15th Anniversary Blog
Over the years, Park Plaza London Westminster Bridge has welcomed over 8 million guests and hosted more than a million events. From escorting elephants across Westminster Bridge to helping deliver babies, this hotel has truly seen it all.
To mark its 15th anniversary, we’re taking a trip down memory lane - revisiting the early days, celebrating staff who’ve been with us from the start, and reflecting on some of the most unforgettable moments that shaped this iconic South Bank landmark.
Where It All Began
“Really exciting and terrifying in equal measure”—that’s how Daniel Pedreschi, then Hotel Manager and now EVP of Operations, remembers the opening days. “When I joined, I was employee number five. There were 600 builders on site… Opening day was fantastic.”
“No one has ever built a hotel of this scale in London before, and they never will again,” adds Laurence Markham, then Marketing Manager, who’s still part of the PPHE family today.
Before its transformation, the site was derelict - once voted one of the UK’s ugliest buildings. Now with 20+ floors, 1,023 guestrooms, four restaurants and bars, and 68,000sqm of space, Park Plaza Westminster Bridge has redefined the South Bank skyline.
A truly memorable milestone came during the topping-out ceremony, when then-Mayor Boris Johnson cut the ribbon, marking the hotel’s promise of economic impact for the local area.
Our People
Many of those who helped launch the hotel are still with us today—testament to the strength and dedication of our team.
Lisa Price, who led the opening recruitment and training, recalls: “We needed around 300 people. It was a huge task—but watching those team members grow has been one of my proudest achievements.”
Paresh Vara, who ran the CONNECT training programme for new starters, brought incredible energy to the team and helped lay the foundation for a culture of learning and support.
And Darren Thacker, the hotel’s first Revenue Manager, remembers the sheer excitement: “To say it was popular would be an understatement!”
Favourite Memories
“Do I have a favourite memory? I’ve got dozens,” says Daniel Pedreschi. “And they’re all about the team delivering something they didn’t think they could.”
John Downes, Night Manager from day one, recalls helping a woman give birth in the hotel lobby—just one of many unforgettable nights. There were also sleepwalkers, celebrity sightings, and New Year’s Eve fireworks viewed from the hotel each year.
As Head Concierge, David Haines receives countless wild requests—none more memorable than escorting an elephant across Westminster Bridge for a groom’s dramatic Indian wedding entrance. Now that’s going above and beyond!
From extravagant events to once-in-a-lifetime proposals, it’s these personal touches that keep guests coming back:
“I can’t express how amazing our stay was… This is my third time and I can’t wait to go again.” — Karen E, TripAdvisor
“Excellent hotel and above and beyond service.” — James K, TripAdvisor
“Our 8th year visiting. The care and service are top notch.” — Sandra H, TripAdvisor
What’s Next?
Looking ahead, General Manager James Clarke has a clear vision:
“We’re going to be the number one leading conference hotel in London. When you want to host an event—and wake up to a view of Big Ben—we’ll be the first choice. The future is bright for Westminster Bridge.”
Stay tuned - and thank you for being part of the Park Plaza London Westminster Bridge story.