34 Best Hotels in London, England

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Style and image are the draw at The London EDITION hotel, where Michelin-starred chefs and hip bars complement the boutique property’s sleek, contemporary design. Behind the neoclassical exterior, a decidedly bohemian air permeates this luxurious hotel in the heart of Fitzrovia, the second hotel in Ian Schrager's venture with Marriott. Rooms are crisply styled in deep tones of chocolate and oatmeal, with huge beds and faux-fur blankets strewn about while bathrooms have cavernous freestanding tubs or sizeable showers. Service is exceptional and personalized, with arriving guests escorted to rooms upon check-in. But really it's all about the nightlife here, sophisticated though it is. Berners Tavern, the main bar-restaurant, has a belle epoque feel, with old paintings filling almost every inch of available space on the cool gray walls. Michelin-star chef Jason Atherton runs the kitchen, though the vibe is kept casual. The exclusive Punch Room is the more intimate of the two dedicated cocktail bars, with its creatively prepared alcoholic punches. A fashionably mixed crowd, relaxed atmosphere, and culinary expertise combine to create the recipe for this winning contemporary hotel.

Bursting with eye-catching Art Deco design and achingly hip interiors, The Ned is as close to the glamour of the 1920s Jazz Age as you'll find in contemporary London. Guests should catch their breath before walking into the vast impressive lobby, where a cavalcade of lively restaurants and bars await. The multitude of dining options here manage to comfortably share a space not unlike the size of Grand Central Terminal. Replete with 92 emerald-green columns, 10-meter-high ceilings, and gorgeous tiled floors, The Ned is every inch the modern grand dame hotel. Rooms range in size from the smallest "crash pad" to the largest family suite, and the same level of design and attention to detail can be found in each. Luxurious, opulent, and aware of its own style, The Ned is also a surprising bargain.

One of London's hippest hotels sits opposite the famous Royal Opera House, and while a bit austere looking from the outside, inside it's all deluxe boho-chic, with dark mahoganies, worn rugs, velvet sofas, embroidered damasks, and hand-painted wallpapers. Set in the former Bow Street Magistrates' Court and Police Station and delightfully sprinkled with 1,600 pieces of art, be sure to take tea in the Library, enjoy craft cocktails in the subterranean Common Decency cocktail lounge, or sip agave-based cocktails in the hopping Side Hustle bar.

Discreet, beautiful, and exceptionally well-run, this converted Chelsea town house makes for a restful hideaway. The clue's in the name as far as the vibe is concerned, with a decidedly Italianate feel to the decor and furnishings. The opulent guest rooms are filled with luxury fabrics, rich colors, elegant antiques, and well-chosen art, though minimalists allergic to swags and valences may find it all too much. But as is so often the case with boutique hotels, the thing that really makes the difference here is the service—the staff is exceptionally thoughtful and welcoming, and the place feels impeccably run. They'll happily sort out dinner reservations for you, so the absence of an on-site restaurant or bar shouldn't pose a problem, especially in the heart of Chelsea.

A former gentlemen's club that began life in 1857, with members that included Ian Fleming, Winston Churchill, and Henry James, a stay here will see you follow in the footsteps of the British aristocracy. In a quiet cul-de-sac just off Piccadilly, this luxury boutique hotel is the perfect spot for a special night or two, with an ideal location close to Buckingham Palace and St. James's Palace. With suites like the Penthouse or St. James's, you'll have the luxury of your own private elevator, a large lounge and dining area, or a terrace with views of St. James's Palace. Seven Park Place is the fantastic on-site restaurant from Michelin-starred head chef William Drabble. Whether you choose to eat in the bar or the main dining room, you'll be served exquisite, modern French dishes using British ingredients, with an extensive menu of wines and ports. Make sure you find time to lounge in the bar too—not least for its history—as the cocktail-making is exquisite. The wonderful staff will go out of their way to make this a memorable stay.

This is a rare find: a posh hotel that's equal parts elegance and friendliness, and located in one of the few peaceful spots in the area, down a small lane behind Piccadilly. All the accommodations are luxurious and chic, but those in the 18th-century Carriage House, some of which feature fireplaces and exposed beams, are especially pleasant. Those who prefer more contemporary style should ask for a suite in the Mews. The restaurant's incredible wine cellar—several hundred years older than the hotel itself—is one of the best in the city. A curious historical nugget; in the 1930s almost every large hotel in central London opened an "American Bar," to entice the sought-after U.S. clientele (and their notoriously deep pockets). The Stafford has one of only two left in its original form (the other is at the Savoy), and certainly leaves you in no doubt of its heritage, with virtually every space filled with knickknacks of vintage Americana from model airplanes to club ties. 

No matter how hip the crowd here gets, the clientele is never likely to distract from the sumptuous decor of this boutique hotel that is equal parts Tudor-style and Georgian flair, with a pinch of steampunk for good measure. The Parlour bar serves a concise range of snacks along with a list of sublime cocktails that make it a popular destination for nonguests, too. 

This combination of four Victorian town houses on a quiet street, London's only Relais & Châteaux property, is a warren of tucked-away, intimate public rooms, where aubergine walls enlivened by gilt-framed Victorian portraits and an abundance of fresh lilies create a glamorous, luxurious, and slightly decadent atmosphere in keeping with the hotel’s former owner, Elizabeth Hurley (it’s now run by the owners of luxury country house hotel Chewton Glen). The 56 bedrooms, by contrast, are light and airy, several with four-poster beds. There’s a terrace and a good bar and grill offering all-day dining that opens directly onto buzzy, fashionable Pavilion Road. For longer stays, there are six apartments on the other side of the square.

A sense of style emanates from every surface of this stylish hotel in the heart of Kensington, and the playful vintage vibe lends the property a refreshingly down-to-earth feel in a neighborhood that can feel stodgy. Guest room decor is whimsically inspired by the cultural institutions nearby—the Natural History Museum, the Victoria and Albert, and the Science Museum—with musical, astronomical, ornithological, and botanical themes. Some suites have balconies. Apero, the hotel's main restaurant, specializes in Mediterranean cuisine, or you can take afternoon tea in the bright and colorful Drawing Rooms.

A short walk from Gloucester Road Tube station and within walking distance of Harrods and the Kensington museums, this is one of the better boutique hotels in this part of town. Guest rooms vary in size, but most are spacious enough, and flooded with natural light from elegant floor-to-ceiling windows. Certain periods of time require a two-night minimum.

Nothing is ever too much at this elegant hotel that was formerly a private house; mattresses are handmade, sheets are 450 thread count, bathrooms are marble, and everything is done in impeccable taste. There are fine-grain woods, original prints, and soothing, country-chic furnishings throughout, and service is understated. All the rooms are spacious but ask for one facing the front to get more space. Several star chefs got their start at the restaurant, which currently offers all-day dining in the form of everything from poké bowls and pasta to burgers and steaks from the Josper grill.

Deep in the heart of Mayfair, the former town house of the Earl of Chesterfield welcomes guests in wood-and-leather public rooms that match the dark-wood furnishings in the bedrooms—small but looking like fashion magazine spreads, with bold designer wallpaper or tones of fawn and gray. Notice the needlepoint dog pillows on chairs and couches throughout the lobby, a touch from the hotel's dog-loving owners. There are bargains to be had if you book online in advance, and the service is excellent. One neat little detail: the honey at breakfast comes from the hotel's own hives located on the roof.

Even though it's one of London's largest hotels, The Churchill is always abuzz with guests smiling at the perfection they find here, including warmly personalized service and calmly alluring guest rooms. The shimmering lobby is in Robert Adam–esque 19th-century style, and there's a gorgeous cocktail bar inspired by Winston's wife, Clementine. There are two restaurants: Locanda Locatelli, one of the best Italian restaurants in London, and the more traditional Montagu, overlooking Portman Square. Guest rooms are lovely and modern, and suites are hung with cutting-edge art on loan from the Saatchi collection. No-nonsense business travelers and VIPs appreciate the highly convenient Portman Square location and the relaxed business lounge.

A glass-covered, eight-story atrium sets the scene at this truly grand hotel, where the huge bedrooms are richly furnished and have marble bathrooms; odd-numbered rooms overlook the Winter Garden restaurant beneath the glass roof. Built by a wealthy industrialist to serve a planned channel tunnel rail link in 1899, The Landmark was the victim of atrocious timing twice in its life—first when the original tunnel was canceled, and again 40 years later when it was requisitioned by the army during World War II. Lavishly reborn in the late 1990s, it has been going strong ever since. 

Steps away from the London Bridge rail and Tube stations, and handy for the South Bank, this thoroughly modern, stylish hotel is popular with business travelers, but leisure travelers find it just as appealing. The diminutive but sleek rooms have an understated contemporary look, and three spacious two-bedroom apartments come with a kitchen, living room, and dining room. An inviting lounge serves bar food, and there's a more formal restaurant as well.

Capitalizing on its location in central London's most intimate, village-like neighborhood, The Marylebone features contemporary designer rooms and drinking and dining options that match the boutique elements of its surroundings. Rooms are styled in neutral tones and those on the higher floors offer the kind of quaint rooftop views that have become increasingly rare in a city intent on building bigger. The elegant 108 Brasserie is the perfect spot for people-watching, whether from inside or poised on its outdoor terrace flanked by cobblestone Marylebone Lane. 

Located across from St. Pancras International station, this colorful, snazzily designed hotel offers guests rooms with a chic contemporary vibe and all the latest amenities, from espresso machines to Bluetooth speakers. Rooms come in decent sizes, with the more spacious ones on the upper floors, having huge windows to view the cityscape. Magenta, the hotel restaurant, serves good modern European fare.

Located next to a conference center and opposite a Tube station, this is very much a business hotel. The lobby is sleek and minimalist with polished marble floors and soaring blonde-wood columns, while the guest rooms are similarly tasteful (though bordering on bland) with neutral creams and earth tones complemented by light-wood desks and leather chairs. There are two bars and several restaurants (plus an attached casino), which means that you don't have to go out if you'd prefer to stay in.

Rooms at this small chic charmer—tucked away down a side street in an upscale neighborhood—are tiny but sophisticated, with colorful pastel throws atop crisp white down comforters. The beauty is in the details: the fire-warmed bar serves light meals and tea; there's a relaxing spa; and the guest library lends DVDs and books. Tiny bathrooms are brightened by pale-pink granite countertops and the hotel claims to use feng shui principles in its design.

A fine Edwardian building, with an artsy lobby and an understated blend of contemporary and classic, provides pure modern luxury in a great location for theaters and shopping. Guest rooms are equipped with feather comforters, Italian linen sheets, and ample elegance, and suites have such amenities as private gyms, kitchens, and terraces. The gorgeous swimming pool in the health club has underwater speakers that play music you can hear only when you dive in.

One of the first boutique hotels ever in London, this still-stylish choice is just a short stroll away from the Natural History, Science, and Victoria and Albert museums. Settle down at the end of the day with a book from the well-stocked guest library in the stylish, wood-paneled drawing room complete with honor bar, or go straight to the chic, contemporary guest rooms, each individually decorated with the hotel's combination of classic British country house style infused with a touch of Italian glamour. Michelin-starred chef Alfredo Russo offers an innovative twist on traditional Italian cuisine in the downstairs La Trattoria restaurant.

Originally designed by French designer Philippe Starck, the style of this fashionable, quirky hotel is part surrealist baroque, part Alice in Wonderland; sleigh beds are positioned in the middle of bedrooms at playful angles, and so are the freestanding bathtubs and wash basins—indeed, everything is off-center. This extends to the hotel's popular afternoon tea, with its Mad Hatter's Tea Party theme. Amenities include an excellent spa with holistic bathhouse and indoor-outdoor fitness classes. There's also a pretty Japanese garden courtyard where you can get away from it all.

A mecca for film, media, and fashion folk, this super-trendy hotel personifies Soho's enduring hipness with its artsy, urban-chic vibe. The boldly designed public rooms are filled with bright colors and big statement artworks, while the large bedrooms are calmer, most with neutral beige and cream tones, or subtle, sophisticated pinstripes, all offset by modern furniture. The bar and restaurant, Refuel, is consistently excellent, and there are handy private film screening rooms downstairs (in case the wide-screen TVs in the bedrooms aren't big enough for you).

Design-conscious travelers come to this Philippe Starck–designed spot positioned artfully between Trafalgar Square and Covent Garden. Giant Baroque mirrors, pink hydrangea-filled vases, and golden molar seats dot the lobby, while leopard print–carpet bedrooms are very modish with white-lacquer fittings, etched glass, and aluminum teardrop lights. Be sure to sneak into the secret Blind Spot speakeasy bar for late-night cocktails, hidden behind a fake tea counter and entered via twisting a creepy golden hand–shape handle.