Last updated: April 01, 2025
For culture vultures, foodies and art lovers, Bankside – an Autograph Collection hotel by Marriott, is the perfect pitstop if you want to explore everything that the creative side of London has to offer.
Located in the vibey Bankside district of the capital (close to the Thames, The Tate Modern and The Shakespeare Globe), Bankside is an independent hotel which does things a little differently.
A feast of the senses from the moment you arrive, Bankside ignites the innovative as soon as you step into the lobby with its funky artworks on the walls, its unconventional check in desk and its inviting nooks and crannies.
With 161 rooms and seven suites, the six storey hotel prides itself on its arts programme. Almost like you’re stepping into an art gallery or museum which also just happens to be a hotel, Bankside’s Makers in Residence initiative champions up and coming creatives with the Art Yard Maker’s Studio curated by Contemporary Collective. Guests can watch artists hone their skills, while the walls of the hotel are filled with beautiful paintings and creations everywhere you look.
All rooms are unique but share a home from home vibe which has you feeling comfortable and settled in in no time. We loved our ‘Artist Suite’ – a unique shaped room featuring a huge stone pillar which included stunning furniture, wooden floors, a statement rug, floor-to-ceiling windows and a desk work space – perfect for the creatives among us!
With views which included the London Eye and The Shard, the corner sofa was the perfect place to sit and enjoy an in-room Nespresso from the machine while soaking up the atmosphere.
Remote control blackout blinds operated from the bedside, 300 threadcount Egyptian cotton sheet and a state-of-the-art led TV entertainment system all heightened the luxe experience and enjoyment.
The beautifully lit double sink bathroom with enormous rainfall shower and luxurious robes and slippers also included Grown Alchemist products and the fluffiest of towels.
With a 9pm reservation in the Art Yard Bar and Kitchen, as you’d expect, the interiors were equally as wowing as the rest of the hotel. Featuring geometric Italian influenced tiles, industrial quirks and mural illustrations, the beautiful bar with ornate spirits bottles whipped up delightful cocktails like the Honey Bee to get dinner started. We feasted on tuna tartare and crispy arancini balls, followed by hearty plates of ox cheek bourguignon with meat that had clearly been slowly braising away all day. Creamy mash and some extra flavour from the bacon made this a rich, delicious dish. Meanwhile Cornish lamb cutlets were satisfyingly juicy, served with a zingy lush green herby chermoula and accompanying veg cooked just right.
The next morning, we woke early to those gorgeous views and headed along the South Bank with the sun shining. Meeting friends for brunch at 1pm back at the Art Yard Bar and Kitchen, there’s a real vibe here on a Saturday with family and friends all gathering to celebrate the weekend. Their popular bottomless option went down a treat with an additional £26 on top of the menu allowing for 90 minutes of unlimited prosecco and bloody Marys – you can read about the full experience here.
Since we stayed, Art Yard Bar and Kitchen have launched their spring menu. There are some gorgeous new dishes with small plates including fried chicken, ranch sauce and wildflower hot honey, and mains like spring pea and mint risotto, English asparagus and stracciatella – another reason for us to head back to Bankside as soon as we can!
Bankside isn’t just ‘another London hotel’, it’s done a wonderful job of capturing London’s culture and creativity, weaving an artsy narrative right into the heart of the hotel. While London’s big brands do a great job when it comes to hospitality, sometimes you just want that individuality and Bankside Hotel has that in abundance.
