Wow. Vauxhall is changing. An area that used to be really Sundays for Horse Meat Disco raving or a trip to dine at Jackson Boxer’s excellent Brunswick House, with a side of Lassco, it was a tube stop that really wasn’t for stopping at, but more to pass through (for most). But now, just a stone’s throw from the station and on a very shiny, upmarket piece of land is the new Park Hyatt London River Thames hotel. With direct river views, boardwalk access, incredible sunsets, and close access to the impressive Battersea Power Station development, this sky-high contemporary hotel is a reflection of the postcode’s evolution and offers an excellent location, particularly for anyone visiting the company HQs (like Apple) nearby.
The Hotel
With Park Hyatts, you know it’s going to be high, elegant, and with great service – and that’s of course what you get here. Located on the south west London riverside, hotel views include the Chelsea and Battersea Bridges, the O2, Big Ben, and the London Eye, with Uber Boat Thames Clippers passing by; this really is a bird’s-eye view of London. One look at this panoramic vista and you’ll wonder what took you so long to discover more on this side of town. Sites like Buckingham Palace and Westminster Abbey are a 15-minute walk away, and the Power Station is about the same distance, too.
There are 203 rooms across 18 floors, two restaurants, a lobby lounge, a wine bar, a wellness floor, and an incredible art collection including ceiling installations and hand-picked pieces from 20 artists, throughout.
The building itself – a sky-high glass tower with vertical frames and floor-to-ceiling windows – also certainly makes its mark on the London skyline.
The Vibe
Understated luxury is what Park Hyatt is known for. Bellhops are swift, but not stiff. Front desk help is warm and accommodating. Smiles are seen around. The clientele seems to be a mix of business travellers and international leisure guests who follow the brand.
The Rooms
Uptown chic is the theme here. Rooms are contemporary, with a streamlined palette (of white, heather grey, and pops of an Hermès-ish orange) that really lets the view shine. These are far from basic designs, though: every single element has been carefully chosen. The orange accents are dotted around, from the leather ice bucket to the notepad holder, coasters, and even the Blaise Mautin Parfumeur bespoke London VIII toiletries. They have shoe shine (gratis) on request, desks for scenic riverfront working, minibars with the good stuff (crystal tumblers and excellent wines), marble washrooms with deep tubs for soaking, and a sophisticated room service setup (white tablecloths and silver shakers), that’s worth staying in bed for.
Restaurants/Bars
With four different venues, you don’t have to travel far during your stay. Yú Gé is their sultry Cantonese restaurant on the ground floor; Sundays are busy for dim sum, Peking duck and Chinese wines; on any night of the week (except Mondays, when they’re not open), guests settle into the comfortable sofas and chairs, for relaxed, chic dinners. The Nine Elms Kitchen & Terrace has an open kitchen and something for everyone on the menu, and The Nine Elms Bar & Lounge has stunning artwork and is a great place to start the night. There’s also a pâtisserie, and TAMISé Wine Library and Tea Lounge, that is open on select days.
Wellness
The spa is light, airy, and has a gym you actually want to work out in. Read more about the spa here.
Highlights
Crisps with caviar in the lobby bar is a good place to start – and it’s surprisingly almost reasonably priced (for what it is), which is a perk. And the views are really unbeatable; this is London!
Anything Else
If you’re looking to work out, they have a map with running routes at reception and there’s a Boomcycle close by. There’s also a FLOWERBX in the lobby and vases in rooms, should you want fresh flowers, and copper fire extinguishers: the detail! Food-wise, the Nine Elms Kitchen & Terrace does a Brazilian roast on Sundays, and chef Xiaoling does a dim sum masterclass the last Sunday of every month at Yú Gé.
