to make it feel more boutique wellness studio than hotel gym.




Dinner at Straits Kitchen


After getting ready, we headed downstairs for dinner at Straits Kitchen. The restaurant celebrates the hotel's Singaporean heritage by combining British produce with vibrant Southeast Asian flavours, and it does so beautifully. We chose the five-course tasting menu and every course felt carefully considered. The tuna tartare was bright, zingy and packed with flavour. The Cornish crab risotto was rich without feeling heavy. The slow-cooked beef simply melted apart with a fork. Accompanied by a chilled glass of alcohol free Champagne, it was exactly the sort of leisurely Sunday evening that makes you forget Monday is only hours away. After dinner, take a gentle stroll through the City as the sun sets before heading back upstairs.



Final Thoughts


For me, Pan Pacific London perfectly captures everything I love about the brand: the outstanding food, the thoughtful service, the attention to detail, the wellness facilities and the seamless blend of Singaporean hospitality with contemporary London luxury.


It's family-friendly without feeling busy, luxurious without being intimidating and relaxing without ever becoming sleepy. Sometimes, one Sunday night is all it takes to reset your mind, recharge your body and begin the week with a completely different outlook. And if you ask me, Sunday really is the best night to check in.


Pan Pacific London is currently offering a Summer Stay with Taittinger package, which includes overnight accommodation, breakfast at Straits Kitchen, a glass of Taittinger Champagne, Jo Loves amenities, full access to the SENSORY Wellbeing Floor and a Taittinger gift to take home.



Website: panpacific.com | Phone: +44 (0) 20 7118 6888 | Instagram: @panpacificlondon | Facebook: @PanPacificLondon | Location: Pan Pacific London 80 Houndsditch, London, United Kingdom EC3A 7AB


Disclaimer: The writer was invited by Pan Pacific London to experience the property. All observations, assessments, and opinions expressed are based on the writer’s independent experience and professional judgement.

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