Bill Murray sails into London’s Southbank for some nautical luxury at Sea Containers hotel

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Thursday, 10 November 2022 09:45

By Bill Murray

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Advertising Feature: It’s all aboard for a shipshape weekend as Bill Murray visits Sea Containers Hotel, London. A short break that cruises to the top of the chars of desirable hotels in London.

The acclaimed Tom Dixon-designed hotel on the Thames riverbank boasts modern elegance, ultra-cool bars and a high-end spa. It’s location and stunning appearance allow for a stylish and chic weekend away, from the transatlantic inspired décor the first class facilities and locationt. Sought-after designer Dixon has created the ultimate destination hotel on London's South Bank. 

Sea Containers Hotel London

Together with the Sea Containers team, it offers the elegance of a 1920s liner to the banks of the Thames. From the copper hull entrance to the underwater-inspired spa this is a hotel that draws inspiration from the surrounding area with custom-designed furniture and artwork worthy of the nearby Tate Modern. It also features a Great British menu packed with local market ingredients. 

Sea containers offers an impressive first impression with welcoming reception staff who diligently offered us a complimentary glass of champagne as we approached the desk, making us immediately feel like first class passengers. The hotel is both seductive and striking in design, bringing a bold new energy to London by blending the style and sophistication of a boutique brand with the eclectic vibe of the Southbank's area. 

An impressive building

The striking design perfectly encapsulates the historical essence of the original building, whilst integrating it with modern twists and a contemporary design. The floor of the lobby features giant blue rings, emulating the metal lines used to anchor a ship at sea, another nod to the heritage of the building. Every single detail is thought out meticulously. The leather sofas, the scale models of ships, the indirect lighting, the bathrooms and even the uniforms. It’s all very ‘on brand’!

There are 359 rooms over 14 floors. Room options include Suites with views of the Thames and of the city. For your stay, choose from a deluxe room with brilliant views or; the loft river view suites, a superior double room, a standard room or one of the apartment rooms. Ever mindful of accessibility, I was impressed with Sea Container’s approach to this. The accessible bathrooms, wet room style showers, step free entrances, and in room accessibility is all pretty good. 

The hotel boasts an excellent spa where my wife had a fantastic facial from an expert therapist in a very relaxing and tranquil setting. I got to try out ‘wellness area’, sipping lemon tea and really relaxing, so much so that I actually fell fast asleep within a minute or two of reclining on the lounger. If the spa’s not your cup of tea, you could spend a night in with a film at the hotel's cinema, from Friday to Sunday. A really sumptuous screening room that offers luxurious seating and a chance to quaff a glass or two whilst watching the latest releases. 

Food and drink choices for everyone

Our room rate included the buffet breakfast which guests can enjoy between seven am and ten-thirty am on weekdays, with this extending to eleven am on the weekends. Our breakfast was good, however the basics such as good quality tea were a little lacking, and some of our breakfast was cold, but the choice was extensive and seemed to have something for everyone. Room service was pretty good. We both ordered the tasty cheeseburgers, and for two meals including the service it was an arguably reasonable £25. The Lyaness bar is a very slick bar with an extensive bar menu, serving trendy cocktails, perfectly suited to the hip and trendy Southbank set. Whilst having a drink at the bar, we enjoyed one of the bar snacks - the seabass ceviche taco, which was an absolute masterpiece!

Getting to the Sea Containers Hotel

The Sea Containers Hotel is easily accessed by public transport. Southwark Underground Station is 10 minutes on foot, and Blackfriars Underground Station is also 10 minutes. Trains from the South Coast regularly provide a direct service too. Nearby you’ll find Borough Market, a replica of the Golden Hinde, and the Globe theatre just a few minutes away. St. Paul's Cathedral can be reached via a 12 min walk, the London Eye is about the same distance away- just walking the opposite direction. London Bridge and the Shard are about a 20-minute stroll as is Parliament Square - about the same distance as Trafalgar Square. 

See more travel features here.

 

 

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