There are a lot of hotels in London, but finding one that’s modern, comfortable, and in a great location without feeling corporate or overly precious? That’s harder. Bankside Hotel, Autograph Collection pulls it off effortlessly.
It’s in Southwark, which means you’re steps from Borough Market (go early before the crowds) and some of the city’s best restaurants and natural wine bars. If you’re into food, it’s the perfect home base. The hotel itself is sleek and design-focused, with a serious commitment to art—so much so that there’s a dedicated gallery space downstairs that doubles as a meeting and event venue. You could go to the Tate Modern, but honestly, you don’t have to.
The rooms are spacious (for London, which matters), with stylish bathrooms and thoughtful details. One of the most fun features? The vending machines on each floor, stocked with everything from vodka to sunglasses, because sometimes that’s exactly what you need at midnight. Another small but fantastic touch: the water stations in the hallways, where you can refill your carafe with still or sparkling water 24/7. Every hotel should have this.
We stayed during the holidays, and they even offered to put a Christmas tree in the room, which felt like peak festive luxury.
If you want a hotel that’s design-forward but not fussy, in one of the best food neighborhoods in London, Bankside gets it right. It’s polished without being stiff, artsy without being pretentious, and full of little details that actually make your stay better.
Note: Bankside provided support for the reporting of this story.