Hotel
BATTY LANGLEY'S
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.
BELMOND CADOGAN HOTEL
The Belmond Cadogan is a 5-star boutique hotel located on Sloane Street that first opened in 1887 but recently underwent a multi-million pound renovation. Marble bathrooms, luxury toiletries and plush bedding is standard across all rooms with the fancy suites also boasting walk-in closets and sweeping views. This iconic luxury hotel is also home to a restaurant headed by British chef Adam Handling, the secret green hideaway Cadogan Place Gardens (which only guests have access to) and a Royal Suite in which Oscar Wilde was once arrested.
CASA BONAY
Casa Bonay is one of Barcelona’s best boutique design hotels, and is excellent value too. Once a private home, the building has been converted into a very cool hotel with a bar in the former garage and a hipster coffee shop at the front called Satan’s Coffee. The rooms are cosy size-wise but well designed with mosaic-tiled floors, high ceilings, and modern furniture. We love the little roof top too which as a little bar and restaurant, plus a small garden area reserved just for hotel guests. It’s got a great location too and you can walk most places, perhaps with the odd cab home at the end of the night.
THE HOXTON PARIS
Set in an 18th Century Hotel Particular, with many of the original features still intact, this glamorous addition to The Hoxton family has 172 bedrooms, two courtyards, a modern French brasserie, Jacques Bar, an atmospheric lobby, and vaulted meeting and event space. But the best thing about this place is the design – every nook and cranny has been perfectly curated. There’s a 300 year old spiral staircase, original iron columns, tiles from the 18th Century and exposed timber beams in some of the 4th-floor bedrooms. Our fave spot right now? That’ll be Jacques bar with floral wallpaper, tasselled lamps, fluted sofas and palms…
THE HOXTON SHOREDITCH
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 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.
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.
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.