The Westin London City: Business, Wellness and River Views in London’s Historic Center

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The Westin London City is a five-star hotel in the City of London set on the north bank of the Thames Rivers.
The chic, modern Westin London City is ideally located in the heart of the City of London on the banks of the Thames River near St. Paul’s Cathedral. Photo Credit: R.C. Staab

Set amid London’s gleaming business towers, The Westin London City stands out for its innovative architecture. With a main entrance at street level, guests step into a luminous lobby encased by floor-to-ceiling glass, unveiling sweeping views of the Thames River and the historic Globe Theatre beyond. Ingeniously, the hotel’s main block of guest rooms is suspended and built above Upper Thames Street, creating direct access both from the riverside walkway and a park leading to Queen Victoria Street.

The writer was hosted.

The Westin London City is ideal for:

  • Business guests attending City of London meetings, events or shows near St. Paul’s Cathedral, which is a 5-10 minute walk away.
  • Travelers prioritizing wellness and fitness during their London stay
  • Couples seeking a sophisticated, adult-oriented experience

SheBuysTravel tip: The check-in desk is on an upper floor, so the relatively quiet ground-level lobby space overlooking the Thames River makes an ideal place for a small group business meeting.

Enjoy Riverside Location Near Major Attractions

The ground floor lobby of The Westin London City has a stunning view across the Thames River toward Shakespeare's Globe theatre and other Bankside attractions.
Gaze in awe and watch joggers go by from The Westin London City’s stunning lobby floor. Photo Credit: R.C. Staab

With a coveted riverside address at the heart of the business district, The Westin London City puts guests within walking distance of:

  • St. Paul’s Cathedral, one of London’s iconic landmarks
  • Millennium Bridge, with pedestrian access to the Tate Modern and Shakespeare’s Globe
  • The financial hub of the City, including Leadenhall Market, Mansion House and restaurants and bars at Sky Garden at The Walkie-Talkie building.
  • Blackfriars and Mansion House underground stations for easy transport connections

Read our story on the City of London for more details about all the attractions within a 20-minute walk of the hotel.

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SheBuysTravel Tip: For a quick way to Blackfriars transit hub without crossing a road, follow the walkway in front of the hotel along the river.

Discover How Modern Design Meets Local Heritage

Once guests have managed to unglue themselves from the riverside view at the ground level, they take elevators to the main lobby on the fourth floor. They arrive through a distinctive glass-and-stone façade and discover interiors blending natural woods, golden hues and calming botanical artwork. The open-plan lobby has several sitting areas for guests waiting for rooms or relaxing later in the day.

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Take Advantage of Spa, Pool and Fitness

Swim laps, bath in a jacuzzi or work out at The Westin London City's Heavenly Spa by Westin.
Unusual for central London’s hotel, The Westin has a large lap pool and jacuzzi in a sleek, modern setting. Photo Credit: R.C. Staab

The Westin London City stands out for its extensive wellness offerings:

  • Heavenly Spa by Westin with, several treatment rooms, luxury therapies, a sauna and a relaxation lounge
  • A 24-Hour Fitness Studio with cardio and weight machines, free weights, Peloton bikes and space for yoga or personal training
  • Heated indoor pool and jacuzzi with a 18-meter pool, unusually large for a central London property and a jacuzzi adjacent to it

Enjoy Rooms for a Restful Night’s Sleep

At the Westin London City, guests are guaranteed a good night's sleep in the Westin Heavenly Bed with premium linens and bedding
he Westin delivers on the promise of a “heavenly bed” for a good night’s sleep with luxury amenities to boot. Photo Credit: R.C. Staab

The Westin’s 222 guest rooms and suites are designed with sleep and well-being in mind. Key features include:

  • Signature Westin Heavenly Beds, premium linens and blackout drapes
  • Floor-to-ceiling windows
  • Nespresso machines and complimentary water
  • Spacious bathrooms with rainfall showers, soaking tubs and spa toiletries
  • Free Wi-Fi and smart TVs
  • Air-conditioning and soundproofing throughout
  • Pet-friendly rooms on certain floors

Dine and Sip Cocktails at The Westin

The riverside wide bar offers splendid views at sunset from The Westin London City.
Dazzle your clients or friends with a drink at the Hithe + Seek wine bar with an incomparable view of the Thames River. Photo Credit: R.C. Staab
  • Mosaic : A contemporary restaurant with an open kitchen, offering modern European cuisine and healthy “Eat Well” menu options.
    • Afternoon Tea: Served with wellness-inspired bites, botanically infused teas and both traditional and plant-based options.
  • Hithe + Seek: Riverside wine bar and small-plates venue, known for sunset Thames views and an artisanal wine list.
  • In-room dining: Available 24 hours.

Stroll to Nearby Restaurants

The hotel staff recommends these nearby restaurants:

  • Samuel Pepys for pup fare with riverside seats
  • Brigadiers London for Indian food while watching International sports event
  • Koya City for Japanese udon noodles and dashi
  • Hawksmoor for steak and seafood

Walk in a Safe Neighborhood

At night, the City of London is quiet making for a safe and welcome environment to view the iconic St. Paul's Cathedral lit up at night.
Night or day, the area around the hotel is safe for locals and visitors. Photo Credit: R.C. Staab

Because the City of London is primarily a business district, at night streets are quiet and safe even when walking back in the dark after a late dinner. On a recent trip, throughout the day just outside the hotel’s entry lobby, I often saw single female joggers along the narrow walkway on the north bank of the Thames.

Guest Reviews and Recognition

Guests consistently laud:

  • Professionalism and warmth of the staff
  • Sleep quality on signature Heavenly Beds
  • Excellent spa and fitness amenities
  • Clean, contemporary rooms
  • Convenient location for both business and leisure

Some guests note that the adults-oriented atmosphere is best suited to couples or adults traveling without children.

Getting There and Basics

The Westin London City's lobby provides a respite from sightseeing to City of London iconic attractions such as St. Paul's Cathedral and the Tower of London.
After a busy day of meetings or sightseeing, relax in the welcoming public spaces at the hotel. Photo Credit: R.C. Staab

The Westin London City is located in the City of London between St. Paul’s Cathedral and the Tower of London along the north bank of the River Thames. The closest London Tube stops are Blackfriars, Mansion House and Cannon Street stations, all within a 5-10 minute walk.

Check-in is at 3 pm. Check-out is at noon.

There is valet parking for cars or nearby parking lots. Travelers to Heathrow Airport can take a cab to London Paddington Station and then board the Heathrow Express for a quick 15-minute trip to the airport.

The Westin London City
60 Upper Thames Street, London
EC4V 3AD, United Kingdom
Phone: +44 20 3146 2690

Affiliation: Marriott Bonvoy

SheBuysTravel Tip: Travelers with roller bags who are looking for the most affordable trip to Heathrow Airport can easily walk to the Blackfriars Station, catch the Thameslink train north to Farringdon and then switch to the Elizabeth line for direct service to Heathrow.

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R.C. Staab is a New York-based author, playwright, musical theater writer and lyricist. He has traveled the world and visited 49 of the 50 states seeking adventure, admiring museum, culture and history and climbing sand dunes from Namibia to Idaho. He has snorkeled with killer whales in Norway, sperm whales in Dominica and humpback whales in Turks & Caicos, viewed polar bears up close on the Hudson Bay, hiked the Amazon in Ecuador, done a walking tour of the Lake District in England, trekked Machu Pichu, climbed up 10,000 feet to the Tiger’s Nest in Bhutan, hiked through rain, snow and sunshine on New Zealand’s best one-day hike and hung out with black bears at the Alaska Bear Camp. His is the author of New York City Scavenger: The Ultimate Search for New York City’s Hidden Treasures and 100 Things to Do at the Jersey Shore Before You Die which are both widely available online and in stores. In 2021, he walked the entire Jersey Shore coastline from Sandy Hook to Cape May to promote 100 Things Jersey Shore, writing 60 plus stories about each beach or town on his trek. In addition to writing for SheBuysTravel, he frequently contributes to New Jersey Monthly magazine and online travel publications. He is long-time member of the Society of American Travel Writers. His off-Broadway musicals and plays have been produced in New York, San Francisco, England and the Midwest. Space Hamlet premieres in Norwich, England in 2025 and will run off-West End in London in 2026. He is a two-time nominee for England’s Best New Song competition. He lives in New York City with his wife, Valari, and his dog, Skye.
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