London – like any capital city – has a huge choice of comfortable places to stay, but how do you find the perfect spot for your trip?
Whether you’re looking for a prime location, fabulous interiors, or a delicious breakfast, there’ll be something to suit you. Below, we’ve handpicked some of the very best hotels in the capital, perfect for treating yourself to an extra special stay.
1. The Hari
A warm and friendly, yet luxurious home-from-home, The Hari in Belgravia has bags of style. Step inside the striking exterior and appreciate airy decor, featuring exposed brick, glass, and neutral tones. Rooms are modern and uncluttered with plush marble bathrooms, and you can even control the blinds with the touch of a button – perfect for a lazy Sunday morning.
One for the art buffs, The Hari’s walls are lined with ever-changing art exhibitions, and it’s just a short walk to the V&A Museum and Saatchi Gallery.
Popular Italian restaurant Il Pampero serves up classics including fried seafood and pasta cacio e pepe. And, to quench your thirst, why not try the hotel’s in-house gin, infused with Indian spices?
2. The Savoy
The Savoy has been welcoming guests since 1889 and has a reputation as one of the finest hotels in the city. Book a suite overlooking the Thames for incredible river views and a truly memorable stay.
Tucked away off London’s bustling Strand, this iconic grande dame welcomes guests with a majestic Art Deco frontage. The world famous American Bar serves up excellent cocktails, and sister Beaufort Bar is equally worth a visit.
Rooms vary in style and are airy with large picture windows – many reveal unbeatable skyline views. Bathtubs are huge; perfect for soaking sore feet after a day of sightseeing. And should you need anything at all – well, just ring for the butler.
3. The Pilgrm
This great-value hotel is right by Paddington Station and is perfect for guests arriving from Oxford, the Cotswolds, and the West Country.
Located in a restored Victorian building, interiors at The Pilgrm are stylish and rooms are comfortable. All day dining – including a delicious brunch menu – is served up in the lounge, and there’s a terrace to be enjoyed when the weather is fine.
The hotel has a focus on sustainability, so includes reclaimed and restored furniture, an abundance of plants (rather than fresh-cut flowers), and a seasonal menu. Complimentary still and sparkling water is on tap here, and you can ask for a reusable bottle at check in.
Attractive Kensington Gardens and the rest of Hyde Park are a short stroll away.
4. The Standard London
The Standard London is a super-smart hotel that’s in a prime location to enjoy the extensively regenerated Kings Cross Station and the boutiques and eateries at nearby Coal Drops Yard.
Fans of brutalism architecture will appreciate the exterior (this was once part of Camden Town Hall) and you can enjoy a ride to 10th floor restaurant Decimo in the fun, pill-shaped lift. Then, be sure to stick around for a bite to eat from the kitchen of Michelin-starred chef Peter Sanchez-Iglesias, who’s created a delicious Spanish-Mexican menu.
The hotel’s interiors are a fabulous hotch-potch of looks from across the decades, which somehow all work together – you’ll spot motifs from the Memphis design movement sat alongside textiles inspired by Transport for London. Bedrooms are retro-inspired, with accents of dark wood and splashes of colour.
5. Corinthia London
This showstopper of a hotel is regal and traditional on the outside whilst sleek and luxurious on the inside. Corinthia London is one of the most stylish accommodation choices in the capital and a great option for a special-occasion stay.
Interiors are gorgeous and exquisite craftsmanship and attractive design are everywhere. The impressive lobby is dominated by an incredible crystal-studded chandelier, which twinkles in the light.
There’s a fantastic spa here too – a temple to wellness covering 35,000 feet spread over four floors, decorated in opulent-yet-tasteful black and champagne colours. Seventeen treatment rooms offer ESPA treatments and Dr Barbara Sturm facials (although be aware it gets busy at peak times).
The hotel’s location is also unbeatable; you’ll be within easy reach of Trafalgar Square, Buckingham Palace, Theatre Land, and Covent Garden.
6. Artist Residence
This quiet boutique townhouse hotel in Pimlico is the London outpost of popular hotel brand Artist Residence. They first opened in trendy Brighton, where artists were offered free board in return for their creative input, and now have establishments across the country.
As you might expect, there’s plenty of artwork to be appreciated here, as well as restored original features and reclaimed furniture. The location is ideal for enjoying charming Belgravia and visiting the landmarks of Westminster and Chelsea, and Victoria Station is a five-minute walk away.
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7. Sea Containers
Stay at Sea Containers and you’ll be rewarded with one of the best views in London. This hotel has an enviable location on the South Bank and, from here, you can walk all over London, taking in Borough Market, the Tate Modern, and the Barbican.
A riverfront suite offers sensational views, allowing you to play spot-the-landmark in the skyline views. But, for an even better look, head to Knot Bar on the 12th floor. Or, for cocktails, try the riverfront bar, Lyaness, overseen by world-renowned mixologist Ryan Chetiyawardana.
Tom Dixon is the star designer of the hotel’s interiors and there’s plenty to admire, from hammered-copper walls in the restaurant to an impressive blue sculpture in the lobby.
8. Z Hotel Holborn
Z Hotel Holborn is close to Holborn tube station and housed in a neoclassical building. Here, you can find rooms for more affordable prices without having to compromise on location. Though, be aware that the cheapest rooms are fairly no frills – there’s no window and space is tight – so, you’ll need to splash out on a higher category room if you’d like natural light and additional space.
In Holborn, you’re close to cultural hub Somerset House, as well as Covent Garden, the British Museum, and Farringdon.
9. Rubens at the Palace
For a royal experience, stay at Rubens at the Palace, which overlooks the mews at Buckingham Palace. Bedrooms have a regal theme and there are lots of plush textiles and dark wood tones.
The fine dining restaurant offers up Modern British favourites, and there’s also a Curry Room should you prefer an Indian meal. Plus, afternoon tea is served here, too.
At Ruben’s, you’re in a great location for exploring London’s major sites, and it’s easy to pop along and watch the Changing of the Guard or take a stroll through Green Park.
10. The Beaumont Mayfair
Nestled on a quiet square, the 1920s exterior of The Beaumont is adorned with an unmissable Antony Gormley artwork.
The Beaumont embodies old-school charm reminiscent of The Great Gatsby, with delightful Art Deco touches. Cherry wood panelling mixes with polished black and white chequerboard floors and a bold range of early 20th-century artworks. The feel is fun yet sophisticated, and the soothing jazz-age tunes in the background create a laid-back atmosphere.
The restaurant is the creation of the people behind the Wolseley, and it’s excellent, with delicious offerings including grill classics, whipped potatoes, and lavish sundaes. There’s a fantastic bar here, too – Le Magritte – which will transport you to 1920s New York with its array of bourbons and whiskies. Why not go all out and order from the oyster and caviar menu?
11. Harbour Hotel and Spa Richmond
For a London stay with a difference, consider checking into the Harbour Hotel and Spa Richmond in one of the city’s leafiest boroughs. The Harbour Hotel brand is known for its nautical escapes and, here, its airy coastal charm has been transported to beside the Thames, in a beautiful Georgian building at the top of Richmond Hill.
Decor is fresh with vibrant pops of colour, and the highlight is arguably the indulgent spa which is complete with a swimming pool, sauna, steam room, gym, and spin studio.
Nearby is Richmond Park with its plentiful walking paths, gorgeous rhododendrons, and majestic deer. And a bracing 15-minute walk downhill will take you to popular Petersham Nurseries, perfect for an afternoon tea and perhaps purchasing a plant or two.
12. The Pelham London
Indulge yourself with a stay at this five-star period hotel in South Kensington, right around the corner from cultural hotspots like the V&A, the Natural History Museum, and the Royal Albert Hall.
Celebrated hotelier and interior designer Kit Kemp is behind The Pelham’s interiors, so whichever of the 52 rooms and suites you choose to stay in, you can guarantee an impeccably stylish stay. The hotel comprises four former townhouses, so is a homely warren of staircases and corridors, with a welcoming wood-panelled lounge perfect for kicking back in with the Sunday papers.
Italian restaurant La Trattoria serves up flavourful dishes including homemade orecchiette pasta, sea bass, and tiramisu. Or you may want to choose the delicious afternoon tea.
13. 11 Cadogan Gardens
11 Cadogan Gardens is in the heart of Chelsea and exudes an air of exclusivity, with opulent décor juxtaposed with an understated, (purposefully) faded feel. There are plenty of nooks and crannies to hide in – choose from the library, lounge, bar, reception, patio, or the impressive Mirror Room.
Bedrooms vary from more traditionally furnished spaces with four poster beds and plush drapes to contemporary rooms with neutral tones and fluffy carpets. For a bit more space, you can choose a fully serviced apartment in their sister property around the corner.
Popular restaurant Hans’ Bar and Grill attracts the locals and offers Modern British all-day dining, with some plant-based dishes also on the menu.
14. The Rookery
The Rookery is one of London’s oldest hotels, founded in 1764, and it’s certainly one of the quirkiest. Stay here and you’ll be transported back in time; with carefully-restored interiors that evoke the past, including carved four posters, wood panelling, flagstone floors, and plentiful antiques.
Rest your feet after a day of exploring in the characterful lounge areas; perfect for relaxing with a book from the hotel’s library and a tipple from the honesty bar.
From here, you can easily reach the Barbican and St Paul’s Cathedral, and the Tate Modern is a picturesque 30-minute stroll across the river.
Final thoughts…
London is a varied, vibrant place with something for everyone – whether you enjoy browsing the shops and tucking into afternoon tea, or immersing yourself in excellent art galleries and museums. And luckily, there are plenty of fantastic hotels to stay in to enjoy the best it has to offer.
For further reading, you might like to read our article: 14 things to do and places to visit on a London city break. Or, you can explore London travel deals below.
Have you stayed in any of these hotels? Or are you planning to book one? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below.