After our last visit to London where we stayed at the beautiful ME hotel at the Strand the benchmark for design lead hotels was set high! So we were super excited to be visiting the even newer Mondrian hotel on the Southbank and we were certainly not left disappointed.
The Mondrian is housed in the former 1970s Ship Container offices, which have been completely renovated into the Morgan hotel chain’s first UK offering Perfectly situated for the tourist guest; next door to Oxo Tower and with Blackfriars station and Tate Modern a mere stone’s throw away. A 15-minute walk across the river in the other direction and you are at Embankment. So hotels in London don’t come much more central and this one also has one of the best views of the city thrown into the mix too. What other hotels are facing onto the Thames with a view of St Paul’s Cathedral?
What To Expect
The hotel focuses heavily on its shipping/transatlantic legacy which runs throughout the entire building in subtle and no-so-subtle ways. The Dandelyan bar on the ground floor has a firm Art Deco British look and feel, while the Sea Containers restaurant has truly American influences.
One of the most striking elements on the ground floor which you will not fail to miss is the curved, handcrafted copper hull, which sweeps from front entrance through to reception and I was told used 160,000 nails to make it. The reception contains further nods to the buildings shipping past with giant chain link anchor sculptures in the centre and ship models dotted across the communal areas.
The Room
Now I had the second best room type in the hotel – a River View Balcony Suite and there was only one word to describe it WOW. This double windowed, double width 700sqft room with full length balcony and panoramic views across the Thames was sublime and has a cruise liner quality to it.
The bathroom, which is finished completely in marble is the size of some entire London bedrooms. Relaxing in it is not a problem with the roll top bath and swan necked tap and little candles which are lit next to them for you in the evening. There is a separate rain shower (and hand shower) dressing area and the room even has two toilets – one for guests.
The mini bar comes complete with chunky cut crystal glasses, which again are a nod to the seafaring era when that afternoon brandy to steady the nerves was essential. Open the minibar doors and the interior is pink, which I was told was a take on a Saville row suit.
The bed looks out directly out onto the river and a separate lounge, dining area and business desk are great if you are entertaining.
The room furnishings include lighting and chairs designed by Mondrian architect Tom Dixon and the finish is flawless.
Some little finishing touches to the room that I liked were;
When I came back from dinner at Oxo Tower next door to the Mondrian the turn-down service had lite candles in the bathroom for my return. The toiletries were MALIN+GOETZ Products and if the river is high tide because of the way the balconies are built you do feel like you are on a cruise ship.
I had chocolate dipped strawberries on arrival and the little brass forture cookie was a fun little addition.
Some of the sensible stuff I loved was;
The lights in the room are easy to work out, in many hotels I have stayed in there can often be so much technology going on it becomes a krypton factor scenario trying to get them all off when you want to sleep.
The hotel offers free wifi throughout and coffee lovers essential Nespresso machine is included in the minibar. AND plug sockets at each side of the bed!!!
The Rest of the Hotel
The hotel offers two bar options, the ground floor Dandelyan bar managed by Ryan Chetiyawardana of Hoxtons White Lyan Bar – cocktails are built around four key elements; vegetables, minerals, cereals and florals and the bar was jumping on the night I stayed.
The restaurant Sea Containers is run by New York restaurateur Seamus Mullen and executive chef Luke Rayment – their mantra is “cooking with delicious things that can make us feel better” which uses seasonally contemplated, globally responsible, locally sourced and perfectly presented ingredients.
For an unbeatable view of the city and a glass of champagne, the rooftop Rumpus Rooms has an extensive list of the world’s best champagne offerings as well a cocktails by Mr. Lyan and small nibble plates to keep the wolves at bay.
And finally, the subterranean spa for that indulgent moment comes complete with the original marble desk reception desk from the building’s former existence. 8-person glamour room for group parties, gym, 6 treatment rooms and the centrepiece of a copper tea drop in the relaxation area.
What Made It Special
The river view is really something special and few hotels in London can compete with this. The finish of the entire hotel is second to none and the communal areas are functional but also fun without being too minimal. My room was beautiful and completely silent, no annoying noise halfway through the night of people coming back to their room.
Would I Recommend it
Without a shadow of a doubt, it’s my new FAVOURITE hotel in London, if you are not going to be staying in the hotel, do head along for a drink in one of their bars.
