How The London Marriott County Hall is Now One Of The Best Luxury Hotels On The River Thames / By Nick Gibbens / Publisher LLM Magazine

London’s bustling South Bank is one of the city’s prime locations, awash with iconic landmarks and buzzing restaurants and bars.

And the luxurious London Marriott Hotel County Hall enjoys a privileged location right there in the thick of it, set on the banks of the river Thames and overlooking the likes of the London Eye, Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament.

The Grade II listed building is steeped in rich history, and the building and its wood panelled chambers have witnessed many important moments in London history.

But today, it’s one of the best spots to stay for a weekend or extended trip to the city, combining contemporary decor and modern amenities with nods to its intriguing heritage for an experience that feels opulent, but entirely unique.

The hotel recently launched a brand new set of Balcony Rooms and Suites, providing the perfect excuse to go and check it out first-hand. Intrigued to find out what it was really like to stay here, I checked in for the night to experience it in all its glory.

Steeped in rich history

Experience the quintessential British charm of London Marriott Hotel County Hall in Westminster, offering luxury accommodation in South Bank.

The London Marriott Hotel County Hall became a hotel in 1998, but its history and connection with the capital of London goes back much further. The foundation stone was laid in 1912 by King George V and Queen Mary, but the First World War delayed construction – however, the building eventually opened its doors for the first time in 1922, when it served as the headquarters of the local government,

In its current iteration as a hotel, there have been minimal changes to the original architecture, with the oak-covered walls nearly 100 years old marked by the English Heritage Foundation. 

From being struck by a bomb in World War II to the infamous political battles between Ken Livingstone of the Greater London Council and Margaret Thatcher’s Conservative government during the 1980s, it’s fair to say that this is one building that has been through a lot – and despite its modern amenities, it’s a history that it carries proudly, and that is still evident throughout.

New premium rooms and suites

The hotel boasts 241 spacious guestrooms, including 35 recently unveiled new balcony rooms and suites that offer guests the most privileged views of the River Thames and London’s spectacular skyline yet

The hotel boasts 241 spacious guestrooms, including 35 recently unveiled new balcony rooms and suites that offer guests the most privileged views of the River Thames and London’s spectacular skyline yet.

From Big Ben to the London Eye, their private terraces provide the perfect spot to relax with a morning coffee and take in the sights and sounds of the city as it comes to life, or sit and unwind with an evening glass of Champagne after a long and busy day navigating the capital.

All rooms combine tradition with a sense of modern elegance, with quirky characteristics that add a decidedly contemporary twist. Think charcoal walls, neutral-toned rugs and accessories  and statement soft furnishings in burnt orange.

Pocket watch print curtains, bowler hat artwork and wallpaper which doubles up as a map of London – all eccentric touches – elevate the aesthetic and give each room its own unique identity.

Highlights include the premium Loft King and the spacious premium suites like the South Bank Balcony Suite and the exclusive Big Ben Balcony Suite, which guests can enjoy complete with M Club access. With a range of options—including interconnecting suites for families – there’s a choice to suit every type of traveller, and high-end amenities and stylish interiors ensure that every stay is a memorable one.

Food and drink

There are some seriously stand-out dining spots at the London Marriott County Hall, starting with Gillray’s Steakhouse

There are some seriously stand-out dining spots at the London Marriott County Hall, starting with Gillray’s Steakhouse.

Named after James Gillray, the 20th-century English master caricaturist who gained notoriety satirising the politicians of his time, the restaurant offers a quintessential English dining experience, and serves up premium cuts of beef sourced from eighth generation butcher O’Shea and Thatcham’s, a second-generation family butcher in the Royal County of Berkshire whose British heritage beef is known for its exceptional marbling and rich flavour.

All steaks are dry-aged within a Himalayan Salt Chamber to ensure exceptional flavour, and there’s a dedicated ‘Butcher’s Menu,’ where you can choose from bavette, flat iron or sirloin; add bearnaise, red wine or peppercorn sauce, and then pick from a selection of sides.

The main a-la-carte menu has something for everyone, with starters including steak tartar, game terrine and baked oysters, followed by an array of tasty bone-out and bone-out steak and meat options, fresh from the grill.

If rib eye or Cote de Bouef aren’t your thing, then you can opt for a ‘Quintessential Classic’ instead – whether it’s the Gillray’s steak burger, the hot honey chicken burger, the pan-fried salmon or the smoked haddock and scallop fish pie.

On Sundays, you can enjoy ‘steak with trimmings’ – a twist on the traditional Sunday roast (although you can also opt for half a chicken if you prefer). Served with Gillray’s signature Yorkshire pudding, herb beef fat dripping roast potatoes, horse radish sour cream and seasonal veg, it’s gluttonous, delicious, and the perfect way to round off the week with a relaxing lunch with friends.

Enjoy some of the finest steaks in all of London at Gillray’s Steakhouse

Gillray’s Bar – originally the Member’s Reading Room but transformed into the Chairman’s Reception Room in the 1960s – is the ideal spot for an aperitif or a post-dinner drink, and offers some of the best Thames views in the house.

Here, you can choose from over 120 gins, including their very own Gillray’s gin (great with dinner, as it’s designed to be perfectly paired with steak) – but if you’re more of a wine enthusiast, then there’s also an extensive list, with something to suit all tastes.

Located in the former home of London County Council, the 20th century historic Library has welcomed delegates, politicians and royalty alike for centuries, and its recent renovation has been thoughtfully completed in a manner that pays homage to the hotel’s rich heritage.

Featuring soft blue hues that are synonymous with royalty, opulent window drapery to frame the perfect view of London’s most-loved landmarks and swirling playful pieces of art inspired by the winding River Thames, this beautiful space is the perfect spot in which to enjoy a leisurely and quintessentially British afternoon tea – and the hotel is currently offering a Big Ben-inspired edition in celebration of the completion of the landmark’s recent conservation project.

The Library serves an award-winning afternoon tea

So amidst the enchanting Grade II listed book cases and busts of literary legends, and beside one of the large Victorian windows, you can sit and indulge in a selection of mouth-watering sweet treats, including a fresh ‘Elizabeth Tower’ signature pastry, a decadent inside-out chocolate mousse cake in the shape of Big Ben itself, and ‘The Clockface’ – a delectable panna cotta and rhubarb infused dome, amongst other delights.

Of course, an afternoon tea wouldn’t be an afternoon tea without scones, sandwiches, and something to wash it all down with, and the warm sweet and savoury golden raisins and basil scones and tea-cured salmon sandwiches (made with salmon created exclusively by London’s oldest smokers H Forman & Sons) in beetroot bread, are highlights.

Tea-wise, you can choose from a selection of hand-selected teas from The Tea Makers of London, including County Hall’s own tea blend.

Facilities

Enjoy a swim in the 25-metre indoor swimming pool

If you’re keen to keep up with your fitness routine during your stay in the city, then you’ve certainly come to the right place – because the hotel’s Fitness club, spread across two floors, has got it all.

There’s a 25-metre indoor swimming pool and a gym, open 24/7, with the latest premium equipment from the global-leading wellness brand Technogym, including a state-of-the-art Therabody station complete with elite sports massage devices.

It’s also a great option if you’re seeking a menu for a corporate meeting or special event, with the ‘Edwardian Baroque’-style building also boasting 12 formal meeting rooms, all named after members of the London County Council or distinguished people with significance to the County Hall history, accommodating parties up to 100 guests.

Factbox

Address: County Hall, Westminster Bridge Rd, London SE1 7PB
Phone: 020 7928 5200
Website: marriott.com/en-us/hotels/lonch-london-marriott-hotel-county-hall/

All imagery credit: London Marriott County Hall