The Park Hyatt London River Thames may be one of London’s newest luxury hotels, but it’s already earned a devoted following among Hyatt loyalists – and it’s easy to see why. From oversized rooms with river views to thoughtful service touches like heated marble floors and surprise birthday cakes, this hotel makes a strong first impression.
I stayed at the property shortly after it opened and walked away genuinely impressed. Everything – from the rooms to the dining to the spa – felt intentionally designed and well executed. It’s rare for me to leave a city hotel already planning a return visit, but this one quickly earned a spot on my short list.
Set along the banks of London’s iconic River Thames, this is Hyatt’s first flagship Park Hyatt in the U.K. While it isn’t located in the heart of the city’s busiest tourist areas, it’s still well connected and surprisingly convenient.
Here’s everything you need to know about this gorgeous new hotel.
How We Booked It
The best way to book almost any Hyatt property is by using World of Hyatt points, which are among the most valuable hotel points in award travel. You can earn Hyatt points by staying at Hyatt hotels, spending on a *world of hyatt card*, or transferring points from a Chase Ultimate Rewards-earning card, such as the *csp*. Chase Ultimate Rewards transfer to Hyatt at a 1:1 ratio, meaning 1,000 Chase points become 1,000 Hyatt points.
Unlike many of its competitors, Hyatt still uses an award chart to determine the cost of “free” nights using points. The Park Hyatt London River Thames slots into the award chart as a Category 7 property, meaning award nights range from 25,000 to 35,000 points per night, thanks to Hyatt's peak and off-peak pricing.
Your best bet for finding availability is using Hyatt’s award calendar, which shows both pricing and open dates.
For our stay, we booked two nights in a “1 King Bed” room, for a total of 55,000 points – one night was off-peak and the other was standard.
Cash rates for this property start around $500 per night – and only go up from there – so redeeming points (no matter if it's a peak, off-peak, or standard night) will typically deliver great value.
Location
The hotel is located in London’s Nine Elms neighborhood, near the U.S. Embassy and directly along the River Thames. While it isn’t within walking distance of major tourist attractions, the Vauxhall Underground and bus stations are about a five-minute walk away, making it easy to get around the city.
Most of the major tourist attractions, like Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, and Westminster Abbey, are a short 15-20 minute ride away.
Nine Elms is a growing area filled with modern high-rises, and the Park Hyatt blends seamlessly into its surroundings. The property shares a driveway with a neighboring residential tower, giving it a sleek, urban feel.
We took a bus from Trafalgar Square to the hotel, where we had stayed earlier at Great Scotland Yard. The ride took about 15 minutes, followed by a short walk from the Vauxhall bus stop.
Checking In
We arrived around 11 a.m. and were greeted immediately by friendly staff who assisted with our luggage and escorted us to the lobby.
The entryway feels modern and luxurious, with marble floors, a large floral arrangement separating the entrance from the lounge, and a striking abstract sculpture made of wood and copper hanging from the ceiling. A staff member later explained that the sculpture represents the River Thames.
For this stay, I used a Hyatt Guest of Honor certificate, which allows non-Globalist guests (like myself) to enjoy Hyatt's top-tier Globalist benefits during their stay. About a week before arrival, the hotel emailed to ask if we were celebrating anything special. I mentioned belated birthdays and politely asked about upgrades. They said they would do their best, pending availability.
At check-in, we were met by Shanie, the customer experience manager I’d been corresponding with. While our room wasn’t ready yet, she let us know we’d been upgraded to a King Corner River View room. My parents were also upgraded to a room on the same floor, which was a thoughtful touch.
While waiting, we relaxed in the lounge just off the entryway. The space is large, with plenty of seating options and really comfortable chairs.
The bartender quickly offered us water and presented us with the lounge's extensive drink menu, including signature cocktails, beer & wine lists, and whisky. There was also a section for ordering appetizers.
I opted for a refreshing virgin mojito while we waited.
When our room was ready, our luggage had already been delivered upstairs, and we headed to the 15th floor.
The Room
When the elevator doors opened on the 15th floor, we were greeted by floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city. The hallways featured wood-paneled walls with detailed molding, adding to the upscale feel.
We made our way down the hallway to room number 1506, which was at the very end. One standout detail: Each room has a doorbell instead of a traditional knock, with a “Do Not Disturb” indicator that can be controlled from inside the room.
Walking in, it was immediately clear this wasn’t your typical compact London hotel room. Shanie escorted us inside and gave a full walkthrough of the space.
Just inside the entryway was a small half bath with a toilet and sink – easy to miss with the door closed. While compact, it featured marble countertops, plush towels, and Blaise Mautin hand soap. The toilet had multiple settings controlled by a wall-mounted remote, though I never quite figured them all out.
Beyond the entryway was a long hallway leading to a small luggage drop area. There was space for one suitcase, while the second fit comfortably near the bedroom. A two-sided closet flanked this area, accessible both from the hallway and near the bed – a smart design choice.
Turning the corner revealed the main bathroom and bedroom, both flooded with natural light from floor-to-ceiling windows offering sweeping views of the River Thames and London skyline. Despite not being a suite, this was one of the largest hotel rooms I’ve ever stayed in.
The main bathroom featured a large vanity, soaking tub, and walk-in shower. While there wasn’t a double sink, counter space was ample, and the lighting was excellent. A makeup mirror with a built-in ring light was a welcome touch. Even better: the marble floors were heated, which felt especially luxurious.
A drawer beneath the vanity contained thoughtful extras like toothbrushes, toothpaste, cotton swabs, a comb, and a nail kit — eliminating the need for a call to housekeeping. Plush robes hung between the sink and shower and were replaced daily.
The walk-in shower featured both a rain showerhead and a handheld option, stocked with Blaise Mautin shampoo, conditioner, and body wash. The custom scent – made specifically for the Park Hyatt London – includes notes of black currant, lemon, and mint – fresh, citrusy, and fantastic.
Just to the right of the main bathroom area was the doorway to the bedroom area. The bedroom included a really comfortable king bed, bedside controls for lighting, USB ports, and UK outlets. Plus, there were large floor-to-ceiling windows throughout the room, giving you 180-degree views of the River Thames and the London skyline.
The two-sided closet was just to the right of the bed and had plenty of shelves for storage, as well as a safe, slippers, and a sheet of paper listing the laundry services offered on site. While the closet was small, it had enough space to hang our big coats and jackets for the couple of days that we spent there.
On the nightstand next to the bed sat the remote, a lamp, and a note with a QR code that led to guest service information, including spa services, room service, and other hotel details. There was also a little drawer that pulled out so you could extend the side table a bit.
A small seating area faced the bed, complete with a table, chairs, and a chaise. This was a great place to enjoy a treat and to take in fantastic views of the river below.
Waiting for us was a chocolate cake, a bottle of sparkling wine, and a handwritten note from the hotel team – arranged by Shanie after I briefly mentioned our birthday celebrations in the back-and-forth correspondence prior to our stay.
They even provided extra plates and glasses so we could share with my parents. It was an incredibly thoughtful gesture that really showcased the excellent service we received throughout our stay at this property.
Just to the left of the table and chairs, a cabinet housed a well-stocked minibar, Nespresso machine, and tea service. As expected, minibar prices were on the high side.
Dining
Nine Elms Kitchen
After getting settled into the room and enjoying the birthday treat the hotel staff left for us, we headed downstairs to dine at Nine Elms Kitchen, one of the hotel’s on-site restaurants.
When we entered the restaurant, we gave the host our room number, and they led us to our table. Nine Elms Kitchen has an open layout, with the kitchen at the center and tables surrounding it. While it could get noisy on a busy night, it was quiet during our visit.
We ordered water and ginger ale, though the drink menu included a solid selection of wines, beers, and cocktails. Bread service included a white brioche roll and a curry-and-dried-fruit roll – both were excellent.
After sharing a sizable slice of birthday cake earlier, my husband and I split the Suffolk Wagyu burger, which our server highly recommended. Topped with truffle mayo, brie, and caramelized onions, it was flavorful and tender. The fries, however, could have used more salt.
Service was attentive without being intrusive, and the restaurant manager stopped by to check on us and ask about our stay. We skipped dessert, and the bill came to about £50 (about $68), including the 15% service charge. No doubt pricey for a burger, but the quality and service helped make up for the high cost.
Since my stay, additional on-site dining venues have opened, including a Cantonese restaurant, The Magic Table, and an upscale wine bar. Unfortunately, I didn't get a chance to try any of those.
Breakfast
One of the biggest perks of using a Guest of Honor certificate is complimentary breakfast – and breakfast here did not disappoint. Breakfast was served at Nine Elms Kitchen, the same restaurant where we had dinner the night before.
The continental breakfast spread included pastries, fruit, chia puddings, meats, cheeses, juices, and milk.
After grabbing a few items, our server came over with a menu of made-to-order hot items. I ended up going with the French toast and chicken sausage from the à la carte menu. The French toast was fluffy and rich, while the sausage added a savory balance.
Without elite benefits, the continental breakfast costs £24 (about $33) per person, which again, I think is a little steep – but not surprising at a high-end hotel like this. My hot items would have cost an additional £25 (about $34) with the service charge.
On our departure day, we had to leave early for the airport and didn't have time for breakfast. Instead, the hotel kindly prepared to-go bags for us with pastries, fruit, and drinks – a much-appreciated gesture.
Gym
After breakfast, I stopped by the gym to check it out, even though I didn’t have time for a workout. The space was bright, modern, and well-equipped, with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Nine Elms neighborhood.
The cardio machines included stationary bikes, a rowing machine, a stair stepper, an elliptical, and multiple treadmills. There were also multiple weight-training machines along with a cable machine.
At the far end of the gym, there was a large rack of dumbbells and some benches for free weights, as well as a large open area for yoga, stretching, or other body-weight exercises. There was a shelf separating the two areas, with some kettlebells, yoga balls, and other equipment.
Pool & Spa
After our activities in the city, we came back to the hotel to relax by the indoor pool – a rarity in a city like London.
The pool and spa are located on the second level of the hotel. After exiting the elevators, the spa area is to the left. There are marble floors in the waiting room, and an attendant at the desk can help you check in or sign up for a treatment.
To the right of the elevator are the locker room doors, which lead into the pool.
As you walk into the locker room, there's tiled flooring with wood finishes throughout that match the rest of the hotel. Each empty locker contains towels, a robe, slippers, some hangers, and a bag for wet clothing.
After picking a locker and storing my things, we turned the corner to an area with some vanities, bathroom stalls, and showers. Each of the vanities had really nice lighting, stools to sit on, multiple hair dryers, and drawers with toiletries.
Each shower stall was pretty large and had the same bath products as the rooms.
As you walk through the locker room, there is a sauna immediately to the left of the door to the pool area. This was such a nice amenity since we visited during winter. While the pool was heated, it still felt so nice to walk right into the sauna and warm up after swimming.
The pool area was probably my favorite part of the entire hotel. It's so rare to find such a large indoor pool in London, and it really added to the hotel's “wow” factor. There were large floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the neighborhood that let in abundant natural light.
The warm ambient lighting really added to the relaxing vibe of the pool area. The pool itself was heated and kept at a comfortable temperature, but there was no hot tub.
There were plenty of lounge chairs surrounding the pool, as well as a water station and towel shelf right at the entrance.
Since we visited in winter and there weren't many guests at the newly opened hotel, we had the whole place to ourselves. Overall, it was a great place to unwind after a long day exploring the city.
Bottom Line
The Park Hyatt London River Thames is an excellent choice for travelers seeking a luxurious, relaxing stay in London. While it isn’t in the heart of the city’s tourist districts, its proximity to public transportation makes getting around easy.
With standout service, spacious rooms, and great pricing of just 25,000 to 35,000 Hyatt points per night, this property is an exceptional value. I wouldn’t hesitate to book it again on my next trip to London.
