Sea Containers London

The Mondrian London at Sea Containers is a trendy hotel with bold and artsy interiors inspired by a 1920s cruise ship. The building was built in the 1970s with the intent of being a luxury hotel, but recession stalled the idea and it became an office block until 2014 when it opened under the stylish Morgans Hotel Group. From afar, the hotel isn’t any more stylish than any other large contemporary building. However, upon entering, guests are immediately greeted by the nautical theme that permeates the entire property in a mix of subtle and overt tones. Interiors were designed by Tom Dixon, an artist with a quirky yet sophisticated style.  The reception desk is a copper-clad ship hull that extends outside. The space is dominated by a giant, electric-blue sculpture of chain-links about the size of a small car.

Low lighting, dark colors, and sleek floors fill the hallways, making for a sexy, intimate atmosphere that overflows into the restaurant and bars. Sea Containers, the hotel’s upscale restaurant, is clad in purple, gold, and maroon hues. It's decked out in ambient lighting, and wooden floors and walls. The Dandelyan Bar is full of natural light thanks to floor-to-ceiling windows and has a fashionable turquoise marble bar, purple leather booths along the walls, and a mix of colorful velour and leather chairs. The rooftop bar, the Rumpus Room, renovated in early 2017, offers stunning panoramic views of London, day and night. Overall, the ambience is sexy, young, and vibrant, attracting couples on romantic getaways and business guests looking for upscale amenities. 

This hotel sits on the banks of the River Thames in the Southwark section of London. Beyond the lovely views, the hotel’s location is great for those looking to explore the city. For one, there’s a number of restaurants and bars on surrounding streets. The hotel is well serviced by public transportation, with a bus stop that’s three minutes away on foot, two underground stations that can both be reached in eight minutes, and Waterloo Station (train and Tube stop) that's a 10-minute walk away. Several popular attractions are within walking distance, including the Tate Modern (nine-minute walk), Shakespeare’s Globe (nine-minute walk), the London Eye (13-minute walk), and St. Paul’s Cathedral (15-minute walk). It’s a 50-minute drive to London Heathrow Airport, or about an hour by public transportation, while both Gatwick Airport and Luton Airport can be reached in about an hour by car or public transportation. London City Airport is around a half-hour drive or 40 minutes via public transit.

The hotel's 359 rooms vary in size, but all have been designed by Tom Dixon and feature a sleek, trendy atmosphere with stylish decor that’s elegant and artsy. Gray carpets or wooden floors are paired with platform beds with black tufted headboards, white linens, and pink, gray, and black bed runners. Custom-designed furniture like illuminated full-length mirrors, wingback chairs, and drip wall paintings by the designer himself make for a trendy look. 

Some rooms have separate living rooms or furnished balconies with views of the River Thames and London. Amenities include air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, safes, international power sockets, electric kettles, robes, and minibars stocked with a variety of drinks and a large selection of snacks. Guests are required to put a deposit on their credit card that covers damages and minibar use. Fun kits for hangovers, couple’s intimacy, or those with chargers and adaptors are nice perks that go above and beyond what’s expected. Some upper-level rooms have espresso machines as well. Bathrooms are luxe with marble showers and floors, black vessel sinks, and walk-in glass showers with waterfall showerheads. Some rooms have separate tubs. Hairdryers and Malin + Goetz toiletries are provided. 

It comes as little surprise that a hotel that’s part of the Morgans Hotel Group has numerous outstanding amenities. There's a luxurious full-service spa on-site with six treatment rooms, steam rooms, baths, and a nail salon. There’s also a good-sized 24-hour fitness room with diverse cardio and weight equipment and trainers available upon request. The added high-tech features of touch screens, iPod connectivity, and charging stations on cardio equipment are a nice perk. 

The hotel’s on-site restaurant, Sea Containers, may be pricey, but offers American and British cuisine for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, plus outdoor patio seating next to the river walk. Breakfast isn’t included in all room rates. Bar Dandelyan has views of the river and serves innovative cocktails in a hip lounge. The Rumpus Room has a fabulous rooftop location with panoramic views of London. It’s hip, drawing a young crowd with a music series during the week and DJs on the weekends. The restaurant and bars can get crowded, so be prepared to make reservations. Room service is available 24/7 as well. 

The hotel has a Cinema Room that screens new releases on the weekends. Meetings and events can be held in one of four fully equipped meeting rooms or rental spaces (bars, lounges, restaurant, etc.). Other amenities include valet parking for a fee and free Wi-Fi throughout.