Marlin Apartments Empire Square Review: Is This London Bridge Aparthotel Worth It?

Sitting steps from Borough Market and a short walk from the Tate Modern, Marlin Apartments Empire Square promises contemporary city living in one of London’s most vibrant neighbourhoods. It’s a bold claim — London Bridge is genuinely one of the capital’s most desirable postcodes — but does the property actually deliver on it?

Here’s the short version: Marlin Apartments Empire Square is a 4-star independent aparthotel with 225 units ranging from studios to penthouses, located at 5-8 Empire Square South, 34 Long Lane, London SE1 4NH. It’s particularly well-suited to business travellers, extended-stay guests, and tourists who want more space and self-sufficiency than a standard hotel room provides. That said, it isn’t the right fit for everyone — and we’ll be clear about who should look elsewhere.

If you’re short on time, the honest verdict is this: for the location and what’s included, it represents solid value. But there are a few policies — notably the early check-out time and additional charges for children — that are worth knowing about upfront.

Marlin Apartments Empire Square Review: At a Glance

Marlin Apartments Empire Square is a 4-star independent aparthotel — not a chain hotel, not a serviced flat agency, but something in between. That distinction matters. You get the consistency and amenity standards of a rated hotel, combined with the space and self-catering flexibility of a private apartment. Independent travel reviewers, including Oyster.com, classify it as ‘Luxury’, which is broadly accurate for the aparthotel segment of the London market.

The development itself is an award-winning contemporary build — architecturally considered, with a feel that’s distinctly modern without being cold.

Quick Facts

• Address: 5-8 Empire Square South, 34 Long Lane, London SE1 4NH
• Star Rating: 4-star independent aparthotel
• Editor’s Rating: 4/5 — rated for its exceptional London Bridge location, apartment-scale living, and 24-hour concierge, with minor deductions for the early checkout time and supplementary family charges.
• Total Units: 225 apartments
• Unit Types: Studios, one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and penthouse apartments
• Price From: Approximately £92 per night (seasonal variation applies)
• Check-In: From 3:00 PM
• Check-Out: By 10:00–10:30 AM
• Pets: Not permitted
• Reservations: +44 (0)808 164 1057
• Sustainability: No sustainability certifications or environmental initiatives are publicly documented for this property. Readers with sustainability priorities should contact the property directly for more information.

Who Is This Aparthotel Best For?

Honestly, it suits a fairly broad range of travellers — which is one of its genuine strengths. Business travellers benefit from the desk setup, fast internet, and proximity to the City of London. Leisure guests get one of the best location-to-price ratios in South London. Extended-stay visitors (a week or more) will appreciate the full kitchen and laundry access. Families can accommodate children, though it’s worth knowing that cots and extra beds come with additional nightly charges.

Where it falls short is for pet owners (strict no-pets policy) and for travellers on a tight budget who want everything included in the base rate.

Location and Neighbourhood: London Bridge & Southwark

Getting There: Transport Links

The location is genuinely one of Empire Square’s strongest cards. London Bridge Station — which serves both the Jubilee and Northern underground lines, plus National Rail services — is within easy walking distance. That gives you fast, direct connections to Kings Cross St Pancras (and therefore Eurostar), Paddington, Canary Wharf, and most of the rest of the tube network without needing to change lines.

For those arriving by car, on-site parking is available (see the Facilities section below for booking guidance). For airport arrivals, the property can arrange airport transfers — useful if you’re landing at Heathrow, Gatwick, or City Airport with heavy luggage.

View Marlin Apartments Empire Square on Google Maps

Nearby Attractions Worth Exploring

Southwark and London Bridge is one of the capital’s most culturally rich areas, and the property sits right in the middle of it. Within a short walk you’ll find Borough Market — arguably London’s finest food market — along with the Tate Modern, Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, Southwark Cathedral, the London Dungeons, Tower Bridge, and the Tower of London. Vinopolis, the wine experience venue, is also nearby for those who want something a bit different.

For business travellers, the walk to the City of London takes under 15 minutes on foot. That’s meaningful — it means you can skip the tube entirely on fair-weather mornings.

What’s Within Walking Distance?

The neighbourhood itself is worth mentioning. Bermondsey Street — lined with independent restaurants, coffee shops, and galleries — is just around the corner. The South Bank riverside walk stretches from Waterloo to Tower Bridge, and it’s genuinely one of the best urban walks in Europe. You’re also well-placed for day trips: Greenwich, Brixton, and the West End are all accessible without significant travel time.

For first-time visitors to London, this location essentially puts you within reach of the city’s best cultural and culinary experiences without the inflated costs of staying in Zone 1 proper.

Room Types and What to Expect Inside

Studio Apartments

The studios are the entry-level option and are well-suited to solo travellers or couples on shorter stays. Don’t expect a cramped box — the units are spacious by London standards, with modern décor and enough natural light to make them genuinely comfortable rather than merely functional. Each studio includes a self-catering kitchen area, a wide-screen satellite TV, DVD player, alarm clock radio, and central heating.

One and Two-Bedroom Apartments

Step up to a one- or two-bedroom apartment and you get a meaningful upgrade in livability. The bedroom and living room are separate — which sounds obvious but is actually a real differentiator from a standard hotel room, particularly for extended stays or for two guests who need their own space. The lounge area has a wide-screen satellite TV with satellite and movie channels, while the kitchen is fully equipped for self-catering: microwave, fridge, and tea and coffee making equipment as standard.

For business travellers, each room also includes a desk and lamp, a direct dial phone, and broadband internet access — enough to work comfortably without needing to camp in a hotel lobby.

Penthouse Apartments

The penthouses are where Empire Square really earns its ‘Luxury’ classification. The upper-floor units offer panoramic views across the London skyline that are, frankly, difficult to put a price on. If you’re visiting for a special occasion or simply want the best the property has to offer, the penthouse tier is worth the premium. Views of this quality from a self-catering apartment in SE1 are rare.

Room Décor, Space, and Views

Across all unit types, the aesthetic is contemporary without being sterile. Clean lines, neutral tones, and quality fixtures — it reads as genuinely 4-star rather than aspirationally so. Upper-floor rooms across all categories tend to offer better light and views, so if you’re booking directly, it’s worth requesting a higher floor.

One thing worth flagging: room size does vary within categories, so if you’re particularly space-sensitive, it’s worth contacting the property directly to ask about specific unit dimensions before booking.

Facilities and Amenities: A Full Breakdown

In-Room Amenities vs. Building & Guest Services

In-Room Amenities	Building & Guest Services
Wide-screen satellite TV (movie & all-news channels)	24-hour reception and concierge
DVD player and CD player	Lift/elevator access throughout
Direct dial telephone	Dry cleaning and laundry services
Alarm clock radio	Babysitting service (on request)
Desk and lamp	Tourist information and local recommendations
Central heating	Airport transfer arrangement
Hairdryer	On-site parking (pre-bookable — see below)
Iron and ironing board	Gardens and sitting area
Mineral water (provided on arrival)	Fire escapes and smoke detectors throughout
Shampoo and basic toiletries	Family-friendly: cots/cribs available
Microwave, fridge, kitchenette	Broadband internet and in-room internet terminals
Tea and coffee making equipment	Welcome pack on arrival

Kitchen and Self-Catering Facilities

The kitchen setup is genuinely functional — not the token kettle-and-mini-fridge arrangement you find in some aparthotels that market themselves as ‘self-catering’. Each unit includes a microwave, fridge, and tea and coffee making equipment as a minimum. The kitchen facilities make a meaningful difference to the total cost of a stay, particularly for longer visits: eating in even two or three nights per week significantly reduces overall spend compared to dining out in central London every evening.

Welcome Pack: What’s Included?

Here’s a detail that most review sites bury or miss entirely: Marlin Empire Square provides a welcome pack on arrival. It includes bottled water, milk, tea, coffee, cereals, pasta, soup, and chocolate. It’s a small gesture, but after a long journey it genuinely lands well — and it means you’re not immediately scrambling to find a supermarket the moment you arrive. The nearest Sainsbury’s and Tesco Express are both within a short walk, for reference.

On-Site Parking

Parking is available on site, but the nightly rate isn’t prominently published across booking platforms — which is a known frustration among guests. Based on available information, rates are in the region of £20–£30 per day, though this is subject to change and availability. Parking should be pre-booked rather than assumed: spaces are limited and cannot be guaranteed on arrival. To confirm current pricing and reserve a space before your stay, call the reservations line directly on +44 (0)808 164 1057. Don’t leave this until you arrive.

Wi-Fi and Connectivity

Internet access is provided via broadband and in-room internet terminals. Guest sentiment about Wi-Fi on TripAdvisor and Booking.com is broadly positive — most reviewers don’t flag connectivity as a problem, which is a reasonable signal that it’s at least adequate for general use. That said, no independent speed benchmark is publicly available. For business travellers who depend on high-bandwidth connections for video calls or large file transfers, it’s worth asking the property whether wired broadband is available in your specific unit, and whether a business centre is on site. Call ahead on +44 (0)808 164 1057 to confirm.

Accessibility

Lift/elevator access is available throughout the building, which is an important baseline for guests with mobility requirements. However, specific details about wheelchair-accessible room configurations, lift dimensions, and adapted bathroom facilities are not publicly documented on major booking platforms. If you or a member of your party has specific accessibility requirements — whether that’s step-free access, wider doorways, or adapted facilities — contact the property directly on +44 (0)808 164 1057 before booking to confirm what can be accommodated. Don’t rely on general listing information for accessibility needs.

Check-In, Check-Out, and Booking Policies

Check-In and Check-Out Times

Check-in is from 3:00 PM. Check-out is by 10:00–10:30 AM. That check-out window is the single most commonly mentioned frustration in guest reviews — and it’s worth thinking about before you book. If you’re a leisure traveller with a late afternoon flight, losing your room before 10:30 AM on the final day is a real inconvenience. The 24-hour concierge can typically store luggage after checkout, but it’s not the same as having access to your room.

Cancellation and Prepayment Policy

Cancellation and prepayment terms vary depending on the specific apartment type and rate selected. This isn’t unusual — it’s standard practice across most booking platforms — but it does mean you need to read the specific terms at the point of booking rather than assuming a blanket policy applies. Always check the cancellation deadline for your chosen rate before confirming, particularly if your travel dates are subject to change.

Children, Cribs, and Extra Beds Policy

Families should pay close attention here. The policy is:

• Children under 2: Charged GBP 25 per person per night when using a crib
• Older children or adults in extra beds: Charged GBP 42 per person per night
• Maximum capacity: 1 extra bed per room; maximum 2 cribs per room
• These charges are not included in the base quoted rate — they’re settled separately during the stay

This is transparent enough once you know it, but it catches some guests off guard when they see the additional charges at checkout. If you’re travelling with young children, factor this into your total budget from the outset.

Pet Policy

Pets are not permitted. Full stop. There are no exceptions noted in the property’s published policy.

Payment Methods and Pre-Authorisation

The property accepts all major credit cards. Worth knowing: Marlin Empire Square reserves the right to pre-authorise your card prior to arrival. This is a security hold — not a charge — but it will temporarily reduce your available credit limit. If you’re travelling on a card with a tight limit, factor this in. The pre-authorisation amount isn’t publicly specified, so it’s worth contacting the property directly if this is a concern.

Pricing: How Much Does Marlin Apartments Empire Square Cost?

Typical Price Range

Rates at Marlin Apartments Empire Square start from approximately £92 per night, though in practice the price you’ll pay depends heavily on the time of year, unit type, and how far in advance you book. Studio apartments at the lower end of the range represent the entry point; penthouses and two-bedroom units will push the nightly rate considerably higher, particularly during peak London periods (summer, school holidays, major events).

Value for Money Assessment

Here’s the honest take: £92 per night for a 4-star aparthotel in London Bridge is competitive. A standard 4-star hotel room in the same postcode — with none of the self-catering facilities, no welcome pack, and a fraction of the living space — will often cost the same or more. When you factor in the kitchen (which meaningfully reduces food spend), the 24-hour concierge, and the generous apartment sizes, the value proposition holds up well for stays of three nights or more.

For a single-night stay, a traditional hotel might offer a comparable experience without the overhead of setting up in an apartment. But for anything longer, the aparthotel format wins on value.

How to Find the Best Rate

Rates are listed across Booking.com, TravelStay, and Kayak, and it’s worth comparing across all three before booking. Direct booking via the reservations line (+44 (0)808 164 1057) may offer flexibility on group bookings or extended stays that online platforms don’t surface automatically. Long-stay rates are potentially available but aren’t prominently advertised — asking directly is your best approach.

One practical tip: factor the children and extra bed charges into your total cost comparison if they apply to your group. The base rate can look attractive, only for the final bill to be notably higher once supplementary charges are added.

Marlin Apartments Empire Square: Guest Reviews and Ratings

Review Scores at a Glance

Here are the approximate aggregate scores from major review platforms (scores are subject to change as new reviews are submitted — check each platform for the most current figures):

Platform	Score	Scale
Booking.com	~8.2	/10
TripAdvisor	~4.0	/5
Google Reviews	~4.3	/5
Oyster.com	~4.0	/5

These scores position Marlin Apartments Empire Square firmly in the ‘very good’ tier across all major platforms — above the London aparthotel average, and consistent with its 4-star classification.

Overall Guest Satisfaction

Across the major review platforms, the property maintains a broadly positive reputation. The overall picture is of a well-run property that delivers on its core promise, with a few specific pain points that appear repeatedly.

Most Praised Features

Location comes up in nearly every positive review — which is unsurprising given what’s on the doorstep. Borough Market, the riverside walk, and the proximity to London Bridge Station make the neighbourhood genuinely hard to fault. Beyond location, the most praised aspects are:

• Apartment size and layout: Guests regularly note that the apartments are larger than expected for central London, with several reviewers specifically mentioning the value of having a separate living area.
• Self-catering kitchen: Extended-stay guests in particular highlight the kitchen facilities as a major practical benefit. One extended-stay guest on TripAdvisor described the kitchen as transformative for a two-week work trip, noting it saved them hundreds of pounds in dining costs compared to eating out every night in central London.
• Concierge service: The 24-hour desk receives consistent praise for responsiveness and helpfulness. Several TripAdvisor reviewers mention specific staff members by name — always a reliable indicator of genuine service quality.
• Welcome pack: A small but frequently mentioned detail. Guests arriving late or tired appreciate not having to source basic supplies immediately. One Booking.com reviewer described arriving after a delayed flight and being genuinely relieved to find tea, cereal, and snacks already waiting.
• Views from upper floors: Penthouse and upper-floor guests often describe the London skyline views as a highlight of the stay. A recurring theme among longer-stay guests is that waking up to those views each morning made the premium feel entirely justified.

Common Complaints and Criticisms

The criticisms that surface most consistently are:

• Early check-out time: The 10:00–10:30 AM checkout is the single most frequent complaint across all platforms. Leisure travellers with afternoon flights or late trains find it particularly frustrating.
• Noise: A minority of reviews mention noise from the surrounding area — London Bridge is a busy urban neighbourhood, and some guests find street-level or internal building noise disruptive, particularly in lighter-sleeping rooms.
• Children surcharges: Families occasionally express surprise at the additional charges for cribs and extra beds, which aren’t always prominently displayed at the point of booking.
• Parking clarity: Several guests note that parking availability and pricing isn’t transparently communicated in advance.

Review Score Breakdown by Category

Location scores are consistently the highest-rated category across all platforms, followed by facilities and cleanliness. Value scores are solid for the London market. Staff and service ratings are above average, reflecting the 24-hour concierge operation. Business travellers tend to rate the property higher than leisure guests — the desk setup, internet access, and City proximity are particularly valued by this segment. Leisure guests are generally satisfied but are more likely to flag the checkout time and neighbourhood noise as minor negatives.

Editorial Verdict

The aggregate picture is of a property that genuinely earns its 4-star classification and delivers well on its core promise. It’s not flawless — the checkout time is a legitimate frustration and the supplementary charges for families need clearer upfront communication — but these are relatively minor issues in the context of what the property offers overall.

Pros and Cons of Staying at Marlin Apartments Empire Square

What We Loved

• Location: London Bridge/Southwark is one of the best-positioned neighbourhoods in the capital for both business and leisure. The tube, National Rail, Borough Market, and the South Bank are all within easy reach.
• Apartment size and variety: 225 units ranging from studios to penthouses gives you real choice. The larger units — with separate bedrooms and living areas — are significantly more spacious than comparable hotel rooms.
• 24-hour concierge: Having on-demand support around the clock is a genuine service differentiator, not just a marketing bullet point.
• Self-catering kitchen: Reduces the total cost of a stay meaningfully, particularly for longer visits. The full kitchen setup (microwave, fridge, tea and coffee) is functional rather than token.
• Welcome pack: A thoughtful touch that makes arrival — especially late arrivals — noticeably more pleasant.
• Upper-floor views: The panoramic London skyline views from the penthouse and upper-floor apartments are exceptional by any standard.
• Extended-stay suitability: The combination of kitchen, laundry, and living space makes this a genuinely practical option for week-long or longer stays — not just an overnight stop.

What Could Be Better

• Early check-out (10:00–10:30 AM): This is the most consistent frustration among guests. For leisure travellers with afternoon travel plans, losing the room before mid-morning is a real inconvenience.
• No pets: The strict no-pets policy is a hard limit for a significant portion of travellers. No exceptions are noted.
• Children and extra bed surcharges: The additional nightly charges for cribs (£25/night) and extra beds (£42/night) aren’t always prominently flagged during the booking process, and they add up quickly over a multi-night stay with children.
• Parking transparency: Availability and cost of on-site parking isn’t clearly communicated across booking platforms — call ahead to confirm.
• Wi-Fi benchmarking: For a property that markets itself to business travellers, the absence of any publicly available Wi-Fi speed information is a gap worth noting — though guest sentiment suggests it’s adequate for most users.

Who Should Book — and Who Should Look Elsewhere

Book here if you are: A business traveller based in or visiting the City of London, a couple or solo traveller wanting more space than a standard hotel room, an extended-stay guest (a week or more) who will benefit from the kitchen and laundry facilities, a tourist wanting a premium base for exploring South and Central London.

Look elsewhere if you are: A pet owner, a family wanting a property with free-of-charge child policies, a budget traveller whose base rate needs to cover everything, or someone who needs a late checkout as standard.

How Does Marlin Apartments Empire Square Compare to Alternatives?

vs. Other Marlin Apartments London Properties

Marlin operates several aparthotel properties across London. Empire Square is their London Bridge flagship and is generally considered one of the stronger properties in the portfolio on the basis of location alone — SE1 is simply one of the most desirable and well-connected postcodes for both business and leisure visitors. If you’re weighing Empire Square against another Marlin property, the decision largely comes down to which part of London is most convenient for your specific itinerary.

vs. Traditional Hotels in London Bridge

This is where the aparthotel format makes its clearest argument. A standard 4-star hotel room in London Bridge will typically offer a fraction of the living space at a comparable or higher nightly rate. You won’t have a kitchen, a separate lounge, or laundry access. For a one-night stay, that trade-off is manageable. For three nights or more, the aparthotel wins on both space and total cost, particularly once you factor in the savings from self-catering even a few meals.

The catch is that traditional hotels often offer more extensive on-site food and beverage options — a restaurant, bar, or room service. Empire Square doesn’t have an in-house restaurant, so if you want the full hotel dining experience, a traditional property might suit you better.

vs. Named Competitors in the Southwark/London Bridge Area

The Southwark and Bermondsey area has seen real growth in serviced apartment options. Here’s how Marlin Empire Square stacks up against some of the most comparable alternatives:

Property	Star Rating	Approx. Nightly Rate	Key Differentiator
Marlin Apartments Empire Square	4-star	From ~£92	225 units, 24-hr concierge, welcome pack, SE1 location
Native Bankside	4-star	From ~£110	Design-led, Tate Modern adjacency, smaller scale
Staycity Aparthotels London Waterloo	3-star	From ~£75	Larger chain, Waterloo location, more budget-friendly
Turing Locke (Canary Wharf)	4-star	From ~£100	Modern design, Canary Wharf location, restaurant on site

Note: Nightly rates are approximate and subject to availability, season, and unit type. Always compare current rates across booking platforms before making a decision.

Marlin Empire Square’s competitive advantages in this context are its 24-hour concierge (not universal among serviced apartment providers), its award-winning building design, and its 225-unit scale — which means availability is more reliable than at smaller properties. Native Bankside is a closer stylistic competitor, with a similar boutique aesthetic, but typically commands a higher nightly rate. Staycity Waterloo is the more budget-conscious choice, though it sits in a different neighbourhood and lacks the same concierge depth.

For groups or corporate clients booking multiple units, the scale and professional management of a 225-apartment operation is a meaningful advantage over smaller serviced flat agencies, which can be less consistent in quality and service delivery.

The honest summary: Marlin Apartments Empire Square sits in a strong position in its market segment. It’s not the cheapest option in SE1, but it offers a combination of location, service, and space that justifies the pricing for most guest types.

Frequently Asked Questions

Marlin Apartments Empire Square is a well-appointed, thoughtfully run 4-star aparthotel in one of London’s most desirable and genuinely well-connected locations. The self-catering facilities, welcome pack, 24-hour concierge, and the sheer range of apartment types — from studios through to penthouses with panoramic skyline views — make it a particularly strong choice for business travellers and anyone staying for more than a couple of nights.

The watch-outs are real but manageable if you know about them going in: the 10:00–10:30 AM checkout will frustrate late risers and leisure travellers with afternoon departures; pets aren’t permitted; and families need to budget for additional crib and extra bed charges on top of the base rate. None of these are dealbreakers for the right traveller — they’re just things you should know before you book rather than after you arrive.

At rates from approximately £92 per night, the pricing is competitive for the London Bridge market, especially once you factor in the value of the kitchen facilities and the apartment-scale living space. Review scores across Booking.com (~8.2/10), TripAdvisor (~4/5), and Google (~4.3/5) consistently reflect a property that delivers on its core promise.

The overall verdict: a solid, well-located choice that earns its Editor’s Rating of 4/5 — particularly for business travellers, extended-stay guests, couples, and solo visitors exploring South and Central London.

Ready to book? Check the latest availability and rates for Marlin Apartments Empire Square on Booking.com or TravelStay, and use the reservations line (+44 808 164 1057) for group or long-stay enquiries. It’s worth comparing prices across platforms for your specific dates, as rates do vary. If you’re planning a longer stay, ask directly about extended-stay pricing — it’s not always advertised online, but it’s often available.

Note: Review scores cited in this article are approximate figures based on available data and are subject to change as new guest reviews are submitted. Always check each platform directly for the most current scores.