Park Plaza Westminster Bridge hotel review: iconic London views and a swimming pool right on the South Bank

Our verdict 

Directly opposite Big Ben and a five-minute walk from the London Eye, Park Plaza Westminster Bridge is perfectly placed for a UK city break with kids and features in our guide to the best family hotels in London. 

The South Bank location is hard to beat, but there’s also a bunch of child-friendly provisions that make travelling as a family a little easier, from the kid’s check-in and goody bags on arrival to the basement swimming pool for pre- and post-sightseeing dips. 

Studios are a practical choice for families with handy kitchenettes, seating areas and sofa beds, and it’s well worth paying extra for a riverside view to see London at its touristy best. Being able to tell the time by glancing across to Big Ben was a particular highlight during our stay. And the landmark-studded view provided widescreen entertainment away from the TV. 

With 1,000+ rooms, it definitely feels like a big chain hotel - there’s a constant stream of guests flowing through the revolving doors and up and down the escalators, but with that comes large-scale amenities including a choice of restaurants, super-speedy room service and a basement spa. And I loved being able to grab a quality coffee from the in-house Illy café before exploring the best of London right on the doorstep. 

How we tested 

I checked into Park Plaza Westminster Bridge hotel with my two kids aged five and eight. We stayed on a Friday night and walked from Waterloo Station (less than 10 minutes away). We made use of the swimming pool, tried out the room service menu, had breakfast on the Saturday morning and made the most of the South Bank location. 

What are the rooms like?

There are 1,000+ rooms, and just under half are family studios and suites with separate seating areas and self-catering facilities, both welcome features that make travelling as a family that bit easier. 

Having access to a fridge and a microwave can make all the difference when it comes to snacks and meal supplies, particularly if you’re looking to keep costs down. And a seating area to kick back in is something of a rarity in London hotels where space is at a premium. 

We stayed on the 14th floor and lucked out with an incredible view of the river Thames, Houses of Parliament and Big Ben, putting London firmly in the frame. It was a joy to watch my kids’ faces light up as they scanned the skyline for landmarks they recognised from films, TV and Paddington Bear books.

The decision to place a large flat-screen TV in front of said view in the bedroom was a little baffling though. I don’t think any box set can compete with the drama of an IRL view of London. 

The decor feels quite dark (red carpets, dark lacquered furniture) and the chrome and cream leather features make it feel a little dated. But rooms are well equipped and we appreciated the ESPA toiletries in the bathrooms, the dressing gowns and slippers and the excellent blackout blinds. 

We checked in at the reception desk but completed an online checkout which was super smooth and meant that we could head out without having to queue on departure. We loved the generous 12pm check-out time too for a leisurely start to the day. 

What’s the pool like?

The 15-metre swimming pool forms part of the hotel’s Mandara Spa in the basement. It’s a serene space surrounded by loungers and atmospheric lighting, and at first glance didn’t look like the kind of place that would welcome my kids who are novice (and very splashy) swimmers. 

However, the spa staff were very accommodating and I don’t think we annoyed too many people while attempting to stay afloat. Note that children are not permitted between 6:30am and 8am and 8pm and 10pm, and under-16s must be accompanied by an adult. 

Swimming sessions need to be pre-booked in advance via the guest services site and slots are limited to 20 minutes. Both elements sound frustrating, but it’s a sensible way of managing numbers and it’s plenty long enough for a dip with kids, especially when there’s so much of London to see above water. Slots were easy to come by on the Friday evening and Saturday morning and I booked last-minute on both occasions. 

I was grateful for the swimsuit drying machines and bags for our wet kit in the changing rooms, as well as the ESPA toiletries for a post-swim shower. 

What are the food options?

There are two main restaurants: Brasserie Joel for hearty French dishes like boeuf bourguignon and confit duck and a great value pre-theatre offer (note the kids’ menu errs on the side of culinary caution with things like fish fingers and mac n cheese), and Ichi Sushi for maki rolls, poke bowls and platters. 

Breakfast is served at Brasserie Joel where there’s a full buffet spread of fruit, pastries, meats, cheeses and hot items. It’s pricey at £25 per person, especially as additional charges apply for dishes like eggs benedict and waffles, although the fact that kids under 12 eat free makes things more palatable. And my kids loved the hash browns and mini croissants. 

I found the room service menu surprisingly reasonable and thought the meal bundles offered particularly good value. I ordered the family night pizza bundle (two large pizzas, garlic bread, a side dish and four soft drinks for £47) for myself and two kids and we enjoyed carb loading against a stunning backdrop in the room. And it was a treat to tuck into a slice after a swimming session the following morning. It was super-speedy too - just 15 minutes between ordering online via the guest services QR code to opening the pizza boxes. 

The ground-floor Illy Café offers a cheaper breakfast alternative for grab-and-go drinks and cakes, and the coffee is good quality.  

What is there to do nearby?

The South Bank location puts you within easy reach of blockbuster sights including the London Eye, Tate Modern and Shakespeare’s Globe, and it’s just a five-minute walk from Waterloo Pier for boat services along the River Thames to destinations including Tower Bridge. Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey are all accessible on foot across Westminster Bridge. 

Nearby free attractions for kids include the excellent Jubilee Gardens playground, Leake Street graffiti tunnel and the Southbank Centre for a calendar of cultural events. 

The hotel sits between two stations: Lambeth North and Waterloo for connections via tube, train and bus.  

About the editor

Rachel Erdos is an Editor at Mumsnet where she commissions, edits and writes content with a focus on family travel.

She has written hotel reviews, features and destination guides for top publications including the Guardian, Four Seasons Magazine, Travelzoo, Visit Britain and Visit London. She loves nothing more than researching and writing about fun things for families to do in destinations near and far, as well as trawling the Mumsnet holiday forum for inspiration for her next trip away with her husband and two kids. 

About Mumsnet hotel reviews

All Mumsnet hotel reviews are written by real people after extensive hands-on testing. We travel with children to test out how each property caters to families and assess whether it's genuinely geared up for kids. We test the beds, amenities and food, and explore the local area to highlight stand-out features and address any concerns. We work hard to provide honest and independent advice you can trust. We may be hosted on a complimentary basis and sometimes we earn revenue through affiliate (click-to-buy) links in our articles. However, we never allow this to influence our coverage and we will only ever publish an honest review.