For many travelers and for many hotel brands, wellness has long been a top priority, but as society slowly emerges from a global pandemic, international travel returns to pre-2020 regularity, and globetrotters seek holistic hospitality, there’s never been a more pivotal moment to prioritize health-conscious wanderlust – and nowhere is this more front and center than the glittering new Westin in London. The Westin London City marks the brand’s first foray into the UK and the 1000th hotel in the Europe/Middle East/Africa region for the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio. While wellness has long been an important tenet for Westin Hotels & Resorts, the new London location weaves that ethos with luxury and comfort in a way few brands can balance, proving its health line can coexist with elegance with wine. paired dinners and poolside fun. In short, The Westin London City not only marks an innovative new breakthrough for a globally established brand, but also sets the tone for post-pandemic international travel.
Design
A stroll through the front doors, past the cheerful and welcoming concierge, and the ease and comfort immediately overwhelm you. After all, this downstairs lobby is literally called “The Haven” (pictured above). Whether you’ve traveled 4,000 miles (like me) or four, the hotel is designed and orchestrated in a way that naturally relaxes and soothes, no matter how exhausting jet lag can be.
Enjoying a unique position on a bridge spanning a busy thoroughfare by the River Thames, perched on a creek where Alfred the Great landed in 886 to rebuild London after the departure of the Romans, the distinct architecture and fluid design of the The hotel draws much inspiration from the adjacent iconic waterway. Immediately, the nuances of well-being hit you faster than an invigorating London breeze. It is thanks to the contemporary and artful designs of British architects Dexter Moren Associates, who cleverly conceptualized the property under the idea that feeling connected to nature (in this case the River Thames), especially in a big bustling city like London offers an intrinsic sense of well-being for travelers. Flowing shapes and carvings throughout the hotel give a sense of nature, while floor-to-ceiling windows, both in the main lobby and in the Hithe and Seek wine bar, bring the River Thames to the fore like no hotel in London really did.
The soothing facade extends into the restful bedrooms, designed with a residential feel to help guests feel as instantly relaxed as possible – which is easy to do by sinking into the Heavenly® Bed and washing down with the White Tea Heavenly® Bath cleaning products in bathrooms that look like private mini spas.
The food
Distinguishing between gourmet cuisine and health-conscious nutrition can be a difficult act to pull off, but chef Jorge Colazo pulls it off with consistently delicious results. Its main showcase is Mosaic, the all-day restaurant that highlights sustainable, local and seasonal ingredients whenever possible, including a Westin Eat Well menu that works with specially selected ingredients to rejuvenate and stave off jet lag. , like luscious watermelon juices, gorgeous quinoa salads topped with broccoli, and scrumptious tortellini filled with fresh, fragrant pumpkin puree. Polished and sleek, with energizing city views from its fourth-floor perch, it’s the perfect catch-all spot for Wi-Fi warriors, business lunches, date nights and champagne toasts.
This philosophy extends to the chic and elegant wine bar Hithe & Seek (pictured above), whose panoramic views from the north bank of the Thames are as stunning as the esoteric wines and elegant small plates. Working alongside Chef Colazo and employing those same philosophies of wellness and comfort, wine curator Erin Summers orders a high-caliber drink list of familiar oenophile favorites (the “Hithe” section of the menu) and new shifted selections (the “Seek” section). Whether you’re partaking in an illuminating guided wine tasting, enjoying a multi-course meal, or simply enjoying a glass of something you’ve never heard of, from a region whose culture you didn’t know grape, Hithe & Seek is as fun and informative as it is tasty and festive. Overall, the bar offers a setting that promotes balance and respect for the profession. Unlike a stereotypical, touristy London experience of drinking in pubs, this is a space that honors and educates as much as it indulges. The food menu is in line, with delicate dishes that harmonize rich flavors with fresh, energizing ingredients in smaller, shareable portions – look for savory sardines on toast with roasted peppers and capers, spiced traditional carrots with mashed chickpeas and dukkah, tater tots with trout roe and sour cream, and charred baby corn with earthy eightlacoche mayonnaise, all of which can be easily paired with wines like English rosé, Slovenian sauvignon blanc and Uruguayan albariño.
This underlying philosophy of edible wellness extends to the bedrooms, with a nightly turndown service that goes beyond that, focusing on sips and snacks that specifically promote restful sleep and inner balance. . Every evening, after a day spent wandering around London, you can expect to return to hot teapots and snacks like roasted chickpeas or pineapple-kiwi salad.
The spa
The centerpiece of the Westin London City’s wellness programming is the magnificent Heavenly Spa by Westin™, complete with six treatment rooms and a majestic daybed-equipped pool built around the remains of an ancient Roman bath. Naturally, for its first UK spa, Westin Hotels & Resorts went big with singular services and one-of-a-kind treatments, like the Meridian Flow Golden Facial, a golden facial treatment that literally involves using micro-magnetic beads coated gold to plump and refresh the skin. . Other cleansing options include the Three Stone Ritual, a 90-minute session that includes meditation, Swedish massage, and warming compresses to relax the back, and the Oriental Facelift Ritual, which uses old-world traditions. such as Chinese medicine, face mapping and acupressure. points to refresh the face. Then there’s the impressively equipped fitness studio, open 24 hours a day and stocked with everything from Peloton bikes and elliptical machines to free weights, treadmills and rowing machines, so you can pretend to paddle the Thames without having to get wet.
The area
Beyond the fitness center and spa, wellness extends beyond the building boundaries for The Westin London City. Maximizing its prime location on the north bank of the Thames, the hotel has a Rise & Run Club for early risers, working with a roster of ‘running concierges’ who take guests on guided jogs throughout the region. This includes the final segments of the Thames Riverside Path, which connects the quayside to the Tower of London and offers an easy, traffic-free route with epic views and closeness to nature. It’s not just the riverside access that makes the Westin London City an attractive stopover for pedestrians. The Millennium Bridge pedestrian bridge is practically right outside, taking visitors across the river to the Tate Modern, Shakespeare’s Globe and Borough Market, a gastronomic wonderland of cheeses, seafood, d olive oils, meats, produce and fluffy cream-filled donuts. Because at the end of the day – and after a long transatlantic flight – sometimes “wellness” also means easy access to chocolate cream, and The Westin London City delivers on all counts.
