London Marriott Hotel County Hall Review

Sitting proudly on London’s South Bank directly opposite Westminster lies the London Marriott Hotel County Hall. Set within the historic former Greater London Council building, the property offers 241 elegantly designed guest rooms and suites alongside destination Steakhouse Gillray’s and elegant Afternoon Tea Library both guaranteeing quintessentially British dining experiences and all whilst enjoying spectacular views over the River Thames. Other amenities include an executive lounge, gym and a 25m swimming pool offering further ways to enjoy the property. New for January a series of balcony rooms, suites and lofts with panoramic views of Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament & the London Eye have been unveiled. The Luxury Editor was kindly asked along to experience these truly one-of-a-kind new accommodation options – read on to discover more.

London Marriott Hotel County Hall is a Grade II-listed building dating back to 1922 and as the name suggests, it has borne witness to significant moments in Britain’s political history. Its Edwardian Baroque architecture is grand and imposing, and its interiors are undeniably characterised by the building’s storied past, yet the atmosphere is anything but stuffy. Vaulted ceilings and wood-panelled chambers are softened with art-deco-fixtures, furniture and decorative lighting, whilst modern art embodying British themes with quirky London references are dotted throughout.

The guest experience starts the minute you turn off Westminster Bridge Road. Upon entering through its towering archway, which serves to draw the eye into the central courtyard, the space opens up and you are greeted by a multi-tiered manicured green pyramid crowned with a wrought iron sculpture whose function is to act like a regal roundabout guiding cars around the courtyard to the hotel entrance. There you are greeted by doormen who welcome you into the property and once inside bell staff are on hand to relieve you of your luggage prior to check-in.

The Noes Lobby

The Noes Lobby, welcomes you immediately upon entering the hotel. This space was formally used in 1922 as the place of adjournment for the Council Chamber members voting against a government proposal whilst those in agreement would adjourn to the Ayes Lobby, a system that is still in use in Westminster today.

Two statement fireplaces of black Belgian marble stand on both sides whilst panelled walls in polished Indian laurel wood preserve the historical feel of the space. Art Deco furniture, a nod towards to the history of the building and its completion date in the 1930’s, creates a bridge between the past and present. A contemporary central multifaceted bar serves tea, coffee and pastries in the morning, and champagne and signature cocktails from the afternoon into the late evening.

RPW Design was responsible for all the interiors in the building during the 2016 renovation, read our previous interview with RPW director Ariane Steinbeck here.

Reception

Reception staff are friendly and helpful, I arrived early and they took my mobile number and phoned me to let me know my room could be accessed earlier than 3 pm and when I returned my bags were already in my room making the check-in process a breeze.

The lobby itself, perhaps a former anti-room has a reception desk running along one side and a central seating arrangement of a navy-blue velvet sofa punctuated with gold accent cushions positioned across from a curved leather bench, and upholstered armchairs all anchored together by a geometric-patterned circular rug sitting in the middle of the room.

Location

Sitting squarely on the South Bank, it offers iconic views aplenty and you are right next door to the London Eye and the South Bank Centre. It’s a five-minute walk to Waterloo Station, while Westminster Underground is directly across Westminster Bridge which connects with the Circle, District and Jubille Line. It’s a short hop on foot to St James Park, Buckingham Palace and Downing Street in one direction and Embankment, Covent Garden, the Strand, Soho and Leicester Square in the other direction. 

Rooms & Suites

With 241 guest rooms divided across six floors, the hotel doesn’t feel busy or chaotic even at full occupancy, standard guest rooms are spacious and modern, featuring velvet accents armchairs, chez lounge and striking gold light fittings. For those seeking enhanced amenities, the Executive Rooms provide access to the exclusive M Club Lounge, where you can enjoy complimentary refreshments throughout the day and night. Families are well-accommodated in Family Rooms, which feature two double beds and can host up to four guests. Rooms come with River Thames views along with Big Ben view rooms, and well-appointed amenities, including bathrobes, slippers, complimentary bottled water, Nespresso machines, marble bathrooms and luxury bathroom amenities.

New Suites, Balcony Rooms & Loft Rooms

However it’s the new room options that steal the show – few hotels in London can provide guest quarters with views of the capital like this, let alone with balconies too. With unparalleled views over the River Thames and across to the Houses of Parliament, the hotel has solidified its luxury accommodation offering with the opening of 35 new premium rooms, suites and lofts.

The new Big Ben Balcony Suite offers a flexible layout with the option of one or two interconnecting bedrooms, a spacious lounge, and a dining area for up to eight guests. Expansive private balconies showcase panoramic vistas of Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, creating a truly memorable setting.

While the South Bank Balcony Suite enhances this experience, featuring two or three interconnecting bedrooms, three bathrooms, and a separate lounge, all overlooking the London Eye and the River Thames. Designed for multi-generational stays or special celebrations, these suites blend sophistication with adaptability, ensuring an exceptional London getaway.

For a more personal retreat, Balcony Rooms provide uninterrupted 180-degree views of the River Thames, while Loft Rooms feature a distinctive layout with a staircase leading to a private viewing platform, offering an exclusive perspective of the city skyline.

My Balcony Room During My Stay

Located on the 6th and top floor of the hotel, each balcony room requires ascending a further small set of steps to your bedroom door, adding a Mary Poppins, feel to the occasion and they take you to the very heart of the building’s roof.

These rooms are very generous in size at 30sqm, easily the width of two king-size beds head to toe lengthwise. Styling is modern with classical architecture like panelled walls that sit in contrast to playful modern artwork and mid-century-inspired furnishings that offer clean lines and warm wooden details. A king-sized bed with a sleek black leather headboard is flanked by bedside tables and stylish lighting complete with multiple plug sockets and USB charging points on either side.

A reading nook with an orange velvet chair (the seating is a tribute to the orange and red leather-upholstered seating used in the former London Council debating chambers and these feature in every guest room in the property) and table offer a space to work or relax all while enjoying the view from floor-to-ceiling windows, which open onto a private balcony overlooking the London skyline.

The room includes two wardrobes, one on either side of the bathroom entrance providing plenty of space for two guests to hang clothing independently of each other during a stay. The right-hand wardrobe is also home to a large top opening safe which is big enough to house a laptop or any larger item you want to keep safe, there is also a lighted makeup mirror hairdryer and slippers. There is a Nespresso machine along with a very well-stocked minibar and fridge.

In the bathroom white subway tiles with contrast grouting line the walls, offering a striking interplay with the black-and-white mosaic floor tiles. A large walk-in shower, enclosed by frameless glass, features both an overhead rainfall shower and a sleek handheld fixture. The vanity area is equally well-appointed, with a marble-effect countertop, undermount sink, and wall-mounted taps, a large, framed mirror sits above the basin, flanked by subtle London map-inspired detailing. Toiletries are by Molton Brown, housed in full-sized reusable dispensers which add luxury to the bathtime routine whilst being sympathetic to the environment.

From the balcony the vista is truly breathtaking; it feels as if you are almost within touching distance of the London Eye in one direction and in the other, you witness the most remarkable sight of Big Ben which only increases in intensity as the sky turns to dusk and then nightfall sets in.

M Club Lounge

M Lounge, the hotel’s executive lounge on the 5th floor is open to Executive Room and Suite guests, day time enjoy a range of complimentary snacks and non-alcoholic drinks, and from 5.30 pm to 9.30 pm experience unlimited table service canapes, beers, wines and spirits to imbibe upon.

Gillrays Steak House & Bar

Gillrays Steak House has become somewhat of an institution, having opened in 2012. Named after James Gillray, a famed caricaturist of the late eighteenth century known as the father of the political cartoon and you can peruse some of Gillray’s prints adorning the walls. of the restaurant.

The Gillray experience starts in its bar, like the lobby a geometric patterned rug visually anchors the space together and is contrasted with bold art-deco furniture. Gin is the name of the game here and they have over 100 to choose from including their own Gillray’s Gin, an exclusive bespoke gin created in collaboration with Rebel Distillers. Should you prefer a different tipple they have a fine selection of spirits, wines and beers too.

To the right head through to the main restaurant, which follows the central curved section of the building creating an elegant sweep as the room wraps around the semi-circular space. Down the back lies banquet seating and in front of the windows a zigzag of tables affords every table a view of the river.

Gillray’s menu provides an authentic British steakhouse experience, sourcing the majority of its produce from within 150 miles, using Kent and Essex-based farms. The menu features prime cuts such as fillet steak, prime rib, T-bone, sirloin, Bulls Head, Tomahawk, and rump, all aged and professionally butchered to the highest standard.

Breakfast

Breakfast is enjoyed in Gillrays from the à la carte menu and is served to your table. Here you can pick a cold plate and one from the hot plates section. I opted for the Eggs Royal, this seems to be my go-to hotel breakfast option now, not too heavy, but still indulgent enough to call it a treat, along with a muffin.

The Library

Once the members’ library of London’s County Council, this beautiful space retains its original oak bookcases stacked with literary classics, here you can enjoy afternoon tea all whilst enjoying those riverside views.

Wellness

The property features a 25m swimming pool which is a rarity for a central London hotel along with a well-appointed gym. Like all of my hotel experiences my gym stuff is packed, I even had my swimming trunks on this occasion, but then the call of canapes and wine in the M Lounge got the better of me.

Final Thoughts

London for me is like a party present – every time I visit a new layer is unwrapped and I discover something new. This time I feel like I’ve won the main prize, the London Marriott Hotel County Hall is an exceptional property, walking through its corridors and public spaces you can feel its storied history. Its interiors are sympathetic to the property, yet modern and these new accommodation options have only solidified further that it is an exceptional place to stay whilst allowing guests to really immerse themselves in all that London offers.