For a stay in England’s exciting capital, Park Plaza County Hall comes highly recommended for practicality and location.
If you are lucky enough to stay in the 11th floor corner suite like I did, expect a truly stunning view of the nearby London Eye and Big Ben. With floor to ceiling windows taking up two walls of the bedroom, London’s most notable attractions cannot be missed and the stay is worth every penny.
The South Bank includes attractions including the Sea Life Aquarium, London Dungeons, river cruises and more, and is a five minute walk away, as is Waterloo Station but if you prefer to make good use of the hotel’s facilities you will pleased to know that there are plenty. For families there are a range of activities for children to partake in while adults can enjoy the spa, for corporate travellers the meetings and conference rooms will appeal, and for everyone else, the restaurant, bar, lounge and fitness centre will accommodate.
Suite
My junior suite had a separate open plan lounge and kitchenette with a bathroom separated by a sliding door. The décor is contemporary with clean lines and the furniture had a retro feel to it. The bathroom had a black slate floor and housed a walk in shower as well as a separate bath with Elemis goodies to luxuriate with. The kitchenette offered up a fridge, mini bar, tea making facilities, an espresso machine, sink and microwave, and there was also an ironing board and iron to make use of, if required. A TV sat in the lounge and another in a cabinet in the bedroom but I was more interested in making use of the nearby attractions. For those looking for the perfect night’s sleep you will find a pillow menu in your room. Pillow options are natural, down/feather; synthetic, anti-allergenic; or ‘The Luxury Magic Pillow,’ high density foam, which is said to offer full support for your neck and top of your spine. And if your choice of pillow is just too perfect that you cannot face leaving your bed to eat, there is a large range of room service food options to choose from. Soups, salads, curries, burgers and other British favourites such as fish and chips as well as pizzas, pasta and antipasti can all be enjoyed in the comfort of your luxury room.
Families
The establishment was voted ‘Best family friendly hotel’ at the HRS Hotel Excellence Awards and I can see why – youngsters are treated like royalty! Every Saturday afternoon the resident chefs run a free pizza making master class after which the adults can attend L’Italiano Restaurant to sample their creations alongside the children. Regular movie nights are also held in the Mezzanine Lounge while other treats such as a filled stocking outside your door on Christmas Eve, an Easter egg hunt and a giant chocolate fountain on National Chocolate Day can also be enjoyed.
Youngsters aged 12 and under also enjoy breakfast and a stay for free when sharing a room with parents. In my suite there was certainly plenty of space for two adults and two children to enjoy a comfortable stay. There is also a children’s menu available in the restaurant and complimentary in room movies can be enjoyed. More information on Park Plaza’s Family Fun in the City package can be read at the very bottom of my review.
Facilities
L’Italiano is the resident restaurant and it offers authentic Italian dishes such as pizzas and calzones baked in the clay oven as well as a sizeable range of Italian wines. Breakfast is also enjoyed in the space, which is situated on the mezzanine floor with fantastic views looking right up to the roof through the middle of the hotel. Diners can also see out to the street through floor to ceiling windows, which cover an entire wall from the ground floor to the top of the mezzanine level. Breakfast options include the usual Full English options in buffet style as well as a large selection of continental offerings.
Spectrum bar and café is another place to enjoy some food or a drink before a night in London. It is open from early until late and offers a relaxed atmosphere in which to enjoy breakfast, tapas, all day menu choices, afternoon tea and casual dinners.
For a central London celebration of up to 100 guests a room can be hired out and decorated to your liking and the hotel’s 399 rooms and suites (including the hotel’s 14th floor penthouses) are the perfect place for your guests to rest their heads after partying the night away. The executive lounge has floor to ceiling windows with a garden terrace offering wonderful London Eye views and cocktails and canapés can be supplied.
For the more business minded get-togethers there are a range of meeting, conference and banqueting rooms to suit your taste, all of which offer luxury, privacy and all amenities you would expect such as Wi-Fi and accommodation inclusive delegate packages. And after a long day you can visit the fitness centre, steam room, sauna or unwind with a beauty treatment from a selection of massages, facials, aromatherapy treatments and hot stone treatments.
Getting there
Great Western Railways offers an ever-reliable service from the West Country, with first class travel giving you complimentary snacks, soft drinks and hot drinks to enjoy while relaxing in a peaceful and clean carriage.
In a nutshell
I had a great time while staying at the Park Plaza County Hall, the staff are so friendly and accommodating and the kids are very well looked after. The location is just perfect for Waterloo train and underground services and you are a stone’s throw from some of the best London attractions. The bar, restaurant and lounge are the ideal place to spend a few hours and the design of the hotel itself is a talking point, while a ride in the glass lifts are an experience! Rooms are stylish, comfortable and fully accommodating and the view is the best I’ve had – it made for a magical stay.
Park Plaza’s Family Fun in the City package includes:
– Accommodation for up to two adults and two children in a spacious Executive Room, Studio Room, Junior Suite, Family Room or connected Superior Room
– Children share parents’ room with under twelves staying free of charge, unless two rooms are booked
– Parents’ breakfast is included and children eat breakfast for free
– A complimentary children’s gift bag – example of gift bag: wristband with hotel telephone number in case child gets lost, Park Plaza passport, wooden yo-yo, six-pack of pencils, activity book, – – Sudoku book and origami animal
– Three Park Plaza children’s vouchers per gift bag, which can be redeemed against selected food and drink items in the hotel
– Children’s menus available to purchase in hotel restaurant
– Complimentary children’s in-room movies (available in the UK and The Netherlands)
– Parents pay on check-out for easy finance management
Address: 1 Addington St, London SE1 7RY / 0844 415 6760
