In this post:
The Hotel
London has a new hotel to be proud of in Park Hyatt London River Thames. Opened in October 2024, this is the first Park Hyatt in Britain. If you have stayed at their other hotels in Europe and Asia, you will know the five star luxury to expect – and will not be disappointed.
As soon as you enter the Park Hyatt London River Thames, you enter another world, leaving behind the streets of the once grungy but now shiny Vauxhall. As the friendly doorman opens the doors to the hotel the first thing that catches your eyes in the lobby is the swirling and epic bronze and pale wood artwork – Ebb and Glow by Charles Whinney which curls and unfolds along the ceilings and walls, a reminder that this is an extension of the River Thames which sits on the hotels doorstep.
Check- in
The three free standing check in desks are to the right entering the hotel, not that you would miss them – the attentive yet not obtrusive doormen will have already guided you there. Like every member of staff we met in the hotel, the welcome and friendliness was genuine and welcoming in this spotlessly clean hotel.
If you turn your head around while the reception staff check you in, another huge work of art vies for your attention: Land and Water by Manchester-based artist Iyer Rayer-Smith, which again pays homage to the Park Hyatt’s London location.
The Rooms
Naturally, our luggage was taken to our King River View Room; the hotel has 203 rooms, including 34 suites, 2 Ambassador suites and 1 Presidential Suite both on the 18th floor with sweeping views of the River Thames, the Houses of Parliament and the London Eye.
The views from almost every floor are breathtaking, with the floor to ceiling glass making the rooms feel light and airy. As the River Thames curled around down below, the Wembley Arch twinkled in the distance with the famous Battersea Power Station looking seemingly within arm’s reach.
Our spacious air conditioned King River View room came with a 55” LCD television, a safe, a jewellery box – which seemed very novel, a good sized wardrobe – with good hanging space for ladies’ dresses. An iron, an ironing board and a hair dryer were included too. A mini bar, which was just that – it would be hard to store any other items in there besides the alcohol and soft drinks that were already racked in place.
The cabinet also included a Nespresso coffee machine with plenty of pods and also a teapot and bottled water – the latter of which was complimentary.
A chaise lounge sofa was ideal for watching the activity on the River Thames, good WiFi, the lighting might take a bit of working out, but once understood, provided either a luminous display or something softer depending on your mood.
The blackout curtains, along with more traditional ones, shut out any natural light so that a good night’s sleep was guaranteed. The bedding was of high quality, with the grey wrap around headboard made of quality fabric, adding an unusual touch.
There were plenty of USB ports and electric points that fit UK plugs, but anyone coming from overseas would need to bring an adapter.
The Bathroom
The double sinked bathroom came with Blaise Mautin toiletries, a tissue box, which was thankfully full, not just containing one or two that always seem to be there for decorative purposes, a clock, weighing scales, a small bath, walk in rain shower and a good vanity mirror.
The separate water closet with a fully automatic bidet toilet that had a heated seat and various functions that could be operated by the wall mounted dial. The last time I saw anything as luxurious as this was at the casino in Monte Carlo!
Nine Elms Kitchen
The main dining room also serves as the breakfast room. The pleasing evening menu includes fish and meat dishes with an excellent Charcuterie board as a starter, with Parma Ham, with a main of Halibut that was cooked to perfection according to my partner. My Ribeye steak was cooked to my preference and was one of the best I have tasted. Desserts include a scrumptious Tarte Tatin and an indulgent Chocolate Brownie.
The breakfast is a feast set for a king. A free standing continental buffet includes home cooked pastries, cold meats, fresh salmon, a seriously strong cheese selection of Cheddar and Camembert, fruit, yogurts and cakes.
The traditional English breakfast was freshly cooked in the open plan kitchen, though my disappointment of the kitchen not having any brown sauce was rectified on day two of our stay with my request being met, as you would expect in a five star establishment.
There is a terrace outside for dining too though it was a little too windy during our stay to make use of this al fresco facility. In the warmer months the terrace will be an inviting area to dine or have a long, cool drink.
The Yu Ge Cantonese restaurant has also recently opened, which includes private dining areas. The restaurant has a separate entrance to the main hotel.
There are 2 bars: The Nine Elms Bar and Lounge, which is situated on the ground floor opposite the entrance hall. The wooden floors and cosy chairs added a touch of sophistication. The rear wall pays homage via moulded car parts to Rolls Royce and Bentley, the car makers whose factories were situated in Vauxhall. On the adjoining walls murals are influenced by the new Covent Garden flower market that is just down the road from the hotel.
The Spa and Gym
Conclusion
1 comment
The picture of the living room is a little misleading. That is a picture of the Presidential Suite rather than the standard room.
Otherwise a good review and would agree with many of the comments.