Review: Corinthia London

Published Mar 25 2025, 7:55 AM, Updated Mar 25 2025, 12:52 PMThe Corinthia London has one of the best ESPA Spa’s in the world and three excellent restaurants. It’s afternoon teas are delivered under a sparkling chandelier and you are steps from the river Thames with the West End just a short walk away.

Location

If London was a board game, Corinthia London would be prime real estate! The hotel is just a short, suitcase-friendly walk (even with small children in tow!) from Waterloo Station and moments from Embankment Tube Station, providing easy access to the rest of London.

The hotel is steps from some of the capital’s most iconic landmarks like Big Ben, St. James’s Park, and the National Gallery. You’re also just across the street from London’s Playhouse Theatre, which is currently showing the seven-time Olivier Award-winning Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club, which is worth watching.

One of my favorite things? The River Thames is right on your doorstep. Strolling along the water, taking in the views of the London Eye, or my personal recommendation – taking a quick trip on an Uber Boat along the Thames with a glass of something chilled in hand, ready to explore the twinkling light show at Canary Wharf, are just some of the many ways you can enjoy spending your time here.

Style & Character

I love the first impression you have as you approach the hotel; it’s like a grand slice of cake to look at with its triangular facade on the corner of Whitehall Place and Northumberland Avenue, much more appealing than many London hotels I’ve stayed in, like Hotel Cafe Royal and Conrad London St James, whose grand facades, or lack thereof, leave you wanting just that little bit more.

The hotel’s grand entrance doors greet every guest and just inside you’re met with majestic floral arrangements and a grand piano decorating the foyer. After our swift and seamless check-in, we strolled past The Crystal Moon Lounge, where you will find the utterly mesmerizing orb chandelier of 1,001 crystals that had my girls staring in awe. These little touches of grandeur make Corinthia London feel truly magnificent.

The Corinthia London has a classical interior with polished marble, plush textures and furnishings, ever-changing floral displays and plentiful sparkling chandeliers. Each restaurant has it’s own look and feel too and my favourite has to be the almost-dreamlike stylings of The Garden, which gave you a feel of al fresco alpine dining, despite being ensconced indoors. Its fur covered snuggly chairs, surrounded by foliage draped in frost-like beads and twinkling lights were like something from the set of a west-end show rather than a London eatery.

Service & Facilities

The Corinthia’s reception team doesn’t just check you in—they welcome you like an old friend. Just one such moment was when they made a fuss over my daughter’s upcoming birthday, making her feel like a VIP before we even reached our room. And as we departed on our final day, they came to check she had had a wonderful stay too – it’s that kindness and attention to detail that sets the hotel apart.

The service throughout the Corinthia London is impeccable, as you would expect. Our girls were attentively looked after by each and every member of staff with hidden surprises along the way, while we were greeted warmly and welcomed at every turn too.

All guests get to enjoy complimentary access to ESPA Life at Corinthia, which is my favourite part of this hotel. This four-story spa sanctuary redefines luxury wellness with its labyrinth of thermal experiences, pools and relaxation rooms. Having worked for luxury spa brand, ESPA, in a previous time, a visit to the incredible ESPA-designed spa was a must and I was not disappointed – as I entered the spa, I was enveloped in the familiar, warming scents of rose geranium and bergamot, an ESPA signature scent, that transports you to a place of inner calm. Winding white shiny corridors lead you through to breathtakingly luxurious spaces, like the all-white spa lounge; darkened relaxation areas with curtained sleep pods and twinkling fibre optics above you; and warming ‘Cleopatra’ loungers made of marble that almost sent me to sleep.

Deep inside the spa you will find the 30-foot swimming pool which was a deliciously relaxing temperature and children can enjoy this with their parents twice a day. There are white sofas hidden in small nooks along the side of the pool to relax in with a book whilst watching the mesmerising pattens of the water ripple across the ceiling. We visited the pool in the morning slot when it was nice and quiet.

The adjacent, vitality pool (adults-only) offers massaging bubbles on the submerged metal sofa and a waterfall chair to ease all your stresses away. The spa also boasts a steam room, amphitheatre sauna, ice fountain, treatment rooms, yoga studio, the AMP x Corinthia London gym, Daniel Galvin Hair Salon, and services from The London Regenerative Institute, it’s a complete wellbeing offering.

For business travelers, there’s also a business center, and for parents, babysitting services are available.

Rooms

The hotel’s fabulous triangular design means that rooms are either facing inwards overlooking the courtyard with the orb chandelier visible through a window from above, or overlooking Whitehall Place and Northumberland Avenue. Soundproofing is excellent as there was no road noise at all in the rooms. All rooms are connected by wide corridors and interconnecting rooms are available. Don’t forget to look out for the golden postbox in the courtyard whilst on the way to the lifts.

Each room has its own colour scheme and character. The 45 sqm. Family Room we enjoyed was bathed in golden hues and offered ample space for the four of us with two double beds. As you enter there’s a hallway with plenty of wardrobe space, an electronic safe, Nespresso machine, and minibar (paid for).

In the main bedroom area, you find a large TV and a seating area with two chairs and a table which was laden with treats for us and the girls to enjoy – of special note was the divine Yuzu cake that literally melted in your mouth, though my daughters said the red velvet cookies were tasty too, but they were gone in seconds.

There’s also a sizeable marble bathroom with underfloor heating that features a separate bathtub with built-in TV, his and hers vanities, shower, wc and a whole host of complimentary amenities including ESPA hair and body products. Child-friendly touches, including mini robes, mini slippers and a cuddly toy, made it evident that families are warmly welcomed at the hotel.

If you’re visiting on business or as a couple, the 32 sqm Superior Room or 39 sqm Executive Room offer everything you need. Decorated in rich racing greens, golds and crisp white linens these rooms have a king bed, and all of the amenities mentioned above.

If you’re looking for a little more space then there are seven suites to choose between. The 85 sqm. Trafalgar Suite, a personal favorite, was a stylish retreat in forest greens and wood hues, with sweeping views of Trafalgar Square and the hustle and bustle of London below. This spacious and elegant suite feels more like your very own little London apartment. Filled with natural light, despite the rain pouring outside during our visit, the suite enjoyed a spacious living room with curved green velvet sofa to curl up on, large freestanding TV, coffee table and mini library as well as a dining table for four.

From the spacious living area you can walk along the wood-lined corridor, past a cloakroom and wardrobes, through to the welcoming and incredibly spacious master bedroom with dressing table, a comfy king bed with Hästens mattress, and a further table and two chairs. The suite also boasted a very spacious marble bathroom with underfloor heating, bathtub with a built-in TV, walk-in shower, bidet, WC and ESPA amenities. This suite had the opportunity to be connected to an Superior Room, which is very handy indeed for family groups.

Other suites include the River Suite with hues of blue which offers breathtaking views of the Thames; the Whitehall Suite which captures the essence of British elegance; the chic, cool and modern London Suite; and the Garden Suite, your very own botanical haven overlooking the manicured courtyard.

The hotel’s Penthouses are another level altogether, offering extras like balcony’s and private roof-terraces; two-floors; double-height ceilings; fireplaces; outdoor hot tubs; giant chess boards; grand pianos; private lifts; and panoramic vistas across London, not forgetting your very own personal butler.

Food & Drink

There are three very distinctive and ever-popular restaurants at the hotel, delivering incredible culinary creations in back-drops so unique that you often find influencers in them taking photos and videos beneath the sparkly chandeliers and quirky adornments.

The Northall, a striking destination in itself, features grand pillars, a long curved seating area and incredibly vast windows overlooking Northumberland Avenue. It delivers delicious seasonal creations crafted by the acclaimed André Garrett.

Kerridge’s Bar & Grill, helmed by Michelin-starred chef Tom Kerridge, elevates British classics with innovative techniques and rich flavors. Afternoon Tea is served at the Crystal Moon Lounge and is a must, offering the most beautiful cakes accompanied by a glass of something sparkling or a traditional tea, all set beneath that glittering Baccarat chandelier.

If you fancy a cocktail, then Velvet by Salvatore Calabrese redefines mixology in a glamorous setting reminiscent of the Roaring Twenties. For a more relaxed atmosphere, and my personal favourite, The Garden transports you to a truly cozy alpine-inspired winter retreat with snuggly, fur covered chairs and twinkling lights hidden in decorative foliage. Here, you can enjoy hearty dishes and warm cocktails under the crisp London sky.

In the morning, The Northall served an impressive buffet breakfast offering spread across two rooms, with fresh banana breads, muffins, pastries, yoghurts, fresh fruits, cereals, juices, coffees, teas, waters and more. If you fancy a cooked breakfast there’s a great menu selection available with eggs done in any number of ways, crepes, waffles, pancakes, French toast, as well as Full English breakfast and vegetarian alternatives throughout. The Secret Smokehouse Salmon was incredible and the vibrant golden pancake stacks my daughters’ devoured were something else, huge and fluffy with the sweetest berries and syrup on the side.

Conclusion

The Corinthia London has to be one of my preferred hotels in London. A highlight is the multi-level spa with so many thermal experiences to enjoy as well as relaxation areas to get lost in, it whisks you away from the hustle and bustle of London outside. The excellent service and care my whole family received, also sets this hotel apart from many others in London and for me the location was just where we want it to be, steps from the river Thames, boat trips, and London’s West End.

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