Last week, we did a review about Mondrian hotel in Miami. Now let’s do a review about Mondrian hotel in London. Mondrian hotel in London a.k.a Sea Containers is the newest addition (since 2014) to the Mondrian line. And yes, this is where Tom Hiddleston did his sip and twirl with a blonde lady.
LOCATION
Mondrian London at Sea Containers is a perfect location if you are a traveler who is looking for sightseeing and touring. It is on the South bank of London where a lot of tourist attraction is close by.
It is a walking distance to Tate Modern to Borough Market and London Eye. After living in New York for 10 years, I am used to walking all day. And it is fun to look at the buildings and people. London is just like that. Walking is very enjoyable. Here is the route of what I did.
- First go to Tate Modern. Be classy and be cultured looking at the arts. Or If you are more like me who drinks till 3AM and has hard time being civilized, skip Tate Modern
- For lunch go to Borough Market. Here is the top restaurants and joints to go according to CNTraveller. For me, Applebee’s Fish is the best
- After lunch, why not do some cardio and walk the London Bridge and have a nice drink at the roof terrace at One New Change. It has an amazing view of St Paul’s Cathedral
- Then walk back on River Thames and cross the Millennium Bridge back to Mondrian hotel
Time.com thoroughly explains few of the places I mentioned and you can read it here.
If I Am Traveling in London, Mondrian Hotel London is Perfect
If You Want to Experience a Local Life, Soho Would Be Better (Especially If You Are Gay)
However, if you looking for a hotel where you can experience the local life/culture, I would recommend hotels in Soho (e.g. Saint Martins Lane or Dean Street Townhouse), Fritzrovia (e.g. Charlotte St Hotel) area. Personally, I prefer to stay in Soho or Frtzrovia, because it is more vibrant and less touristy. It is where all locals come and you will be able to enjoy the local people’s culture. You know, it is where all the queens and sisters hang day and night. YAS QUEEN 
LOBBY
Mondrian London at Sea Containers keeps its history of the building. The front desk is covered with giant, copper clad wall shaped as a ship. It runs from outside of the building all the way to the river side of the hotel. They say it costed millions of dollar to build just that.Sea Containers is another excellent addition to the neighborhood. It represents the neighborhood very well when waterfront activities were bustling in the 60’s with ships going in and out. When we define boutique hotels, one of the biggest criteria should be “could the hotel be an extended version of the city and its culture?” Sea Containers fulfilled both of it (You can read more what defines boutique hotel here). It keeps it’s neighborhood history while bringing the lively culture upstairs at Rumpus Room.
Mondrian at Sea Containers’ Lobby Is an Excellent Example of How Boutique Hotels Should Be
PRICE
We stayed at the River View Deluxe for only $250. It usually costs around $250 for a standard room and $400 for a river view deluxe, but we were lucky to get an upgrade from the standard room.
HOW TO:
- Subscribe to their email list and they offer promotions quite often (Last year, they had a 70% off all Mondrian hotels)
- The manager gave us a coupon to use for a discount. You could try it and it might work with you. Click here for the link –> http://morganshotelgroup.com/bounce
- Book it through the Mondrian hotel website. You have a higher chance of getting a room upgraded when you book it directly
The Price Starts from $250, But You Could Always Find a Good Promotion
ROOM
Compared to the greatly decorated lobby, the rooms seem simple and generic but with a breathtaking view. We stayed in a River View Balcony Room which offered a non-inturrupting views of the Thames and other trademark buildings including St. Paul’s Cathedral.
There is nothing bad about the room. It is just a bit basic. You know like a basic bit** – It is not like the Ace hotel or Edition hotel. But the room has a slight party vibe to it with ultrafragola style mirror and lots of mirrored night stands. The rooms feel more like a Hilton or Marriott with a sexiness twist.
Rooms Are Basic But Has a Vibe of Sexiness Somewhere
The bathrooms are nicely decorated with marble. Like other Morgans group hotel, they provide Malin + Goetz products for your wash. The only thing was that they didn’t have a socket for a dryer in the bathroom (Only for shaver).
RESTAURANTS & BARS
If you are staying at Mondrian hotel London and you don’t go to the bar, you are stupid. Even if you don’t drink, go up to Rumpus Room. Enjoy the view of London like you own it! Rumpus Room is not only unique because of its open space and outdoor terrace, with panoramic views over London. But also with live band singing pop music with a twist of Jazz.
The Bar, Rumpus Room, Is a Must GOOOOO!!
The restaurant is decent for breakfast. If you can get the outdoor seats, it is worth a try. If I would choose to go, I would go for breakfast. I tried few hotels breakfasts and Mondrian London at Sea Containers is one of the nicest. But if you don’t fancy eating at the hotel, try the Breakfast Club near Borough Market. There is always a line and you will know why when you try.
If you are huge fan of Mondrian London, you can check out what it’s like to stay in the Mondrian Miami here.