Sea Containers London

A design reminiscent of a 1920s glamorous transatlantic cruise liner is the hallmark of Sea Containers London, a genuinely original hotel on London’s South Bank.

The Sea Containers building takes its name from one of its original tenants, and the location, right on the riverfront, makes it feel as if a cruise liner moored for the night in the heart of the Big Smoke.

It is a unique inspiration for London, even with all the seafaring credentials of old England, but the creators of the hotel, including the British design guru Tom Dixon, made sure the concept never veered into the kitschy or banal (a giant plastic blue ship anchor included).

Interiors and rooms

The reception desk resembles a section of a massive ship’s hull. Made from beaten copper panels, it swoops through the reception area and leads into the depths of the hotel. It’s a first-impression design feature that wows and sets the tone.

The interiors strike a nice balance of modern design, luxury, and 1920s-inspired style. The 359 guestrooms only hint at a cruise-ship vibe, with a confident Art Deco undercurrent, greyscale themes, shots of intense pink, and striking wingback chairs and art pieces.

The rooms are very spacious by big-city standards, as is the amount of sunshine — a welcome change from the cruise-ship theme. Modern marble bathrooms with heavy stone sinks and rainfall showers are another.

Sundowners and skyline views

There are three distinctive eat & drink venues at the Sea Containers London. The 12th Knot is a rooftop bar and a stellar spot for admiring the views of London, with a ship’s ballroom concept as a source of inspiration. The Art Deco theme continues here, with velvet seats and copper fixtures completing the look.

There is also a bar, Lyaness, voted as one of the top 50 World’s Best Bars, and specializing in cocktails and available for private functions. The vibe is very much DJs and live music, plugging into the South Bank energy.

The river-level (or sea-level?) Sea Containers Restaurant, with the open kitchen, champions seasonal cuisine, with an all-day menu of small and large plates designed to be shared. Dishes are influenced by the Mediterranean’s wide variety, color, and freshness.

The all-white Agua Spa mixes cruise-liner design elements with playful pampering, with ’70s tunes in the relaxation room and treatments that use brands such as Glamglow.

in our opinion

What we love

• Transatlantic ocean liner–style interiors and a glam rooftop bar by British design guru Tom Dixon, who also contributed artwork in the guestrooms
• Rooms are large by London standards (at least 312 square feet) and are beautifully appointed. The best ones are the unique Superior Patio suites, boasting an oversized ivy-clad patio and outside seating, perfect for alfresco drinking and dining. A great choice for couples on a romantic break in London
• Curzon cinema is an intimate and quirky in-house cinema, showing indie films, and offers a menu including hotdogs and club sandwiches, as well as an old-time popcorn cart
• Top riverfront spot on London’s South Bank, with great views of Thames, and St Paul’s Cathedral
• It's a great base from which to explore London, with hardly a better location for a hotel. It's ten minutes walk from the Tate Modern, Globe Theatre and Borough Market. The Underground Blackfriars station is next door, with a direct connection to the Gatwick airport.

What you should know

• It may be obvious, but only one side of the hotel is treated to a front-row view of the river.
• 12th Knot is closed on Sundays and Mondays. Dress code is smart/casual and "sportswear or flip-flops are a no-no"
• While Lyaness bar gets busy, so book in advance. The bar operates an over 18s policy from 5 pm
• The crowd at Sea Containers London is high-heeled and cosmopolitan, hanging out late into the night in the rooftop bar, and while there are children's menus in the restaurant, the hotel has an adult vibe

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