Arrival/Check-In: We arrived in Southampton after crossing the Atlantic on board the Queen Mary 2. Because Cunard does not arrange car pick-ups before departure, I booked a transfer with LimoPlus following a recommendation I read. The drive from Southampton to London was smooth and efficient; our driver, Kumaran, navigated quieter routes when needed. At the Corinthia London we were welcomed warmly—this was my third stay since the hotel opened in 2011. With many suitcases from the crossing, the staff quickly took our bags and escorted us to one of the hotel’s London Suites.
Guest Quarters: The suite was tasteful and bright, tucked into a building that has been carefully restored. The property was formerly part of the War Department and once housed Winston Churchill’s office. The restoration preserved historical character while delivering modern comfort.
We entered the suite through a large door into a spacious hallway. Immediately to the left, a powder room featured an elegant built-in door that blended with the wall. The hallway split into two directions, and the suite displayed art throughout, creating a refined, gallery-like feel.
To the left, an expansive living room included an open-sided bookcase that separated it from the dining area. The books were decorative, the kind you expect on a coffee table. I set up a temporary work area at the dining table with my laptop and chargers; the only minor inconvenience was the distance from electrical outlets, which left cables crossing the passage.
To the right, another corridor led to a generous bathroom with twin sinks, a tub and a large shower. Once I mastered the shower controls, the experience was excellent, with strong water pressure and several spray options.
The bedroom was equally spacious, furnished with a comfortable king-sized bed and plentiful bedding. The dressing room felt like something from a design magazine, offering abundant storage and cleverly arranged shelving for luggage. A vanity with a mirror separated the his-and-hers sections, and the overall layout made preparing for an evening out effortless.
Services/Amenities: Dining and entertainment at the Corinthia are highlights of the stay. We enjoyed drinks and dinner at Kerridge’s Bar & Grill, which was lively with attentive staff and a distinctive menu. I chose venison from the rotisserie and found it excellent; other dishes were reportedly just as good. The sommelier recommended a Chablis to accompany our starters, which complemented the meal perfectly. We dined with friends we had met on a previous cruise, and it was an enjoyable evening. Another night we visited the Bassoon Bar for well-crafted cocktails and shared a tasty cheese and charcuterie plate with crisp bread.
Other appealing options include the spa for a restorative treatment and a traditional British afternoon tea. The hotel also hosts Futurists in Residence, available to discuss trends and ideas about the future for guests who are curious.
Top Takeaways:
◆ The butler service is genuinely helpful—assistants helped with a charger converter, arranged the hotel car (a handsome Jaguar) and provided other convenient services; communication by text made requests easy. Giulia was particularly attentive.
◆ Corinthia London remains somewhat of a hidden gem. Its riverside location across from the London Eye keeps it central and within walking distance of many attractions.
CORINTHIA HOTEL LONDON
Whitehall Place
Westminster, London
SW1A 2BD
United Kingdom
tel 44 20 7930 8181
corinthia.com