Think of London’s most creative quarters and where springs to mind? Is it the grit and soul of Camden or the antiques markets of Notting Hill? Perhaps it’s the leafy corners of South Kensington, home to the V&A and a stone’s throw from the Serpentine Gallery and the Royal Albert Hall. One destination that’s often overlooked, despite the fact that it’s teaming with artistic credentials, is the South Bank. Home to a stream of buzzing galleries, restaurants and cultural attractions that span art, music and theatre, it’s here that, in a bid to make its mark on London’s artistic map, Marriott opened a suitably creative haven in the Bankside Hotel in 2018. 

Six years on, the focus of the five-star Bankside Hotel remains the same: bringing art and luxury to the fore. Just a four-minute walk from Blackfriars, the 161-key hotel counts the Tate Modern, Shakespeare’s Globe and the National Theatre as neighbours – and while we’d highly recommend going beyond Bankside’s four walls to discover one of London’s many artistic playgrounds, you’ll soon discover that the hotel is a cultural destination in its own right. 

In fact, it’s almost impossible to ignore the hotel’s impressive art collection. You’ll see it, you’ll touch it, and you’ll sit on it – an intentional move from Bankside to be an ‘art school without the dust’. Overseen by designer Dayna Lee, there’s an intentional lack of historic pieces by the likes of Picasso or Frida Kahlo, nor will you find more modern artists like Yayoi Kusama and Banksy. Instead, the hotel is home to thoughtful, design-forward art via its very own artist-in-residence scheme, brought to life with the help of the Contemporary Collective agency to spotlight emerging talent in the hotel’s in-house gallery.

Located next door to the hotel, the Art Yard Maker’s Studio is filled daily by London-based artists at work, allowing guests to meet and engage in the creative process via different mediums. Residencies typically last two months and, until December, landscape painter Josie Clouting will be exploring the relationship between sustainability and landscape, inspired by wild and ancient places. The second arm to Bankside’s ongoing commitment to London’s art scene is its in-house exhibition: Nature’s Imprint: A Journey Through Time and Art. Featuring seven artists – including Dutch textile artist and eco-activist Claudy Jongstra – it explores environmental concerns using sustainable practices, materials and themes. 

Once you’ve had your cultural fix, it’s time to explore the rest of the hotel. All rooms offer clean and elegant interiors bolstered, of course, by unique art and modern accents such as sculptural lamps, industrial-style doors and flat-screen TVs. There are two types of suite to choose from: the Artist’s Suite, which emulates a rustic loft perfect for anyone who wishes to get their creative juices flowing, or the Collector’s Suite. The latter is the hotel’s largest, sleeping up to three people and measuring 50 square metres. Think of these suites as your London pied-à-terre and you won’t be disappointed. 

Inside both, expect amenities from Australian biological brand Grown Alchemist, fluffy bathrobes, sumptuous king-sized beds and waterfall showers – everything you need for a home-away-from-home in the city. While there’s no in-room mini bar, there is a quirky vending machine on four floors of the hotel, filled with carefully-chosen beers, wines, spirits and champagnes, as well as some fun surprises – think Charlotte Tilbury face masks and designer sunglasses available, quite literally, at the click of a button. 

Despite its uber-luxe appearance, underlying everything is the hotel’s commitment to sustainability. Much of the furniture is made from recycled plastic, the walls have been painted with volatile organic compounds (VOC) throughout to reduce the emission of harmful chemicals, and all carpets are 100 per cent wool. Atop the six-floor skyscraper you’ll discover solar panels and bee hives, whose carefully preserved honey is utilised throughout the hotel’s menus. 

Talking of, Bankside is also home to a delectable all-day dining destination: Art Yard Bar & Kitchen. Helmed by chef Sofiane Kaced, menus strike a balance between creative and comforting, featuring plates of squid ink linguine, ox cheek bourguignon, beetroot gravadlax and wild mushroom arancini. Head over to the bar for a pre-dinner aperitif or a nightcap, serving artisan gin and tonics, homemade cocktails (we love the Borough Coffee Martini, using espresso from the eponymous market) and a 23-strong whiskey list. 

While there’s no spa here, there’s a state-of-the-art gym primed and prepped for your next endorphin rush. Fitted with Peloton bikes, cross ramp machines, power racks, treadmills, and balance trainers, it’s open 24-hours a day and is complete with a roster of personal trainers ready to help you achieve your next PB. 

Offering both style and substance, Bankside Hotel is a no-brainer for those who want to experience the best of London, in the heart of London. On the doorstep of the dynamic South Bank, book here to be immersed in the capital’s creativity, tangibly thread through every aspect of the hotel, from the art on its walls to the dishes served at the restaurant. Stuffy and boring, this isn’t – and instead offers both out-of-towners and Londoners a luxurious home-away-from-home without the fuss. 

From £365 per night. 

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