Between busy schedules and everyday life with two kids, a romantic weekend away alone with my partner felt long overdue. We were on the lookout for somewhere that offered a chance for some real R&R without having to leave central London – and The Westin London City delivered exactly that. Positioned right on the Thames, this hotel blends five-star comfort with thoughtful details that make you want to stay put. Here's what we found.
© Matteo BarroSetting 8/10
Perched right beside the River Thames on Upper Thames Street, the hotel’s location is ideal, whatever you have planned. Mansion House and Cannon Street tube stations are just a short walk away, making getting around easy peasy. Better still, if you’re feeling adventurous you can stroll across Southwark Bridge and hop on the Uber boat. We did, and it proved to be a fantastic way to see the capital from a fresh perspective.
London favourites like St Paul’s Cathedral, Tate Modern, the Tower of London and Sky Garden are all practically on your doorstep. We’d been warned that taxi drop-offs can be tricky due to the one-way street system, but public transport is so effortless here that we didn't feel the need for a cab.
© Matteo BarroInside, the design pays homage to the river’s fluid movement, from Dutch paper artist Peter Gentenaar’s floating installation in The Haven lounge to the subtle, wave-patterned walls and coral-like sculptures in Mosaic restaurant.
Sleep 8/10
We stayed in a Signature King Room, which feels generous in size for central London (ranging from 28 to 32 square metres). The room decor strikes a perfect balance – feeling genuinely luxurious without ever straying into "cold". The palette relies on moody teal green, warm oak wood, and matte gold accents.
© Marriot.comThe lighting design is where the room really shines – pun fully intended – packed with "we must try this at home" touches, including under-curtain rail illumination, ambient backlighting behind the headboard, and intuitive dimmers throughout. The piece de resistance, however, is 'The Westin Heavenly Bed' – a custom pillow-top construction engineered for total support. Believe me when I say you are absolutely guaranteed a dreamy night's sleep (and beware if you take an afternoon nap – you will struggle to get out of bed). If you prefer to dine in your sanctuary, in-room dining is easily ordered from the room's tablet, offering everything from light bites to full multi-course meals.
Eat – 8/10
I judge a hotel by its breakfast, and the Westin’s buffet – served from 7am-11am in their Mosaic restaurant on the second floor – passes with flying colours. It features a live omelette station alongside top-tier English breakfast staples, including one of the most delicious hash browns I’ve ever sampled. What really won me over, however, was the Brown sauce served in individual glass pots – a small touch that speaks volumes about their attention to detail.
Mosaic serves food all day – and by night transforms into an intimate, convivial dining space with floor-to-ceiling views of the city below. The menu balances indulgent favourites with the brand's 'Eat Well' philosophy – health-conscious dishes like poke bowls, vibrant salads, and pan-seared salmon or chicken, available in half-portions. My other half (something of a fussy eater) was bowled over by the chilli-marinated prawns and tender beef carpaccio, while my fish and chips featured feather-light, crispy batter alongside perfect chips. Mosaic also deserves top marks for its extensive drinks selection and especially the thoughtful alcohol-free cocktail list, featuring everything from a virgin ‘Nohito’ to a fiery ‘Ruby Mary’ tomato mocktail.
© Matteo BarroFor lunch, we ventured a short walk away to Gordon Ramsay’s Bread Street Kitchen & Bar at 22 Bishopsgate. As someone who has been reviewing restaurants for well over a decade, it takes a lot to impress me – but this restaurant delivered on all fronts, starting with the jaw-dropping, 80th-floor views across the city skyline.
As my partner put it, “the food would have to be very bad to ruin things” Fortunately, it was the exact opposite: we feasted on oysters dressed in habanero vinegar and olive oil, followed by a delicious dry-aged ribeye. Tempted as we were by the signature Beef Wellington, we opted for the 'GFC' (Gordon’s Fried Chicken) and weren't disappointed -it's worth ordering for the dips alone. Top tip: do not skip the sticky toffee pudding for dessert.
Value – 8/10
Double rooms staying in a Signature King start from £459 per night. It’s something of an investment, but the inclusions make it worthwhile – particularly access to the fourth-floor Heavenly Spa, complete with an impressive swimming pool, hot room, steam room and, my personal favourite, an "experience shower" that blasts you with refreshing cold jets accompanied by soothing bird sounds and mood lighting.
© Marriot.comOverall score – 8/10
Everything about our stay was seamless. As soon as we walked into the lofty, glass-fronted lobby and looked out over the Thames, I felt my blood pressure drop. We were welcomed with a warm smile and a refreshing glass of lemon and mint water, and the staff remained friendly and attentive throughout.
When we were out exploring, we found ourselves wanting to rush back to the hotel to make the most of our time there – which tells you everything you need to know about how restorative, welcoming and comfortable it is. I hope to return soon, with kids in tow next time!
Booking details
Website: westinlondoncity.com
Address: 60 Upper Thames Street, London, EC4V 3AD
Phone: 020 3146 2690
Accessible: Yes. Lifts to all floors and step-free accessible rooms available.
Family-friendly: Yes (See insider tips – dedicated pool hours and child-friendly service).
Dog-friendly: Yes, dogs and cats up to 15kg are welcome in dedicated rooms for a fee of £50
Katherine was a guest of The Westin London City. All stays and experiences have been independently reviewed by our expert writers, who are usually hosted on a complimentary basis, but this never affects our review process.
