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There is no doubt that London is currently experiencing a hotel renaissance. A steady stream of new openings—ranging from independent gems to long-awaited arrivals from prestigious luxury brands—shows no signs of slowing down. Properties like the wellness-oriented Six Senses London, which impresses with a hammam, biohacking initiatives, and a flotation pod, and the whimsical Sir Devonshire Square, which brings boutique flair to East London, are joining an ever-expanding list of remarkable accommodations.
However, it is not just the flashy new arrivals that make the London hotel scene one of the world’s most compelling. The city also boasts hotels steeped in history and tradition, unique properties found nowhere else on earth, and establishments that have evolved into landmarks in their own right. Regardless of what brings you to London, there is a perfect hotel waiting for you.
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Fans of the 1 Hotels brand will discover a familiar, verdant sanctuary in this Mayfair location, conveniently situated near The Green Park. Guest rooms feature all the amenities expected from this wellness-focused brand, including yoga mats, filtered water taps, live greenery, and HEPA air filters. Guests can participate in group fitness classes or join the hotel’s running club during their stay. If your preferred method of self-care involves relaxation, enhance your London sightseeing with a massage at the Bamford Wellness Spa or enjoy some quiet time in your room with a rentable infrared sauna blanket, which is designed to reduce stress and burn calories—a convenient dual benefit.
This 19th-century masterpiece, now a landmark in its own right, provides guest rooms and suites decorated in both traditional and Art Deco styles. Regardless of your choice, you can expect elements crafted specifically for Claridge’s, such as custom bath amenities and handcrafted side tables. For most visitors, the primary appeal is the hotel’s enduring legacy and dedication to tradition. The Foyer & Reading Room is the premier spot for afternoon tea; the building houses the city’s last remaining man-operated elevator; and the hotel has hosted a wide array of royalty, Hollywood stars, fashion icons, and actual British monarchs, including Queen Victoria.
Despite its long and distinguished history of hosting literary, political, and royal elites, this Rocco Forte property maintains a lighthearted atmosphere. Rooms feature playful prints and vibrant pops of color that are distinctly British, while the bars and restaurants share this spirited sensibility. The Donovan Bar includes a “Naughty Corner,” and while Charlie’s offers white tablecloths and roast beef carved tableside, it retains the warmth and charm of a restaurant that is, at its heart, a family endeavor.
Impress your clients at The Peninsula London, a hotel decades in the making that overlooks Hyde Park. Brand enthusiasts will appreciate the attentive white-glove service and luxurious room finishes, such as mahogany and onyx. The highlight, however, is the aviation- and motorsports-themed rooftop bar and restaurant, Brooklands by Claude Bosi. You will pass a Concorde nose cone in the lobby and take an elevator ride designed to simulate a hot-air balloon to reach the bar, which features a chandelier modeled after turbine engines. The dining room boasts an airframe-inspired ceiling. While you aren’t actually airborne, the eighth-floor venue still provides breathtaking city views.
Featuring a structure designed by award-winning architects and guest rooms curated by a “who’s who” of design masters—including André Fu, Alexandra Champalimaud, Patricia Urquiola, and Pierre-Yves Rochon—The Emory immediately captured attention upon its summer 2024 opening. Rooms offer floor-to-ceiling windows with views of Hyde Park, and the included amenities ensure every guest feels like a VIP. Perks include 24-hour room service with all-day breakfast, breakfast at Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s ABC Kitchens, access to a house car, and a 24-hour assistant reachable via text. Guests also receive entry to a four-story wellness club featuring a swimming pool with a gold-leaf ceiling, a spa, a fitness center, and a Tracy Anderson Studio.
Widely regarded as the final family-owned luxury hotel in London, The Goring serves as a pillar of British excellence. The walls are lined with Gainsborough silk, bathrooms are finished in marble, and many of the 69 rooms feature balconies overlooking the hotel’s private garden, one of the largest in the city. The Goring is also an ideal destination for afternoon tea, where you can pair classic finger sandwiches and herbal teas with garden views and glasses of bubbly. Its location near Buckingham Palace is unbeatable for travelers seeking a convenient, quintessential London experience.
Walk in the footsteps of Winston Churchill at the first Raffles property in the U.K., which is housed within Britain’s historic Old War Office. The subterranean rooms where the Secret Service Bureau—the precursor to MI5 and MI6—once stored highly classified files now serve as The Spy Bar, a guests-only speakeasy featuring James Bond’s custom Aston Martin DB5. Standard rooms are timeless and refined, while several lavish suites pay tribute to historical figures like operative Christine Granville and war secretary Lord Haldane. The suite named for Granville, Britain’s longest-serving female spy, features a palatial bathroom centered around a copper soaking tub.
Few structures in London are as instantly recognizable as The Shard, the tallest skyscraper in Western Europe, which resembles a glass wedge rising above the River Thames. Many tourists pay to view the skyline from the building’s observation decks, but staying overnight in the Shangri-La hotel, which occupies nearly 20 floors of the tower, is a far more exclusive experience. The best vistas are found from your room’s freestanding soaking tub, which is carefully angled toward major city landmarks, or from the sauna and London’s highest swimming pool, located on the 52nd floor.
A trio of historic buildings with meticulously restored original features complements the modern, tranquil guest rooms added when Café Royal was converted into a hotel in 2012. Situated on the vibrant Regent Street, the property continues to serve award-winning French cuisine, though guests can now retreat to rooms finished in Portland stone or English oak after their meal. In a city where hotels constantly strive to outdo one another, Hotel Café Royal remains a favorite, thanks to its well-being spa, landmark all-day restaurant once frequented by Oscar Wilde, and Carrara marble bathrooms, some of which feature soaking tubs carved from a single block of stone.
Created by the whimsical design powerhouse Kit Kemp, this Firmdale Hotels property in London’s theater district is a delightful blend of contemporary art, colorful prints, and vintage pieces reimagined with bold textiles. Bedrooms evoke the feeling of a vibrant, eclectic English country estate, complete with oak and granite bathrooms and upholstered headboards. The design takes an edgier turn at the swimming pool, where guests can enjoy cocktails at the pewter bar while admiring a dramatic light installation that utilizes hundreds of fiber-optic ceiling lights.
Although it is considered one of Europe’s first grand hotels, The Langham, London, maintains a sleek, contemporary design aesthetic. Located at the top of Regent Street, the property offers rooms and suites with a residential feel, making it seem as though you are staying in your own private London apartment. Be sure to visit the various bars and restaurants, including the award-winning Artesian bar, which is consistently ranked among the best in the world. Like the hotel itself, it offers innovative twists on classics, such as martinis crafted with sake and kale.
Before becoming an Oetker Hotels property, The Lanesborough served many purposes, including as a hospital, a viscount’s residence, and various luxury hotels. Today, its 93 rooms retain Regency-era elegance, with some beds positioned beneath silk canopies and others offering views of Hyde Park. It remains the only hotel in London to provide coattail-clad butler service to guests in every room category, assisting with everything from theater reservations and dog walking to drawing baths with royal jelly and arranging personalized business cards.
Do not let the ornate exterior of this landmark property deceive you. Inside the 19th-century building—reportedly inspired by a 16th-century Parisian château—and past the mosaic-tiled floor and pink marble lobby, you will find 334 contemporary guest rooms featuring signature Kimpton touches, such as “Lucky George” the dragon mugs and in-room yoga mats. Even returning guests will discover new reasons to appreciate this centrally located hotel, including the recently opened outdoor pop-up bar, The Terrace.
The newly opened Newman offers an unmistakably residential atmosphere that perfectly complements its central London surroundings. Rooms feature stone vanities, heated floors in custom-tiled bathrooms, leather-top writing desks, and floor-to-ceiling windows. The all-day Brasserie Angelica serves approachable yet upscale European dishes, such as buttermilk fried haddock, a Swedish-style cheese tart, and a Sunday roast. The Gambit Bar is already rumored to be a popular neighborhood hangout, featuring DJ sets and live bands. In short, The Newman feels like home—provided you have “main character energy.”
An outpost of a boutique brand from Amsterdam brings much-needed hospitality to East London. Rooms combine marble bathrooms with playful prints and splashes of color, and even the smallest units include thoughtful amenities like espresso machines and work desks. With the all-day Lobby Bar offering after-work drinks and breakfast bites, plus complimentary access to a luxury health club nearby, the hotel is a compelling choice for travelers who enjoy East End vibes but desire the full amenities of a traditional hotel. The brick-clad building is located less than a 10-minute walk from Spitalfields Market.
It is easy to mistake this discreet townhouse hotel in Chelsea for a Parisian pied-à-terre. There is no flashy signage to indicate that guest rooms lie behind the red brick facade, and the clientele would look right at home on a French runway. Inside, the red, white, and black spaces are filled with mismatched prints and antiques. Consider upgrading to a Chambre Sloane or Chelsea category room, both of which feature mosaic-tiled bathroom floors and soaking tubs. Despite its intimate size, the hotel is impressive, featuring an all-day restaurant and a downstairs speakeasy-style bar with red velvet theater seats, private booths, and wood-paneled walls.
The 36-room Chelsea Townhouse—a sister property to 11 Cadogan Gardens that joined the family in March 2024—occupies three Victorian red brick buildings. Despite being one of the newest additions to the London hotel scene, it stands out with its heritage details. Expect decorative cornices, vintage furniture, and original fireplaces. Embrace the traditional theme by reserving a table for “Sweet and Sip,” which pairs champagne with cakes.
Designer Martin Brudnizki’s maximalist style is on full display at this 57-room property, which opened to significant acclaim near Carnaby Street at the end of 2023. Expect cheeky flourishes, such as a bust wearing a flower crown in the guests-only lounge, a 20th-century Murano chandelier, leopard prints, and artwork by Andy Warhol and Francis Bacon. This dazzle is balanced by several intimate, cozy spaces; visit The Nook to read by the working fireplace, where the eclectic library includes books on English gardens, the decorative arts, and Basquiat. Do not miss Flute, the rooftop bar featuring an outdoor terrace.
Are you searching for a hotel that captures the romance between New York City and London? You will find it at NoMad London, located in the city’s West End. The reasons to appreciate this decadent retreat extend beyond its prime location. Even entry-level rooms feature bathrooms with gold taps and glittering mosaics. While the rooms are compact, they are beautifully decorated with jewel-toned velvet and damask prints, and there is a stunning, boudoir-style library exclusively for guests—the perfect setting for afternoon tea or breakfast.
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Lead photo courtesy of The Emory.
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