Moored on the shimmering curve of the South Bank, Sea Containers is London’s answer to maritime maximalism—an all-day, all-night escape where ocean liner nostalgia gets a high-gloss, high-style reboot. Anchored inside the iconic glass-and-steel Sea Containers building (once destined for transatlantic trade)—this hotel is part floating fantasy, part urban playground. Think Gatsby’s yacht reimagined by Wes Anderson: with brass glints, cinematic flourishes, and enough velvet swagger to make Poseidon blush. Whether you’re floating through the spa’s ocean-inspired rituals, sinking into a marble bath with skyline views from your Riverview Balcony Suite, or catching a film in the hotel’s dedicated cinema—you’ll sail, strut, and sparkle through London’s most stylish current.
Location
Anchored between Blackfriars Bridge and the Tate Modern, Sea Containers is a front-row perch to London’s cultural tide—where the Thames unfurls like a silver sash, ferries gliding past in a daily ballet of commuters and sightseers. To the west, the London Eye pirouettes above the skyline—to the east, Shakespeare’s Globe serves legendary sonnets. Underrated gem? Head for South Bank—alive with street performers, riverside joggers, and the sweet smell of roasted nuts curling from pop-up stalls. Just across the water, St. Paul’s dome gleams like a compass rose—guiding the gaze. And tucked beside the hotel’s entrance, the Oxo Tower Wharf is a treasure trove of indie galleries and artisan boutiques selling hand-thrown ceramics, offbeat jewellery, and fashion pieces you won’t find twice.
Style and Character
Step into Sea Containers and you’re stepping aboard a nautical fantasy—inspired by 1920s transatlantic cruise liners—where the lobby curves like a ship’s hull, copper-clad and low-lit, with propeller-shaped furniture and cocktail bars wrapped in riveted brass. Staff dressed in ocean stripes glide past velvet banquettes and mirrored porthole walls, channeling Riviera chic with a London twist. Downstairs, however, the 56-seat Curzon Sea Containers cinema is a hidden treasure—perfect for catching blockbusters, cult favourites, or arthouse gems in plush surroundings. Elsewhere, spot corridors lined with maritime artwork, while the riverside lounge beckons with a good book, a cosmo—or two—and front-row views of sleek boats drifting down the Thames.
Rooms and Suites
There are 354 rooms and suites at Sea Containers—each one steeped in bold maritime swagger and cinematic flair. The showstopper? The Riverview Balcony Suite. A sleek, light-drenched sanctuary that channels the glamour of a 1920s ocean liner—reimagined for the modern urbanite. Curved walls, brass accents, and floor-to-ceiling windows frame a generous living space—complete with a dining table that arcs like a ship’s keel and a cocktail-ready bar that glows at night. The separate bedroom is a sanctuary: bedside globes that glow like moonlight and blackout curtains that drop like theatre drapes. Plus, a bathroom that’s unapologetically indulgent—dressed with a deep soaking tub, rainfall shower, and vanity mirrors that shimmer like stage lights. And then there’s the balcony. Wide, private, and perfectly poised—offering uninterrupted views of the Thames’ ebb and flow—with St Paul’s rising in the distance and the city’s skyline glittering beyond: perfect for sunrise coffee or golden-hour Moët.
Spa and Wellness
Beneath the hum of the South Bank, Sea Containers’ agua Spa is a subterranean hideaway. Descend into a world of low-slung loungers and flickering candles—where treatments range from warm rose oil massages to cryotherapy facials and hedgerow scrubs that feel like countryside meets couture. Guests can also book targeted therapies like hot stone or maternity massages, or indulge in beauty rituals at the Glamour Lounge. Afterward, retreat to the spa’s relaxation lounge—where a glowing copper teardrop floats above cedar banquettes—while next door, its fitness center boasts Technogym gear and treadmills—all below the waterline.
Food and Beverage
Dining at Sea Containers is a full-blown sensory voyage—where bold flavours, cinematic interiors, and riverside glamour collide. Its flagship Sea Containers Restaurant is a stylish, river-facing brasserie—all copper-clad walls shaped like a ship’s hull and floor-to-ceiling windows that swing open onto the Queen’s Walk. The menu? A masterclass in fire and finesse: think Porthilly Mussels, Suffolk Pork Belly, Cornish seabass, and dry-aged Boston rib steak. Weekend brunches dial up the energy—bottomless Prosecco or Bloody Marys paired with indulgent plates like lobster rolls and fried chicken. Lyaness, however, flips cocktail culture on its head. Led by Ryan Chetiyawardana—aka Mr Lyan, the world’s most awarded bartender—cocktails are made with ingredients like Thunder Mushroom and Tree Caramel, served in crystal coupes. And when the sun dips, 12th Knot takes over—a Gatsby-esque rooftop lounge pulsing with DJ sets, seasonal cocktails, and panoramic views that sweep from St Paul’s to Canary Wharf.
Final Thoughts
Sea Containers is more than a hotel—it’s a riverside reverie wrapped in romance and cinematic swagger. Step inside and you’re swept into the glamour of transatlantic travel—no passport required. Whether you’re sipping a smoky cocktail under the stars or sinking into a marble tub as boats glide past your window, every moment plays out like a Wes Anderson vignette—stylised, whimsical, and impossibly chic.
How To Do It
River Balcony Suite from $805 per night. To book your stay, visit seacontainerslondon.com.