112 Best Hotels in London, England

The Lanesborough is like a beautiful, luxurious cocoon for the seriously well-off, exuding Regency opulence from the swagged perfection of the bedrooms (some with views over Hyde Park) to the magnificent 19th-century antiques. Each room comes with a 24/7 dedicated butler (available for performing tasks like walking your dog) and daily fresh fruit, while children are provided for with in-room treasure hunts, a media library with popcorn, special pool hours, and a welcome gift. The building dates back to 1733, and even the drinks list in the Library Bar is redolent of history, notably the collection of cognacs going back to 1770 (a mere snip at £5,000 a shot). The Lanesborough Grill features inventive modern takes on traditional British cuisine like Dover sole or beef Wellington using seasonal and regional ingredients. Befitting the Regency setting, there's a Bridgerton-themed afternoon tea. You can also relax at the state-of-the-art spa, open until late.

The well-heeled have been meeting—and eating—at Claridge's for generations, and the tradition continues in the original Art Deco public spaces of this glamorous London institution. Guest rooms are soothing and suave, and spacious bathrooms have enormous shower heads. Enjoy a cup of tea in the lounge, cocktails in the stylish bar, or, better still, a meal in the hotel's legendary Foyer & Reading Room. Perhaps Spencer Tracy said it best when he remarked that, when he died, he wanted to go not to heaven but to Claridge's. Claridge's afternoon tea is a seriously fun, high-class treat—but make sure you book in advance.

A huge favorite of the "we wouldn't dream of staying anywhere else" monied set since its opening in 1917, The Connaught has many dazzlingly modern complements to its famously historic delights. These include up-to-date rooms done in smooth taupes and creams and—the ultimate sign of devil-may-care swagger—a swanky bar with platinum-plated walls. Chef Hélène Darroze runs her namesake, three-Michelin-starred restaurant; alternatively, the afternoon tea is a great splurge. But for all its modern touches, there are nods to history at every turn here. The Coburg bar is a wink at the Victorian royal family (the current royal dynasty was named "Saxe Coburg" until adopting the more British-sounding "Windsor" in 1917) and the hotel itself was named in honor of Queen Victoria's son, Arthur—the Duke of Connaught at the time it was built.

It's little wonder this is now the London home-away-from-home for celebrities, A-list actors, and various other top-tier guests, with its unbeatable Covent Garden location in a former French hospital and stylish guest rooms that use mix-and-match couture fabrics and one-off pieces to stunning effect. Beautifully decked out with painted silks, style anglais ottomans, and 19th-century oil paintings, the public salons are perfect spots to decompress over a glass of Meursault. For £55, the popular Saturday night Film Club offers afternoon tea or dinner in the ground floor Brasserie Max and a film in the deluxe basement cinema.

Discreet and rakish—and right in the heart of Soho—this stylish Georgian town house (really three town houses turned into one) has a effortlessly chic bohemian vibe and an excellent eponymous Modern British restaurant decorated with interesting pieces by renowned British artists like Peter Blake and Tracey Emin. Inside, comfy velvet sofas and heavy upholstered chairs jostle for space; and many beds are four-poster. As part of the Soho House group of members' clubs and hotels, it's all effortlessly hip, soignée and unfailingly au courant, which comes at a price—although bargains are to be found, especially on Sunday night.

This fashionable boutique hotel occupies a charming old town house in one of London's most upscale neighborhoods. Rooms and suites have been individually designed with bold colors, handwoven carpets, eclectic artwork, and knickknacks from around the globe. Amenities include flat-screen TVs, Tivoli radios, and marble bathrooms with Firmdale Hotels' own RikRak products. The drawing room, with high ceilings, cozy fire, graceful windows, and honor bar, is a perfect spot to relax with a cocktail. English brasserie-style cuisine is served in the Potting Shed Bar & Restaurant, a smart, intimate neighborhood find. An elegant afternoon tea can also be enjoyed in the hotel's Drawing Room, which looks out toward Dorset Square. 

The design throughout this trendy East London lodging is contemporary—but not so modern as to be absurd; in keeping with a claim to combine a country-lodge lifestyle with true urban living, a fire crackles in the lobby. The chic but casual restaurant is packed with friendly youth; the comfortable guest rooms have Frette linens and down comforters; the bar is popular with local office workers; and the Hoxton Grill combines American steak-house style with French bistro chic. You'll be hard-pressed to find another hotel of this quality, near the center of town, for the price.

A shiny fortress of luxury, ME brings a splash of modern cool to a rather stuffy patch of the Strand. Designed by Foster and Partners (the architects behind London's City Hall and the Reichstag in Berlin, among other buildings), the sleek, subtly lit public areas give way to bright and spacious bedrooms with modern gadgetry like custom-controlled mood lighting. The main on-site restaurant—STK—is fun and glittery, but the Radio Rooftop Bar is the real star. The view of the Thames, from the Shard in the east to the old Battersea Power Station in the west, is one of the best in town. Other on-site facilities include plenty of meeting spaces and a 24-hour gym.

Rooms at this lovely boutique hotel are created from several Victorian stucco town houses located just around the corner from the Victoria and Albert Museum and look like they come from the pages of Architectural Digest; the delightful courtyard garden is an added bonus. Chic yet welcoming, guest rooms feature beautiful furniture and textiles designed by owner Kit Kemp, offset by nice touches like hardback-filled bookshelves and flat-screen TVs set into the wall; bathrooms are clad in gray marble and polished oak. The staff are friendly, so lingering in the drawing rooms is a pleasure, and drinks are served in the leafy garden in summer.

One of London's most iconic hotels maintains its status at the top with winning attributes of impeccable service, stunning decor, and a desirable location on the Strand. There's still no grander entrance hall in London than the main stately lobby or a more glamorous setting than the adjacent Thames Foyer, a dreamy salon done up in black-and-white chinoiserie and pink orchids. Gadgets such as LCD TVs are oh-so-discreetly incorporated so as not to destroy the effect as you prepare for cocktails at the famed American Bar (first opened in 1893, it maintains a strict first-come-first-served policy, so who knows who you'll be standing in line with). There are four superb restaurants: the Gordon Ramsay–run Savoy Grill; a tiny tasting menu-only Restaurant 1890; the Thames Foyer; and Ramsay's the River Restaurant with its glorious panoramic views of the Thames.

The five-story atrium and Art Deco staircase hint at the delights to come in this converted warehouse—a breath of fresh air with its playful color schemes, elegant wallpapers, and wonderful views of the city from the higher floors. Thoughtful little touches, from the plethora of gadgets in every room to the exclusive 1,500-foot borehole from which the hotel draws its mineral water (yes, really) raise this place to something truly special. Across the street is the 13-bedroom Marrable's Hotel, a sister hotel offering the same quirky style with a touch more intimacy—and an excellent cocktail bar, too.

With a sustainable approach to luxury, the US-based 1 Hotels has brought its first European outpost to Mayfair, and the hotel's promotion of all things natural offers a fresh perspective and a welcome alternative to more staid hotel experiences in the city. A striking living chandelier in the lobby, plants and shrubs at every turn, and living moss walls in the rooms, elevators, and hallways truly bring the outside in, providing a visual symbol of the hotel's holistic, eco-friendly ethos. The open dining room of the Dovetale restaurant is relaxed, wellness facilities are a key offering, and the rooms are spacious sanctuaries with natural materials used wherever possible.

Swanky and upscale, the design at the Andaz (East London's first-ever five-star hotel) cleverly symbolizes its geographical position between the East End and the City, blending pinstripes and framed graffiti art with added touches of opulence throughout—guest rooms are colorfully decorated with designer furniture and intensely comfortable beds. The hotel provides an enjoyable check-in ritual too—guests are offered a glass of Prosecco on arrival—as well as a daily 6 pm canapé and wine hour in the sumptuous foyer. There has been a hotel on this site since 1884 when the Great Eastern Hotel was built adjacent to Liverpool Street Station at the height of the railway era. Ask any of the reception staff about the hotel's history, and they'll mention the hidden Masonic Temple discovered during the refurbishment (where Lady Gaga later staged a photoshoot). If you walk down to the on-site restaurants instead of taking the elevator, you'll get another taste of the past by spotting the once-grand ceilings and wide stairwells. From the stunning light green Rake's Bar to the striking red walls of Lady Abercorn's, each bar and dining area offers a change in color palette, decor, and menu. From all-day dining at the Brasserie to fine Japanese dinners at Miyako, you could easily spend an entire visit eating your way around this place. And as each restaurant has a door leading directly to the street, they're always frequented by locals, many of whom possibly don't even realize they're in a hotel, adding to the lively atmosphere.

As packed with bohemian character as they come, this small boutique hotel oozes retro charm. The shabby chic decor lands somewhere between town house and artist's loft, with muted gray and stripped brick walls, reclaimed furniture, and distressed pine floorboards offset with irreverent touches like quirky art, milking stools, and antler chandeliers. The effect works beautifully, and it helps that the staff are so friendly. The café serves traditional English breakfasts and lunches with an emphasis on regional produce. There's a speakeasy-style bar in the basement with a concise but considered cocktail list. 

Staff provide a warm, personal welcome at this charming, Art Deco--inspired hotel in Mayfair, which sets the tone for the attention-heavy, detailed approach to luxury hotel living. Between the elegant rooms with their tightly curated bedside book selections, the Gatsby Room for afternoon tea, the Magritte Bar for cocktails, and the Colony Grill Room for steaks, there is almost no reason to leave the hotel.

Convenient for Knightsbridge shopping, the very elegant Berkeley (owned by the same group as Claridge's and The Connaught, with rates to match) is known for its excellent restaurants, heated rooftop swimming pool with views over Hyde Park, and an excellent, if pricey, Bamford spa. The spacious rooms, all with lavish marble bathrooms, reflect an uncluttered, modern approach to luxury. Several have terraces or balconies. The Collins Room serves classic British cuisine in a relaxed and informal environment (don't miss the afternoon Prêt-à-Portea with its couture-inspired minicakes). There's also the Blue Bar (an understated celebrity haunt), and the Berkeley Café, which has a small all-day menu and an attached patisserie overseen by renowned pastry chef Cedric Grolet that features his Instagram-friendly sweet treats.

This small hotel located opposite the Roundhouse, with the Chalk Farm Underground station and Primrose Hill within easy reach, has handsome, comfortable rooms with an industrial chic vibe and luxurious bathrooms. Despite being located above a Victorian pub—the Enterprise, once a center of Camden's indie music scene and now better known for its food (it serves excellent breakfasts and the kitchen is open late)—the rooms are surprisingly quiet, although those directly above the pub may be less so. Some top-floor rooms have skylights.

Superstar London hotel designer Kit Kemp has taken the fabled Bloomsbury Group as her inspiration for this supremely stylish boutique hotel, which, if anything, feels more like a private members' club. Bedrooms are adorned with period art, chic wallpaper, and decorative beds, but have all the contemporary luxuries you'd expect: walk-in showers, flat-screen TVs, and iPhone docking stations. Communal areas include the beautifully appointed drawing room, complete with a Chesterfield sofa on either side of the fireplace, and a sumptuous library featuring paintings by Bloomsbury Group artists. The restaurant, Oscar, serves excellent European cuisine, and the bar is a trendy (though pricey) local hangout. There's also a weekend film club showing classics and new releases that's a great value: a three-course lunch, dinner, or afternoon tea, plus a movie in the plush private screening room, all for £55.

The London outpost of the exclusive Corinthia chain is design heaven-on-earth, with levels of service that make anyone feel like a VIP. There's an eye-popping lobby; the Northall restaurant is a treasury of soaring columns, Edwardian woodwork, and futuristic chandeliers; Kerridge’s Bar & Grill—designed by David Collins—references the chef's gastropub past with leather banquettes and a pewter-topped bar; and the elegant Crystal Moon Lounge wows with its stunning Baccarat chandelier. Guest rooms in cool tones have beautiful city views, and spacious bathrooms have underfloor heating, so even your toes will feel pampered.

With Buckingham Palace just around the corner, this hotel, built in 1910 and now run by third-generation Gorings, has always been a favorite among discreet VIPs—including Kate Middleton's family on the night before her marriage to Prince William in 2011. The vibe is quintessentially Belgravia: a luxurious and welcoming atmosphere, mixed with traditional Edwardian style including silk and embossed wallpapers, pearl-fringed curtains, patterned carpets, and brass and gilded fittings. If you can't stay the night here but still fancy a taste of the royally endorsed treatment, the Goring's traditional afternoon tea is excellent, and the glamorous bar serves surprisingly innovative cocktails. The beautifully uniformed and helpful concierge staff go above and beyond, with a knowledge of London that's second to none.

Colorful, luxurious, playful, and riotously good fun, Ham Yard is another winner from the stable of London hotel designer extraordinaire Kit Kemp. As with her other sumptuous properties, guest rooms are individually designed, and the results here are splendid. Elegant, restrained color schemes are invigorated by cheeky, playful touches—designer wallpaper and furnishings in contrasting shades of gray offset by riotously colorful headboards, for example, or pieces of modern art that seem to burst from the walls like sunshine. Everything is designed with maximum comfort in mind—there's even a TV in the bathroom. Movies are shown in the state-of-the art basement cinema (which also hosts exclusive preview screenings with Hollywood A-listers) and there's even a 10-pin bowling alley—imported from Texas. The restaurant is excellent and the bar is as buzzing as you'd expect. To top it all, service is excellent.

This marvelously atmospheric lodging, full of historic personality and stately antiques, occupies three connected 18th-century town houses, one of which was the last home of the English critic and essayist William Hazlitt (1778–1830). Traditional English style and opulent Regency furnishings form a huge part of its appeal, but it's charmingly devoid of a few modern amenities—as the owners say, "In 1718, there were no elevators, and there still aren't." Rooms are named after infamous Soho denizens like the 1st Duke of Monmouth and nearby are more interesting restaurants than you could visit in a year.

With faultless service, sumptuous designer furnishings, and a sense of fun to boot, this impeccable hotel breathes new life into the cliché "thinks of everything," yet the epithet is really quite apt. A "whatever, whenever" button on the bedroom telephone connects you with helpful, amiable staffers who provide exactly that. High-tech gadgets are everywhere in the beautifully decorated black-and-white rooms; some are split-level and all are gorgeously furnished with extraordinary pieces from every corner of the globe. Even the hotel entrance is unique: an elevator sweeps you up to the fifth-floor lobby, where you can relax on a buttery leather couch in front of the fire while you're checked in. Perhaps the most appealing thing of all about this place is how perfectly it balances real luxury with genuine warmth and hospitality.

With the amenities you'd expect from a five-star hotel, including crisp white sheets on huge beds and luxurious bathrooms, and impressive views of the Thames and Canary Wharf, the addition of this luxury hotel has been a boon for Greenwich Peninsula which has been under a huge development, creating a whole batch of riverside residences that hug the elevated walkway and linear park called the Tide. On-site dining options include the fabulous Kinaara restaurant while the Clipper bar echoes the region's maritime history in its decor and layout, overlooking the mighty Thames through floor-to-ceiling windows on three sides. Take the elevator up to the rooftop Eighteen Sky Bar for after-dinner cocktails and views, and make sure you also use the spa—just be sure to book ahead to avoid disappointment as the hotel is popular with day visitors taking advantage of an afternoon tea and spa day program.

Hotel pedigrees don't come much greater than this one: built in 1865, The Langham was the original luxury hotel in the city, all but inventing the very image of what a great London hotel looked like. Good fortune didn't last: it closed in the 1940s, and spent much of the 20th century being used as office space by the BBC, before finally reopening in 2010 after a renovation that was rumored to cost nearly £100 million. The public spaces are flawless, from the spectacular, light-filled atrium, with its soaring marble pillars, to the restored ballroom, which now houses Mimosa, chef Jean-François Piège's French Riviera-inspired restaurant, transplanted to the hotel from Paris. Guest rooms are spacious and modern, with sumptuously comfortable beds, although bathrooms in the basic rooms are small.

In a central neighborhood where hotels veer from wildly overpriced at one extreme to grimy bolt-holes at the other, the Lime Tree gets the boutique style just about right—and at a surprisingly reasonable cost for the neighborhood. The casual dining restaurant The Buttery, which serves delicious cooked breakfasts and brunch, light lunches, and cake, backs onto a sweet little garden, while the simple yet elegant bedrooms are in muted tones of taupe and cream; many have views over the classic Georgian London street outside. Thoughtful extra touches include a guest computer and a guidebook library.