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Review Bankside Hotel Autograph Collection London

Bankside Hotel London review – Last weekend we spent a festive couple of days in London. Visiting the Christmas markets and trying out one of the many Christmas shows over Christmastime. While we were visiting we stayed at the Bankside Hotel, Autograph Collection. Which is part of Marriott, although it is independently owned. This means it feels like you are staying in a boutique hotel from the stylish interior design to the exceptional service we experienced during our stay. We also ate in the Art Yard Bar & Restaurant during our stay.

AD – We received an overnight stay and meal in return in return for this blog post-Bankside Hotel London review

Table of Contents

Bankside Hotel, Autograph Collection – Location

The Bankside Hotel, Autograph Collection is based in Central London right on the River Thames and a stone’s throw from Blackfriars Station. This is a great location for us as we travel into London from West Sussex. Meaning we can reach the hotel by National Rail without the need to navigate tube stations with children and bags. From Blackfriars Station it is just a very short walk of a couple of minutes across from Blackfriars Bridge. You can travel on National Rail to London Blackfriars from London Bridge, London Victoria and City Thameslink.

If you are flying into London then the hotel is around thirty-five minutes from London City Airport. From here you can catch the DLR, changing at Canning Town for the Jubilee Line before arriving at Southwark Tube Station. This is a short distance from the hotel, around an eight-minute walk.

The excellent location of the hotel makes it the perfect base to explore London. Right on the doorstep of the Southbank Centre and London Eye which you can reach by walking along the river. A twenty-minute walk across Waterloo Bridge and you are in Covent Garden passing Sommerset House on route. Having stayed in several London hotels over the years we found this hotel location to be the best. It is quiet in the evening but close enough to enjoy all the attractions on offer during the day.

Our arrival at the Bankside Hotel

We arrived late afternoon after a full day exploring London and going to The Snowman Theatre Show in the West End. We were shattered and the kids were starting to get on each other’s nerves. So when the hotel staff at the reception desk diverted their attention away to gifts in the way of a slinky each and mini Jenga I was very happy. I wish all hotels had the foresight to do this while waiting for the room key.

Our Room

The Bankside Hotel, Autograph Collection has 161 guest rooms and seven suites. Several different types of rooms are available ranging from a Modest King Guest Room which is 24sqm sleeping two. Up to the Biggest Guest Suite which is 55sqm. Each comes with en-suite bathrooms.

We stayed in a Spacious Guest Room which is 28sqm. Which was perfect for us based on the boys ages of 11 and 7. If you are staying with older children then I would suggest that the four-person option is a better fit. Our room has a king-sized bed, a sofa bed for the boys and an en-suite bathroom with a rain shower. At one end there are floor-to-ceiling windows with remote-controlled blackout blinds. Along the front of the room, there is a desk and storage. Including a safe and fridge which comes with bottled water. Well, actually it is in a can as it is more environmentally friendly. Along with some chocolate and crisps which did not stay hidden for long

There is also a Nespresso coffee machine and a jug to get your water from the refill station. Plus a little art set which Harry really enjoyed playing with. The flat-screen TV gives you access to Netflix and allows Chrome casting. As you enter the room there is a wardrobe that contains robes and slippers as well as essentials such as an ironing board and hair dryer. It is really well-appointed and more than big enough for a family for several nights. True to its contemporary design the roof is bare concrete which the boys found fascinating.

How did we sleep at the Bankside Hotel London?

We slept really well which I would put down to the comfortable beds and the fact that the rooms are really quiet. We did not hear our neighbours at all during our stay or any outside noise. Which is always a worry when staying at a hotel for the first time. Everything was spotless and the bathroom looked brand new with its slate floor and stone tiles. The toiletries smelt amazing and will be a brand we look out for on our travels.

Dinner at the Art Yard Bar & Restaurant

In the evening we went to the hotel bar to have a drink before heading to dinner in the hotel. The Art Yard Bar and Restaurant is on the ground floor and is open to residents and non-residents. It has a relaxed atmosphere making it perfect for families. There is also a children’s ‘art’ themed menu where the food options are focused around colours. At £10 for two courses for under 12s, it offers incredible value when you think that you are in the centre of London. Although Harry opted for pizza and ice cream I liked that there was the option for salmon and green beans along with other kiddie favourites.

The adult meal had plenty of choice, with everything from nibbles and sharing options through to fillet steak. The menu catered for both Vegetarians and Vegans. Charlie who now eats off the adult menu wherever we go was delighted that there was Burrata as a starter which is one of his favourites. And I can definitely vouch for the beetroot carpaccio. At the same time, the husband opted for tarte followed by fillet steak. Many of the mains required sides which could be bought separately. The wine list varied in price from £30 a bottle upwards. Again I was pleasantly surprised to find such well-priced house options for central London.

The service was very good with our water glasses being constantly refilled and nothing felt like it was too much trouble. As we were very full we almost didn’t manage dessert but decided on a selection of English cheeses to share.

How much does the food cost?

Small bites start at £9, starters at £14, burgers at £24 and mains from £20. When we visited they were running a special offer. To celebrate their passion for art and culture they are offering a 20% discount to all those ‘Culture Curious’ individuals who immerse themselves in the local culture. Enjoy up to 20% off food and drink when you present a ticket to any one of the neighbourhood’s galleries, theatres or cultural landmarks. The hotel is just a few minutes walk away from the Tate Modern, Southbank Centre and Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre. Which makes this a brilliant offer.

Breakfast at Bankside Hotel, Autograph Collection

The breakfast service took place in the Art Yard Bar & Restaurant. You have two options. Either you can help yourself to the hot and cold buffet which is included in the price of your room. Or you can order from the a la carte menu at an additional cost, after such a large meal the night before we opted for the buffet and were not disappointed. There is so much choice and as we are a family where each of us would prefer a different type of breakfast it worked well.

Harry always opts for cereals, toast with Nutella and bananas. Charlie on the other hand has a dreadfully sweet tooth and wants jam, crossiants and yoghurts with fresh fruits. The husband will have a full English and I will have salmon, cheese and veg. It is unusual for us all to have our first choices. Tea and coffee are available on tap with table service to ask if you want a refill, along with water top-ups and self-service fruit juice. Breakfast just didn’t have that rushed hectic feeling that eating with kids can generally have.

Other Amenities at the Bankside Hotel Autograph Collection

As well as the great food and good rooms at the Bankside Hotel London there are several different amenities which made our stay even more special. There was free wifi throughout the hotel which is always handy when travelling with kids. On each level, there is a water station which allows you access to water fountains of cold or room temperature water and also carbonated water. I do wonder why this is not available in more places we have stayed. It is so useful. There is also a vending machine. But not the sort you expect. This is a touch screen selling snacks, soft drinks and alcohol. You can opt for a bottle of wine for £24 or a bottle of gin for £55.

There are several different communal areas in the hotel. Above the reception and bar, there is a mezzanine level which is designed as a quiet area. A place to sit and read and to watch the world go by. There is a seesaw at the end of the room which the kids loved. I always find a lounge area useful for when the weather is not behaving and you need some time to chill out. If you fancy the opposite then the Bankside Hotel also has a fitness centre.

An outside terrace is open in the warmer months which has plenty of seating with brightly coloured cushions. With views across the London skyline and St Paul Cathedral. I can imagine it would be a lovely spot to sip a cocktail in the sunshine.

Things to do close to the Bankside Hotel London

The hotel is so well placed to explore London. Just a few minutes walk you are at Southwark underground station where you can access the Jubilee line to London Bridge for views of Tower Bridge and shopping at Borough Market. However, there are also many attractions within walking distance. London’s South Bank Centre is only a 14-minute walk. With lots of places to eat, shops to explore, and many cultural activities to take part in. The whole area is a hive of activity. If you visit during the festive period as we did then there is also usually a small Christmas market. Carry on walking and you will come to the London Eye and also The Sealife Centre which is a great way to spend the morning or afternoon if the weather is not behaving.

In the other direction, the Tate Modern is only a seven-minute walk. They always have something on for the kids to do especially during the school holidays. From here you can walk past Shakespeare’s Globe and across the Millenium Bridge which is a must for Harry Potter fans onto St. Paul’s Cathedral.

During our stay, we headed across Waterloo Bridge past Somerset House which has an amazing ice rink in the winter months. Onto Covent Garden, which is only a twenty-minute walk. Making it convenient for the West End and all the theatres. If you are looking for suggestions then I can definitely recommend the iconic Lion King which is at the Lyceum Theatre. With everything so accessible it really does make the perfect stay for families.