Bankside Marriott review: a prestige art hotel in Southbank

A sleek and stylish luxury newcomer on the banks of the Thames

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There's something magical about London's Southbank in the spring. All of a sudden the riverside comes to life as people enjoy the simple pleasure of a stroll in the sunshine along Queen's Walk, enhanced by the gentle susurrations of the River Thames which has a strangely meditative quality at this time of year. There are the busy second-hand book stalls tucked away under Waterloo Bridge, as well as a plethora of exotic food stalls along this stretch of the embankment, selling everything from fresh falafels to Mexican poke. And of course, there's the draw of culture – all the more tempting in warmer climes – which caters to all tastes thanks to easy reach to Tate Britain, the BFI, the Hayward Gallery and the South Bank Centre. Street performers also seem to up their game with more elaborate displays of talent, from hip hop contortions to mind-boggling bubble shows.

Up until recently, the Sea Containers hotel, formally The Mondrian, was regarded as the bastion of luxury in these parts thanks to its plush decor and spectacular views of the river. Thanks to its vantage point near the Oxo Tower, this hotel continues to attract a transient crowd of day-trippers enticed by the promise of posh brunch, high tea and fancy cocktails. Subsequently, the hotel lacks an 'exclusive' feel which is where the Mariott's new Bankside 'Autograph' hotel comes in. While Bankside isn't situated exactly on the river strip, it is a stone's throw away from Blackfriars Bridge (and a four-minute walk from Southwark tube station) with impressive top level views of the Thames and Saint Paul's Cathedral. Unlike Sea Containers, Bankside has an exclusive luxury feel which is tailored to 'those in the know' – that is to say, discerning vistors to the city who are drawn to hotels with personality as opposed to those that stick to rigid 'stylised' design codes.

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