For the next hotel stay of my trip of downgrades, suspensions, and delays, I spent a night at the Park Hyatt London River Thames. The 203-room hotel opened in late 2024, so it’s still quite new. As a Hyatt fan, I was looking forward to staying at this hotel — after all, Park Hyatt is…
Continue reading: Review: Park Hyatt London River Thames (Solid Generic Luxury Hotel)
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Ben, you are a trend setter …. The whole area around the hotel is being gentrified and will soon be as popular as Kensington and Chelsea. There is much to do and see south of the river, currently it is little known and certainly much more budget friendly.
Soon? Maybe in 10 years it will be a desirable location but it certainly isn't now.
Vauxhall is gross.
I find the wellness area anything but great. There isn't even a steam room. And that in a newly built luxury hotel. It's absurd. The pool area is also completely soulless. It's definitely one of the worst wellness areas I know in London.
10 years feels like a long time but isn't in the grand scheme of things, especially as the change is gradual rather than all at once. Look at how the areas around the periphery of historically good areas have improved in the last 15 years, and that's despite COVID doing it's best to destroy it!
I actually love this hotel and have stayed there 3 times. I get the comments about location, but I find the tube/bus stations are close enough. Also like some of the nearby restaurants and the general low key vibe of the area and hotel. The globalist breakfast is top notch in my opinion, especially the eggs Benedict.
As with prior coverage of this property, there will be those who say the location is "not that bad" or "close enough." But, embedded in that qualification is an acknowledgement of something about the location. And, is that qualified recommendation suitable for the average visitor to London? Or, is it more made by and for the Hyatt apologist who overlooks shortcomings for the almighty cents per point?
Popular as Kensington? LOL! In your dreams. This will be similar to Canary Wharf, people may work during the week but nothing happens during the weekend. Unless you have a need to be close to the US Embassy, there is zero reason to be there.
The issue at the end of the day is London has numerous legitimate 6-star, luxury hotels. This may be a nice chain hotel. Perhaps even very nice. Especially for Americans used to chains. But it's hard to objectively say it's legitimately 5 stars when compared to the competition in London.
It is in the borough of Wandsworth, which can be confusing when you have Wandsworth within that borough as a distinct town as well.
But it's close to the US Embassy!
(Sorry I think that one is the funniest comment. As if that has any relevance for 99% of tourists.)
This place definitely has a reason to exist even/especially if it's a very obvious trade-off, and it's because it's a very different one from most other London hotels, certainly points ones. And Park Hyatt might be the right brand for this spot specifically because the location-specific value that does exist is US-specific (the embassy), so of all the brands this could have been it makes sense to be the one that is most clearly driven by US travellers.
Worth noting that this was basically a light industrial area for a long time (part of the embassy site was previously a car dealership) and some of it kinda still is (a large floral and fresh food market is the other side of Nine Elms station, for instance, and the former was literally next to where the Park Hyatt went until the mid-2010s). This is, in fact, why the embassy went here in the first place - the decision being made in the post-9/11 years with security in mind - and the area was already marked for large-scale rebuilding/gentrification, which the embassy relocation simply synergised with.
Obviously that means there's not a lot specifically here, though as most of the high-rise blocks are residential (given the massive demand for housing in inner London) that may change. Probably won't, though.
Ultimately, all the Park Hyatts are the same and all the Park Hyatts are good - Warhol reference quite intended - and this one just happens to have only had the chance to be good, or at least spacious, because it's not in the historic heart of the action.
What a typical …. you know nothing about what you post Pafunco.
Poor dear, what a nonsense!
If you believe that …. then you will believe absolutely anything.
Surprised they upgraded you to a Park Suite Deluxe without a struggle. Stayed there last Spring and they made me and my family wait an hour to confirm the same room upgrade. Globalist Breakfast was pretty good. Vauxhall is a 5-10 minute walk which we used a few times but we took Uber more than public transport. They have a free ride that can be used for drop off to a certain distance from the hotel. Too far from the action. Probably wont come back to try other Hyatt properties.
You missed the wine bar on the second floor. Nice space that they should turn into a regular hotel bar.
There’s a wine bar in the second floor you missed. Nice space with some good wine.
People complaining about the location don’t understand the Park Hyatt London isn’t counting on tourists as their main source of revenue. It will be the base for hundreds of diplomats and dignitaries visiting or working at the new U.S. Embassy. Sure, it will get a fair share of tourists and Hyatt loyalists but they aren’t the primary target guest. Government contracts and diplomatic expense accounts are a much better bet.
Crazy take. There's just not much history or culture there. It's a canary wharf.
Lobby etc feels like you've walked into the Park Hyatt Doha. Such a missed opportunity. Rebrand it a regency and Hyatt should stump up for a proper, statement property in London ala the Park Hyatt Paris. Embarassing.
That may well be useful for some, but it's hardly a reason to build a 203 key hotel. They're obviously punting on the future development of the area, as well as the fealty of loyalty-whores who'd stay out at Tottenham if there was a free breakfast & the chance of an upgrade in it.
Agree with Joe, rebrand it a Regency and it may have a chance. Walking on the street directly in front of the hotel does not give a safe comfortable feeling. Then wind your way to the Underground station which is old and crutty, probaby 1900 built. Does Park Hyatt guests want to go there? To get around town.
Just because the US Embassy is down the road, doesn't make it safe.
We stayed one night and exited for the city of London.
BTW, how can you say the Thames is beautiful, its All Brown water and a working river for barges and Uber boats.
I think they made a mistake and will need to correct it to survive the competitive London hotel market.
Nothing whatsoever unsafe about this area. Just not as bustling as the West End.
London luxury hotels are essentially a pick-two:
1. Actually luxurious
2. Bookable with points
3. Centrally located
Those independent luxury hotels you rightly mention tick 1 and 3 but not 2. There's plenty of chain hotels that tick 2 and 3 but not 1. And now there's the Park Hyatt that ticks 1 (if perhaps less comprehensively than the Claridges of this world) and 2 but not 3. The Admiralty Arch Waldorf Astoria will hit the trifecta when it opens, presumably...
Just stayed at this property, everything was pristine. Agree the location is not ideal, but it’s priced accordingly. They offer complimentary car service after 4pm, or the Victoria line is a short 4 minute walk. I didn’t find the hotel to be filled with Americans, was very diverse, guess it depends on when you stay. I booked through Amex fhr, and was upgraded to a high floor (17) which is in a separate elevator bank that only serves 17-18. The rooms do have great views, not sure I would consider an upgrade if it’s on a low floor no view. Depends if your preference is room size over view. Overall a great stay!
@ Joe - If this is what you deem embarrassing you require professional help, or to get out more. Either way, get a grip.
Definitely a safe area. There is a brand new tube station that is closer to the hotel than the one you walked to.
LOLOL... agree that the embassy is the draw, but rarely (never) will there be hundreds there at the same time. The occasional embassy party even tends to draw local expats.