From east to west, north to south, Mayfair to the City, these are the hotel that most impress for their design, service, food and attention to detail.
The Connaught, Mayfair
For: gourmet wow-factor
When you’re visiting a culinary-powerhouse city like London, staying in your hotel to eat is a no-no – that is, unless you’re booked at The Connaught, where the dining venues are half the reason to come. At this Mayfair icon you’ll sip the world’s best martinis from Master Mixologist Agostino Perrone in the Connaught Bar, dine on three-Michelin-starred fare at Hélène Darroze’s wood-panelled restaurant and nibble impeccable patisserie from acclaimed pâtissier Nicolas Rouzaud’s in-house bakery. This being the Maybourne group – also of Claridge’s and The Emory fame – service is polished and design ageless, with rooms oozing cross-century glamour.
From £930. book it here
The Peninsula London, Belgravia
For: tech meets timelessness
The Peninsula may have been born abroad but its pillbox-hatted bellhops, impeccable service and Rolls-Royce private transfers feel so attuned to the hotel’s Belgravia location it’s already a London institution just two years after opening. Adjacent to Wellington Arch on Hyde Park Corner, it’s a rare new-build in this iconic location, giving you the best of both worlds: prime SW1X postcode and a hotel that works in a modern age (think: excellent soundproofing, spacious rooms and plenty of natural light).
Seamless tech is subtly integrated at every turn, from do-it-all touch pads in rooms to the subterranean spa, where exclusive Ricari Method treatments employ a space age-style machine to detoxify skin and ixnay excess inches. In Peninsula tradition, the lobby is rebranded from transient space to a place to be, with a humming restaurant serving opulent breakfasts and afternoon teas under a soaring ceiling, and a pianist tickling the keys. Up on the eighth floor two-Michelin-starred Brooklands by Claude Bosi has an adjoining aviation- and motorsport-themed bar serving a mean daiquiri.
From £1,300. book it here
Kimpton Fitzroy, Bloomsbury
For: lobby grandeur
Perched on the northeast corner of Russell Square, this Bloomsbury staple has some seriously Instagrammable spaces, in particular a grand bronze-marbled lobby – complete with soaring columns, opulent mosaic floors and bas-relief archways. The space particularly comes into its own in festive months, when you can drift through the wooden double doors and past the twinkling Christmas tree to moody Fitz’s bar, warmed by a crackling fire. In contrast to the Victorian opulence of the public spaces, the bedrooms are all calming whites and taupes, with draped four-posters and grey-veined stone.
From £255. book it here
Broadwick Soho Hotel, Soho
For: sexy Soho style
Whereas so many hotels languish in blandness, this Soho newcomer is big on personality, of a kind that made it a London stalwart from the moment it opened two years ago. Sexy, exclusive-feeling and unabashedly OTT in design, it feels all at once like a furtive hideaway and the centre of the universe. Dimly lit dinners at restaurant Dear Jackie – where NYC-style Italian nostalgia meets timeless opulence in dishes like the XL diver scallop with Champagne sauce – buzzes on weeknights as locals mingle with hotel-goers – while rooftop bar Flute attracts a cool crowd in the sultry summer months. Bedrooms, which range from cosy standards to a penthouse with terrace and bar, take the sumptuous riot in a more soothing direction with muted hues.
From £525. book it here
NoMad London, Covent Garden
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For: NYC cool
Inspired by New York – but set in one of London’s architectural treasures, the former Bow Street Magistrates Court and Police Station – NoMad London balances intimacy with social buzz, elegance with fun, quiet retreat with hedonism. Rooms feel more like the apartment of a chic friend, with rolltop baths, tasselled footrests and eclectic art, while the always-buzzy public spaces are filled with brunching PRs or off-duty suits munching on zingy cocktails and Cali-inflected Latin flavours at restaurant Side Hustle. For those that wish to make the most of what the city has to offer the location cannot be faulted, with Covent Garden and the Royal Opera house steps away. And yet, cosy corners, reserved just for in-house guests, means you always have a place to escape the rush.
From £489. book it here
St. Pancras, London, Autograph Collection
For: bygone glamour
There was a time when rail was a byword for the world’s most thrilling escapes. And now that we’re embarking on a new golden age of train travel, it’s time to renew the energy with a booking at St. Pancras hotel, housed within the very walls of the famously grand neo-Gothic Victorian rail station. Not that you have to be hopping on the Eurostar to justify a stay; the soaring columns, swirling staircases and opulent gilded wall detailing is worth an ogle even if both your embarkation point and terminus is London. Spend an evening sipping Victorian punch-inspired cocktails under the soaring ceiling of the Booking Office 1869 bar, then drift off to rooms painted in sky blues and earthy greens.
From £350. book it here
The Goring, Belgravia
For: royal creds
The family-owned Mayfair stay where Kate Middleton famously spent her final night as a single woman, The Goring is as old money as it gets, with royal connections that most other London luxury hotels would kill for. With no outward attempt to be trendy, or techy, or particularly glitzy, it keeps its standards high and focuses on doing what it’s done since 1910 impeccably well. Crackling fires in a painting-lined lounge provide a delectable backdrop to afternoon tea, while proper Sunday lunches with fluffy Yorkshire puds are paraded out in the charmingly trad Dining Room. Rooms and suites each ooze their own personalised character and, as the cliché goes, feel fit for a king or queen.
From £870. book it here
The Ned, City
For: socialising in the City
When the Soho House group flung open the doors to The Ned in 2017, it revolutionised social life in Bank: rather than just warren-like old pubs and flashy expense-account spots, suddenly there was somewhere to go that actually felt, well, cool. The enticing, food hall-esque sprawl of ground floor restaurants, segueing Cecconi’s into cheery Malibu Kitchen and a sushi bar, among others, acts as a mass meeting space before you check into one of the 1920s-glam bedrooms. ‘Cosy’ categories keep entry level rates surprisingly affordable given the location, though if you want the real experience of what makes the setting in the former Midland Bank special book one of the fifth-floor Heritage rooms, showcasing original features designed by original building architect Sir Edwin ‘Ned’ Lutyens.
From £406. book it here
Sea Containers London
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For: Thames views
Location, location, location – and more than a dash of eye-catching Tom Dixon design – makes this Southbank staple an enduring favourite. Designed to mimic a transatlantic cruise liner, with a burnished copper hull bordering the ground floor lobby and restaurant, its balconied rooms practically hang over the Thames, making it seem as though the water is splashing at your feet. Falling asleep with the curtains open to a view over Blackfriars bridge and St Pauls cathedral is one of those ‘pinch-me-I’m-in-London’ moments that can’t be replicated even at some of the city’s swankier addresses. Meanwhile, ground floor cocktail bar Lyaness turns out innovative concoctions from drinks guru Ryan Chetiyawardana and the Agua spa delivers skin-smoothing facials from Natura Bissé.
From £269. book it here
45 Park Lane, Mayfair
For: Park Lane locale
The Dorchester’s younger sibling is more intimate, more chic, and a little bit rock and roll – all while still managing to ooze the upmarket exclusivity that you’d expect of a Park Lane pad. Art Deco-inspired stylings from top to toe bring lively personality to the 45 spacious rooms, many of which have balconies that gaze across to neighbouring Hyde Park. Food is given serious priority, with Wolfgang Puck’s only London restaurant – Cut at 45 Park Lane – serving up top-notch steaks and the intimate Sushi Kanesaka providing a omakase experience that could have been airlifted straight from Tokyo.
From £950. book it here
The Savoy, Strand
For: grande dame glamour
London’s original destination hotel has lost none of its appeal, with a recent suite refresh injecting fresh life into its Thames-facing rooms. With Edwardian and Art Deco detailing gracing every surface, the whole place is a feast for the eyes, whether you’re breakfasting under the soaring dome of The Gallery restaurant, or sipping on a well-crafted cocktail in the Beaufort Bar, dripping in black and gold. At times it feels like all of London is passing through the doors of the lobby here, and with former guests including the likes of Winston Churchill, Elizabeth Taylor and Princess Diana, you definitely should be too.
From £800. book it here
Shangri-La at the Shard, South Bank
For: unbeatable panoramas
Capital views don’t get more sensational than from The Shard, the tallest building in the country and home to the Shangri-La from floors 34 through 52. Waking up to a view of the scramble of London Bridge below, the shifting light of the clouds and the shadows of the surrounding skyscrapers – none nearly as high as you are – is a singular kind of experience. You’ll quickly discover that everything becomes more fun when it comes with such a sensational perspective, whether you’re going for a swim (in the window-lined pool overlooking St Paul’s and the Thames) or dining (at one of the multiple restaurants), or even visiting the loo (some in-room baths, for example, allow for a soak-with-a-view).
From £650. book it here
Beaverbrook Townhouse, Chelsea
For: intimacy
Many of London’s finest hotels are titanic affairs, with vast lobby spaces and amenities galore. But perhaps fittingly for more neighbourhoody Chelsea, Beaverbrook Townhouse – sister hotel to the opulent Surrey country house hotel – is more private and cosseted, the kind of place where you’ll fly under the radar in style rather than mingle with the see-and-be-seen brigade. The cornerstone of the social space here is the stylish Fuji Grill, where honed Japanese-meets-Spanish ‘tapasu’ sharing dishes are the precursor to drinks in the neighbouring Sir Frank’s Bar. Warm, inviting and saturated with colour, the rooms have the drama you’d like to see in a hotel but the comfort of a familial nest; just what you want in a hotel designed to be a home-from-home.
From £580. book it here
Rosewood London, Holborn
For: tranquil luxury
It might be steps from Holborn station but with its discrete courtyard location and suited doormen, the Rosewood feels like a sanctuary in the heart of 24/7 London. Despite its epic proportions (it houses more than 300 rooms and suites), it manages to maintain an air of strict exclusivity with pin-drop quiet, low lighting and sleek and shiny furnishings. Cavernous suites larger than a typical London flat make a comfy base for an extended stay, while a selection of restaurants (including a dedicated Pie Room) means jet-lagged travellers needn’t head out. Don’t miss a drink in the cosy, fireplace-flanked Scarfes Bar, recently named among the World’s 50 Best Bars.
From £640. book it here
The Twenty Two, Mayfair
For: members club atmosphere
With locations in London and New York, this boutique hotel – it holds just a little over 30 rooms – has a playful, chic vibe, with a riotous colour palette and design that injects a bit of fresh life into usually staid Mayfair. It helps that it’s a members’ club as well as hotel, a fact that keeps the general atmosphere feeling both local and social (all hotel guests become temporary members for the duration of their stay). Settle into the bar with a House 22 – tequila, ginger, Aperol and citrus – and while away the evening while making new friends.
From £550. book it here
Four Seasons Hotel London Tower Bridge, City
For: historic sightseeing
The EC3 postcode is more famous for its nursery-rhyme bridge than it is swanky hotels, but this outpost of the ever-polished Four Seasons brand puts it – as well as the Tower of London, Borough Market and Monument – all at fingertip’s reach. And yet you’ve not sacrificed any of the luxury you’d expect in Mayfair or Belgravia, with this Grade-II listed building boasting rambling suites (including a four-bedroom penthouse), ballrooms and a comprehensive spa. Perks of being a FS resident include the option to hire your own private boat for a cruise on the Thames or access to special dinners in the wood-lined members club, a partnership with world-renowned Bordeaux first growth Château Latour. Read our full review here.
From £650. book it here
Henrietta Experimental, Covent Garden
For: a cool place to crash
Finding a stay in the heart of Soho that merges class with convenience isn’t easy, but this French-flair spot from the Experimental Cocktail Club group hits all the right notes. Almost more like a restaurant with rooms, it centres around a ground floor eatery, Henri, which serves the likes of duck fat fries and grilled snails. As you might expect given the pedigree, cocktails are given particular attention, with the likes of Maïté – calvados, rose liqueur, lemon and crémant sparkling wine – mixed up at all hours. This is just the kind of chic London crash pad you’re looking for when you’ve got a busy weekend of sightseeing ahead and don’t want to over-spend on a room.
From £250. book it here
Claridge’s, Mayfair
For: 50 Best bragging rights
Given that this year it was named the best place in the UK to stay by the World’s 50 Best Hotels, it would be remiss to leave Claridge’s off our list of essential London stays. Constantly pursuing the art of hospitality perfection, the crown jewel of the Maybourne group manages to continually keep itself in the zeitgeist with a magic blend of faultless service, enduringly high quality and non-stop innovation. Example in point: a recent pop up from NYC aperitivo legends Dante.
From £930. book it here
Mandarin Oriental London, Knightsbridge
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For: families
Whether you’re checking in with a newborn for the onsite postpartum retreat The Tenth – or with older kiddos that will slip comfortably into the mini panda slippers provided at bedtime – the Mandarin Oriental gets what families need, without sacrificing all the things that adults love. Bordering Hyde Park, a go-to green space for little ones to burn off energy, the hotel has a lengthy pool, genuinely yummy kids’ menus and a range of curated children’s amenities like tipi tents, rocking horses and nursery toys. Meanwhile, grown ups can enjoy two-Michelin-starred Dinner by Heston Blumenthal or a restorative massage in the spa.
From £1,000. book it here
The Soho Hotel, Soho
For: celeb-sighting
You feel like a ‘someone’ when you step into the Soho Hotel: staff greet you warmly at the door, and remember your name when you pop to the front desk. Service both this polished and friendly is a rare thing, and it’s perhaps the secret trump card that makes the pile off Dean Street such an enduring favourite with celebrities (staff are zipper-mouthed, but basically everyone who’s anyone has stayed here).
The design by Firmdale Hotels owner Kit Kemp is gorgeously on-point – a riot of colour, print and fabrics that somehow comes together to create a homely atmosphere – and a guests-only honesty bar lets you refuel on drinks at any hour of the night, or day (hey, it’s Soho after all).
From £550. book it here
The Ritz, Mayfair
For: old-world elegance
Rather than chasing trends, the Ritz sticks to tried-and-tested glamour, effortlessly maintaining its icon status with suited-and-booted staff, gold leaf-draped interiors and quintessentially English traditions like a silver service afternoon tea. The Ritz Restaurant is exquisite, with frescoes and mirrored walls creating a Versailles-esque vibe that matches the two-Michelin-starred cooking and doting service. Rooms – with their gilded mouldings, chandeliers and thick drapery – feel like could be almost unchanged since Swiss hotelier César Ritz first launched them right here on Piccadilly in 1906; in a good way.
From £1,039. book it here
The Emory, Belgravia
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For: modern Maybourne
The newest addition to the stalwart that includes aforementioned The Connaught, Claridge’s and The Berkeley, The Emory is the contemporary take on Maybourne luxury, with organic, curving lines fashioned by a slew of award-winning designers – André Fu, Pierre Yves Rochon, Alexandra Champalimaud – and sublime materials. Overlooking Hyde Park, suites with floor-to-ceiling windows are like Scandi-inspired cocoons, while a glass-enclosed rooftop bar lets you sip cocktails under shifting clouds year-round. Among its first guests have been Leonardo DiCaprio and Julia Roberts, so you know you’re onto a good thing.
From £1,440. book it here
