Battersea is rapidly becoming one of London’s most luxurious neighbourhoods, with high-end designer brands taking up residency in the refurbished power station and opulent penthouse apartments hitting the market with an eye-watering price of £82million. 

So it’s no surprise then, that a luxury hotel would be soon to follow. Art’otel, managed by the Park Plaza brand, only recently threw open its doors with its official launch in February 2023.

Though the capital isn’t short of high-end properties, this is certainly one that puts its own stamp on a luxury stay. As the name suggests, arts and design are the spirit of the hotel, with every detail masterminded by Spanish artist-designer Jaime Hayon. His aim, he says, was to “bring a completely new hotel experience to London”.

You’ll find the entrance tucked away in a new-build, steps from the famed bricks Battersea Power Station, which doesn’t stand out much from its modern neighbours.

Once through the doors, however, guests will be greeted by a unique, curved lobby and reception area serving as a sign of things to come. The entire hotel is built within a rounded structure, which allows for fantastic views on the higher levels, and a whimsical layout on the ground. 

A towering yellow sculpture, ‘The Dreamer’ who is half chicken, half man, catches attention on arrival. Wander deeper into the belly of the hotel, where rich red walls and glittering gold shelves are dotted with modern vases and quirky art pieces.

Along the way, you might want to stop to admire the wall-length cabinet of curiosities, filled with trinkets curated by Hayon from around the world. Check-in takes place at the far end of the arc, where the typical reception is replaced by a soft, curving desk, with computers concealed so as not to disturb the dreamlike space.

The lobby is busy throughout the day, both with a stream of hotel guests and those visiting 15th-floor restaurant JOIA and its namesake rooftop bar which has become a must-visit destination of the summer.

Yet even during peak check-in and check-out times, it never feels overwhelming, and friendly staff still take the time to find out a little bit about what you have planned for your stay. This isn’t just a trait of concierge staff, but is consistent throughout the hotel, a clear indication of thorough communication from the lobby right through to the staff in the basement spa.

Rooms are accessed via gold-fronted lifts, which glisten beneath neon flex lighting overhead. Though JOIA patrons can use the lifts to access the higher floors, security is paramount, and therefore guest floors can only be accessed with a valid room key.

Rating: 5/5

Given how peaceful the guest floors of the hotel feel, it is surprising to realise that Art’otel is actually home to 164 rooms spanning five categories, plus the one-of-a-kind Masterpiece Suite, where we spent our stay.

The variety in room types means that guests can scale up depending on their needs or opt for a slightly better view if they want to be dazzled each morning when they throw open the curtains.

But even the lowest tier of room, the Art Room, boasts a King Size bed big enough to spread out in and, of course, the hotel’s signature fun and flamboyant style.

You can expect the same salmon pink feature wall and cobalt blue spectacle mirror hanging pride of place above the bed. Those who want to be greeted by views of the capital are best suited to the Art Room Skyline View, meanwhile, the Art Studio is the perfect option for families with little ones or guests who simply prefer a little more room to make themselves at home.

Though we didn’t experience a stay in one of the smaller rooms, guests have ranked it a four-star average on Tripadvisor.

All rooms come with a Robert’s Radio Bluetooth digital radio, a 49-inch smart TV with Chromecast, international plug sockets (so it’s no problem if you’re travelling and forget your adaptor), a rain shower, KEVIN.MURPHY bathroom amenities, laptop size safe and coffee and tea-making facilities.

But there is only one Masterpiece Suite – and it truly earns its title. Spanning a whopping 100m2, the suite is bigger than many of the flats in the wider city, complete with its own kitchen, dining and living space, two bathrooms, and a spacious bedroom. For families seeking even more space, an interconnecting door can be unlocked to an adjoining bedroom.

The pièce de résistance of the hotel’s wellness offering can be found up on the roof. The hotel has boosted London’s small portfolio of rooftop swimming pools with its own show-stopping offering.

From here, the towering chimneys of Battersea Power Station seem as though you could reach out and graze their ridges with your fingertips. Though you might fit a few short laps in, the pool is better for a quick dip and a photo opportunity but is pleasantly heated so that even a late-summer breeze won’t put you off.

And, on chillier days, there’s an adjoining hot tub perfect for plonking yourself in to soak up the views. Given the proximity to JOIA rooftop bar, the pool is more tailored to adults, but during our stay there were children happily splashing about.

Rating: 5/5

JOIA is the hotel’s 15th-floor bar and restaurant, giving way to dramatic views of the Power Station and sprawling urban landscape in the distance.

For the best vistas, book a table by the curved windows. As the sun sets, Chelsea Bridge begins to sparkle beyond the trees of Battersea Park, and you’ll notice Wembley light up the skyline.

The restaurant is headed up by Michelin-starred Portuguese chef Henrique Sá Pessoa, who combines British and Iberian produce to create a flavourful menu of Catalonian and Portugese-inspired sharing plates.

There is plenty to cater for all dietary requirements, but if you prefer meat-free dishes, the Arroz de Cogumelos, a deliciously creamy dish of carnaroli rice, wild mushrooms and Azores island cheese is not to be missed. And if the desert stomach is rumbling, the raspberry ganache, red pepper and olive oil sorbet serves as the perfect palette cleanser.

While the restaurant has a well-stocked bar, a drink is perhaps best enjoyed up on the rooftop. There’s a good choice of wines, beers and cocktails. The Perola, a champagne and peach-infused cocktail, is the perfect drink to sip on beneath an apricot summer sky.

Back on the ground floor, TOZI Grand Cafe is the hotel’s all-day dining spot which doubled up as an art gallery. Housed in a unique, circular room, boots along the arched window are specially designed to fit the space.

Once again Jaime Hayon has added some fun touches, with felt sculptures dangling from the round skyline creating a surrealist-style face. Colourful tapestries hang between booths, allowing the art to also afford patrons some privacy while dining.

Though the menu caters to lunch, dinner and afternoon tea too, we only tested out their breakfast menu and found it to be a great start to the day. There’s a decent selection of freshly prepared smoothies and juices in all manner of colours lining the counter as you enter, as well as a stack of alluring golden pastries.

Though our server recommended the Big Five berry-based smoothie, our favourite was the Kale Kick. The breakfast menu sticks to the classics but does so well. Be sure to treat yourself and order an almond croissant for the table.

Rating: 5/5

Rating: 4/5

Double rooms start from £400 per night. Find rooms and book direct on the Art’otel website and . Or, compare deals and prices for a stay at Art’otel with or .