The 6 Best Hotels in Southwark

Guests at CitizenM Bankside can expect a stylish, sleek hotel with a focus on art and modern living. The “M” in the name stands for “mobile”, and doesn’t just reference the busy guests – the hotel is modelled on a shipping container, and took just nine months to build. The canteen is self-serve, but the delicious pastries from the local GAIL’s Bakery more than make up for the lack of table service.

This unassuming hotel regularly scores well in customer reviews thanks to its handy location (all rooms have a gorgeous view of London) and contemporary design. The owner is Middle Eastern, and the hotel doesn’t serve alcohol, which could be ideal for families and those set on a peaceful night’s sleep. Stay on a Friday and make the most of the nearby antiques market in the morning, or explore the local area, which was once one of London’s down-at-heel suburbs but is now a tourist favourite – home to the V&A Textiles Museum and White Cube gallery.

Ideal for those who like a lively atmosphere and plenty to do within a hotel’s walls, Sea Containers is a destination in itself. There’s an enormous spa that offers everything from premium cosmetics to Hammamii treatments, a gym, an in-house Curzon cinema and three bar-restaurants for rounding off the day in style. The rooms themselves are sleek, with all the glamour of a 1920s cruise liner. Enjoy fantastic skyline views over London from the window – with the likes of The Shard, St Paul’s Cathedral and The London Eye all clearly visible.

Deep-green palm leaves, muted tones and European-style decor make the Hoxton Southwark feel a million miles away from London’s bustling city centre. Wake up to views of the city from the Walkie Talkie building to the Shard and beyond, before tucking into your curated breakfast bag (a welcome feature of all Hoxton hotels). Dining al fresco at the rooftop restaurant with a plate of fresh oysters on a warm day, you may feel as though you’re elsewhere in Europe – not perched in the heart of the UK capital with the entire city at your feet.

Built in the 19th century, this boarding school-turned-hotel is the first London outpost of the luxury-focused Indian Hotel Group. Seamlessly combining East and West, the design manages to honour the history of this typically British building while infusing a sense of Indian decor – stepping inside feels like stepping out of London and into a genuine Indian palace. Royal colours abound – particularly in restaurant Baluchi, where the Great Hall is a cavernous blue-fringed space with stained wood-panelled walls, giving the illusion of an otherworldly dining experience. The building oozes warmth and a sense of mystery, and the rooms are no exception, with sleek interiors accented with classic Indian decor.

This one’s for the artists and art aficionados out there. Focusing on creative workspaces and local exhibitions, the hotel is overflowing with quirky artwork. Not only this, but you’ll also get the opportunity to see art being created thanks to the Makers in Residence program, which licenses local artists to do what they do best inside the hotel. The Scandi-designed workspaces are a minimalist’s dream, while in the bedrooms an industrial look is punctuated with bold pieces. Taking up six floors of the striking One Blackfriars development, this hotel is far more than just a bed, a bathroom and a breakfast.