Travel
Art’otel Battersea Review: A modern stay with a rooftop pool | UK | Travel
Art’otel’s incredible rooftop pool and jacuzzi with exclusive views of Battersea Power Station (Image: Art’otel Battersea)
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
Highlights
- Rooftop swimming pool
- Stunning views of Battersea Power Station
- Well-connected location
- Excellent dining options
- Unique interior design
- Attention to detail
- Friendly, knowledgeable staff
- Personally tailored spa treatments
Art’otel Battersea Review
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.
The lobby features whimsical pieces of art (Image: Art’otel)
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.
The Rooms
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 soft curves of the building are reflected in the interior design, with rounded retro chairs in the living room and half-moon gold handles on the wardrobe doors
Located on the 14th floor, views up here are unmatched, giving you a front-row view of Sir Giles Gilbert Scott’s cathedral of red brick and four smoke steeples.
It’s also hard to resist snooping on the affluent condos which sit on either side of the Power Station and in Circus West. In the morning, you might even catch a glimpse of some of the local residents of Battersea Cats and Dogs Home enjoying a runaround.
Soundproof walls make for a restful night’s sleep, with the only noise coming from the distant trains trundling in and out of Victoria Station, though this is more white noise than a disturbance.
Inside, the suite is a perfect palette of jewel tones and primary colours. The soft curves of the building are reflected in the interior design, with rounded retro chairs in the living room and half-moon gold handles on the wardrobe doors.
There’s a cosy nook just off from the bedroom, complete with a desk for working holidays and a giant mirror for perfecting that pre-night out look.
Here, you’ll also find a record player, with a selection of vinyls from UK legends including Bowie and Amy Winehouse. A nod to the Power Station tops the stack of LPs, with a reissue of Pink Floyd’s classic ‘Animals’ depicting the regenerated area.
High-end amenities, including a Dyson hair dryer and a Dyson Air Wrap, help to further elevate the experience. The only thing the room is missing is a heated towel rail. You can read our full review of the Masterpiece Suite at Art’otel Battersea here.
Floor-to-ceiling windows in the Masterpiece suite offer beautiful views of Battersea (Image: Art’otel)
Spa and wellness
How does Art’otel Battersea compare to other London hotels?
Rating: 5/5
Down in the basement of Art’otel is their dedicated wellness floor, home to an ambient state-of-the-art gym, two treatment rooms, a sauna, a steam room, manicure/pedicure stations and a relaxation room.
There’s a full menu of treatments to choose from, which can be tailored to your specific needs, but steer away from over-complicated processes in favour of organic, vegan products.
If you’re after glowing skin, ‘Love’ is the spa’s deep cleansing facial, with either a 30- or 60-minute treatment option that is so relaxing, you might find yourself nodding off halfway through.
Charlotte, Art’otel’s spa manager, creates a calming and welcoming environment, talking you through the process and answering any questions you may have to boost your own skincare regime.
The rooftop swimming pool is a great place to soak in the views and enjoy a dip (Image: Art’otel / Matthew Shaw)
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.
Dining and Drinking
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.
JOIA is a sophisticated spot offering an Iberian-infused menu (Image: Art’otel / Matt Russell)
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.
Amenities
- Pet-friendly
- Family-friendly
- Accessible
- Swimming pool and hot tub
- Gym
- Free WiFi
- Air conditioning
- Housekeeping
- Spa
- Laundry
- Restaurant and bar
- Room service
- Multilingual staff
- 24/7 front desk
Location
Rating: 5/5
The renovation project has injected new power into Battersea, though it’s certainly one that comes with a price tag. The entrance to the new shopping and dining hub of Battersea Power Station is just metres away, where you can browse affluent retailers including Aesop, Chanel, Jo Malone and Reformation – though there is a fantastically sized Uniqlo and Zara thrown nearby too. There are also plenty of dining options, including the contemporary chic food hall Arcade.
Community is a prominent feature, and during the summer months, you can expect to see large outdoor screens showing sporting events, free table tennis, a giant chess board and plenty of space to sit and enjoy the views.
Art’otel is also well connected to the rest of London, with bus connections right on its doorstep, as well as the nearby Zone 1 Underground station and Battersea Park Station offering Southern rail connections running between Battersea Park and London Victoria, Streatham, Croydon and Sydenham and more.
If you’re coming from beyond London, Victoria Station is within easy reach, offering national rail connections, as well as an express service to Gatwick Airport.
TOZI is the all-day café and a great spot for breakfast (Image: Art’otel)
Value For Money
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 .
Final Verdict
Art’otel succeeds in creating a stay that is different from the majority of other high-end stays in the capital, largely thanks to its eye-catching interior design.
There is something to capture your attention in every part of the property, from the floral display outside of the lifts to the specially selected pieces of artwork in each room.
But it’s the staff who are the beating heart of the hotel and go out of their way to ensure guests are remembered and recognised.
While the price is on the higher side, it’s not outlandish for a luxury hotel, and this place really offers more than just a place to rest your head.
The rooftop pool and sun deck, set to the backdrop of exclusive Power Station views, is the star of the show and enough to make you wish you’d booked an extra night.
Travel
The gorgeous beach where it’s 25C in May that’s been named Europe’s ‘best’ | Travel News | Travel
A stunning beach known for its sparkling turquoise waters and golden sands has been named the “best” in Europe. Nissi Beach is a popular holiday destination in the resort of Ayia Napa, Cyprus.
The beach stretches for 500 metres, and the water is clean enough for it to be awarded the Blue Flag designation. Travel insurance experts at Quotezone.co.uk have created the European Beach Index to help travellers find their ideal beach holiday destination. The experts have named Nissi the best among all.
The index ranks 10 popular European beaches based on factors such as the sea and air temperature, 5-star reviews, average daily costs and the height of the waves.
According to the travel experts, the gorgeous beach destination offers a budget-friendly daily cost of 103€ (£88), which includes all you’d need for a day trip such as meals, transport, and even overnight accommodation.
One of the users on the TripAdvisor forum who visited Nissi wrote: “Lovely beach. Shallow waters, great bars. Watersports are good. Nice relaxing place to sunbathe this time of year. Never disappointed.”
Nissi enjoys an average of 25C in May and is a perfect place for the beach lovers.
CEO and travel insurance expert at Quotezone, Greg Wilson said: “Travellers seeking the perfect summer getaway will be searching for destinations where they can soak up the sun and relax on the beach without worrying about big waves and cold temperatures.
“Our team looked at 10 popular summer holiday destinations across Europe, ranking them on factors such as water and air temperatures, waves and 5-star reviews.
“Another factor we took into consideration was the average daily costs in each destination, including meals, transport and hotels, as many families are looking for budget-friendly holidays that don’t break the bank.
“Our European Beach Index revealed that Nissi Beach in Ayia Napa, Cyprus, is the number one beach destination with excellent scores in every category.
“Nissi Beach has been ranked above some of the other famously popular European holiday hotspots due to its warm sea and air temperatures, as well as being one of the most affordable in terms of daily expenses.
“Plage de Palombaggia is an incredible looking beach in Corsica, France, however it came in last place largely due to the expensive prices in the area.”
“We encourage those who are still planning their summer holidays to consider the hidden gems of Europe, including our top three beach destinations Cyprus, Malta, and Slovenia.”
Travel
The three stunning African countries that are seeing a ‘boom’ in tourism | Travel News | Travel
Plenty of African destinations are seeing a rise in tourism. However, there are three countries located north of the huge continent that are really making a mark. While hotspots such as Egypt and Morocco remain some of the most popular destinations for travellers across the globe, countries such as Algeria, Libya, and Mauritania are also making waves in the travel and tourism world.
Adventure travel company, Untamed Borders has revealed that all three countries have introduced e-visa systems in order to welcome tourists more easily. Algeria has already seen progress with the new system, as the country’s number of visitors saw a 10% increase of around 3.5 million tourists compared to 2023. It’s likely that Mauritania and Libya will experience a similar boost as a result of the system. However, as of right now, there are several travel warnings in place for the three countries.
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), which provides travel advice for Brits, currently advises against all travel to parts of Algeria, against all travel to parts of Libya, as well as against all but essential to other areas within the country, and also against all travel to parts of Mauritania. It means that while UK holidaymakers are able to visit certain regions in the three countries, it is absolutely cruical that you check GOV.UK and read all the travel information provided beforehand.
However, it seems that the three African countries are set on welcoming travellers and providing special experiences. The founder of Untamed Borders, James Willcox, said: “The people and places that sit in the great sand sea of the Sahara are as timeless as the dunes themselves – shaped by wind, trading history, and endurance.
“North Africa contains many rarely visited landscapes and communities, who have fascinating stories and histories, with their lives tracing ancient trade routes, mountain paths, and desert horizons.”
Algeria is home to a number of historical sites including the Ancient Roman Ruins of Djemila, Timgad, and Tipaza. Basilica Notre Dame d’Afrique is also well worth visiting with TripAdvisor marking it as the number 1 thing to do in the country.
Over in Libya, the country boasts also boasts a variety of historical attractions, as well as cultural ones. The Leptis Magna, a UNSECO World Heritage Site and one of the best preserved Roman cities is a must-visit, or why not take a trip through the Sahara Desert, with a local guide.
For nature lovers, Mauritania’s Banc D’Arguin National Park, also a World Heritage Site, is noted as “one of the most important zones in the world for nesting birds”. The site which has an abudance of diverse species of wildlife is the perfect destination to embrace Africa’s biodiversity.
With the surge in tourists being drawn to North Africa as a whole, the chance to experience a “truly unique ” holiday away from the large crowds is becoming more challenging.
Plenty of North African countries in the region have received a record number of visitors over the past year, which has indeed opened doors to “harder-to-reach nations” for travellers.
Yet, the three countries are just a few examples of places in Africa waiting to be explored. While they boast many things in common that make them incredible holiday options, one thing that is extremely important to note is that they all offer the chance for holidaymakers to “truly enjoy authentic Saharan experiences, without a large number of other people.”
Travel
The beautiful European seaside city with 25C heat named ‘best’ to visit this summer | Travel News | Travel
A hidden coastal gem located in a popular European country has been named the “best” to visit this summer. Zadar, located on the northern Dalmatian coast of Croatia, is a perfect mix of Roman-era foundations and cutting-edge art installations. Named the best place to visit by Outlook Traveller, the city experiences warm weather during summer.
The 3,000-year-old ancient city is known for its extraordinary musical waterfront and Adriatic sunsets, which once captivated Alfred Hitchcock. One of the most popular tourist spots in Croatia is the Sea Organ, an experimental music instrument. The architectural sound object plays music through sea waves and tubes located underneath a set of large marble steps.
Travellers can explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Stato de Terra, which comprises six bastion forts built by the Republic of Venice on its mainland domains and its Domains of the Sea. The Church of St. Donatus is another must-visit site in this lesser-known European city.
Additionally, there are many other things to explore, such as museums, national parks, the Cathedral of St. Anastasia, and the city market. June to August is the peak tourist season with the warmest weather, averaging around 25 degrees Celsius. The sea is ideal for swimming, reaching an average of 23 degrees Celsius.
Zadar’s central square resembles an open-air museum, featuring historic landmarks such as the 11th-century Church of St. Lawrence and the 16th-century Clock Tower.
On the southern side of the square, the City Loggia, originally a courthouse and council chamber, now hosts exhibitions showcasing works by international photographers and modern Croatian artists.
A traveller wrote on TripAdvisor Forum: “After seeing Ryanair flights to Zadar, I looked at TripAdvisor to find out more about the area. Zadar city is an ancient walled city packed full of history and religious art, with Roman churches everywhere. We booked an apartment in Bori,k 10 min from the city center, but on the bus route. Apartment Miodrag, the owner, will pick you up at the airport, but I suggest you hire a car as there are lots of small towns up and down the coast that are beautiful.
“The Sea Organ and the Solar Lights on the sea front are a big attraction the kids loved them also it being a port, ferries came and went all day to the islands and Italy.
“Lots of small cafes/bars everywhere, no English/Irish rip-off bars, eating places are mostly pizza, pasta, and grills,fish dishes were the most expensive but cheaper than Spain/Italy. Driving in Zadar/Borik is a one-way system, outwards to Diklo and inwards to Zadar. A great place and not too expensive, we will be back.
A second traveller commented: “Zadar is a small town settled in Dalmatia, Croatia, on the east coast of the Adriatic Sea.
“It has lovely beaches, very good nightlife for summer festivals, a lot of sea and water sports available. It is also surrounded by a circle of five national parks, covering 200 km.
“It also has ancient history, which is 3000 years old, and lot of monumental buildings, churches, and temples. Restaurants are a common thing, mostly Dalmatian and Italian cooking.
“Accommodation is possible in family houses or hotels. Houses are the better option because of their peaceful and hospitable owners, especially in the Borik area.”
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