TPG exclusive: Your first glimpse inside the newly opened Park Hyatt London River Thames

London boasts a wealth of luxury hotels, including icons like the Savoy, Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, and Raffles London at The OWO.

Until now, one of TPG's favorite luxury hotel chains, which you can book using points, has been notably absent from one of the globe's top hotel markets.

The highly anticipated Park Hyatt London River Thames, initially set to open in 2022, will finally welcome guests on October 8. TPG was granted exclusive access for a pre-opening tour.

Was it worth the wait? And could this be the top hotel in London for redeeming points? Keep reading or watch our video to find out.

A quick guide to Park Hyatt London River Thames

The Hyatt property is located in an unexpected spot for a new luxury hotel. While it's still in Zone 1, the Nine Elms area sits south of the Thames and is quite a distance from the popular tourist hubs like the West End, Chelsea, and Hyde Park.

The nearby Vauxhall tube station is on the handy Victoria line, offering a quick ride to Oxford Circus in just minutes. Nine Elms tube station on the Northern line is also a short walk away. However, Vauxhall is more famous for its late-night dance clubs than its upscale living.

The area surrounding the hotel is undergoing rapid transformation, especially after the opening of the new U.S. Embassy and the iconic Battersea Power Station, which has seen considerable investment.

The hotel is housed in one of two towers built on the site, both featuring floor-to-ceiling windows. The second tower is residential, offering ultra-luxury apartments for purchase, with residents enjoying access to some of the hotel's social spaces. Guest rooms are located on floors 3 through 16, while the ambassador and presidential suites occupy the 17th and 18th floors.

World of Hyatt members looking to redeem points at the Park Hyatt should note that it's a Category 7 property, with award rates ranging from 25,000 to 35,000 points per night.

Rike Erdbrink, the hotel's general manager, who started her career as an apprentice at Park Hyatt Hamburg in 2001 and previously managed Park Hyatt Chicago, shared with TPG that being a Category 7 property is just a starting point, and moving to Category 8 could bring both benefits and challenges.

"We don't set our category within the World of Hyatt program, and while moving to the highest tier would certainly be a prestigious recognition of the luxury experience Park Hyatt London offers, we also want to make sure our loyal members can continue to redeem their points at reasonable rates," Erdbrink explained to TPG.

Park Hyatt London River Thames lobby and dining areas

During TPG's site visit, the lobby—complete with three check-in desks and a single concierge station—was still under construction, with workers busily polishing the new floors. We were asked not to photograph the ongoing work.

Hanging above the lobby is a stunning gold artwork by Charlie Whinney, titled "Ebb and Flow," which takes inspiration from the nearby River Thames.

Behind the check-in area, The Nine Elms Bar & Lounge stands out as the most impressive social space in the hotel, featuring a striking light installation overhead and captivating artwork throughout.

Once open, guests will have the opportunity to savor an array of expertly crafted cocktails in this stylish space.

The intricate bronze detailing on the bar's back wall pays homage to the automotive legacy of the Nine Elms area, once home to the world's largest factories for Bentley and Rolls-Royce car parts.

The Covent Garden Flower Market has found a new home in the Nine Elms area, ensuring fresh floral displays are a constant feature throughout the hotel's social spaces.

Leather-wrapped banisters provide a luxurious touch, while the stone walls, parquet details, and gold way-finding signage are signature Park Hyatt elements, seamlessly blending the feeling of a hotel with that of an art gallery.

The main restaurant, The Nine Elms Kitchen & Terrace, is located on the ground floor. It offers a buffet breakfast for guests each morning, with hot dishes prepared to order from an à la carte menu in the central open kitchen.

This space will also serve lunch and dinner, with the option for outdoor dining, weather permitting in London.

The area is still under development, with a team of chefs being trained to quickly prepare dozens of breakfast items for eager guests. World of Hyatt Globalist members can enjoy a full complimentary breakfast each morning.

The second-floor TAMISé wine library and tea room, designed by Studio Moren (who also designed Shangri-La The Shard, London), was originally planned as a wine bar. However, the hotel opted to offer the British tradition of afternoon tea in this stunning, light-filled space. The private tasting room houses an impressive collection of over 1,300 bottles of wine.

The fourth dining option on the property will be an unnamed Cantonese restaurant. Currently still in development, its opening is expected in early 2025.

Park Hyatt London River Thames guest accommodations

The Park Hyatt London River Thames features 203 guest rooms, including 34 suites, two ambassador suites, and a presidential suite. Additionally, 42 rooms are interconnected, making it easy for families or groups to stay close together.

Guest rooms are adorned with artistic elements by Gabriel Leung and Tsi Kwan Lau, adding a unique touch to the interiors.

While the new building may lack the historic charm of some converted landmark structures in London, it offers undeniable advantages, such as consistency in room design and spacious layouts.

Most floors feature identical room layouts, with standard rectangular rooms and suites offering sweeping 180-degree views of the River Thames.

Base-category rooms begin at 360 square feet — impressively spacious for London standards. However, the choice of hardwood flooring in a new luxury hotel may feel a bit too simple, and the furnishings do carry a distinct 'Hyatt' vibe.

For World of Hyatt members, rates start at 490 British pounds (approximately $650) per night.

Every guest room features marble bathrooms equipped with separate showers and bathtubs.

The Park Hyatt London River Thames will break tradition by not offering Le Labo bathroom amenities. Instead, the hotel is collaborating with British brand Blaise Mautin to create its own exclusive products, though these may not be available when the hotel opens next month.

Until the exclusive Blaise Mautin products arrive, bathrooms will be stocked with the more modest Molton Brown toiletries.

Guests can enjoy the convenience of Nespresso coffee machines, a fully stocked minibar, and remote-controlled curtains for both sheer and blackout settings.

The majority of guest rooms offer either views of the city or the River Thames.

Suites at the Park Hyatt London River Thames

The Junior Suites feature the 560-square-foot Park Suite and the 790-square-foot Park Suite River View, each offering separate living areas, 65-inch flat-screen TVs, and spacious walk-in closets.

Rates for these suites begin at around $1,509 per night during the winter season, with prices expected to increase in the summer as demand rises.

For those with World of Hyatt elite status, General Manager Rike Erdbrink shared with TPG that Globalist members can expect upgrades to these rooms when space allows.

TPG was also granted exclusive access to the stunning 1,851-square-foot presidential suite, which includes a private elevator, a butler kitchen, a full-sized dining area, and an impressive 85-inch flat-screen TV.

The suite's bedroom offers breathtaking views of the river and the iconic London Eye in the distance.

The spacious, separate dressing room features a central console, ideal for storing items from a shopping spree on London's fashionable Regent Street or the renowned Harrods department store.

With sweeping views of the London Eye and the Shard, the freestanding bathtub offers a luxurious spot to unwind after a day of sightseeing around the city.

The stunning presidential suite becomes available for booking starting November 1, with rates beginning at a staggering $6,500 per night.

Park Hyatt London River Thames wellness floor

Say goodbye to cramped, windowless basement gyms. The Park Hyatt London River Thames has dedicated its entire first floor to wellness.

The gym on-site features soaring double-height windows, creating a sense of spaciousness, and is furnished with brand-new Technogym equipment.

Guests can enjoy ample space to maintain their fitness routine while traveling, whether through free weights, machines, or focusing on Pilates and stretching exercises.

The floor-to-ceiling windows provide a view, though it currently overlooks a construction site for an unrelated project next door. The hotel assures that these are low-rise office buildings that won't significantly obstruct the view.

The spa at the hotel opens with a tranquil reception area, setting the tone for relaxation.

Six private treatment rooms will provide a selection of both traditional and contemporary beauty therapies.

After their indulgent beauty treatments, guests can unwind in a relaxation area with stunning views over London.

The space will feature two Somadome meditation pods, offering guests an opportunity for enhanced privacy and tranquility.

One of the standout features of the Park Hyatt London River Thames is its indoor swimming pool, which measures 65 by 26 feet. Located on the wellness floor, the pool was still being filled during TPG's exclusive tour, showcasing its newness.

Guests can also enjoy a compact Finnish-style dry sauna, perfect for those looking to unwind and detoxify.

For added convenience, there are upscale changing and storage facilities, allowing guests to refresh before heading back to their rooms or exploring the city.

Located just above the wellness floor, the grand ballroom boasts a capacity of up to 830 guests, making it ideal for weddings and corporate gatherings. The space can also be divided into smaller sections for meetings.

There are also flexible smaller meeting rooms that can be resized to accommodate varying group needs.

The design of the property beautifully reflects the nearby River Thames, with elegant hallway arches adorned with opulent gold accents.

How to accumulate Hyatt points

You can earn World of Hyatt points by signing up for a World of Hyatt credit card. Here are the latest offers:

• World of Hyatt Credit Card: Earn 30,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 within the first three months, plus up to an additional 30,000 bonus points by earning 2 bonus points per $1 spent on purchases that normally earn 1 bonus point, on up to $15,000 in the first six months.
• World of Hyatt Business Credit Card: Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 within the first three months from account opening.

You can also transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards points to Hyatt at a 1:1 ratio. Here are some credit cards that earn Ultimate Rewards points:

• Chase Sapphire Reserve®: Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 within the first three months from account opening.
• Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 within the first three months from account opening.
• Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card: Earn 90,000 bonus points after spending $8,000 within the first three months from account opening.

If you have one (or more) of the above credit cards, you can merge your Ultimate Rewards points into a single account. This will allow you to convert cash-back rewards from the following cards into fully transferable Ultimate Rewards points:

• Chase Freedom Flex®: Earn a $200 bonus after spending $500 in the first three months of account opening.
• Chase Freedom Unlimited®: Earn an extra 1.5% cash back on all purchases up to $20,000 in the first year, equating to up to $300 in cash back.
• Ink Business Cash® Credit Card: Earn up to $750: $350 bonus cash back after spending $3,000 in the first three months, and an additional $400 after spending $6,000 in the first six months from account opening.
• Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card: Earn $900 bonus cash back after spending $6,000 in the first three months from account opening.

Summary

The newly opened Park Hyatt London River Thames is a standout in the city's vibrant hotel scene. While its design—particularly in the guest rooms—may not quite reach the ultra-luxury level of some of the more exclusive recent openings, and its location may not appeal to everyone, you won’t need to spend $1,500 for a standard room here.

The property is set to open on October 8, and rooms are available for booking now, starting at just 25,000 World of Hyatt points per night.