Our Verdict: “Stylish riverside hotel with bold design and a comfortable stay”
Sea Containers London (previously known as the Mondrian) seemed like a hotel that knew exactly what it wanted to be. Bold, arty, and a little playful, it doesn’t follow the cookie-cutter mould of chain properties. Tom Dixon’s interiors are visible, a copper hull-style walls, oversized lamps, and bespoke furniture that looks like it should be in a design gallery. It felt less like checking into a hotel and more like stepping into a creative space that happens to have bedrooms attached.
This is a hotel with a sense of theatre. From the in-house Curzon cinema to the rooftop bar buzzing with DJs, it attracts a mixed crowd. City workers drop in for after-work cocktails and tourists check in for river views.
In this review:
- Hotel Summary
- Location
- Check-in
- Our Room
- Facilities & Services
- Food and Beverage
- Check-out
- BG1 Verdict
Hotel Summary
Name: Sea Containers London
Location: London (South Bank, near Blackfriars Bridge)
Hotel Class: ☆☆☆☆☆
Chain: Independent (part of Lore group)
Loyalty Programme: Lore Discovery
Room Type: Standard room
Room #: Adjoining standard room
Price bracket: £££££
Competing brands: Mondrian Shoreditch, The Hoxton, ME London, Bankside Hotel
Good for: Work travellers and tourists
Dog-friendly – allowing pets under 15kg for a fee (usually around £75 per stay, with dog bed, bowls, and treats included).
Location
Few hotels in London can claim a better spot. Sea Containers London sits on the South Bank of the Thames, right between Blackfriars Bridge and the Oxo Tower. Step outside and you’re on the riverside path that takes you to Tate Modern, Shakespeare’s Globe, Borough Market, or Tower Bridge in one direction, and the London Eye, Westminster, and Big Ben in the other.
The location is more cultural than commercial, so if you’re in town for shopping on Oxford Street or Regent Street, you’ll need to hop on the Tube. The closest station, Blackfriars, is only a short walk away and puts the rest of the city within easy reach. Still, the riverside setting makes up for the lack of central shops and not many hotels let you sip a cocktail right on the Thames terrace.
Check-in
Our check-in experience was smooth. We were greeted quickly by a friendly staff member who ran through the basics and confirmed our booking. We didn’t have luggage to hand over, so no need for porters this time. Within minutes we had our keys in hand and were on the way to our rooms. It all felt well-organised without being over the top, exactly what you want after a journey into London.
Room
We had booked adjoining rooms as we were travelling with friends. That worked out perfectly, especially as we were in town for a concert at the Royal Festival Hall just down the river. The view was less inspiring. There was no balcony and facing an office block rather than the Thames. Still, the interiors held up. The nautical touches continued with brass fixtures and mood lighting that gave a subtle nod to the building’s shipping heritage.
I found myself wondering about the clientele here. With its arty style and South Bank location, it could easily pull in tourists looking for a cultural break, office workers staying over after late meetings, or couples down for a theatre weekend. Perhaps that’s part of its charm: Sea Containers London feels like it could be whatever you want it to be.
The room had all the amenities you’d expect at this level — Nespresso machine, minibar, big comfy bed, well-stocked minibar and fluffy robes. The little touches help give it a luxurious feel.
Facilities & Services
The public spaces are where this hotel shines. The restaurant and bar areas are large, lively, and always in demand. The rooftop bar, 12th Knot, delivers sweeping views across the river to St Paul’s and beyond, while the main restaurant has a buzzy, brasserie feel. The service throughout was attentive without being intrusive.
If you’re looking to unwind, the agua spa downstairs offers a mix of treatments from sound healing to more traditional massages. There’s also the Curzon boutique cinema tucked inside the hotel — a quirky touch that makes a rainy London evening more entertaining.
Bars & Dining
Sea Containers London has no shortage of places to eat and drink, each with its own personality. The Sea Containers Restaurant serves brasserie-style dishes with a seasonal, modern edge, drawing in as many Londoners as hotel guests. The 12th Knot Rooftop Bar is all about the view — sweeping panoramas of the Thames and St Paul’s, paired with DJs and cocktails that keep the atmosphere buzzing. And then there’s Lyaness, the award-winning bar from Ryan Chetiyawardana (Mr Lyan), where inventive flavour pairings and world-class mixology make every drink feel like an experience in itself.
Check-out
Check-out was as smooth as check-in. Standard departure time is 11am, and we had no issues settling our bill, which included drinks from the bar the night before. It was quick, easy, and handled with a smile.
We skipped breakfast at the hotel. With so many food options nearby and the cost coming in at over £100+ for four people at the hotel, it made sense to head out and explore instead.
BG1 Verdict
Sea Containers London is a comfortable and stylish hotel with a sense of fun. The riverside location gives you culture and views on your doorstep, even if it’s a little removed from the main shopping areas. Rooms can be hit and miss depending on which side of the building you face, but the overall experience — from design to dining to those rooftop views — makes it stand out.
BG1 tip: If you want that Instagram-worthy London view, make sure to book a river-facing room or head up to 12th Knot at sunset.
Interested in other hotels in London? Read our review of Waldorf Hilton or NoMad London.
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