Corinthia

Indulge in the ultimate luxury experience at the iconic Corinthia 5-Star Hotel in London! From its breathtaking interiors and world-class service to Michelin-starred dining and lavish spa treatments, Corinthia is truly a sanctuary of elegance in the heart of the city. Join us as we explore every luxurious detail of this prestigious hotel, offering a unique glimpse into what makes it one of the best 5-star hotels in London. Whether you're planning a romantic escape or a chic city stay, Corinthia sets the bar for true luxury. Don’t miss the exclusive tour and insider tips on how to make the most of your stay in this stunning urban oasis!

One of London’s top five-star hotels, with a destination spa and three restaurants, including one by Tom Kerridge. The Corinthia’s afternoon teas are perennially popular, while its riverside West End location, scenic and convenient, will really make you feel like you’re in the thick of things.

Location

8 / 10

The hotel is housed in the former Ministry of Defence building, a location that is both delightful and practical; just next to the Hungerford Bridge and Embankment Tube station for the District, Circle, Bakerloo and Northern Lines. Cross the river for everything the South Bank has to offer, including the Royal Festival Hall and Hayward Gallery, National Theatre, BFI and, further up, Tate Modern. Or if you’re staying north, St James’s Park is a few minutes’ walk away; a bit further will get you to Covent Garden. Obviously in such a central location the roads outside are busy; I could hear some traffic noise from the second floor, where I was staying.

Style & Character

9 / 10

More than a decade since the building was reborn as Corinthia London, it still sets slick standards for luxury in the capital. It was a hotel originally, opened as the Metropole in 1885, and a life welcoming guests once more seems to be suiting it. The Crystal Moon Lounge, a circular space in the centre of the lobby where afternoon tea is served, hung with a huge baubled chandelier, is always busy. The work of in-house florist FLOWERBX is evident throughout, with dramatic displays keeping things suitably high-end.

Service and Facilities

9 / 10

Service is equally smooth from front desk to spa, with staff helpful and intuitive, for instance showing me to the toilets at dinner as it was a bit of a walk from the restaurant.

The spa (ESPA Life when I stayed, now relaunched as Biome) is a destination in its own right and arguably the best of any London hotel. There are lots of artificial fires (including in the changing rooms, which also have loungers) and black marble, creating a glossy, sleek look. The sleeping pods are great as there aren’t loads of places to lie on the thermal floor – curl up with cushions and blankets in one and drift off. On said thermal floor you’ll find the main pool, which isn’t big enough for proper swimming (note also that children are allowed in from 8-10am and 4-5pm), along with a thermal pool, an ice bath, a big glass-encased sauna and a steam room.

Rooms

8 / 10

The 279 rooms are split between Executive, Deluxe, Superior and Family rooms, plus a number of suites. Even entry-level Executive rooms feel spacious, with tables, chairs and a plump armchair, while marble bathrooms have tubs and twin sinks. I stayed in one of a number of new suites, the Trafalgar, featuring a statement forest-green velvet sofa and headboard, plus a view of Nelson’s Column to admire. Toiletries are by ESPA but come in plastic miniatures, unusual these days; complimentary water in glass bottles is happily plentiful. I was surprised not to see a kettle, but one was brought swiftly on request; a Dyson hairdryer, meanwhile, is always a welcome inclusion. Objets and books – Kinfolk, Tiny House – give a more intimate feel to a large luxury hotel.

Food and Drink

8 / 10

There are three restaurants, the semi-outdoor seasonally themed Garden, André Garrett’s Northall and Kerridge’s Bar & Grill, where I ate. The space has a pubby vibe, with red leather banquettes, low lighting and indie music playing. Complimentary canapés offered to all guests make for a lovely start to proceedings – sausage or butternut squash in perfect pastry with mustard mayo; this should give you an idea of what is to come and spoiler alert, it’s heavy duty. Confit egg yolk turns crab into a wickedly rich starter, ditto an umami-ish mushroom and quail’s egg tart. My Cornish plaice was fried, served with anchovy in a deep-fried crispy roll and surrounded in incredibly rich but utterly moreish tartare sauce. 

Desserts are also heavy but the crème brûlée is excellent, with a jelly underneath offering some light relief; a mint chocolate Aero-type creation though was underwhelming. A sparkling wine trolley adds theatre and there are a few good wines available by the glass; I had a Californian Chardonnay. A champagne cocktail aperitif was the only real disappointment of the night; bright pink and unpleasantly sweet, though staff immediately offered to change it when they saw I wasn’t drinking it. Northall also has its own bar, or there’s Velvet by Salvatore Calabrese, a seductive space for champagne and cocktails.

Buffet breakfast served in Northall offers good variety, highlights of which being cereals including homemade granola and Bircher muesli, honeycomb, a great bread selection featuring brioche and focaccia, hummus, smoked salmon and accoutrements, cheeses, and fresh juices including green and carrot. Mini pastries and elements of an à la carte veggie breakfast (the sausage and potato rosti) were on the dry side though. Hot dishes to order are fairly standard; get something simple and go bigger on the buffet.

Value for Money

7 / 10

Double rooms from £750 in low season; and from £1,200 in high. Breakfast included.

Access for guests with disabilities?

There are three adapted rooms.

Family-Friendly?

Children are welcome and the hotel offers a Family Escape package, which enables parents to book a connecting room at half price, with children’s gifts, robes and slippers provided, along with Dadaumpa bath products for those aged under two.

Whitehall Place, Charing Cross, London, England, SW1A 2BD, England.

020 7930 8181