New luxury hotel opens at One Nine Elms development

A new hotel has opened as part of the luxury development at One Nine Elms. Sarah Dale talks to Rike Erdbrink, General Manager of Park Hyatt London River Thames, to find out more about the high-end hotel.

From the eye-catching statement sculpture in the lobby to the stunning views from the presidential suite, Park Hyatt London River Thames offers a luxurious setting for a comfortable stay in London.

The hotel has 203 bedrooms and its facilities include The Nine Elms Kitchen | Terrace, The Nine Elms Bar | Lounge, an authentic Cantonese restaurant named Yú Gé, a fitness centre, pool, spa, meeting rooms and 14,000 square foot event space. A pastry shop, with pastries made by the French pastry chef on site, is due to open in the new year.

Park Hyatt London River Thames opened on 8th October as part of One Nine Elms, the iconic luxury development featuring two towers: the River Park Tower and the Park Hyatt London River Thames Tower.

“Both offer breathtaking views of London and the River Thames,” explains Rike Erdbrink, General Manager.

“We are equally excited about the growth of Nine Elms, the largest regeneration project in the area, and as the first and only luxury hotel in this community, we are thrilled to provide a unique space for guests to experience exceptional hospitality.”

The newest addition expands the Park Hyatt portfolio to 46 hotels around the world and each features an ‘Art at the Park’ exhibition featuring world renowned artists. The beautiful sculpture in the lobby at London River Thames is a specially commissioned piece called Ebb and Flow by Charlie Whinney and uses wood from Whinney’s native Lake District and copper from China, building on the East meets West theme of the art displays.

Rike first joined Hyatt as an apprentice in 2001 at Park Hyatt Hamburg. She has worked at Park Hyatt hotels around the world including Grand Hyatt Hong Kong and Park Hyatt Chicago.

“I’ve been very fortunate to have this kind of career,” she says.

“It is a very exciting time for us to introduce such an amazing product to the London market. This luxury hotel will be a destination for many Londoners and people visiting the city. Our aim in 2025 is to establish ourselves as a primary London destination.

❛❛It is an opportunity for us to showcase what we have to other companies in the community. We have already hosted a breakfast for the Chamber and we are looking to host more events here in the future. This partnership is crucial.

We have our new pastry shop opening in the new year which we are very excited about, and we will be further growing our F&B (food and beverages) offerings.”

Another key aim of Rike and the hotel is to build connections within the Wandsworth business community and they became Wandsworth Chamber of Commerce Patron members in November.

“We feel strongly about working together; it is key,” she says.

“It is an opportunity for us to showcase what we have to other companies in the community. We have already hosted a breakfast for the Chamber and we are looking to host more events here in the future. This partnership is crucial.

“It is also a good way for us to create more awareness. A lot of people have gone past us when it was a building site and not many people know it’s a hotel because it has a very residential look.”

Rike says she never uses the word ‘challenges’, instead preferring the term ‘opportunities’ and is focused on securing the hotel as a popular venue for guests looking for a luxurious stay.

“We look at challenges as opportunities and we have a huge opportunity to establish ourselves in the area,” she says.

“There is so much growth and change here. The Nine Elms and Battersea area has changed so much and our little corner of the district is a great place for people to come to work and go out.

"In 2024, there was a lot happening in Europe with the Euros and Olympics, whereas 2025 is looking less action-packed. We are anticipating more last-minute bookings in the city rather than the long-term bookings of 2024.”

Rike has been with the hotel for a year, building her team and overseeing the project.

“I was the first colleague here in my hard hat, hi-vis and construction boots and walking around with A3 floor plans trying not to get lost,” she adds.

“When you finally stand there at the ribboncutting ceremony and see it complete, it’s an amazing feeling. It’s a feeling you can’t describe.

“I have worked on hotel openings before –in Chicago, Abu Dhabi and Beijing – and it’s something I love. An opening is like a blank piece of paper and you are ready to turn the page. Building a purpose-built hotel from scratch is incredible. I love it!”

Park Hyatt London River Thames is currently hiring; if you would like to apply for a role contact the Human Resources team at talent.park@hyatt.com