London. Few cities capture the imagination and attention of even the most seasoned of travelers as Britain’s capital does. This is a sprawling metropolis of different suburbs and unique districts, each with its own history, sights, character, peculiarities, and excellent hotels. 

Ride the London Underground just for fun, take an open-top tour in a bright red double-decker London bus, pose for selfies by London Bridge, or watch the Changing of the Guard outside Buckingham Palace. 

From winding riverside walks along the banks of the River Thames to iconic landmarks like the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, and the Tower of London, there’s something to see and even more to do, time and time again and on trip after trip to London!

If you’re planning a trip to Britain’s largest and most important city and are having a tough time finding a place to stay, then keep reading as we explain exactly where to stay in London. 

Don’t forget to check out our web story: The 12 Best Luxury Hotels in London

The 12 Best Luxury Hotels in London

1. Shangri-La The Shard

Rising to a dizzying height of 309.6 meters, the dazzling glass panel fronting of The Shard can be seen from across all of London. This glamorous skyscraper is the tallest building in the United Kingdom, and you can stay high up in the luxurious surroundings of the five-star Shangri-La. 

Shangri-La The Shard is one of the best luxury hotels in London, and you’ll love the exceptional panoramas from your hotel room or suite, which are found from Level 34 upwards. The more luxurious the room, the better the view and the higher the floor you’ll be on!

Rooms at Shangri-La The Shard are exquisitely designed to promote a sense of elegance and tranquility. The floor-to-ceiling windows let in an abundance of light (did we mention the view?), while the unique Shangri-La bed system is designed to induce a seamless night’s sleep with “body contouring technology.” 

The design is “Chinoiserie,” and you’ll love the oriental touches and nods to the East that are found throughout. You’ll particularly love the marbled bathrooms, Acqua di Parma luxury toiletries, and the in-bathroom television screens that allow you to enjoy entertainment while bathing or showering. 

You can zoom in on London with the complimentary binoculars found in every room or head upstairs to GONG, where you can enjoy champagne and cocktails on the top floor of The Shard, at London’s highest bar. Feeling peckish? Well, there’s also high-altitude fine dining at TING, where you can expect Oriental cuisine served with elevated panache!

2. The Savoy

Few London hotels elicit as much recognition and respect as The Savoy. This classic luxury establishment is a London institution, and you’ll love how the hotel has a long and exalted history dating back to 1889.

Anyone who’s anyone has stayed at The Savoy, and you’ll be sharing the corridors and lounges with the rich, the famous, the celebrities, and the politicians who are visiting London at the same time as you. 

The Savoy is located on The Strand, and you’ll be awed by the grand entranceway and lobby leading to your luxurious bedroom or suite. Rooms at The Savoy are decorated in a distinctly Edwardian style, with Art Deco furnishings and lavish period features transporting you back to the 1920s. 

Enjoy Afternoon Tea in plush surrounds at the Thames Foyer before ordering classic cocktails in the American Bar. More cocktails await you in the Beaufort Bar, while seafood lovers will want to chow down at The River Restaurant. More fine dining awaits you at Simpson’s-In-The-Strand, while Gordon Ramsay’s Savoy Grill serves up a mean steak and chips!

3. The Ned

One of the best hotels in London, The Ned is named after famous British architect Edwin Lutyens, who went by the nickname “Ned.” He designed much of central London’s urban landscape in the 1920s, including the former Midland Bank building, which has now been transformed into The Ned hotel that’s so inspired by his work.

This five-star boutique stay is a wonderful tribute to Lutyens, and it’s also a wonderful place to stay. Conveniently located in the City of London, you’ll love how the 250 bedrooms within this Grade-I listed hotel are designed to transport you back to the roaring 1920s.

Luxury rooms at The Ned are individually decorated with antiques, artwork, and period furnishings. The Heritage suites offer four-poster beds, while all bathrooms are sublimely outfitted with marbled mosaics, rainforest showers, and Cowshed toiletries. 

The hotel’s spa features a hammam, a barbershop and hair parlor, a beauty salon, a gym, and a treatment center, while you’ll be spoiled for culinary choice with no less than 10 restaurants and bars awaiting you among the cavernous halls and ballrooms of The Ned. 

4. The Kensington Hotel

If you’d love to live the glamorous life of a London socialite, there’s no better place to stay than The Kensington Hotel. Perfectly situated among the leafy lanes and grand avenues of South Kensington, this is one of the best hotels in London!

You’ll love the extravagant Georgian facade with its neoclassical columns that greet you on arrival at The Kensington Hotel. Step inside, and you’ll quickly fall for the high vaulted ceilings, the swaying chandeliers, and the marble columns found throughout.

Check into your luxury room or suite, and you’ll love the blend of contemporary furnishings and period features that promote a sense of the high life. There are velvet armchairs, duck-down duvets, and marble bathrooms, while you’ll appreciate the seamless nature of the in-room Chromecast entertainment systems when you just want to relax after a day of sightseeing.

You can book a massage at the hotel’s Spa Treatment Room, work out in the gym, or enjoy a classic Afternoon Tea at the Town House Bar & Restaurant in your downtime.

5. The Waldorf Hilton

The Waldorf Hilton is one of the best luxury hotels in London, and if you’re in the city for a night or two at the theater, then this is the number one choice for you. 

This five-star luxury boutique has a name that resonates through the ages. You’ll love how The Waldorf Hilton is located in the heart of the West End, just a short stroll from the famous theaters and cinemas of London’s entertainment district. 

The Waldorf Hilton is synonymous with London’s “Theatreland,” and countless movie stars and actors have graced its rooms since the hotel first opened in 1908. You’ll feel like a star when you see the high ceilings and crystal chandeliers, while the luxury rooms with their Edwardian design and pomp are designed to make you feel like royalty. 

There’s no better way to start your London vacation than with an Afternoon Tea or cocktails in the Homage Grand Salon, where you’ll be in equally Edwardian surroundings. More cocktails await you at The Wild Monkey, while Good Godfrey’s Bar serves up timeless drinks in a refined setting.

6. The Bloomsbury Hotel

The Bloomsbury Hotel is one of the most classic boutique hotels in London, and very few other hotels in the capital compete with the timeless aura of this boutique beauty. 

You’ll find The Bloomsbury Hotel on Great Russell Street, where you’ll be met by a discreet but elegant gateway that leads to a marvelous neo-Georgian facade. This is an old converted London townhouse dating back to the 1930s, during the heyday of architect Edwin Lutyens’ building spree across London, and you’ll love the nostalgic decor and design as you check in and enjoy a complimentary glass of English sparkling wine.

The Bloomsbury Hotel is inspired by its location in London’s literary heartland (Bloomsbury is one of the world’s largest publishers), and you can peruse the shelves of the hotel’s bookstands or enjoy a literary-themed cocktail in The Bloomsbury Club Bar. 

More cocktails await you at The Coral, a 1920s-themed bar, while The Dalloway Terrace is a delightful secret garden where you can enjoy lite summer bites and winter warmers in hidden surroundings. 

Rooms at The Bloomsbury are noticeably refined with velvet armchairs for lounging, and queen or king beds laden with soft fabrics and pillows. Malin + Goetz luxury toiletries await you in the bathrooms, which are elegantly marbled and heated underfoot. The decor is light and dark, a contrast that was beloved by Edwin Lutyens and a theme that continues in the architect’s honor.

7. The Prince Akatoki

If you’re looking for something a little different, then The Prince Akatoki is one of the most unique hotels in London. Whereas the classic London hotel harkens back to the British Victorian era, or even earlier, this five-star boutique hotel takes inspiration from Japanese high culture and history. 

The Prince Akatoki offers 82 boutique rooms in the heart of London. Japanese design and decor are found in each room’s minimalist look, which is wonderfully functional, light in color, and a delight to retire to after a day of sightseeing. You’ll love the complimentary Yukata (a type of summery Japanese Kimono) alongside the luxury toiletries, traditional chamomile tea set, and personal yoga mat. 

At the Malt Lounge & Bar, you’ll love the extensive selection of Japanese whiskies, wines, sakes, and spirits that are on show behind the wooden bar top. There are some imported rarities that you won’t find anywhere else in London, and the bartenders can serve you sake on the rocks or mix up a cocktail to your tastes. 

If you’re hungry for Japanese cuisine, then you won’t be disappointed at TOKii, the hotel’s fine dining fusion restaurant. The minimalist Japanese design and decor continue in the restaurant, where you can order hot stone Wagyu beef alongside miso soup, lobster croquettes, and tuna tartar.

8. The Langham

The Langham is one of London’s best and most well-known hotels, and there’s no better place to spend the night than this luxurious five-star hotel!

You’ll love how The Langham has more history than most. Located on Regents Street, this was one of Europe’s original “Grand Hotels,” a place for the rich aristocracy to lay their hats and refresh their horses, whether on business or pleasure, as they toured the continent. The Langham dates back to 1865, and you’ll appreciate how much of this long heritage has been preserved throughout the hotel.

But despite this history, there’s no doubt that The Langham is now one of London’s most modern and luxurious hotels. High vaulted ceilings and grand Victorian windows are complemented by Langham Blissful Beds, media hub systems, and customizable in-room climate control. 

The best part about The Langham, though, isn’t the history or the luxury but the fine dining. This is where the famous Afternoon Tea was invented (supposedly!), and there’s no better place to indulge in an afternoon of high tea, sandwiches, and scones than the hotel’s Palm Court restaurant. 

The Afternoon Tea experience has been curated by Michael Roux Jr., an iconic chef who also runs the hotel’s Roux at The Landau restaurant and provides exceptional private dining sessions for hotel guests. For a more relaxed dining experience, you can book a table and enjoy a few ales and pub food classics at The Wigmore before finishing with a nightcap at The Artesian bar. 

If you need to relax after all that eating and drinking, then book a session at the Chuan Body + Soul Spa and Health Club, where you’ll find an indoor swimming pool alongside a range of spa amenities such as a sauna and steam room. 

9. The Ampersand Hotel

If you’re looking for unique boutique hotels in London’s most luxurious suburb, then why not book a stay at The Ampersand Hotel? This grand boutique hotel is located in South Kensington, and you’ll love the Georgian facade, vaulted ceilings, and pillared foyer that make this such a delightful place to stay!

The Ampersand Hotel merges Regency charm with modernity, and while the historic chandeliers and grand staircase draw the eye, it’s the flat-screen televisions, plush beds, and modern decor and artwork that raise the comfort and convenience levels. 

Among the Victorian period features and furnishings spread throughout The Ampersand Hotel, you’ll find modern amenities like a fully equipped gym and a games room that are perfect for your downtime. 

But while the hotel is located within an old Victorian-era townhouse, you’ll love how the dining choices are far from Victorian. Hidden away in the Victorian-built cellars below ground is Apero, a wonderful cafe that serves Mediterranean-inspired cuisine for breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner. 

Order an Antipasti Board to share for starters, then follow up with linguine cuttlefish cooked in squid ink or a rib-eye steak served on the bone with lashings of Romesco sauce.

If it’s a lighter bite you’re after, then book a table at The Drawing Rooms. This is the hotel’s marvelous “Salon de The,” where you can enjoy a continental version of Afternoon Tea that includes French champagne and French pastries.

10. NoMad London

NoMad London is one of the most unique boutique hotels in London. This luxurious five-star hotel is located in Covent Garden, and the entire concept is a beautiful homage to travel and the nomadic lifestyle. 

NoMad London offers 91 boutique rooms designed to evoke a sense of the Golden Age of travel. The hotel is found within a repurposed 19th-century Victorian magistrate’s court, and the interior design has been created by New York designers Roman and Williams, who were set the task of exploring the timeless connections between London and New York. 

Luxury rooms feature period furnishings, marble mosaic bathrooms, clawfoot bathtubs, and unique artwork and maps that evoke the notion of travel in its many guises. These themes continue throughout the hotel’s many restaurants and bars, where you can immerse yourself in historic yet elegant surroundings while enjoying exceptional food and drink. 

The NoMad Restaurant is the pick of the bunch, and you’ll love the high glass atrium that sweeps the dining tables below with light. Executive Chef Ashley Aodeely brings an ethos of farm, field, and coast to the menu, and you can start with caviar, oysters, or smoked trout, before dining on suckling pig, lamb, and pollock. 

11. Sea Containers London

One of the most unique boutique hotels in London is also one of the city’s most luxurious. Book a stay at the Sea Containers London, and you’ll be staying in five-star surroundings, in a riverside location that’s inspired by the Golden Age of Transatlantic cruises. 

You’ll find Sea Containers London overlooking the River Thames in Southbank. The best rooms have private balconies and river views, and you’ll love how every bespoke detail has been painstakingly designed by interior designer Tom Dixon to present a sense of modernity while keeping to the nostalgic oceanliner theme. 

Each of the rooms offers contrasting light and dark color schemes, plush furnishings, and nautical nods to historic cruise ships like the Titanic. Bathrooms are beautifully marbled and feature in-bathroom media screens as well as luxurious Malin + Goetz toiletries. 

You’ll love the hotel’s amenities as much as you’ll love the boutique rooms and suites. If you need a break from sightseeing, then book a ticket for the latest releases at the hotel’s on-site 56-seat Curzon Cinema, where you can relax in luxurious reclining chairs while enjoying a glass of bubbly! 

For the ultimate relaxation experience, you’ll want to spend the day at the hotel’s Agua Spa after a morning workout in the fully equipped gym. You can choose from a range of different treatments, including a Diamond Cocoon Facial or an Herbal Scrub and Back Massage. 

Start your evening with sunset views at 12th Knott, the hotel’s fabulous rooftop bar. Enjoy live music while sipping on carefully curated cocktails and specially selected wines before heading down to the Sea Containers Restaurant for dinner. 

On the menu, you’ll find chalk stream trout, halibut, and rib-eye steaks, alongside curry goat, grilled cauliflower, and watermelon salads. Finish the evening with more curated cocktails at Lyaness, the hotel’s award-winning cocktail bar. 

12. The Londoner

With its central location in Leicester Square, you couldn’t ask for a more convenient place to stay than The Londoner. This five-star London hotel is the perfect place for cinema-goers catching the latest premiers in the square or theater lovers enjoying an evening of drama in the theater district, but The Londoner is also much more than its great location!

This is one of London’s newest five-star hotels, and The Londoner describes itself as the “world’s first super-boutique hotel.” This luxury establishment provides everything you need and many things you never thought you’d need – including a chic indoor swimming pool, a spa and treatment center, a beauty salon, and even a superfood clinic!

You’ll love the guest-only club concept, which keeps the facilities prioritized for hotel guests and ensures you’ll get the best views of Leicester Square from the wonderful rooftop lounge. There is an impressive range of bars and restaurants to enjoy during your stay, and as a guest, you’ll have the first pick of the best tables. 

There’s Mediterranean cuisine on offer at Whitcomb’s, Japanese drinks and dishes at 8 at The Londoner, and terroir gins and draught beers at Joshua’s Tavern. The Stage hosts live events and performances alongside an extensive champagne menu, while Refuel is the place to revitalize after one too many drinks the night before. 

And the rooms are simply sublime. The interiors have been designed by Yabu Pushelberg, and you’ll love how they all feature unique artwork and comforting color schemes designed to both inspire and relax. Rooms at The Londoner are downright luxurious, with plush bedding, decadent Miller Harris toiletries, and East India Company teas!

That completes our list of the 12 best London hotels! Did we miss any cool boutique hotels in London? Comment below so we can add them to the list!

Where to stay in London

With so many different districts and places to stay in London, it can be tricky working out the best place to base yourself in the capital, let alone the best hotel to book. Luckily, every suburb of London is buzzing (in its own way), and every suburb has a fantastic selection of boutique and luxury hotels to choose from.

For soaring views of the capital, you can’t beat a stay atop The Shard, London’s tallest building. For timeless classics with a side of Regency charm, head to iconic locations like The Strand or Leicester Square, while if you’ve got a budget to burn and an eye for royalty, there’s no better place than Kensington or Chelsea. 

And wherever you pick, you’ll have countless luxurious boutique retreats, five-star hotels, and historic institutions waiting to welcome you.

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