South Bank / Westminster Bridge

Park Plaza Westminster Bridge London

★★★★★

Park Plaza Westminster Bridge is the practical powerhouse of central London hotels: a large, modern property on the South Bank at the foot of Westminster Bridge, where Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament stand directly across the river and the London Eye turns a few minutes' walk away. It has 1,019 rooms across its many floors, including more than five hundred studio rooms, which offer extra space and are popular with families and longer stays, as well as superior rooms and suites, some framing views of Parliament. That scale means good availability and competitive rates, and it brings facilities that smaller central hotels cannot offer — most notably a 15-metre indoor swimming pool, a fitness centre and the Mandara Spa. Food and drink options include a brasserie, a sushi bar, a lounge and patisserie and a bar, plus round-the-clock room service, so families can eat in when legs give out. The location is outstanding for sightseeing: the London Eye, the aquarium and County Hall attractions are next door, Westminster Abbey and the Churchill War Rooms are across the bridge, and the South Bank walk leads east to the Southbank Centre, Tate Modern and Borough Market. Westminster and Waterloo stations are both within walking distance, with Waterloo offering mainline trains and multiple Tube lines. The trade-off is atmosphere: this is a large, busy hotel that handles conferences and tour groups as well as families, so it lacks the intimacy of a boutique hotel. But for families wanting space, a pool and a walkable Westminster base, it is one of the most reliable choices in London.

The hotel opened in 2010, part of the regeneration of the area around County Hall and St Thomas' Hospital, and its striking modern design — a glass-fronted tower stepping back from the street — made it one of the largest new hotels in the capital at the time. It is designed to handle volume smoothly, with large lobbies, many lifts and a well-organised front desk, and it is popular with international visitors, families and event-goers alike.

Living in it: the studio rooms are the smart family pick, with more space than standard rooms and a layout that works for parents and children; ask about their exact configuration when booking, as features vary. Rooms on higher floors facing the river offer views of Parliament and Big Ben, among the most iconic hotel views in London, and they command a premium. The pool and spa provide a welcome break between sightseeing days, especially in winter. With hundreds of rooms, breakfast can be busy at peak times, so go early.

Base math: the London Eye is a five-minute walk, Westminster Abbey and Parliament ten minutes across the bridge, and the South Bank's riverside path leads to Tate Modern and Borough Market. Waterloo station connects to the Jubilee, Northern and Bakerloo lines and to mainline trains, and Westminster station is across the river. Rates are mid-to-upper range and frequently offer good value compared with smaller hotels nearby, particularly for families who need more space. Book Park Plaza Westminster Bridge for family holidays, first-time visitors who want Westminster on the doorstep, and anyone who values a pool.