The Best London Hotels
The Best London Hotels
London hotels are among the best in the world. Whether you’re a Londoner looking for a little staycation or visiting the Big Smoke and wondering where to lay your head, our map has all of our favourite hotels in London. From design-led boutique numbers to five-star luxury, hotels in London cover every kind of style and budget imaginable so there’s always something to suit everyone. Below are some of London’s classic hotels that have stood the test of time; but if you’re itching to try something brand new, check out our guide to all the best London hotels opening in 2024.
Given it’s one of the most bustling areas of town, East London boasts plenty of options when it comes to somewhere to lay your head – and naturally, they all look cool as well as being comfortable. The Hoxton, Shoreditch is the original east end design hotel, having been on the block since 2006. There are now more Hoxton hotels in London, including Holborn, Shepherd’s Bush and Southwark, and there are a whole lot more that have clearly been inspired by their interiors. There’s long been a destination hotel on Shoreditch High Street – for many years it was the Ace, now it’s One Hundred Shoreditch, complete with a rooftop bar and cocktail bar Seed Library. And for those of you who like the convenience of hotels with the freedom of apartment living, aparthotel group Locke Living has a property in the heart of Dalston.
Of course nowhere does luxury quite like London, as proven by a recent spate of super high-end hotels. We’ve had the stalwarts like The Ritz, Claridge’s, The Connaught, The Dorchester, The Lanesborough and The Langham offering everything one could possibly want from a hotel (and for a hefty price). But with the arrival of Mandarin Oriental Mayfair, The Peninsula London and the behemoth that is Raffles London at The OWO, London is the perfect playground for those whom money is no object.
THE BOTREE
The BoTree hotel is all about conscious luxury set across 199 rooms, including 30 suites. Examples of this are in abundance throughout the hotel, such as the use of Jo Loves products, all vegan and natural with packaging made using Ocean Bound Plastic; pillows made from recycled post-consumer waste plastic bottles; and motion sensors to turn off lights and heating. The lobby is stunning, filled with fashion flowers, comfy couches and art on every wall, and if there’s no art then it’s because it’s a floor-to-ceiling glass window. The suites are flooded with light from the huge windows overlooking central London and filled with light wood panelling, bold furniture, huge beds, dual sinks and walk-in rain showers in the bathroom, and Dyson appliances. The in-house restaurant Lavo is all about Italian food with a playful twist, which means massive 500g wagyu and Italian pork sausage meatballs with marinara sauce and 20-layer peanut butter cakes – skip this and you’ll have to live with the regrets.
One hotel closes, another one opens. One Hundred Shoreditch, from the Lore Group (who are also behind Sea Containers and Pulitzer Amsterdam) has moved into the site once occupied by the Ace Hotel. The property boasts 258 bedrooms and a whopping six restaurants and bars, including destination cocktail bar Seed Library from Ryan Chetiyawardana aka Mr Lyan, which’ll shake up new takes on classic serves; a lobby bar; a coffee shop; and a roof terrace with panoramic views over the city.
RAFFLES LONDON AT THE OWO
Years in the making, Raffles London at The OWO is not only the first Raffles hotel in London but the rejuvenation of an iconic building with a remarkable history. Completed in 1906, the Old War Office carries long associations with great figures of the twentieth century, from Winston Churchill to Ian Fleming, who was inspired by the building’s resident spies to create the James Bond series. As well as luxury rooms and suites (plus some seriously swanky residencies), a Guerlain spa and high-spec wellness centre, the big draw at Raffles at The OWO is the food. Superstar chef Mauro Colagreco, who’s behind the former World No 1 restaurant, the three Michelin-starred Mirazur in the south of France, has two spots here – the fine-dining self-titled Mauro Colagraco at Raffles London at The OWO and Saison – but there’s also Paper Moon, Cafe Laperouse, Langosteria and Kioku by Endo to keep you busy.
The London outpost of the US hotel group is housed in the former Camden Town Hall Annex in King’s Cross. The Standard features 266 rooms from snug hideaways to terraced suites with outdoor tubs – imagine the views from there. They’ve also added three storeys to the top of the building, only accessible by their iconic exterior red pill lift, where you’ll find Decimo, a Spanish-inspired restaurant headed by Michelin-starred chef Peter Sanchez-Iglesias. There are more eating and drinking options on the ground floor with restaurant Isla and bar Double Standard. There’s a real 70’s California vibe going on inside, with lots of mahogany, plush leather and pops of colour. This place is highly Instagrammable and a hot new addition to London.
NOBU HOTEL SHOREDITCH
With 164 guest rooms and suites, the world-renowned Nobu restaurant, NAMI bar, alfresco terrace and a tranquil spa and gym, Nobu Hotel has a lot to offer the short stay visitor, making more than jut a base to throw your bags in and head out again. Given its position in Shoreditch and near to the City, it is a great option location wise and with so much to explore right on the doorstep, there’s plenty of fun to be found outside as well as inside Nobu. The Yuhi bedrooms are a blend of Shoreditch loft and Japanese Ryokan with warm wood tones, brushed gold accents, dark parquet floors, a custom-designed ceiling and wallpaper by Shoreditch based-artist Richard Harding, and huge king beds. You can dine on Nobu signatures like black cod miso and wagyu beef at the restaurant and then you can zen out at the hotel spa. A real touch of luxury in the heart of East London.
MANDARIN ORIENTAL MAYFAIR
One of the more prolific hotel groups, the Mandarin Oriental now boasts a second London site – not too far away from the other one. The new hotel is on Hanover Square, Mayfair’s oldest square, which is just under a 30 minute walk from the Hyde Park location. Unlike the first, however, the new Mandarin Oriental is housed inside a new build and offers a more intimate experience, with only 50 guest rooms (as opposed to 168 at Hyde Park) and 78 private residencies. There are also restaurants and a lounge by Michelin-starred chef Akira Back, a destination spa and large indoor swimming pool.
190 bedrooms and suites, 25 opulent residencies, a spa, an indoor pool, a retail arcade and a ballroom makes for one hell of a hotel but The Peninsula London gets even more impressive when you look at the food and drink options. Claude Bosi oversees the two-star modern European rooftop restaurant Brooklands, inspired by classic British aviation and motorsport, with an overhead scale model of Concorde, rare motoring memorabilia and a rotating display of classic cars from the Brooklands racetrack inside. The ground floor of the hotel is home to Chinese restaurant Canton Blue, headed up by Chef Dicky To, which celebrates the spice trade link between Asia and Britain across the dining room and Little Blue Bar. You can also indulge in afternoon tea and an all-day menu of classic dishes to a soundtrack of live music at The Lobby restaurant, with grab-and-go food available at The Peninsula Boutique & Cafe.
The Hoxton, Shoreditch is the original east end design hotel, having been on the block since 2006. The hotel has 211 rooms, which are compact but perfect for city stays, and with a restaurant and lobby below that’s buzzing 24/7 there’s really no reason to be in your room other than to sleep. The rooms all come with free breakfast bag, water and a mini fridge to stock with booze from the lobby shop at supermarket prices although we’d recommend checking out the avo on toast for breakfast – it’s our fave avo in London. Be sure to check out the cultural events programme whilst you’re there too and really submerse yourself in the local culture.
Soho’s Ham Yard Hotel is A LOT more than just a hotel. Oh yes, this place has rooms 91 rooms, a roof terrace, outdoor terrace on the ground floor, bowling alley in the basement, cinema room, conservatory, bar and restaurant. It’s HUGE. The Deluxe Rooms come with floor to ceiling windows, a big comfy bed, sofa and impressive bathroom with big bath and TV, walk-in shower and two basins. The breakfast menu beats your usual greasy offerings with a small cold buffet table (hello fresh cakes, pastries, fruit, granola) and a menu featuring the likes of baked eggs, black pudding with bubble and squeak, and avocado on rye.
THE MANDRAKE
The five-star luxury boutique Mandrake Hotel is a bit of a mysterious one, housed inside a converted RIBA award-winning building on Newman Street. The subdued corridor paves the way into the lobby where the dark interiors continue with a mix of art featuring mythological creatures and scenes of nature. The rooms come with top amenities – big beds, Italian linens, rainfall showers, Grown Alchemist products, flatscreen TV – but if you can, you’ll want to nab one with a balcony overlooking the hanging garden and courtyard. The Mandrake’s main restaurant Yopo is South American-inspire, and there are more creatures to marvel at during a meal, including a giant ostrich-like beast, which has a rather impressive headdress and snakeskin running down its entire neck. After dins, the bar picks up as the DJ provides a backdrop of beats for the crowd gearing up for a night out – the hotel is a popular party destination Thursday through Saturday. If you love an early night, then maybe this isn’t for you as it’s all about joining in the experience at The Mandrake.
The Culpeper in Spitalfields is already one of our fave pubs in town and their bedrooms on the second floor, make us love it even more. The rooms are simple in design and decor, with distressed walls, but fear not, all of the technology and soft furnishings are modern and well-sourced – yes Netflix is built into the TV. But the best thing about the rooms? Well, it’s that you get the chance to completely indulge below and stumble upstairs to bed.
The Halkin was one of the first luxury boutique hotels to open in London, and it’s still one of the best. Located in an old Georgian townhouse in Belgravia, the property only has 41 rooms that are filled with natural light and have a simple, relaxed aesthetic. The marble-covered ensuite bathroom is pretty dreamy too and includes a deep bath with a separate shower. The Halkin has understated charm and luxury in spades – if we didn’t already live here, we’d be happy to make The Halkin our London home from home.
The Soho House group transformed the old Midland Bank in the City, designed by architect Sir Edwin Lutyens, into The Ned, a mighty luxury hotel. It’s a nod to 1920s glamour – think crystal chandeliers, marble columns and frilly lampshades, with many of the building’s original features still intact. The 250 bedrooms range from intimate crash pads to large-scale suites and it’s also home to eight restaurants (including Cecconi’s, Malibu Kitchen, and Electric Bar & diner), a rooftop bar, two pools and a spa. It’s as boujee as they come.
Home to Jason Atherton’s restaurant Berners Tavern, The London Edition is much more than just a hotel. The 170 rooms and pretty swishy penthouse have a Swedish feel to them with wood panelled walls, parquet floors and faux fur brown throws on the beds. Expect rain showers, Le Labo products and all the latest tech too. With a cocktail bar, basement club and pool table in the lobby, you’ll never want to leave.
The second hotel in The Hoxton series opened in Holborn in 2014. There are 174 rooms, which come in four different categories. All rooms have black-out curtains and super comfy beds so be sure to double set your alarm… And with the usual Hox perks including one hour of free phone calls worldwide, super fast free WiFi, a breakfast bag filled with snacks and a fridge with free water and fresh milk, you’ll never wanna leave. Downstairs there’s also a restaurant and bar, nail salon, a coffee shop in the form of Holborn Grind and Chicken Shop. Yes, The Hoxton, Holborn ticks all our boxes.
If you’re looking to stay in London without breaking the bank, then there are always great options if you look outside of zone one. The Dorsett in Shepherd’s Bush launched last year and fits the bill nicely for a stylish yet budget friendly London stay, overlooking the green and right next to Shepherd’s Bush Empire – so close that we could see into the artist dressing rooms from our window. The rooms are clean and spacious and are decorated in a Chinese style in a nod to the brand’s Asian origins in Hong Kong, China and Malaysia. It was great to have floor to ceiling windows all around as we were treated to some picture perfect views of the summer sunset over London. Rooms are bang up to date with the latest technology too, including an iPod dock for playing tunes, flat screen TV and, best of all, a smartphone for guests to use throughout their stay. This includes phone calls, internet, and even a built in London city guide which is a very nice touch indeed.
Located in the heart of Spitalfields the Batty Langley’s hotel, by its own admission, has a pretty strange name. The 29 bedroom hotel dates back to 1724 with Georgian interiors as opulent as one might expect from an 18th century architect’s residence. Think thick draped curtains, huge oil paintings with golden frames on every wall, open fireplaces and bookshelves filled with big leather-bound books. The hotel doesn’t have a restaurant but they do serve breakfast in bed and they make a mean bacon butty. There’s also a living room, fully stocked library, honesty bar with complimentary cake and a small outside courtyard for guests to use. With its decadent design, interesting past and charming location Batty’s is ideal for those looking to stay somewhere a little different.
The St Pancras Renaissance Hotel is one mighty impressive building. Even those who haven’t been inside will have probably seen various parts of the hotel on TV – yes it was the staircase in the Spice Girls ‘Wannabe’ video. It’s grand and decadent with high ceilings and huge corridors, made so for ladies in the olden days who wore massive skirts so that they could walk along them without getting stuck, and the rooms come with plenty of five-star touches. The hotel is also home to the Booking Office restaurant with a 29-metre-long bar and classic English grub.
If you’re after somewhere that offers more that just a bed, head for one of these 124 apartments in the heart of Dalston with interiors just as vibrant as the neighbourhood itself. Staying at Kingsland Locke also means having run of their social spaces, including a co-working lounge, coffee shop, workout studio and microbrewery. Drinks from German Kraft Brewery and Jim & tonic, and food from Le Bab? Check us in. The whole place is inspired by the local surroundings and we bet you feel like a proper Londoner after settling down here.
The Tommyfield has long been one of Kennington’s best gastro pubs, with a great menu of homemade pies, fish and chips and steaks. And with six boutique hotel bedrooms on the upper floors and rates starting at £99, it’s also a great shout for a budget stay in London. The rooms are not a massive size but nicely designed and feel really cosy, with designer light fixtures, king size beds and modern artwork.
If you were spending a couple of nights on this part of Tooley Street back in the day, you’d probably be in quite a bit of trouble as it used to be home to a magistrates’ court. Now you won’t find yourself in the dock (unless you’re drinking in the Courtroom Bar) as the space has been transformed into The Dixon hotel. As well as the aforementioned bar, the hotel is home to the very Insta friendly Provisioners restaurant and 193 swish bedrooms with original Edwardian features, grey timber furniture, king size beds and Murdock London toiletries. And once you step outside, you’ve got the best of SE1 right on your doorstep.
On the cusp of south London, just over from Blackfriars Bridge, is the Bankside Hotel which opened up in 2019. Art and design is a huge focus at Bankside; the industrial-chic interiors pay homage to the history of the area whilst still remaining inviting, and the lobby is home to a curated collection of multi-disciplinary art put together by designer Dayna Lee. The hotel has 161 rooms ranging from a modest double to their biggest suite, and they come with Grown Alchemist bathroom products, remote-controlled blackout blinds, Chromecast, and a Nespresso coffee machine. Sadly there isn’t a spa to relax and unwind in, but you can enjoy a 24 hour gym in case you get the urge to throw kettlebells around in the middle of the night.