Central London
location walking distance from sights
Family-friendly
rooms and activities for children such as pizza-making classes
Studios include
separate living rooms and wet bars
Italian
restaurant with clay pizza oven
Upper-level rooms feature landmark views
Spa with massage,
sauna, and steam room
Cafe bar offers casual meals and cocktails
Guest laundry room on-site
Free Wi-Fi
throughout
Wi-Fi connection
can be slow
Set on busy roundabout
Hallways lack
natural light
Fitness center has no windows and is a bit dark
The 399-room Park Plaza
County Hall London is an upscale, centrally located hotel set between Waterloo
Station and the River Thames. Location is its main strength, and many of the capital's main landmarks are within easy walking distance. Rooms are
contemporary and bright with floor-to-ceiling windows and amenities including flat-screen TVs, electric kettles, microwaves, and mini-fridges. Bathrooms are modern and sleek; some have separate walk-in showers and soaking tubs. Property highlights include an Italian restaurant, bright cafe bar, an impressive central atrium, and a spa but the windowless fitness room is on the dark side. Kid-friendly activities such as pizza-making classes make this hotel a popular choice with
families, though for an option with a pool, compare rates with the Park
Plaza Westminster Bridge opposite.
Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.
Scene
Contemporary, family-friendly hotel with impressive central atrium
The four-pearl Park Plaza County Hall London opened in 2008 and is still one of the more recent additions to this crowded South Bank neighborhood (its nearby sibling, Park Plaza, is newer). The hotel's exterior is characterized by a
simple yet innovative contemporary facade, with a revolving glass door that
delivers guests into a light, modern lobby area. Colorful flowers together with
jazzy carpets and playful lampshades brighten most of the public areas. A
central atrium with exposed glass elevators soars impressively up the
property's 14 floors, though lack of windows in the hallways can make these spaces feel rather gloomy. Despite a corporate feel to much of
the hotel, families with kids make up a surprising majority of the clientele
thanks to its child-friendly facilities (such as movie nights and pizza-making classes) and a reputation for catering to families. Business guests also frequent the property, making use of conference spaces.
Location
Walking distance from numerous central London landmarks
This hotel is set
on a well-trafficked roundabout just east of Westminster Bridge between the
River Thames and Waterloo Station train terminal. Its central location is
particularly convenient for tourists, within easy walking distance of a number
of the capital's most famous landmarks including the London Eye, Big Ben,
Westminster Abbey, and the Houses of Parliament all within 15 minutes on foot. There
are a few restaurants nearby, mainly fast-food chains, but the South Bank with
its collection of eateries, plus the Royal Festival Hall and National Theatre,
is a 10-minute walk away. Proximity to
Waterloo Station also means easy public transport links throughout London.
Rooms
Contemporary rooms, studios, and suites -- many with landmark views
This hotel has 399
rooms, studios, and suites, all of which are decorated in fresh, contemporary styling
with simple polished wood furnishings, colorful wall art, and floor-to-ceiling
windows providing plenty of natural light. Standard amenities include tea/coffee
facilities, minibars, and microwaves. Flat-screen TVs come with movies on
demand and Wi-Fi is free of charge (though the connection can be slow); suites add iPod docks.
Studios are spacious with separate living rooms (with double sofa beds) and
small wet bars. Contemporary bathrooms are topped with marble and have
walk-in showers, anti-steam mirrors, and Elemis toiletries; some rooms also have separate soaking tubs. Higher-floor rooms
feature views of London landmarks, including the Shard and the iconic OXO Tower.
The seven upper-floor Penthouse Suites also have balconies with superb views of
the river towards the Houses of Parliament.
Features
Italian eatery with pizza oven, bright bar and cafe, spa with sauna, conference rooms, and kids' activities such as pizza-making classes
A decent hot and
cold breakfast buffet is served in the main L'Italiano restaurant, though the
service can get very busy, it's not included in the rate, and is pricey.
Positioned under the impressive 14-floor atrium, this main eatery is also open for lunch
and dinner, offering Italian favorites including pizza from a clay oven. The
Spectrum Bar and Cafe serves lighter meals and a good range of cocktails. A spa
offers massage treatments, as well as a sauna and steam room, and there's a
fitness room with a few machines and free weights but it has no windows and feels a bit dark. The hotel's main strength is
in its child-friendly activities, offering regular entertainment such as movie
nights and pizza-making classes. Guest laundry is available on-site. A few conference rooms are available. Wi-Fi is free throughout, but the connection can be slow.
