Hotels
The 6 Best Hotels in Southwark
From a hotel in the clouds of the Shard to a tea-warehouse aparthotel off a cobbled lane, Southwark stacks proper design against the Thames.
In short: our top picks are Shangri-La The Shard, London, Bankside Hotel, Autograph Collection and The Hoxton, Southwark. 6 places in total, chosen on merit, with the full reasoning below.
Southwark is the rare London neighbourhood where a five-star hotel on level 34 and a converted Victorian warehouse sit ten minutes apart, both within reach of Borough Market and the Tate Modern. The river does a lot of the work here, but the hotels are not coasting on the view; design runs deep, from concrete-and-marble rooms to seafood served on rooftops. I rate it above Mayfair for anyone who wants culture, food and a walk along the South Bank rather than designer shopping. Book by what you want to wake up to: skyline, river or a quiet cobbled street.
| Place | Area | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Shangri-La The Shard, London | London Bridge | ££££ |
| Bankside Hotel, Autograph Collection | South Bank | £££ |
| The Hoxton, Southwark | Southwark | £££ |
| Native Bankside | Bankside | £££ |
| citizenM Southwark Bankside | Southwark | ££ |
| ibis Styles London Southwark - near Borough Market | Southwark | ££ |
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Editor’s choice
Shangri-La The Shard, London
Why we pick itRooms sit on levels 34 to 52 of the Shard with floor-to-ceiling London views, and GONG on level 52 is the highest hotel bar in the city.
5-star hotel
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Bankside Hotel, Autograph Collection
Why we pick itA Marriott Autograph property with art-filled rooms, commissioned work throughout and the Art Yard Bar & Kitchen, a short walk from the Tate Modern.
Worth knowingThe public spaces are less distinctive than the rooms, and Blackfriars Road at street level is exposed and traffic-heavy; use the riverside path instead.
design hotel
-
The Hoxton, Southwark
Why we pick itConcrete ceilings and marble surfaces across 192 rooms, plus Seabird, a 14th-floor seafood restaurant with one of London's longest oyster lists.
boutique hotel
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Native Bankside
Why we pick itA restored Victorian tea warehouse on a cobbled lane off the Thames, with apartments featuring exposed brick, arched factory windows and full kitchens.
aparthotel
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citizenM Southwark Bankside
Why we pick itCompact, tech-led rooms with mood lighting and king beds, a two-minute walk from the Tate Modern and a buzzy lobby that doubles as a workspace.
design hotel
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ibis Styles London Southwark - near Borough Market
Why we pick itA colourful, design-led budget hotel minutes from Borough Market, with breakfast options and the Thames within a short walk.
budget-chic hotel
Before you book
Southwark, London Bridge and Blackfriars stations all sit inside this patch, so you are never far from the Jubilee, Northern or Thameslink lines and a quick hop to the West End. The area suits culture-led trips and food pilgrims; book Borough Market visits for a weekday morning to dodge the weekend crush. For the Shard, reserve a high room and a bar slot at GONG well ahead, as both sell out.
Common questions
What are the top picks in this guide?
Shangri-La The Shard, London is our editor's choice: Rooms sit on levels 34 to 52 of the Shard with floor-to-ceiling London views, and GONG on level 52 is the highest hotel bar in the city. Shangri-La The Shard, London, Bankside Hotel, Autograph Collection and The Hoxton, Southwark lead the guide, with 6 places in total, all chosen on merit.
How does Lamplit London choose its recommendations?
Every place is chosen on merit, after first-hand visits where possible, with no pay-for-placement. Read our full method at https://www.lamplitlondon.com/how-we-choose/.
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