THE HOTEL
The Park Hyatt London River Thames is the first property in London under Hyatt’s high-end Park Hyatt brand. Opened in October 2024, it’s in Nine Elms, a former industrial district that’s been undergoing a rapid regeneration since the redevelopment of Battersea Power Station. The area is also home to the US Embassy and to Apple’s UK head office.
The hotel has 203 rooms and suites (around two thirds with Thames views) and occupies the first 18 floors of a 42-storey building that’s one of several modern high rises that have been built in this riverside area between the power station and Vauxhall. The other floors are taken up with 334 Park Hyatt Residences – a mix of one, two, three and four bedroom luxury apartments and penthouses. Vauxhall underground and overground stations are a five-minute walk away and Nine Elms, on the Northern Line extension, is around 10 minutes’ walk in the other direction.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
The hotel is Asian-owned and this is reflected in both its décor and the Asian-style service; I was greeted by a doorman and two other members of staff before I’d even reached the reception desk. The entrance is dominated by Charlie Whinney’s Ebb and Flow, a striking aerial art installation inspired by the Thames and made from wood from the Lake District and copper from China, which curls its way along the high ceiling. After signing the check-in form and giving a credit card for incidentals, I was escorted to a Deluxe Riverside Suite, 1307, by Thilini, who made me feel like a VIP.
THE ROOMS
Thilini wanted to show me how to operate the lights, the electronic sheer and black-out blinds and temperature control but I was somewhat distracted by the stunning river views from the floor-to-ceiling windows (and the welcome chocolates). The room had four windows in total, giving different perspectives, including one next to the stand-alone bath. All rooms and suites at the hotel have both baths and walk-in showers and I was lucky enough to have a deep clawfoot bath in my spacious bathroom, which also had a double sink and a separate cubicle for a Japanese-style toilet with a heated seat, various jets and a massage setting.
Other highlights of the suite included the large living room area with a dining table, the large corner sofa, an easy-to-operate 55inch TV (there’s a second in the bedroom), and a sleek cabinet with a well-stocked pull-out mini-bar, Nespresso machine, kettle, tea pot, a few bottles of complimentary still and sparkling water. A small bottle of fresh milk for the tea was a nice touch. A walk-in wardrobe had plenty of hangers, an iron and ironing board and a large mirror. My only slight disappointment was that there was no plug socket by the mirror for my hair straighteners.
During my stay, I also had a quick tour of a few other rooms types and even the standard rooms are generously-sized, especially for London. The vast Presidential Suite and two Ambassador suites are on the 17th and 18th floors and have their own elevator, which whizzes VIP guests straight up.
THE FACILITIES
The first floor of the hotel is completely taken up by the spa, which has a fantastic 20 metre by 8 metre heated indoor pool. I had a pre-dinner swim and had it the pool to myself. The far end of the pool room is glass, giving natural light, and on sunny days the sunlight floods in and reflects on the water. In the double-heighted fitness room the cardio machines all face a floor-to-ceiling window, making it feel spacious and easing the pain and boredom of a work-out. There are five treatment rooms, large changing areas and separate saunas for men and women.
The hotel’s bar lounge is just opposite the entrance and has an eye-catching installation of 500 tulip-shaped bulbs hanging from the ceiling. A long cocktail list includes 17 different types of tequila, ranging from £15 to £125 for a double. My margarita was delicious and came with three bowls of nibbles – olives, sugared almonds and salt and pepper cashews, which I tried to resist but couldn’t.
There are two restaurants – Yú Gé, a modern fine-dining Cantonese restaurant, and Nine Elms, an all-day restaurant with an international menu, including sustainably-sourced steaks, and where breakfast is also served. Tables and booths are positioned around a central open kitchen so you can see everything being made. I can particularly recommend the lemon pepper calamari and the sea bass crudo to start, and the parmesan chips, although the menu does change.
Breakfast is included in the room rate and guests can help themselves to the buffet or an à la carte menu, with eggs done in all the usual ways and artistically presented. Calorific values are shown on the menus (1159Kcal for the full English, 486Kcal for the full Vegan) but luckily not on the buffet items, which include chocolate bonbons – ball-shaped pastries filled with chocolate cream – which I can also highly recommend. Kids will love them too.
TAMISé Wine Library and Tea Lounge, with a professional wine cellar and tasting room, was yet to open during my stay but opens on February 13.
FOR BUSINESS
The hotel has one of London’s largest ballrooms, accommodating 800 people seated and which can be separated for smaller events. There are also seven meeting rooms of various shapes and sizes, some with windows for natural light.
THE VERDICT
A glamorous, contemporary hotel that ticks all the corporate boxes. River view rooms are a must and tell your travellers to pack their swimwear and gym wear and take advantage of the beautiful pool and the fitness room. Service is a step above.
THE DETAILS
Room rates start from £695 a night. hyatt.com
By Bev Fearis
