Lambeth stretches along the south bank of the River Thames directly opposite Westminster, placing its hotels within a five-minute walk of Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, and Westminster Abbey — but at prices typically 15 to 30 percent below equivalent properties on the north bank. The grand Edwardian building next to the London Eye anchors the northern end of the borough and houses two of its most popular hotels. Waterloo station, one of the busiest rail hubs in the United Kingdom, anchors the centre of the district and connects four tube lines with National Rail services across southern England.
Hotels in Lambeth range from five-star Thames-view suites at County Hall to budget rooms near Waterloo that put the entire South Bank cultural quarter on the doorstep. This guide reviews the best options across every price bracket, with details on room types, views, availability, and what to see in this part of London.
Hotels at County Hall
London Marriott Hotel County Hall
The Marriott occupies one wing of County Hall, the landmark 1922 building that served as the seat of London government until 1986. Two hundred rooms and suites are finished in a classic British style, and the top-floor suites offer panoramic views across the Thames to Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament — among the most photographed hotel views in the United Kingdom. An indoor swimming pool in the original basement vaults is one of the most atmospheric pools in any London hotel. Gillray's Steakhouse and Bar serves premium British cuts alongside a whisky collection of over 100 labels. Air conditioning, fitness centre, concierge, and free Wi-Fi are standard. Guest reviews consistently highlight the view from the river-facing rooms and the quality of the staff. Rates range from approximately £280 to £500 per night. Check availability well in advance for rooms with a Parliament view — they book months ahead for peak periods.
Park Plaza County Hall London
Park Plaza County Hall shares the same landmark building as the Marriott, in the opposite wing. The 398 rooms include Superior, Executive, and suite categories, with many offering direct views of the Thames and Parliament. Ichi Sushi and Sashimi serves Japanese cuisine, and Barco provides Spanish tapas and wine. Air conditioning, fitness centre, and free Wi-Fi are included. The location is unbeatable: step outside and the London Eye is next door, Westminster Bridge is a two-minute walk, and the Southbank Centre is five minutes along the river path. Guest reviews rate it highly for the view and the central position. Rates typically range from £180 to £350 per night — good value for a four-star hotel with this view in this part of London.
Park Plaza Westminster Bridge London
Park Plaza Westminster Bridge is one of the largest hotels in London, with 1,019 units in a modern building directly at the south end of the bridge. Studios, suites, and apartments with kitchenettes make it particularly popular with families and guests staying more than one night. Many rooms face the Houses of Parliament. An indoor swimming pool, Mandara Spa, fitness centre, and executive lounge round out the facilities. Brasserie Joel serves European cuisine. Air conditioning and free Wi-Fi throughout. The scale means good availability even during busy periods, though the best river-view rooms still require early booking. Guest reviews praise the room size (larger than average for London) and the view from higher floors. Rates range from approximately £170 to £320 per night.
Mid-Range Hotels Near Waterloo
Hampton by Hilton London Waterloo
The Hampton on Hercules Road sits between Waterloo station and Lambeth North tube, roughly eight minutes on foot from the London Eye. The 297 rooms are clean, modern, and air-conditioned, with the Hampton signature bed. The standout detail is complimentary hot breakfast included in every room rate — for a family of four, this saves approximately £50 per day compared to hotels that charge separately. Free Wi-Fi, a fitness centre, and a 24-hour snack area complete the offering. Guest reviews consistently rate the breakfast and the staff highly. Rates range from approximately £120 to £200 per night. A good deal for guests who want reliable quality near the South Bank without paying the Park Plaza premium.
Novotel Lambeth
The Novotel on Lambeth Road holds 187 units between the main station and the Imperial War Museum, roughly ten minutes' walk from the South Bank. Family rooms are available, and children under 16 stay free in their parents' room — a policy that makes the Novotel popular with families visiting London. Air conditioning, a fitness centre, and free Wi-Fi are standard. An in-house restaurant serves international cuisine and a full breakfast buffet. Reviews from guests highlight the good location and the family-friendly facilities. Rates range from approximately £130 to £230 per night.
H10 Lambeth
The H10 is a 177-room property from the Spanish hotel group, five minutes south on the main road. The design-led interiors give it more character than most mid-range chains. Privilege rooms include access to an exclusive guest lounge. A rooftop terrace with views across south London is a draw in warmer months. Sixteen82 restaurant serves Mediterranean cuisine, and the Fit Bar provides cocktails. Air conditioning and free Wi-Fi throughout. Rates range from approximately £150 to £260 per night.
Budget Hotels in Lambeth
Premier Inn London Waterloo
The Premier Inn on York Road is one of the best-located budget hotels in London — a five-minute walk from the London Eye and the South Bank, and ten minutes from Waterloo station. The 252 rooms offer the brand's Hypnos king-size bed, en-suite bathroom, air conditioning, and free Wi-Fi. Thyme restaurant serves breakfast and dinner, and a Costa Coffee operates in the lobby. Guest reviews give it consistently high marks for cleanliness and the bed quality. Rates range from approximately £100 to £180 per night. Check availability early — this Premier Inn books out faster than most due to the location. For guests who want a good room near the major London attractions at a budget price, this is one of the strongest options in the United Kingdom capital.
Travelodge Lambeth
The Travelodge at 195 Waterloo Road puts guests three minutes from the main terminus at the lowest rates in the area. Over 230 units have been recently refurbished with new king-size beds. The Bar Café serves breakfast and snacks. Air conditioning and free Wi-Fi are included. No restaurant and no pool — this is a no-frills option for guests who plan to spend their time out exploring rather than in the hotel. Book via Travelodge Saver rates for the cheapest deals. Rates range from approximately £70 to £150 per night.
What to See in Lambeth
South Bank Cultural Quarter
The South Bank is one of the great cultural strips in Europe. The Southbank Centre — Royal Festival Hall, Queen Elizabeth Hall, and Hayward Gallery — hosts concerts, exhibitions, and free foyer events year-round. The Royal National Theatre stages world-class productions in three auditoriums, with backstage tours available and free performances in the foyer. BFI Southbank offers four cinemas and access to the BFI film archive, while the BFI IMAX nearby houses the largest cinema screen in the United Kingdom. The riverside walk from the Eye eastward passes the Oxo Tower, Tate Modern, Shakespeare's Globe, and Borough Market — a route that covers several miles of London's most rewarding waterfront.
Family Attractions
The London Eye, SEA LIFE London Aquarium, the London Dungeon, and Shrek's Adventure are all clustered in or adjacent to the landmark building. For families, this concentration means a full day of attractions without needing to travel. Pre-book tickets online for better prices and to skip queues — London Eye tickets run approximately £30 to £36 for adults.
Brixton Market
Brixton Village and Market Row, roughly 15 minutes from Waterloo by Victoria line (Vauxhall to Brixton), offer one of London's best food markets: independent stalls serving global cuisine, vintage shops, and bars in two covered arcades. Open daily. The O2 Academy Brixton, a 5,000-capacity music venue, is nearby.
Booking Tips and Guest Reviews
Availability and When to Book
Hotels in Lambeth are popular year-round due to the proximity to Westminster and the South Bank. Check availability early for summer months (June through August), school holidays, and the Christmas period — the Premier Inn and Hampton by Hilton often sell out weeks in advance during these windows. The Park Plaza properties maintain better availability due to their larger room counts, but river-view rooms still require booking two to three months ahead.
For the best rates, book directly through each hotel's website — many offer a best-price guarantee or free cancellation when you book direct. Travelodge Saver rates and Premier Inn advance deals can bring prices down significantly, but these are non-refundable. Midweek stays (Monday to Thursday) are generally 20 to 30 percent cheaper than weekends across all properties.
Guest Reviews
Guest reviews across Lambeth hotels are consistently good. The Marriott earns excellent ratings for the panorama, the pool, and the staff — guests describe the Parliament-facing suites as a wonderful London experience. The larger Park Plaza reviews highlight the room size and the excellent location for families. The The Waterloo branch earns some of the highest guest satisfaction scores in the entire Premier Inn network, driven by the combination of a good room, reliable bed quality, and an excellent location steps from the London Eye.
At the Hampton by Hilton, reviews praise the included breakfast as excellent value. The H10 earns good marks for its rooftop terrace. Across all properties, guests note that the South Bank location means less time on the tube and more time walking along the Thames — a wonderful way to experience London that hotels north of the river cannot match.
Accessible Rooms and Facilities
All properties in this guide offer adapted accommodation for guests with mobility requirements. The Park Plaza Westminster Bridge and the Marriott have the most comprehensive adapted facilities, including adapted bathrooms, accessible parking, and wheelchair-accessible public areas. The Premier Inn and Hampton by Hilton also provide adapted rooms — check availability when booking and note any specific requirements. The Jubilee line is step-free on the Jubilee line, which connects to the political quarter (also step-free), making the Lambeth hotel district one of the most accessible areas in London for guests with mobility needs.
What to Expect from Your Stay
A stay in Lambeth puts the political and ceremonial heart of the United Kingdom on your doorstep. The morning walk across Westminster Bridge to Big Ben, with the Houses of Parliament reflected in the Thames, is one of the great London experiences — and it takes five minutes from the main cluster. In the evening, the South Bank comes alive with theatre, film, live music at the Southbank Centre, and the Waterloo food scene along Lower Marsh and The Cut. Lambeth Palace, the official residence of the Archbishop of Canterbury and London's oldest continuously occupied palace, opens for guided tours on select dates — a hidden gem that most London visitors miss entirely.
Victoria line trains from Vauxhall reaches Oxford Circus in twelve minutes and King's Cross in fifteen, while the Northern line from Waterloo connects to Camden, the City, and London Bridge. For guests arriving from elsewhere in the United Kingdom, Waterloo station is the gateway — trains from Southampton, Portsmouth, Exeter, and Surrey arrive directly into the heart of the hotel district.
Choosing Your Hotel
Lambeth offers options at every level: the five-star Marriott for guests who want the best view and the most polished service, the four-star Park Plaza properties for families and groups who need space, and the budget-friendly Premier Inn and Travelodge for visitors who prioritise value. The Hampton by Hilton offers a middle ground — a three-star property with included breakfast and friendly staff that represents one of the best deals near the South Bank.
For pet friendly accommodation, options in Lambeth are limited — none of the major properties near the South Bank accept pets. Guests travelling with dogs may need to look at serviced apartments or properties further south in Brixton or Kennington. The area around Lambeth Palace and the Garden Museum offers pleasant walking routes along the Thames for dog owners staying nearby.
The Imperial War Museum in Kennington, roughly 15 minutes on foot from most Lambeth hotels, is one of the strongest free museums in London — five floors covering conflicts from the First World War to the present, with a Holocaust Exhibition that is among the most powerful museum experiences in the United Kingdom. The Florence Nightingale Museum at St Thomas' Hospital, near the south end of the bridge, is a smaller but worthwhile stop. Both are free to enter, making a stay in Lambeth good value for culture as well as accommodation.
Getting Around from Lambeth
Waterloo station connects four tube lines (Bakerloo, Northern, Jubilee, Waterloo and City) with National Rail services to southern England. The political quarter — Big Ben, Parliament, the Abbey — is one Jubilee line stop away, or a five-minute walk across Westminster Bridge from County Hall. Vauxhall station (Victoria line) provides direct access to Oxford Circus and King's Cross. The South Bank riverside path connects the London Eye to Tate Modern and Borough Market on foot, with no roads to cross. Waterloo Bridge, often cited as the bridge with the finest panorama in London, links the South Bank to the Strand and Covent Garden.
For guests arriving at Waterloo by train from elsewhere in the United Kingdom — Southampton, Portsmouth, Windsor, Surrey — the hotel district begins immediately outside the station. No onward journey is needed.