Sea Containers London
Unpretentious glamour with a nautical twist set against the London Skyline
United Kingdom
- London
20 Upper Ground, London SE19PD
Amenities
- 24 hour reception
- Hearing loop in the reception area
- Hearing loops available to borrow
Around the hotel
- Areas under stairs are closed in or adult height to avoid collision
- Art can be removed from guests' rooms upon request
- Clear walkways/corridors throughout
- Contrast markings on most internal steps
- Contrast strips on all steps
- Dimmable lighting
- Free of loose rugs
- Handrails easy-to-grip
- No thresholds over 5mm
- Step-free route available
- Visual smoke detectors
Babies and young children
- Rooms with fridges available
- Some rooms with baths
- Staff can access fridges for guests
Bathroom
- Bathroom has lever handle locks
- Bathroom washbasins reachable from toilet
- Bathrooms have thermostatic taps
- Empty surfaces adjoining washbasin in bathrooms
- Grab rails around toilets in bathrooms
- Shower stools available on request
- Standalone showers
- Strong smelling cleaning products avoided
- Wet room
Bedrooms
- Guests able to move furniture in bedrooms
- Hypoallergenic bedding
- In-room ventilation is silent
- Interconnecting rooms
- Level surface in bathroom
- Light switches reachable from bed
- No flowers or plants in bedrooms
Designated accessible bathroom
- Accessible rooms have emergency alarms reachable from shower
- Bathroom washbasins reachable from wheelchair in accessible rooms
- Lever/ sensor taps in accessible bathroom
- Roll in shower
- Shower controls reachable from wheelchair in wheelchair accessible rooms
- Shower gel/shampoo dispensers reachable from wheelchair in wheelchair accessible rooms
- Toilet paper reachable from wheelchair in wheelchair accessible rooms
- Washbasin reachable from wheelchair in bathrooms of wheelchair accessible rooms
- Wheelchairs can fit under washbasins in accessible rooms
Designated accessible bedroom
- Accessible bedrooms have unobstructed access routes of at least 800mm
- Desks comfortably usable by wheelchair users in wheelchair accessible rooms
- Full length mirrors in wheelchair accessible rooms
- In accessible rooms, spyholes at wheelchair height
- In wheelchair accessible rooms, sockets in bedrooms reachable from wheelchair
- Light switches reachable from bed in accessible rooms
- Safes reachable from wheelchair in wheelchair accessible rooms
- Space for transfer on both sides of bed in wheelchair accessible rooms
- Turning space for wheelchairs on either side of bed in accessible rooms
Designated accessible public toilets
- Accessible public toilet has emergency alarm
- Accessible public toilet has emergency alarm reachable from toilet
- Accessible public toilet in reception area
- Accessible public toilet near meeting rooms
- Accessible public toilet near restaurant
- Accessible public toilet on ground floor
- Accessible public toilets have unobstructed access routes of 800mm
- Bins reachable from wheelchair in accessible public toilets
- In accessible public toilet, toilet paper reachable from toilet
- Soap dispensers reachable from wheelchair in accessible public toilets
- Turning space for wheelchair in accessible public bathroom
Dining
- Access routes of at least 800mm wide in restaurants
- Buffet assistance
- Buffets reachable from wheelchair
- Dairy free, gluten free, nut free, fish and shellfish allergies can all be catered for
- Dairy free, gluten free, nut free, fish and shellfish allergies can all be catered for if informed in advance
- Restaurant menus available online in advance
- Room service
- Unobstructed access routes of at least 800mm wide in bar
- Wheelchair can fit under restaurant tables
Experience
- Lots of natural light
Hotel Policy
- Doors can be unlocked from outside in emergencies
- Familiarisation tour
- Fire extinguishers in public areas
- Hotel can refrigerate medication for guests
- No extra charge for service animals
- Welcomes service animals
Housekeeping
- Hypoallergenic detergent used
- Hypoallergenic detergent used upon request
Lifts
- Handrail in lift
Meeting Rooms
- Any non-wheelchair accessible podiums are able to be moved
- Microphones reachable from wheelchair
Outside the hotel
- Car parking is available next to the hotel
- Designated accessible parking within 50m of hotel entrance
- Hotel entrance at least 800mm wide
- Level car park
- Mats or non-slip surfaces at entrance
- Well lit car parking area
- Well lit entrance
Public toilets
- Alternative to hand dryer available in public toilets
- Empty surfaces adjoining washbasin in public toilets
- In public toilets, sink reachable from toilet
- Public toilets have foldable arm rests
Reception
- Seating and tables near reception
Space for wheelchair
- Turning space for wheelchair in bathrooms of accessible rooms
Staff
- Additional assistance can be arranged in advance
- Staff made aware of guests who may require additional assistance
Amenities
- 24 hour reception
- Can heat baby food
- Cinema
- Free wifi
- Library
Around the hotel
- Free of loose rugs
Babies and young children
- Baby changing
- Cots
- Public toilets equipped with baby changing facilities
- Rooms with fridges available
- Some rooms with baths
- Staff can access fridges for guests
Bedrooms
- Extra bed
- Family rooms
- Full sized additional bed
- Furniture in bedrooms has rounded edges
- Guarantee booking connecting rooms
- Interconnecting rooms
- Kitchenettes
- Rooms free of fragile ornaments
- Safe
Dining
- Children's menu
- High chairs in hotel restaurant
- Outdoor dining
Experience
- Family-friendly attractions nearby
- Family-friendly sports facilities nearby
- IP TVs
Hotel Policy
- Children of any age welcomed
- No smoking throughout the hotel building
Lifts
- Spacious lifts
Outside the hotel
- Car parking is available next to the hotel
Public toilets
- Alternative to hand dryer available in public toilets
Transport
- Bikes available to hire or borrow from hotel
Bedrooms
- Thermostat controlled by guest
Design
- Maximises use of natural light
- Sustainably sourced and/or eco-friendly building materials and practices
Dining
- Composting programme
- Food waste reduction programme
- Some organic food
- Vegan afternoon tea menu
- Vegan menu choices
Energy/ Emissions
- All electricity from renewable sources
- Building Management System
- Green energy supplier used
- Low energy consumption lighting
- Offsets carbon footprint
Experience
- Space reserved for nature
Green certifications
- BREEAM certification
Hotel Policy
- Low flow toilets
- Seasonal menu choices
- Supports pro-environmental initiatives or organisations
Religious/cultural
- Vegetarian menu choices
Transport
- Bikes available to hire or borrow from hotel
- Bikes available to hire or borrow nearby
- Hotel within walking distance of public transport
- Hybrid car service
Waste
- All glass recycled
- All paper recycled
- All recyclable plastics recycled
Amenities
- 24 hour gym
- Golf course nearby
- Gym
- Indoor hot tubs available
- Library
- Use of gym included in price
Babies and young children
- Staff can access fridges for guests
Bathroom
- Strong smelling cleaning products avoided
Bedrooms
- Bathrobes and slippers provided
- Mattress has tempur-pedic technology
Dining
- Dairy free, gluten free, nut free, fish and shellfish allergies can all be catered for if informed in advance
- Outdoor dining
- Some organic food
- Vegan afternoon tea menu
- Vegan menu choices
- Wide selection of non-alcoholic drinks
Experience
- Lots of natural light
- Space reserved for nature
- Views of nature from hotel
- Walking maps for local area available on reception
Hotel Policy
- Hotel has corporate social responsibility policy or similar
- Hotel supports local organisations and/or charities
- Inclusion and diversity statement
- No smoking throughout the hotel building
- Publicises and encourages use of public/eco friendly transport
- Seasonal menu choices
- Supports pro-environmental initiatives or organisations
- Training and development opportunities for hotel employees
Religious/cultural
- Vegetarian menu choices
Spa
- On site spa
- Organic spa products
- Rain shower
- Reflexology treatments
- Spa uses cruelty-free products
- Steam room available
Transport
- Bikes available to hire or borrow from hotel
Approach from the north side of the Thames and the Sea Containers appears on the riverside as an arresting Brutalist structure elevated by a façade draped in neon lights and looked over by the iconic Oxo Tower. But inside, nautical themes of brass and copper thought up by interior designer Tom Dixon lead guests to a brilliant collection of bars and restaurants, bathrooms with port holes and modernist sculptures of sailor’s knots. And the impressive reception, fully manned by an exceptionally attentive guest services team, is modelled after a 19th-century clipper.
Of the 359 rooms, more than a hundred have river views, and each hopes to evoke a sense of transatlantic wanderlust, with designs loosely based on 1920s transatlantic ocean liners. Sumptuous double beds, marble bathrooms and rainfall showers come as standard, while superior rooms are ideal for anyone searching for a view of the London skyline. Riverview Balcony Suites elevate the experience further with immersive views from a private balcony. And guests with disabilities are catered to through a good collection of adapted rooms spanning each room category.
The iconic Sea Containers Restaurant spreads across the scenic river side of the bottom floor, with stunning waterside views and a vibrant, seasonal menu (think: oysters, pan-fried salmon, and burgers) designed to be shared. Bottomless brunches with Prosecco or Bloody Marys characterise lively weekends, while right next door, the Lyaness Bar offers expertly crafted and highly creative cocktails from one of London’s best cocktail minds. Those in search of the London skyline should navigate o the top floor, where the 12th Knot Bar offers a lively terrace lush with plants and views of the City and St Paul’s alongside a picnic-themed menu of bites and drinks.
The Agua Spa has an indulgent bathhouse-style thermal suite and a library of holistic treatments to pick from (including Vegan manicures), while the onsite gym features floor-to-ceiling mirrors, integrated smartphone connectivity and a good range of cardio equipment to help you keep in shape during your stay. A Curzon cinema, accessed through the lobby, offers a fun finish to the eclectic amenities, with sumptuous sink-in-to velvet seats and a delightful vintage popcorn cart.
But London lovers will undoubtedly agree that Sea Containers’ best feature is its location, with everything from the Tate Modern and the Globe Theatre to St Paul’s and the Southbank just a short, scenic stroll away. Take a riverside promenade west to Parliament and the big ben, or go south and you’ll soon stumble into Borough Market, while Blackfriars tube station (and ferry) brings the rest of London quickly to your fingertips.
Can’t Miss Experiences
Kick back in the intimate Curzon cinema screening a curated mix of first-run blockbusters, recent titles you may have missed, family films and classics.