Hotel of the Week: Sea Containers London New Suites

Set on the riverbank of the Thames like a grand ocean liner momentarily anchored ashore, Sea Containers London draws inspiration from the golden age of transatlantic travel. During my stay, I checked into one of the hotel’s four new cabin suites, where time seems to slip away – drifting back to the 1950s in the Mid-Century Suite.

The Hotel

Sea Containers London sits imposingly on the edge of the River Thames south side. Designed in the 1970s by American architect Warren Platner as the headquarters of global shipping firm Sea Containers Ltd, the building reopened as a hotel in 2014, with a design that nods to its maritime past. It also happens to be where I spent a decade working from the top floor Sea Containers House, so a float down memory lane. 

The building itself has all the hallmarks of a cruise liner. The reception desk and walls are lined with copper to mimic a boat’s hull and peering through the floor-to-ceiling windows along the lobby, it almost feels like you’re transported along the river. Located on the South Bank, the hotel is just steps away from some of London’s most iconic landmarks –  from the London Eye,Tate Modern, Old Vic and Young Vic, and Shakespeare’s Globe.

The Mid-Century Suite

Recently, Sea Containers unveiled four new cabin suites, offering a cruise-inspired escape without leaving dry land. Curated by Jacu Strauss, Designer and Creative Director of Lore Group, in partnership with pre-loved marketplace Vinterior, each suite represents a distinct design era. Spanning the 1900s through to the 1980s, the rooms are furnished with authentic vintage features, combined with all luxury mod cons.

Mahogany, leather, marble, and restored Edwardian furnishings fill The Edwardian Cabin Suite drawings guests into a room filled with 1900s drama. The Art Deco Suite evokes the decadent 1930s with pared-back vintage pieces, wood panelling, and geometric features. The Dynasty Cabin Suite embraces head-to-toe monochromatic glamour, enveloping guests in glossy creams and whites that recall the plush extravagance of the 1980s.

Last, but by no means least, beyond a dark red panelled hallway lies the Mid-Century Suite – my plush home for the night. The suite is impeccably inspired by the 1950s, decked out with mid-century furnishings and details.  Everything from the glassware to the bathroom mirrors, the private bar to the telephone is period, subtly tinged with a nautical influence with soft blue hues, wood panelling, and chrome metal features. There is a large telescope in each suite, but you may need to be accompanied by an astronomer to know how it works.

What sets these suites apart from the other rooms at Sea Containers is their theatrical commitment to the eras they celebrate. Each space carefully distils the best of its period, leaving you with a desire to browse Vinterior for a warm vintage sofa of your own. The materials throughout have an understated elegance and quality that is hard to find these days.

Wellness

Without even stepping out of the suite, wellness awaits with herbal sleep patches by recovery-focused brand Ross J. Barr. The patches are applied to the temples and massaged in to release the essential oil and herbs to aid relaxation.

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Tucked beneath Sea Containers is Aqua Spa London, a mind-body spa with bespoke treatments and therapies including massages, mani-pedis, facials, a studio for yoga and breathwork, as well as a spa lounge with steam rooms. The spa also has its own product range, Hedgerow by agua, crafted with herbs, such as fennel, comfrey and lime blossom, all inspired by the British countryside and made to reduce inflammation and nourish the body.

Food and Drinks

Looking out on to St Paul’s Cathedral and the bright city lights, the view out the window is hard to look away from. The Sea Containers Restaurant serves an American-British inspired menu with a focus on locally sourced ingredients, easy on the eye and the tastebuds – featuring dishes such as  seabass ceviche tacos, four cheese croquettes, Cornish Porthilly mussels, mushroom orecchiette and Suffolk pork belly.

Having an award-winning cocktail bar on your doorstep makes evening plans at Sea Containers as easy as can be. You can saunter down to Lyaness, the first ever 3 PIN awarded bar by The Pinnacle Guide, for an expertly crafted serve. Launched by Ryan Chetiyawardana, aka Mr Lyan or "The World’s Most Awarded Bartender", Lyaness brings delightfully unexpected combinations to the dimly lit table. Expect chocolatey cereal-inspired whisky sours or drinks mixed with smoked camel milk, olive oil or miso. Then, lean back with a cocktail in hand on the velvety dark blue seats and enjoy an evening of chatter mixed with a healthy dose of people watching.

Alternatively, Sea Containers is home to 12th Knot, a rooftop bar and terrace which offers panoramic views of London. If you’re staying on a weekend, DJ sets will accompany your evening on the rooftop, playing anything from afrobeats to house music and R&B. For lovers of cocktails and Champagne, 12th Knot has you covered with fizzes, sours and more classic flavours.

The Area

For a quiet movie, Sea Container’s own Curzon cinema offers an intimate cinema experience within the building. Their cinema room has 56 velvety blue seats with side tables, with the added luxury of ordering dishes directly from the restaurant to enjoy during the film.

A short stroll along the riverside path brings you directly to a cultural hub. The National Theatre and Southbank Centre, Young Vic and Old Vic, are steps away with a year-round programme of theatre, music and performance. Cinephiles can head to the nearby BFI IMAX Waterloo, home to the largest cinema screen in the UK. The Hayward Gallery is also close by, showcasing world-class exhibitions firmly within easy walking distance.

On weekends, the South Bank Book Market, which has been around for more than 40 years, sets up opposite BFI Southbank’s Riverfront Bar and Kitchen. Nearby food trucks and Southbank Centre Food Market offer some of the capital’s best street food, making it easy to graze between riverside strolls and exhibition viewings.

Another classic nearby destination is Borough Market, home to both well-established and emerging eateries. The Black Pig, now stationed within the market, quickly gained a following with its parmesan-laden pork shoulder sandwiches and is a must-visit. Close by, two-Michelin-starred chef Aktar Islam is set to launch Oudh 1722 for slow-cooked Awadhi cuisine from Lucknow, India, think silken kebabs and aromatic biryanis, while Plaza Khao Gaeng will be opening up a second location, showcasing its now well-known, authentically spicy southern Thai dishes.

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For those inspired by the hotel’s vintage cabin suites, a walk across Blackfriars Bridge leads to some of the oldest pubs in London, including the Blackfriar Pub. A Grade II* listed building originally constructed in 1875, which remains a wall-to-wall Art Nouveau masterpiece, adorned with intricate mosaics, sculptural detailing and burnished copper throughout.

Who's Who

Responsible for the hotel’s creative vision is Jacu Strauss, Designer and Creative Director of Lore Group, who sourced the vintage furnishings from Vinterior on show in the cabin suites. At the helm of all operations is General Manager, PJ Kenny, also of the Lore Group, who oversees other iconic London hotels like One Hundred Shoreditch. Head Chef at Sea Containers Restaurant is Tom Morgan, who came aboard in the summer of 2024. Here, he applies his philosophy of simplicity and quality, focusing on minimal ingredients of premium quality – think English broad beans, peas, tomatoes, lamb, chard and scallops.