Park Plaza Westminster Bridge — the story behind the hotel

The hotel opposite Parliament

Few hotels in the world have a view like this: across the Thames to Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. Park Plaza Westminster Bridge is a modern hotel — but the story of the ground it stands on goes back to the heart of London’s government.

From derelict annex to London’s biggest new hotel

The hotel stands on the site of the County Hall Island Block, an annex of County Hall, the old headquarters of London’s government. When the Greater London Council was abolished in 1986, the annex fell empty. It stood derelict for around two decades — one of the best-known eyesores on the South Bank — until it was demolished in 2006.

In its place rose a 14-storey hotel designed by BUJ Architects with Uri Blumenthal Architects and Digital Space. At the topping-out ceremony on 21 July 2009, the Mayor of London bolted the final beam into place on what was described as the largest purpose-built hotel in London.

More than a thousand rooms

Park Plaza Westminster Bridge opened on 1 March 2010, fully opening that September. With more than 1,000 bedrooms and 63 suites, it cost around £300–350 million — and more than 840 private investors bought rooms in the building. It quickly became one of London’s biggest conference hotels.

Little-known facts about Park Plaza Westminster Bridge

• Opened: 1 March 2010 — fully open from September 2010
• Rooms: Over 1,000 bedrooms, including 63 suites — the largest purpose-built hotel in London when it opened
• Height: 14 storeys
• Architects: BUJ Architects with Uri Blumenthal Architects and Digital Space
• Built on: The site of the County Hall Island Block, derelict for about 20 years and demolished in 2006
• Topping out: 21 July 2009 — the Mayor of London bolted the final beam
• Owners: More than 840 investors bought rooms in the hotel
• The view: Across the river to Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament and the London Eye next door

Park Plaza Westminster Bridge today

Its location is the attraction: the London Eye next door, the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey across the bridge, the South Bank and Waterloo Station a short walk away.

Getting to Park Plaza Westminster Bridge from the airport

Heathrow is about 45–70 minutes by car, Gatwick about 60–80 minutes, London City about 30–40 minutes. The train is fine if you travel light — but with luggage, children, a late flight or an arrival at Gatwick or London City, most guests prefer a private transfer straight to the door.

• Heathrow to Park Plaza Westminster Bridge and Gatwick to Park Plaza Westminster Bridge — one fixed price per car, agreed before you fly, airport parking and waiting included.
• Meet and greet — your driver tracks your flight and waits inside arrivals with your name, with no extra charge if you are late.
• Executive cars for business travel, people carriers for families and groups, free child seats.
• Transfers from the hotel to every London airport and the cruise ports, 24/7. TfL-licensed private hire operator since 2013.

See your fixed price at the top of this page, or open the Heathrow to Park Plaza Westminster Bridge and Gatwick to Park Plaza Westminster Bridge pages.

A new chapter beside Westminster Bridge

Where an empty government building once stood for twenty years, more than a thousand rooms now look across the river at Parliament — a very London kind of transformation.

Sources: Wikipedia · Park Plaza — Our history · Hotel Management Network

Key facts

Facts checked against the sources listed above, November 2026.

Related pages

Heathrow to Park Plaza Westminster Bridge · Gatwick to Park Plaza Westminster Bridge · All London hotel transfers