Want to take advantage of Hyatt Privé benefits, including a room upgrade, complimentary breakfast, a hotel credit, and more, when booking a cash stay? Contact Ford ([email protected]) for more details. He may even be able to help if you already have a stay booked.
World of Hyatt is my favorite hotel loyalty program (thanks largely to the value of Globalist status), and Park Hyatt is my favorite Hyatt brand. I’m always thrilled when the portfolio expands, and new Park Hyatts are added in exciting destinations, whether we’re talking about city hotels or resorts.
London is one of the biggest hotel markets in the world, yet historically Park Hyatt didn’t have a property there. In 2020, plans were announced for a new Park Hyatt in London, and there’s now an exciting update — the hotel has opened as of today!
In this post:
Basics of the Park Hyatt London River Thames
The 203-room Park Hyatt London River Thames has now welcomed its first guests, as it has opened as of October 8, 2024. The hotel is located in London’s South West London district of Nine Elms, which includes a mixed-use skyscraper project. Admittedly this isn’t the most central location for most peoples’ needs when visiting London, but then again, real estate is limited in the city, and this is also an area that’s growing.
The development features a 42-story River Tower with 103 Park Hyatt Residences plus the Park Hyatt Hotel, and then a 57-story City Tower with 334 residential apartments. Guest rooms at the Park Hyatt London River Thames take up the first 18 floors of the smaller tower — that’s a bummer, since views are going to be limited for most guests.
The Park Hyatt features three food and beverage outlets. These include The Nine Elms Kitchen & Terrace (the all-day dining restaurant), The Nine Elms Bar & Lounge (the lobby lounge), and TAMISé Tea Lounge & Wine Library (a wine tasting room). There’s also expected to be a Cantonese restaurant, but it’ll only open later this year.
On top of that, there’s a full floor dedicated to wellness, with a 20-meter swimming pool, a spa with six treatment rooms, and a gym with double height ceilings.
Base rooms at the hotel are 290-398 square feet. Meanwhile entry level suites are 560 square feet. So the accommodations are definitely on the small side, which isn’t a surprise, given that we’re talking about London. Then again, you’d hope that they’d be a bit more generously sized, given the not-so-central location.
Park Hyatt London River Thames rates & points requirements
With the Park Hyatt London River Thames now open, what are rates like? For those redeeming points, this is a Category 7 World of Hyatt property, meaning a free night redemption in a standard room costs 25,000-35,000 points per night. Meanwhile a free night redemption in a standard suite costs 43,000-53,000 points per night.
Cash rates at the Park Hyatt London are roughly what you’d expect. I currently see rates starting at under £500 per night. though it depends on the day of week and time of year. I imagine there will be a lot of variability there over time, and that we’ll also see more attractive pricing during periods of low demand.
If you are looking to book a cash stay here, I’d recommend doing so through the Hyatt Privé program, which offers extra perks like room upgrades, complimentary breakfast, and a hotel credit. Ford and his team are happy to help, and can be reached at [email protected].
London’s improving luxury points hotels
It’s interesting how London has lacked the luxury brands from most of the major global hotel groups. There was no Park Hyatt (until now), and there are no Ritz-Carlton, St. Regis, or Waldorf Astoria properties. Fortunately this is changing, slowly but surely, as the Park Hyatt isn’t the only new property that has been in the works.
In 2025 we’re supposed to see the opening of the 196-room St. Regis London. The former Westbury Mayfair Hotel (which was a Marriott Luxury Collection property) is currently undergoing a significant renovation, and once complete, it will be rebranded as a St. Regis.
In 2025 we’re also supposed to see the opening of the Waldorf Astoria London Admiralty Arch. This is a pretty special property, as an iconic London landmark is being transformed into a hotel for the first time. This is probably the new points property in London that I’m most excited about.
Bottom line
The Park Hyatt London River Thames is now open, in the Nine Elms district. I’m excited for there to finally be a Park Hyatt in London. However, this isn’t really the traditional “flagship” property that many of us were hoping for. I’ll definitely check it out, though the location leaves a bit to be desired. I’m also excited to eventually see the opening of the St. Regis and Waldorf Astoria in London.
What do you make of the newly opened Park Hyatt London?
I’m sure it’s comfortable, but the fact remains that it’s on the wrong side of the Thames for me.
I'm staying at the hotel on its first night. Cash rate over 600 pounds, or 35K points, though the place is almost empty (I redeemed points). Locals are the main customers in the Nine Elms Restaurant and Lounge (Tea Lounge not yet open). Northeast corner rooms are recommended for the best view down the Thames towards Parliament and the Eye, with Shard visible.
No freebies for first night guests, unlike our experience in Reykjavik when...
I'm staying at the hotel on its first night. Cash rate over 600 pounds, or 35K points, though the place is almost empty (I redeemed points). Locals are the main customers in the Nine Elms Restaurant and Lounge (Tea Lounge not yet open). Northeast corner rooms are recommended for the best view down the Thames towards Parliament and the Eye, with Shard visible.
No freebies for first night guests, unlike our experience in Reykjavik when the Canopy opened and we were invited to a free dinner.
There are a few minor service hiccups, but staff is enthusiastic. They take pleasure in explaining the artwork, which derives from the Thames, the nearby flower market, and a Rolls-Royce factory formerly in the neighborhood. There are very nice William Morris textile designs in the rooms.
Just a short walk from the Vauxhall Underground and National Rail stations.
£600 per night is a bargain compared to the super-deluxe properties of Mayfair and Knightsbridge, where room rates can start at £1200, depending on the season.
I hope they offer the US government rate because otherwise, they are not going to be full.
What is Hyatt thinking? Based on the photos or renderings and the food outlets, this is barely a step above the Hyatt Regencies in London. It's certainly below real 5-star hotels. London has some of the world's best 5-star hotels. I don't see how this competes.
It won't compete, which is why it's charging half as much as the real 5-star hotels are.
Other than US Embassy business, I can't imagine who would book the Park Hyatt. There are so many better 5-star hotels in London.
And all those better 5-star hotels charge twice as much.
Hyatt loyalists and people who don't want to spend $1000-$1500 USD a night on a hotel while still seeking out luxury will book this.
There’s absolutely nothing wrong with the location. It has good transport links and not far away by taxi / Uber to Chelsea or the west end. The Thames Clipper stops close by . The US embassy is in the area.
Unless you’re American, walking to Victoria, Chelsea,Westminster or Pimlico doesn’t take long. There’s also the new development at Battersea Power Station
lol. Come on. This is not a luxury hotel location.
Ah yes, Pimlico. To take in the grotty kebab shops and various dry cleaners.
This is a decent location for a Hyatt Place or Hyatt House. It's a lousy location for the PH brand standard. Akin to placing it in Chalk Farm or Hammersmith, just with a slightly hipper vibe.
It's dead at night and affluent older tourists of all nationalities aren't going to be charmed by the area.
The area is going through regeneration just like Bermondsey and that’s a been a success so far, I see Nine Elms and Battersea becoming very popular in the coming years.
I suspect 50-75% of the guests with be US government employees. JW Marriott Grosvenor House survived on that business for several years.
The U.S. Embassy and MI6 will fill this place...
Nice Plan B. Have my eye on that Waldorf for next May (fingers crossed).
Maybe Ben can drive by the Andaz Miami Beach on the way to Publix to see where they're at with that one. :-)