The InterContinental London – The O2 by IHG is a five-star hotel that stakes its reputation on location. Purpose-built for event-goers and conference delegates, the property sits on the Greenwich Peninsula and connects directly to The O2 arena via a covered walkway. This review draws on the hotel’s official site, IHG’s brand page, and independent comparison sources to help you decide whether the O2 property fits your stay.
Last checked: 2026-08-12
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Property: InterContinental London – The O2 by IHG · Location: Greenwich Peninsula, London · Star rating: 5-star · O2 access: Covered walkway connection
How we researched this
Last checked: 2026-08-12.
Sources reviewed: official property website, IHG brand page, Visit Greenwich tourism site, Tripadvisor, KAYAK, Hotels.com, The Points Guy, IHG PLC news release.
No on-site inspection was conducted; no staff interviews; no independent price verification.
Snapshot: InterContinental London – The O2
- Five-star luxury on the IHG booking page and third-party OTAs, confirming the hotel’s upscale tier. (IHG)
- Direct covered walkway linking the hotel to The O2; event-goers do not need a street-level route or taxi. (Visit Greenwich)
- Riverside location on the Greenwich Peninsula, with official and third-party descriptions highlighting Thames and Canary Wharf views. (IHG)
- InterContinental is IHG’s luxury tier; the O2 property sits within IHG, not Hilton, making the IHG vs Hilton question a group-level comparison. (IHG hotels-near page)
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Property | InterContinental London – The O2 by IHG |
| Location | Greenwich Peninsula, London |
| Star rating | 5-star |
| O2 access | Covered walkway connection |
| Rooms and suites | 453 (Official site) |
| Opening year | 2016 (IHG PLC) |
| Meeting space | 3,100 sqm pillar-free ballroom + 19 additional rooms (IHG PLC) |
Where is the InterContinental hotel O2?
The InterContinental London – The O2 by IHG is located at 1 Waterview Drive, Greenwich Peninsula, London SE10 0TW. The hotel sits directly on the south bank of the Thames, within the Greenwich Peninsula development. IHG lists the address on its official property page (IHG detail page).
The O2 arena, one of London’s largest entertainment venues, is accessible via a covered walkway from the hotel. Visit Greenwich describes the connection as a “private walkway,” and notes the hotel also runs a complimentary shuttle to North Greenwich tube station (Visit Greenwich).
The area around the hotel includes riverside paths, the Thames Clipper pier, and Canary Wharf visible across the water. KAYAK places the hotel 5.4 miles from central London, confirming its east-of-river position (KAYAK).
Is InterContinental a high-end hotel?
Yes – the InterContinental brand occupies IHG’s top tier, and this property is classified as five-star on multiple booking platforms. The official IHG page uses the phrase “luxury hotel near The O2” (IHG).
Amenities include three on-site restaurants, two bars, a spa, an indoor pool, and what IHG calls “spacious rooms and suites” – 453 in total. The hotel also functions as a dedicated conference centre, with a 3,100sqm pillar-free ballroom – one of the largest in Europe, according to IHG’s 2016 launch release (IHG PLC). The property opened in 2016, making it a relatively modern build compared to many central London luxury hotels.
The Points Guy includes InterContinental London – The O2 in its list of best hotels in London, alongside The Savoy, Claridge’s, and The Peninsula, though it notes the O2 property appeals more to event-goers and business travellers than to prestige-seekers (The Points Guy).
“InterContinental London – The O2 is a luxury hotel and purpose built conference centre.”
– Visit Greenwich (Visit Greenwich)
Can you walk from Canary Wharf to The O2 Arena?
No – Canary Wharf and The O2 sit on opposite sides of the Thames. The closest walking route would require crossing the river via the Greenwich foot tunnel (north entrance near the Cutty Sark), then walking south-east to the arena – roughly a 30–40 minute walk. The more practical route is the Jubilee line from Canary Wharf to North Greenwich station (one stop, less than 5 minutes), which connects directly to The O2.
From the InterContinental, guests use the covered walkway connecting the hotel to the arena. For local transport, the hotel offers a free shuttle to North Greenwich station, according to Visit Greenwich. For those wanting a scenic route, the Thames Clipper fast boat from Canary Wharf to North Greenwich pier is a 10–15 minute river ride.
Which hotels are walking distance to The O2? The InterContinental is the only hotel directly linked to the venue. The IHG “hotels near the O2” page lists Crowne Plaza London Docklands and Holiday Inn Express London Limehouse as nearby alternatives, but neither has a walkway (IHG).
Which is better, IHG or Hilton?
IHG and Hilton are separate global hotel groups, and “better” depends on the specific property. InterContinental is IHG’s luxury brand; Hilton’s equivalent is Waldorf Astoria. For a stay at The O2, the InterContinental is the only direct luxury option from either group – Hilton does not operate a property with arena-level proximity.
The IHG Group manages a wider range of price points near the O2, including Crowne Plaza London Docklands and Holiday Inn Express London Limehouse. Hilton’s closest hotel is the DoubleTree by Hilton London – Docklands Riverside, about a 20-minute walk from the arena. For a five-star experience, the InterContinental is the most convenient.
A separate question that often arises: “Which hotel chain does Bill Gates own?” The source set does not link Bill Gates to IHG or Hilton – his hotel holdings are a separate matter. For the O2 decision, property specifics matter far more than group ownership.
Spec sheet: InterContinental London – The O2 by IHG
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Address | 1 Waterview Drive, Greenwich Peninsula, London SE10 0TW |
| Star rating | 5-star |
| Rooms and suites | 453 |
| Restaurants and bars | 3 restaurants, 2 bars |
| Spa and pool | Spa, indoor pool |
| Meeting and events | 3,100 sqm pillar-free ballroom (capacity: 3,000+ delegates), 19 meeting rooms |
| O2 connection | Covered walkway |
| Transport | Free shuttle to North Greenwich station (Jubilee line), Thames Clipper pier adjacent |
| Opening year | 2016 |
Pros and cons
- Covered walkway to The O2 – best access for event-goers
- Large pillar-free ballroom one of Europe’s largest – ideal for conferences
- Thames-side location with views of Canary Wharf
- Newer build (2016) with modern amenities
- 5.4 miles from central London – less convenient for sightseeing
- No independent review scores provided in source set to verify guest satisfaction
- Parking and breakfast details not confirmed in official materials – verify directly with hotel
- Not a traditional prestige address like Mayfair or Park Lane
Best for these traveller segments
- O2 concert and event-goers: The covered walkway is unmatched; no need to book transport to the arena.
- Business travellers with meetings at Canary Wharf or The O2: Direct shuttle to North Greenwich and tube connectivity; the conference centre can host large-scale events.
- Luxury spa weekend guests: The on-site spa and indoor pool offer a full leisure package without leaving the hotel.
- London City Airport travellers: The hotel is about 15 minutes by taxi from London City Airport, making it a convenient pre- or post-flight stop.
“The hotel boasts a 3,100sqm pillar-free ballroom – one of the largest in Europe.”
– IHG, 2016 launch release (IHG PLC)
Pricing band
The hotel is positioned as a luxury-tier property; nightly rates are not confirmed in the source set. IHG’s official website and OTAs will show dynamic pricing. Based on third-party listings, expect a range aligned with other InterContinental London properties – above Crowne Plaza but below ultra-luxury venues like The Savoy or Claridge’s. For specific rates, check the hotel’s booking page directly.
Alternative hotels near The O2 and in London
For readers weighing options, here is a compact comparison of the InterContinental London – The O2 with two other London InterContinental properties and two nearby IHG alternatives.
| Hotel | Area | Positioning | O2 access |
|---|---|---|---|
| InterContinental London – The O2 | Greenwich Peninsula | 5-star luxury and conference centre | Covered walkway |
| InterContinental London Mayfair | Mayfair, central London | 5-star boutique luxury | Tube and taxi, approximately 30 min |
| InterContinental London Park Lane | Park Lane, central London | 5-star iconic luxury | Tube and taxi, approximately 30 min |
| Crowne Plaza London Docklands | Docklands, near Canary Wharf | 4-star business hotel | Tube and 15 min walk |
| Holiday Inn Express London Limehouse | Limehouse, east London | 3-star value | Tube and 20 min |
The Mayfair and Park Lane properties offer central access and prestige, but lack the O2-connected convenience. The Crowne Plaza and Holiday Inn Express are lower-cost options within the IHG family, suited for budget-conscious travellers.
Our pick recommendation
Who should book the InterContinental London – The O2:
- Event-goers who want covered, on-site access to The O2 (concerts, sports, shows)
- Business travellers who value a 5-star IHG property with large meeting spaces
- Luxury travellers who accept a Greenwich Peninsula base for the views and river access
- Spa-and-riverside-view travellers looking for a weekend with an indoor pool
Who may prefer an alternative: Central London sightseers should choose Mayfair or Park Lane; price-sensitive visitors can look at Crowne Plaza London Docklands.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the capacity for the InterContinental O2?
The hotel has 453 bedrooms and suites. The conference facilities include a 3,100 sqm pillar-free ballroom that can accommodate over 3,000 delegates. These numbers come from IHG’s official property site and the IHG PLC launch release (Official site).
Does the InterContinental O2 have guest parking?
Contact the hotel directly or check the IHG booking page for parking availability and fees.
Does the InterContinental London – The O2 by IHG serve breakfast?
No confirmed breakfast information was found in the official sources used for this review. Verify with the hotel or check recent guest photos on review platforms.
Can I book InterContinental London – The O2 by IHG directly?
Yes – reservations can be made on the IHG website (IHG booking page) or through the hotel’s own site at https://iclondon-theo2.com/.
Where can I see recent photos of the property?
Recent photos are available on the IHG hotel detail page and Google Business profile. The official hotel site also hosts a gallery.
Which hotel chain does Bill Gates own?
Bill Gates, through Cascade Investment, holds a stake in the Four Seasons chain. The source set does not link him to IHG or Hilton. For the O2 decision, property details matter more than billionaire ownership.
Sources cited
- IHG – InterContinental London – The O2 hotel detail
- InterContinental London – The O2 official website
- Visit Greenwich – venue profile
- IHG PLC news release – 2016 opening
- IHG hotels near The O2 page
- The Points Guy – Best hotels in London
- KAYAK – InterContinental London – The O2
- Hotels.com – InterContinental London – The O2
- Tripadvisor UK – InterContinental / IHG hotels in London