Escape This 5* London Hotel—They’ll Actually Help You Run Away, But Here’s Why You Should Think Twice!

Ever thought about seeing London at a sprint rather than a stroll? I certainly hadn’t—until I found myself lacing up trainers for a 5k through the city’s hidden corridors, no map in hand, just the rhythm of my own footsteps. My first time in London was a bit of a foggy mishmash—two days, countless landmarks, and absolutely zero soul. No museums, no Michelin-star magic, just the usual tourist traps that left me wanting more than just a forgettable photo album. Swearing I’d “do London right” next time felt like a safe bet—until Raffaele Ruocco, the sharp General Manager of The Westin London City, threw a curveball my way: “Why not do London the run way?” It was the start of an altogether different kind of adventure—one where history and heart-pounding motion collided, and the city’s quieter, lesser-known tales unfolded beneath my feet. Ready to swap aimless wandering for an energizing sprint? Let’s dive into how The Westin’s running concierge is redefining the London experience one step at a time. LEARN MORE

The Westin London City’s running concierge offers a new, active way to see the city

Running a 5k through London was hardly how I envisioned my return to the UK capital. 

A decade ago, I did London the “wrong” way and spent nearly two days wandering from landmark to landmark on a scavenger hunt of sorts that yielded nothing more than an unimpressive Facebook album. 

No museums. No Michelin-starred meal. No sudden love for London. 

A Jack the Ripper walking tour, an obligatory photo at Platform 9 ¾, and a basket of fish and chips along the Thames was all I had to show for my first trip to the underwhelming Big Smoke. 

I swore that if ever I returned to London, I’d do it the “right” way — but that was before I met Raffaele Ruocco, General Manager of Westin London City who showed me how to do London the run way.

An unexpected stay in London’s city center

The Westin London City isn’t my typical scene — lesser-known history, overlooked culture, and quieter stories draw my attention faster than lavish lobbies, brand names, and a city center address. 

Yet, despite its construction only three years prior, few visitors realize that The Westin stands on one of the oldest parts of the city.

“Our spa was built atop Ancient Roman baths,” Ruocco said. “People don’t expect to find Roman ruins in London, but that’s part of what makes this city so special.” 

Construction crews uncovered the minimal Roman remains when developing the hotel. Directly behind The Westin is the Queenhithe Dock, the oldest medieval dock in London, and the Queenhithe Mosaic, which depicts the history of London from the first Roman invasions in 55 BCE. 

This site sits right on the London Marathon route, though this North Bank section isn’t along the traditional tourist trail. Even guests of The Westin can overlook this lowkey landmark, ironically, thanks to the serenity of the new spa.

Heavenly Spa by Westin does more than rename the Huggin Hill Roman bathhouse, adding a vitality pool, sensorial shower, steam room, and sauna around the swimming area. Spa treatments, like the Mediterranean Candle Ritual, would have no doubt made Emperor Claudius feel at home two-millennia later. 

Dining at The Westin also offers guests a chance to indulge in a swanky London setting with an international twist. Mosaic, the main restaurant, serves afternoon tea and battered cod dishes with mushy peas while Hithe + Seek, the relaxed riverfront kitchen and bar, sends out plates of tuna tartar tacos, chicken gyoza, and patatas bravas.

“Most tourists know London for the West End theaters or restaurants or the royals and overlook the City of London itself,” Ruocco said. 

And he was absolutely right — my intended itinerary included checking out the Egyptian collection in The British Museum, seeing MCU stars perform Shakespeare at Theatre Royal Drury Lane, and following the appetite of Anthony Bourdain to a Michelin-starred meal at St. John.

But there I sat above Roman ruins, staring at the River Thames from a Hithe + Seek seat, sipping Guinness and munching on European charcuterie as the “right” way to do London was redefined.   

RunWestin sets the pace for an active yet accessible vacation

“This is a very interesting area of London,” Ruocco said in a steady breath. “Hidden streets, little alleyways, it’s a true representation of what the city looked like in medieval times, which is something you’d only notice when walking around.”

Although we were jogging, he was once again right. 

The hotel’s RunWestin fitness program pairs guests with run concierges, like Ruocco, for a sneaker-forward sightseeing tour. The typical route begins on the Jubilee Walkway behind the hotel, follows the River Thames west to the Millennium Bridge, then loops east over Tower Bridge and back to the hotel. 

“Running around this part of the city lets you reconnect with the real beating heart of London,” Ruocco said. “I used to visit London all the time, but when I moved here from Rome, I realized I didn’t know much about this part of the city.”

Our 5k route is RunWestin’s standard course, though guests with limited time, energy, or mobility can shorten the run by crossing London Bridge prior to Tower Bridge. For a longer loop, Ruocco takes overnighters up to the Westminster Bridge, and during the holidays, the hotel hosts nighttime runs to see the West End illuminated in festive lights. 

Hours after our run, I modified his recommendation and walked the extended loop from the hotel, west over the Lambeth Bridge, and down the Strand. 

When I stopped at the edge of the Thames, staring at Big Ben with a basket of fish and chips in hand, I found myself doing exactly what I vowed never to do: walk aimlessly around London.

No museums. No Michelin-starred meals. And, this time, hardly even a photo.

But as I roamed the streets, I did find an unexpected love for London.

It’s easy to wander the riverfront Queen’s Walk trying to get the perfect shot of the London Eye or the Palace of Westminster, but I found it much more enjoyable to leaf through the Southbank Book Market beneath the Waterloo Bridge and see newer historical landmarks like the Monument to the SOE Agents and the The National Covid Memorial Wall.   

In the shadow of St. Paul’s Cathedral, St. Bride’s Church hides a sacred Roman well. Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese, though far from a secret watering hole on Fleet Street, still feels like a local haunt that Dickens frequented. Both were places I would have missed had my local friends not pointed them out during my day-long dawdling.

The RunWestin program is more than an amenity for the active traveler. It’s an opportunity to explore London at a steady pace. 

London, the run way

If you want to keep your footing during a trip to London, The Westin London City offers a comfortable balance of expectation and excitement that doesn’t feel too touristy or mundane.

Yes, it’s a chain hotel — one in the center of the city where there’s not much going on after quittin’ time — but therein lies a reliability that’s indispensable when experiencing a city like London. 

Cannon Street railway station and Mansion House Underground are just as close as the Millennium Bridge, which means everything from Westminster to Kent is just as accessible as the Tate Modern and Borough Market. 

Gone are the days of drinking until the wee hours of the morning, which makes Hithe + Seek a casual place to sip a beer instead of rushing to pre-midnight last call at The Wren or The Cocktail Club. 

Most importantly, The Westin’s literally built atop the city’s history yet doesn’t have an air of exclusivity. 

The restaurants, the spa services, and the rooms are equal parts posh and approachable. You can do London the “wrong” way like I did and the staff is more than happy to help you map out the perfect London itinerary featuring everything from The Shard to Shakespeare’s Globe. You could plan to do London the “right” way, as I hoped to, and find the same assistance navigating the ever-evolving dining, drinking, and entertainment scene that’s won the world over. 

Or you could do London the run way and let The Westin’s run concierge help you fall in love with an overlooked side of the city that’s right beneath your feet.