For all of those who want to be at the epicentre of the action in London, The Westminster hotel is ideally located, and what’s more, it has recently undergone a multi-million pound renovation, as it’s joined Hilton’s growing portfolio of Curio Collection properties.
With all the popular London attractions and landmarks on its doorstep, from The Houses of Parliament and Big Ben to Westminster Abbey and Tate Britain, the hotel is influenced by its unique placing. Here, expect rich heritage merged with the contemporary in all aspects, evident in the design aesthetic of the lobby and continuing throughout the 464 spacious rooms and suites, as well as the range of amenities, and the 360 degree guest experience.
It’s also home to London’s second STK Steakhouse (complete with a cool lounge ambience and resident DJs), it’s very own bowling alley with a private bar, and a Bao Yum outpost on the ground floor for a quick dine in or grab and go option for those who want to spend time exploring the city.
From location to attractions, the General Manager of The Westminster, Matt Williams shares his 10 favorite things about this central London hotel.
Location: Nestled amidst some of London’s most historic and enigmatic landmarks right in the heart of the city, The Westminster is an esteemed hotel that speaks to the rich background of its cultural surroundings.
From MI5 to Buckingham Palace, this unique part of London is home to some of the UK’s most historic buildings, filled with government secrets and long-lost parts of history that have seeped into the grounds of The Westminster, inspiring its evocative design that intrigues visitors from across the world.
We have Pimlico and Westminster underground stations within a ten-minute walk and Victoria Train Station twenty minutes by foot. I often like to get off at Green Park Underground Station on my daily commute, this gives me a chance to walk past Buckingham Palace on the way to the hotel. Reminds me what a truly fantastic city that London is.
An all-encompassing experience: Comprised of 464 individually designed rooms, guests are invited to explore the hidden depths of the hotel in a journey through dimly lit, ambient corridors adorned with obscure artworks before settling into their plush private surroundings.
The Westminster has been designed to provide everything a guest could possibly wish for. Whether in search of a fine dining location, bespoke cocktails, or private spaces to host and entertain, each area has been crafted so visitors can access all that they need to the highest quality and with a signature twist that speaks to the hotel’s links to history.
A private space for your hosting needs: The hotel has earned its reputation as a home for guests to host in for many years, thanks to its dedicated high-tech facilities and private function areas. With three spacious meeting rooms and built in video conferencing systems with HD interactive displays, guests can arrange team meetings within office-like, sophisticated settings.
And for those in search of private dining venues, the hotel’s intimate private dining room provides a unique and contemporary area where groups can enjoy a culinary experience that is tailored to their needs.
We named the meeting rooms based on the story of the hotel – revolving on our historic location. My personal favourite is the Astrea – Aphra Behn, otherwise known as Astrea, created her legacy in the 17th century before being laid to rest in the East Cloister of Westminster Abbey — a stone’s throw away from The Westminster. Behn was employed as a spy under Charles II, who gave her the code-name Astrea, and deployed her on various missions around Europe. Upon her return to London, she built her literary legacy writing and translating plays and poems, before she was buried in 1689. She is thought to be Britain’s first female spy and is also widely recognised as one of the first women to earn a living from a literary career.
A night of vibe dining: Seamlessly blending the offering of a Modern American steakhouse with a classic and sleek lounge setting, STK is renowned for its vibrant atmosphere across the world and has also found its home in The Westminster.
On the first floor of the hotel, guests can enjoy prime cuts of Wagyu and succulent fillet steak alongside rich truffle and parmesan French fries – or indulge in oysters with a crisp glass of champagne. My tip to try is the Lil Burgers – a favourite that can be found in every STK restaurant around the world.
Strike! Whilst The Westminster exudes mystery and intrigue, there’s also space to break the ice. The hotel’s private bowling lanes offer a bustling atmosphere for up to 20 guests to enjoy a night of fun and competition whilst also enjoying a steady flow of drinks from the private bar. It’s the ideal spot for hosting parties or simply having fun. If you ever come to the hotel, it is highly likely that you will find me here ‘working’.
Destress and revitalise: Located on the 13th floor with panoramic views of London, The Westminster gym goes beyond a normal work out area, giving guests a space to reenergise and release endorphins with privacy and ease. The gym area is open 24 hours a day with a range of professional gym equipment, so visitors can utilise time in the morning, between meetings or after work to stay fit and refreshed. I have had the enjoyment of watching the New Years eve fireworks from this birds eye view and it is truly breath taking.
A moment’s rest: Designed by architect’s AFK, each of The Westminster’s guest rooms have been crafted for utmost comfort and a luxury feel. From bespoke beds to luxury rain showers and panoramic views of the city, guests are welcomed into a calming space that offers respite from the city.
My personal favourite is room 1242. This is a One Bedroom Suite that has views of the Thames from the floor to ceiling windows and is amazing to sit and stare at the city lights in the evening.
Take a Bao: Bao Yum a whimsical twist on classic bao - awaits in a vibrant and contemporary space on the ground floor of the hotel, serving a tantalizing selection of open and closed bao, healthy soups and salads. Opt for a salmon poke bowl or enjoy a fluffy bao bun stuffed with BBQ Beef Short Rib or Kung Pao Shrimp. My personal favourite is the Nashville Hot Fried Chicken Open Bao, it gives a real kick to your lunch break.
Attractions: So many of London’s attraction are a short distance away. Whether you wanted to visit the cultural attractions such as Westminster Abbey, Houses of Parliament, Tate Britain or The London Eye to mention just a small choice. Even better they are all reached via a stroll along the Thames. Many sporting arenas are also easily reached, I have been fortunate to attend a few cricket matches at Kia Oval which is also only a 15-minute walk away.
Quirky history: When I was researching the area to help develop the story I came across some unusual and to me unknown facts about the local area – below are some of my favourites.
- Westminster Abbey: When the abbey was founded by monks in 960 AD, it existed on a small island on the Thames called Thorney Island. Its elevations and firm foundations provided the perfect location to build an abbey and the Palace of Westminster. The island no longer exists but the hotel rear entrance is located on Thorney Street – taken from the historical past.
- Millbank (next to the hotel): The former Royal Army Medical College, situated at Millbank, is the site where the vaccine for typhoid was first developed, and in the late 19th century, was where the world's first modern prison (Millbank Prison) was established and is now the Chelsea College of Art and Design which sits adjacent to Tate Britain Gallery. Part of the perimeter ditch of the prison survives running between Cureton Street and John Islip Street. It is now used as a clothes-drying area for residents of Wilkie House. A large circular bollard stands by the river with the inscription: "Near this site stood Millbank Prison which was opened in 1816 and closed in 1890. This buttress stood at the head of the river steps from which, until 1867, prisoners sentenced to transportation embarked on their journey to Australia.
- River Thames: The Thames Path is 184 miles long, which makes it the longest river walk in Europe. The river itself is 215 miles long and has over 200 bridges – the first of which was built by the romans. Westminster Bridge is painted the same shade of green as the seats in the House of Commons – we have replicated this in our reception desks too!
See more of The Westminster at hotelwestminster.co.uk.
