Last Updated on March 4, 2025
A luxurious central London hotel perfectly situated for exploring the city
About The Westminster London
The Westminster London Hotel is situated just off Millbank close to Lambeth Bridge, a location that’s undoubtedly one of its biggest draws. It is within walking distance of many of London’s most famous attractions: Buckingham Palace, the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, Tate Britain and Westminster Abbey for instance. It’s just a minute’s walk from the River Thames and conveniently close to several tube stations. If you are feeling energetic you could even pick up a Boris Bike (now technically ‘Santander’). In short, it’s a great place to use if you want to explore London
The Westminster is a four-star hotel and part of the Curio Collection by Hilton. It has recently undergone a massive refurbishment and has a contemporary boutique style which is evident in every detail of the hotel’s decor, with unique and quirky design touches throughout the property. In the window of the spacious reception area, there is a collection of artfully positioned bowler hats, and the walls are hung with striking prints and shelves housing a collection of curiosities.
Bedrooms at The Westminster Hotel
We checked in seamlessly and took the lift to the 13th floor where our suite was. There are 464 uniquely designed rooms and suites across eight categories to choose from – all the rooms feature a separate bedroom and dressing area.
Our stylish suite had floor-to-ceiling windows which looked out over the cityscape. The décor is modern and elegant, in the living room area there’s a large comfy sofa, an upholstered bucket chair, a coffee table, a funky patterned rug, a bold print on the wall and a 50-inch flatscreen TV. There’s a small desk, where we found a welcome treat of pretty coloured French macarons and bottles of water.
In the lobby area, you’ll find a large wardrobe with towelling robes, a safe, ironing board, hairdryer, plus a small fridge, a Nespresso coffee machine and tea-making facilities. Plus, there are plenty of plug and USB sockets around for all your connectivity needs, and free Wi-Fi of course.
The cosy bedroom has a graphic rug and upon it a king-sized bed with sumptuous bedding, notably the pillows which were divinely comfortable. There is also another TV here, so for those who can’t agree on what programme to watch it won’t be a problem.
The sleek bathroom is well-appointed, with a glossy black marble finish, an ample-sized bath with a rainfall shower, a separate toilet and luxury Crabtree & Evelyn toiletries.
Facilities at The Westminster Hotel
Before dinner, we explored the rest of the hotel. There is a superb fitness centre fully equipped with state-of-the-art equipment boasting a fantastic view of the city below. So, whether you’re a fitness enthusiast or just looking to stay active during your stay, the gym at The Westminster is sure to meet your needs. But most impressively it has its very own bowling alley…the perfect after-dinner entertainment that’s sure to be a hit with families and groups of friends.
Dining – Bao Yum or STK
There are two different dining options available at The Westminster. Bao Yum offers dine-in or convenient grab-and-go options for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Or alternatively, you can enjoy fine dining at STK Steakhouse, a globally recognized restaurant offering American-style cuisine with a modern twist.
We enjoyed dinner at STK. The chic lounge room offers a swanky dining experience, with disco music playing over the sound system giving it a cool and vibey atmosphere. The décor is all about the glamour with big white pillars, glossy candle-lit tables, a glowing neon-lit bar and large pink and white floral arrangements. There are parchment-coloured banquettes and chairs with small globe lights hanging from the ceiling. We were visiting during the week of the coronation and the dining room was buzzing with an international crowd.
Cocktails definitely seemed in order in this most glamorous setting. I had a Dirty Martini, made with vodka, vermouth and a splash of olive juice which was crisp and dry with the saltiness of brine rounding out the flavour beautifully. My companion enjoyed a Monty Smoke, a bit like a Mezcal Negroni with campari, amaro Montenegro, orange bitters, lemon and dark chocolate which added a hint of sweetness.
We began our meal with STK’s signature soft brioche bread roll which is topped with a subtle blue cheese glaze and accompanied by a vegetal chive olive oil dip, very moreish. Next, some wonderfully creamy, cool and fresh burrata served with brightly coloured juicy heirloom tomatoes, herbaceous basil and crunchy sourdough, a great summer livener. Dorset crab was served in a shell, filled with plenty of tasty pickled meat mixed into a gentle wasabi mayo and served with crispy focaccia.
We accompanied our meal with a bottle of Masso Vivo Frescobaldi Vermentino, Tuscany 2021, a dry, lively, full-bodied white wine with good acidity and notes of citrus.
The STK menu is ideal for steak lovers, with the choice of fillet, Wagyu, sirloin, rump or ribeye all served with a selection of sauces. However, there is also plenty of other tempting options. My companion was in the mood for fish and his luxurious, beautifully cooked beer-battered turbot filet was served with hand-cut crisp and chunky fries and a hot yuzu tartar sauce. It definitely hit the spot. My roasted cornfed spatchcocked poussin was juicy and tender, served on a bed of crunchy peas and beans with a delicious light, but rich flavoursome garlic-infused jus. On the side grilled asparagus and a seriously indulgent, aromatic cheesy potato gratin infused with truffle.
And finally, an excellent light and fluffy cheesecake with raspberry coulis and vanilla ice cream, with freeze-dried berries for added crunch.
After dinner, we retired to our charming suite for a very comfortable night’s sleep. The next morning breakfast was served in the same dining room as dinner. An amble spread with fresh coffee, teas and juices, muesli, porridge, yoghurts, fresh fruit and pastries, with the addition of an egg station with a chef cooking to order.
After breakfast, we were ready to explore this part of London. Our first stop was Tate Britain to see the wonderful Rossetti exhibition which was a total joy. The Red Lion is a classic London pub and a perfect place for a pint. It’s the very spot where Charles Dickens, Sir Winston Churchill and Clement Atlee once frequented. There’s also the opportunity to visit Buckingham Palace and the Horse Guards Palace, where you might be able to catch the Changing of The Guards at midday, or the London Eye perhaps? Or if you are travelling with kids I can recommend Shrek’s Adventure. All of this is just a stone’s throw from a luxury of a stay at The Westminster Hotel, making it an excellent choice for both leisure and business travellers.
If you are looking for a central London Hotel that is small and quirky enough to feel like a boutique offering but comes with all the facilities of a larger 5-star hotel, then The Westminster London is definitely one to consider. “Location, Location, Location” as the saying goes – this place is perfectly situated for a trouble-free stay.
The Westminster London,
Curio Collection by Hilton,
30 John Islip St,
London
SW1P 4DD
Phone: +44 (0) 20 7630 1000
