Checking In: Bankside Hotel
An art-led London hotel, a good lunch and a rather useful location on the South Bank.
Words - Tajinder Hayer
London is a city that rewards a change of perspective. We spend so much time navigating the same streets, visiting the same restaurants and making the same plans that occasionally the best thing to do is book a hotel, check in and approach the city as a visitor.
For the latest instalment of Checking In, we headed south of the river to Bankside Hotel, an art-led property on the South Bank that makes a rather convincing case for a night away without actually leaving London.
Part of Marriott's Autograph Collection, Bankside opened in 2018 and occupies a particularly useful position between Southwark and Waterloo. With 161 bedrooms, including seven suites, it is large enough to offer everything you'd expect from a city hotel, but retains a more intimate, boutique feel.
The Look
Bankside is a hotel with a clear appreciation for art and design. The interiors lean towards a contemporary, residential aesthetic, bringing together eclectic artwork, carefully selected furniture and mid-century influences without making the spaces feel overly considered or precious.
Art is more than simply decoration here. It forms part of the hotel's identity, extending beyond the lobby and public spaces into the wider guest experience.
One of its more interesting features is the Art Yard Maker's Studio, a dedicated creative space where the hotel's Artist in Residence programme gives emerging artists somewhere to work, exhibit and engage with visitors. Guests can actually watch artists at work, which is a considerably more interesting proposition than another oversized piece of abstract art hanging above reception.
The current residency sees Nigerian-born, London-based artist Ken Nwadiogbu working from the studio, exploring themes of identity, representation and belonging. It is an initiative that gives the hotel a genuine connection to London's creative community rather than simply borrowing its aesthetic.
The Room
Our room was exactly what you want from a London hotel stay: comfortable, well appointed and somewhere you actually look forward to returning to.
The interiors continue the hotel's contemporary approach, with considered furnishings and the occasional piece of artwork giving the space some personality. There are the practical details you'd expect, alongside the less obvious hi-tech touches that make a difference when you're staying overnight.
The bed was particularly comfortable, while the bathroom deserves a mention for its generous shower. It is a simple thing, but a good shower and a proper night's sleep can do a lot to improve the overall hotel experience.
There is nothing unnecessarily complicated about the rooms. They are designed to be lived in, rather than simply photographed, which is probably the more important consideration.
Lunch at Art Yard
There is a good argument for not immediately heading out when you check into Bankside. Art Yard Bar & Kitchen, the hotel's restaurant, is a destination in its own right, particularly if you're looking for somewhere to settle in for lunch.
Led by chef Adam Takac, the kitchen takes a seasonal approach, with a menu built around quality ingredients and contemporary flavours. The setting is relaxed, surrounded by artwork and murals, and feels more like an independent neighbourhood restaurant than a hotel dining room.
We particularly enjoyed lunch here. It strikes the right balance between being a considered dining experience and somewhere you can comfortably spend an afternoon without feeling the need to make an occasion of it. There is also a well-curated drinks offering, including cocktails and wines, making it equally appealing if lunch happens to turn into something a little longer.
Out and About
Location is arguably one of Bankside's biggest selling points.
The hotel sits in the middle of one of London's most culturally interesting stretches, with plenty to occupy an afternoon or evening without having to spend half of it in a taxi. Tate Modern is practically on the doorstep, Shakespeare's Globe is a short walk away, and the National Theatre, Southbank Centre and Royal Festival Hall are all within easy reach.
Walk further along the river and you'll find the BFI, the Hayward Gallery and the wider Southbank arts complex. Head in the other direction and Borough Market, with its restaurants, food stalls and independent traders, makes for an excellent daytime diversion. Across the Millennium Bridge, St Paul's Cathedral is also within easy walking distance.
Waterloo is less than ten minutes away on foot, while Southwark and Blackfriars stations make getting around the rest of London straightforward.
It is particularly well placed for a night out. Dinner, a theatre performance, an exhibition or drinks along the river can all be worked into an evening without having to think too hard about getting back to the hotel afterwards. And if you're planning a weekend in London, there is enough within walking distance to keep you occupied without needing to organise every minute.
Bankside makes a strong case for checking into a different part of your own city.
The rooms are comfortable, the service is attentive, lunch at Art Yard is well worth making time for, and the hotel's approach to art gives it a little more character than the average city-centre property. But it is the location that really brings everything together.
For a night in London, particularly one built around good food, a theatre visit or an evening exploring the South Bank, it is an excellent base. Sometimes the appeal of a hotel isn't about escaping the city at all. It's about finding a particularly good place from which to enjoy it.
2 Blackfriars Rd, Upper Ground, London SE1 9JU