London Marriott Hotel County Hall, Westminster - Review

It doesn’t matter whether you’ve travelled half an hour on a train or half way round the world for the experience, the one thing you need is the perfect place to stay.

If you’re spending time in our great capital then you will not find anywhere better placed than the London Marriott Hotel County Hall. Take one step outside the elegant splendour of this spectacular city landmark and a few more paces will see you enjoying a flight on the London Eye, discovering the history of the House of Commons or wandering Westminster.

It is, quite simply, the most convenient place to stay when you visit London and with the care and attention to detail that’s been lavished on this wonderfully renovated hotel you can also be guaranteed to be in the perfect frame of mind when you step out.

Lovingly created from a truly historic London landmark. And, what’s more, if you are thinking of visiting this is the perfect time as it has just undergone a complete facelift to create an even more luxurious stay.

Here’s the history bit: Designed by Ralph Knott, work started on the building in 1911 and it was opened by King George V in 1922. For more than half a century it was the headquarters of local government for London. But, in the 19080s the Labour-controlled GLC, led by Ken Livingstone, finally annoyed Margaret Thatcher so much that her government abolished the GLC in 1986. Basically they kept putting up opposition banners and County Hall, as you’ll see, it just across the river from the Houses of Parliament. The building was still used by the Inner London Education until 1990. It was then sold to private investors.

Today it is occupied by a host of businesses and attractions. The London Sea Life Aquarium, London Dungeon, several restaurants and, not forgetting, the 5 star Marriott Hotel. I won’t spoil the story about the discovery of a Third Century ship and what they decided to do with it – you’ll need to ask when you visit.

So, bringing you right back up to date: Today the hotel has undergone a major refurbishment and offers guests a truly fabulous experience.

Sure, it’s 5 star luxury at its very best – a leisure club with a spectacular indoor pool, superbly furnished throughout and your every comfort catered for. On top of all this you get spectacular views of Big Ben, the London Eye and Westminster, but even this isn’t, for me, its best selling point. You’ve heard it before, but for me, it’s all about where it’s at – to steal someone else’s line it’s location, location, location. You are a stone’s throw from so many of London’s great landmarks.

Now, I have to be honest and admit I took full advantage of the cocktails on offer in Gillray’s Bar and was even treated to a full tour of the quite spectacular Westminster Suite before ‘enjoying’ (I use the word enjoy carefully, due to my increasing fear of heights) a flight on the London Eye. Whilst I can highly recommend all these delights you might decide that all this isn’t for you and your agenda in London will be very different. However, whatever you decide to do you should get you first decision right – and that should be to base yourself at the London Marriott, you won’t regret it.

Rooms at the London Marriott County Hall start from £300 per room including breakfast. For more information visit LondonMarriottCountyHall.co.uk or call 020 7928 5200 London Marriott Hotel County Hall Westminster Bridge Road SE1 7PB The nearest tube is Westminster but Waterloo is easy too.