Park Plaza London Riverbank

If it were positioned anywhere else in London it would be impossible to miss this lofty Park Plaza property. Vauxhall, however, is known for its grey high-rise buildings so the hotel blends quite seamlessly with its surroundings. Inside, there’s a cosmopolitan vibe and undeniably modern style throughout, but the decor has varying degrees of success. A wall covered in multi-colored LED lights is the only point of interest in what’s otherwise an unremarkable lobby area, which doesn’t feel sophisticated or expensive. Check-in is an efficient affair, which sits perfectly with the hotel’s busy guests. Upstairs, in the hotel’s pan-Asian restaurant, Chino Latino, the dull browns and grays are replaced with handsome low leather seats, floor-to-ceiling windows, and chic red lamps -- unsurprisingly this is the busiest and best-looking part of the hotel. Guests and local business people use the eatery as a meeting space, lunch spot, and after-work drinks venue, giving it a lively and urbane atmosphere.

The Park Plaza London Riverbank sits on the busy Albert Embankment in one of London’s often overlooked neighborhoods -- Lambeth. The appeal isn’t immediately obvious. This isn’t the prettiest stretch of river and it’s lined with soaring gray council buildings, but its just over the river from Westminster and right next to Vauxhall -- which has undergone extensive regeneration in recent years. So, it’s become a prime location for business guests who need access to Elephant and Castle, Waterloo, and Westminster, and leisure travelers who want to be close to Westminster’s major landmarks. There are a handful of good bars and restaurants within a 10-minute walk of the hotel, but guests won’t be spoiled for choice like in other parts of the city. The Imperial War Museum is a 15-minute walk from the hotel, as is the Tate Britain, which is located just over the Lambeth Bridge. Other points of interest are easy to reach via bus, train, or a longer walk. Westminster Cathedral, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, and the Houses of Parliament take just over 15 minutes to reach by train. The closest underground station is Vauxhall, a 10-minute walk away. Gatwick Airport is an hour’s train ride away, while Heathrow Airport is an hour away by taxi, but a slightly longer train journey. 

The 498 rooms are pleasant enough -- verging on bland -- with the most impressive element being the views out to Westminster and the River Thames in some rooms. Interiors consist of near-black wood floors with large dark gray rugs flecked with yellow, plus glass or wooden desks, comfortable desk chairs and leather headboards in muted tones. The mostly pared back palette gets a dose of personality from large Asian-inspired artwork and elegant purple flowers. Beds are comfy, and rooms are spacious, while suites have separate living areas with sleeper sofas. High-end amenities include flat-screen TVs with movies on demand for an added cost, free Wi-Fi, minibars, tea- and coffee-making facilities, and wardrobes that hold laptop-sized safes, irons and ironing boards, and hairdryers. Modern bathrooms have walk-in showers or shower/tub combos and Elemis toiletries. The best rooms are the suites, which have huge floor-to-ceiling windows and city or River Thames views, plus separate living rooms and bedrooms, plasma flat-screen TVs, decorative blackout curtains, bathrobes, and slippers. Keep in mind that some previous guests have noted traffic noise in some rooms.

The hotel’s crowning glory is the fantastic Chino Latino restaurant, with its huge windows and uninterrupted views of London’s skyline. The seasonal outdoor seating is nice, but the main restaurant is exceptional, with a modern take on East-meets-West style that reflects the elegant dishes being served. Small pendant lights and lots of punchy red accents add flare, and the restaurant has a social atmosphere thanks to its mix of hotel guests and locals all posting up throughout the day. The 24-hour fitness center is particularly sleek, with cardio and weight-lifting machines. There’s a designated stretching area, free weights section, SKILLROW rowing machine, Excite bike, Ercolina rehab machine, and Cross Personal crosstrainer. Plans to build a spa with manicure and pedicure rooms, two treatment rooms, a sauna, steam room, ice shower, and 13-meter-long indoor pool were underway as of 2018, so check ahead. Multiple meeting and events spaces are on-site and are usually very popular. There are 23 function rooms including the ballroom, which has a capacity for 540 guests. The Executive Boardroom on the 12th floor is also available for smaller meetings and events. For international guests, its worth noting that there’s an on-site foreign currency exchange. There is no on-site parking. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel.