Mid-century furniture, a negroni trolley and a Thames view to wake up to – here’s why Sea Containers London’s new Cabin Suites are sailing onto our list of favourite London stays
Mid Century cabin suite
The background
Appearing proudly on the South Bank beside Blackfriars Bridge, Sea Containers London occupies one of the capital’s most enviable addresses – moments from Tate Modern, Borough Market and the London Eye. Designed in 1974 by acclaimed American Modernist architect Warren Platner, the building was originally intended to be a nautical hotel, but economic challenges and its proximity to the City of London saw it open instead as office space.
Four decades later, in 2014, the south wing was finally renovated and restored to its intended purpose as a luxury hotel. Renamed in 2019, Sea Containers London took on its current title in homage to the building’s nautical roots – its design inspired by a transatlantic liner and its name drawn from the shipping company once headquartered within its walls.
This year, the hotel unveiled four new Cabin Suites: Edwardian, Art Deco, Mid-Century and Dynasty. Each cabin continues the hotel’s overarching nautical narrative by paying homage to a different golden era of cruising. The suites have been brought to life by Jacu Strauss, designer and creative director of Lore Group, who collaborated with pre-loved marketplace Vinterior to curate each cabin, and his influence is stark in the designs.
The space
You’ll check in on the landlocked side of the hotel and will be directed down a bright red corridor to the cabin suites. We stayed in the Mid-Century Cabin Suite, a tribute to the sleek evolution of ship design in the ’50s and ’60s. Think wood panelling, chrome accents and furniture that wouldn’t look out of place in a Wes Anderson film.
A powder-blue Danish sofa and armchair-set anchors the space, alongside a chrome leather Mies van der Rohe chair – a true icon of its time. The view, meanwhile, is exceptional, with views of the Oxo Tower and the Thames beyond. I found myself staring out the window with a drink in hand (thank you, complimentary minibar) a few too many times during my stay.
And then there’s the bathroom, centred around a statement egg-shaped tub, complete with bath salts and bubbles. Leaving for dinner was a real struggle.
Sea Containers restaurant
The food
The in-house restaurant felt like the glamorous dining room aboard a sleek ship – but it was surprisingly easy-going, with an open kitchen that lets you peek into the action. The menu is straightforward but executed well: we started with seabass ceviche and beef tartare, followed by mussels and a perfectly cooked steak. A sticky-toffee pudding and a creamy cheesecake provided a thoroughly indulgent finale.
If the restaurant feels like the ship’s dining room, then rooftop bar 12th Knot is the upper deck. The cocktails here were divine but the atmosphere is clearly why people stay.
The service
The hotel is manned by the friendliest staff wearing playful, sailor-striped shirts. A standout moment? A bartender appearing at our door with a pre-dinner negroni trolley, mixing cocktails in-room. Cheers to that.
Mid Century cabin suite bathroom
The bill
The Mid-Century Modern Sea Containers cabin is available from £765 per night. A three-course dinner, including drinks, at Sea Containers restaurant is around £70 per person, while breakfast can be enjoyed via room service or in the restaurant for about £20 per person.
The verdict
If you’re after a London stay that is luxurious without taking itself too seriously, Sea Containers is it. Between the Wes Anderson-worthy cabin, on-point cocktails and a view worth setting your alarm early for, it’s impossible not to fall for its charm. Consider this your sign to come aboard.
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