Business hotels have a reputation for being drab and a bit stiff but nowadays they’re trying to join the hip crowd, making corporate workers feel a little less corporate.
The Park Plaza London Waterloo – which opened in June of 2017 – is one of those spots trying to fit into this slot.
Walking into the lobby it has a kind of futuristic, spaceship-like feel with snazzy light effects and a large check in desk with employees looking eager to please.
There’s modern art scattered around and clean lines to match.
I check in on a week day and it’s pretty bustling with a mix of languages sounding around and tourists wheeling in with handfuls of shopping bags.
Then there’s the corporate set, suited and booted with clients to impress.
Boasting a prime location, a stroll from Waterloo and right next to Lambeth North tube station, it’s easy to see why this place is in constant flow.
The first room I check into is pretty small, with a space capsule-feel. It has all of the basics you could need for a city stay, an iron, a desk, a TV and a concise shower through a sliding door.
However, there was a rather unwelcome damp smell which failed to lift after leaving it alone for a few hours.
Thanks to a super kind member of staff, we were upgraded to a rather grander abode a few floors higher.
The executive suite was more to my liking, with floor-to-ceiling windows looking out over the train tracks – as opposed to slabs of concrete – and the city of London beyond.
There was also much more floor space to play with and the bathroom was less claustrophobic.
After having a shower and testing out the array of slick Elemis products we headed out for dinner near Oxford Street, just five stops or 10 minutes away on the Bakerloo line.
Before hopping on the tube we stopped for a cocktail at the Florentine lounge downstairs and the martinis were pretty good, with buttery olives teetering on top. Perusing the food menu it looked tempting with fried squid and wild mushroom flatbread catching my eye but we felt like it was good to leave the nest for a bit.
We returned later that night, revelling in the ease of the Park Plaza Waterloo’s central location.
The next morning the canteen-style breakfast room was bustling but we managed to nab a table just in time. Corporate workers and tourists eagerly tucked into the buffet, which had a standard spread of morning treats.
After check out, we ventured out to explore the surrounding area, the Southbank being a stroll away.
The Park Plaza Waterloo is the ideal spot if you’re looking for a simple, solid base in the city – plus there’s a pool, gym and pool to help you unwind – but if you can, upgrade your room for better views and more floor space to play with.
The Park Plaza London Waterloo is located at Hercules House, 6 Hercules Rd, Lambeth, London SE1 7DU, UK
To book a room visit www.parkplaza.com or call +44 845 450 2145
