Inside Sea Containers London’s Dazzling New Cabin Suites

On the South Bank of the Thames, Sea Containers London is one of the city’s most recognisable hotels, its 1920s cruise liner silhouette watching over the river between Blackfriars and the Oxo Tower. Known for its thoroughly unique design, rooftop terrace and destination bars, this year the hotel adds four new Cabin Suites that pay homage to bygone eras. The Edwardian, Art Deco, Mid-Century and Dynasty suites are larger, fully immersive spaces that pay tribute to different eras, each with its own personality and carefully sourced furniture that nod to the time. 

Review: Sea Containers London

STAY

The Cabin Suite Collection consists of four designs in the form of the Edwardian, Art Deco, Mid-Century and Dynasty. Each was conceived by Jacu Strauss, the hotel’s original designer and now creative director of Lore Group, who also collaborated with vintage marketplace Vinterior to source authentic period pieces. On the project, Strauss says, ‘There was a specific vision and feeling we wanted to emulate in each cabin suite based on the time periods. We are not offering a home away from home but an endearing, emotive and nostalgic experience that transports guests to a glamorous transatlantic cruise. Through this redesign, we have been mindful about creating suites that are fun and immersive but also open to interpretation and fundamentally focused on comfort and the guest experience.’

The Edwardian suite channels the early 1900s with a mahogany leather top desk and upholstered walnut armchair. A TV? Yes, but it’s hidden within a gilt gold picture frame. The Art Deco suite steps into the 1930s with a statement monochrome sofa and armchair set and restored lighting, softened with warm wood accents. As for the Mid-Century suite, it’s punctuated with a powder blue Danish sofa, Italian wall lights and a chrome leather chair by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. The Dynasty suite is pure 1980s drama with a Maralunga sofa, lucite and glass coffee table and there’s glamour aplenty.

Each suite comes with books curated by Phaidon that reflect its era, as well as bottled cocktails created by the hotel’s award-winning bar Lyaness exclusively for suite guests. 

DO

The appeal of Sea Containers London is partly its location, right on the River Thames with landmarks on the doorstep. Step outside and you’re on the South Bank, strolling distance from Tate Modern, the National Theatre and the foodie haven of Borough Market. Inside, there’s enough to fill a whole weekend without leaving the building, including Curzon Sea Containers. The intimate 56-seat screening room is the perfect place to unwind with a curated mix of first-run releases, recent titles you might have missed, family favourites and timeless classics. With 4K digital projection, Dolby 7.1 sound and plush seating, it’s a treat for both film buffs and design lovers. Open to the public as well as hotel guests, the cinema runs every Friday evening, Saturday and Sunday.

For those in need of R&R, the agua Spa delivers with holistic treatments that range from hot stone massages to reparative facials by 111SKIN. Whether it’s deep relaxation, glowing skin or a pregnancy-safe massage, the menu is designed to soothe, reset and restore.

EAT

Dining remains central to the Sea Containers experience, with the main restaurant being a lively spot with an open kitchen and a menu that nods to seasonal British ingredients. On the menu there are classics, to suit all tastebuds from a jumbo shrimp cocktail with horseradish and Bloody Mary sauce to confit Brick Chicken with garlic jus and salsa verde, and the Surrey Farm rib eye.

Downstairs, Lyaness has long been one of London’s most inventive cocktail bars, known for its experimental menus and river views. It’s also made history as the first-ever 3 PIN bar, recognised by The Pinnacle Guide, a new global benchmark for cocktail excellence.

And when the sun goes down, head upstairs to 12th Knot, the rooftop bar with views over St Paul’s and the City, it’s the perfect spot for cocktails with a view. At the weekends it’s also home to DJ sets on Fridays and Saturdays, while midweek brings Wine Down Wednesdays, with 50 percent off a curated selection of bottles from 5–7pm, all against London’s skyline.

FINAL WORD

Sea Containers London is a cultural address in its own right, its ship-inspired architecture and copper-hull interiors carried through in the new Cabin Suites. These are rooms with stories, where nostalgia meets design and the Thames is right outside the window. Step outside and you’re minutes from some of London’s most iconic sites. Inside, the hotel’s dining, bars and cinema make it both a retreat and a launchpad, surrounded by London culture.

BOOK IT

Rates start from £765 per night. seacontainerslondon.com