Corinthia London

Hotel Description

Look, I’ve stayed at plenty of fancy London hotels, but the Corinthia just hits differently. Walking into that Victorian building on Whitehall Place – you know, right between Trafalgar Square and the Thames – feels like stepping into some grand government ministry, which honestly isn’t far off since it actually used to house various offices back in the day. The lobby is this soaring space with marble everywhere and these massive crystal chandeliers that somehow don’t feel overdone.

What really gets me about this place is how they’ve managed to make it feel both historically significant and completely comfortable at the same time. I mean, you’re literally a two-minute walk from where all the political drama happens (Downing Street is right there), but inside you’ve got this incredible spa that goes down four levels underground. The ESPA spa is honestly ridiculous – I spent way too much time in that thermal floor with the vitality pool and those weird ice fountains that are supposed to be good for circulation or whatever. The rooms themselves are massive by London standards, with these huge marble bathrooms and actual space to spread out your stuff. My room overlooked the Thames, and you could watch the London Eye slowly turning while having your morning coffee.

Here’s what I really appreciate though – the staff actually knows the neighborhood inside and out. When I mentioned wanting good Ethiopian food, the concierge didn’t just Google it; he sent me to this tiny place in Elephant and Castle that was absolutely perfect. The location is kind of unbeatable if you’re doing the classic London tourist thing – you can walk to Westminster Abbey, Big Ben’s restoration scaffolding (still there, unfortunately), and all the museums in about ten minutes. But it’s also perfectly positioned if you want to escape tourist central and head toward the South Bank or catch a show in the West End. The hotel restaurant, Kerridge’s Bar & Grill, is proper good – Tom Kerridge knows what he’s doing with British comfort food, though you’ll definitely pay for it. One small thing that bugged me: the elevators are gorgeous but painfully slow, probably because they’re trying to maintain that historic feel. Also, if you’re driving, just don’t – parking around Whitehall is a nightmare and the valet fees will make you wince. But honestly, you don’t need a car here anyway since you’re basically in the center of everything that matters in London.

Rooms

• The Actor’s Penthouse with 1 extra-large double bed for 3 adults
• The Explorer’s Penthouse with 1 extra-large double bed for 3 adults
• The Whitehall Penthouse with 1 extra-large double bed for 3 adults
• Family Room with 2 double beds for 4 adults
• Garden Suite with 1 extra-large double bed for 2 adults
• London Suite with 1 extra-large double bed for 3 adults
• Superior Room with 1 extra-large double bed for 2 adults
• Deluxe Room with 1 extra-large double bed for 3 adults
• Executive Room with 1 extra-large double bed for 2 adults
• River Suite with 1 extra-large double bed for 2 adults
• Deluxe Junior Suite with 1 extra-large double bed for 3 adults
• Whitehall Suite with 1 extra-large double bed for 2 adults
• Trafalgar Suite with 1 extra-large double bed for 2 adults

Facilities