You know what struck me first about the Hyatt Regency on Albert Embankment? It’s actually right there – like, literally on the Thames. I mean, I’d seen photos before visiting, but walking out and having the river basically at your doorstep hits differently. The building itself is pretty sleek, modern glass and steel that somehow doesn’t feel out of place next to all the Victorian architecture around Lambeth. Check-in was smooth (I got there around 3pm on a Tuesday, so maybe I just got lucky with timing), and the lobby has this airy feel with floor-to-ceiling windows that make the most of that river location.
The rooms are honestly solid – clean lines, comfortable beds, and if you’re facing the Thames side, well, you’re going to spend way too much time just staring out the window. I could see the London Eye from my room, which never got old, even after a week. The bathrooms are modern with good water pressure, though I’ll say the lighting could be a bit warmer for my taste. What I really appreciated was how quiet it stayed at night – you’d think being right on the Embankment would mean traffic noise, but the windows do their job. The air conditioning actually works properly too, which honestly isn’t always a given in London hotels.
Location-wise, this place is sort of perfectly positioned if you want to be central without being in the absolute chaos of Westminster or Covent Garden. You’re a five-minute walk to Westminster Bridge, so getting to Big Ben or Parliament is nothing. But here’s what I loved – you can walk along the South Bank path right from the hotel, past the London Eye, all the way to Borough Market or even further to Tower Bridge if you’re feeling ambitious. The Lambeth North tube station is about a ten-minute walk, which isn’t bad, though I found myself using the buses more since they run right along the Embankment. There’s a Tesco Express pretty close by for snacks and basics, and honestly, the hotel bar isn’t terrible if you just want a drink without venturing out. The breakfast buffet is decent – nothing extraordinary, but they do a proper English breakfast alongside the continental stuff, and the coffee is actually drinkable. I’d say this place hits that sweet spot where you’re paying for the location and the reliability of a decent chain, but you’re not getting gouged like you would at some of the more famous spots across the river. If you’re someone who likes to walk everywhere and wants to wake up to river views without the tourist crowds right outside your door, this works really well.