Best Luxury Hotels in London

The city of London is so steeped in history you may well be advised to bring a step-ladder with you in order to see everything it has to offer. From some of the most historic tourist sites in Europe to world-renowned theater and entertainment in the famed West End, and fantastic shopping experiences in Oxford Street and Regent Street, London offers the well-heeled traveler everything they could be looking for.

A typical day might involve a trip by speedboat down the Thames, a visit to the Tower of London, lunch at the Ledbury, wandering around castles near London, a shopping trip to Harrods, and an evening date at the Royal National Theatre.

The only thing missing? A truly world-class hotel where you can relax, refresh and revitalize, ready to go again the next day. Luckily, we have just what you need – a selection of some of the best hotels London has to offer:

The Wellesley Knightsbridge

Centrally located within a stone’s throw of Buckingham Palace, The Wellesley has a real feeling of royal opulence, from the courtesy Rolls-Royce and butler service to the marble bathrooms and stunning views over Hyde Park. Guests often feel as though they’ve taken a trip back to the 1920s with the art deco style, exclusive cigar terraces and the Crystal bar serving some of the best cognacs and whiskeys to be found anywhere in London. Simply unbeatable for classy romantic trips away.

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W London – Leicester Square

Situated in the heart of London’s West End, W London – Leicester Square is ideal for those of a more theatrical persuasion. With views over Leicester Square and mere meters away from Chinatown and Soho, guest don’t even have to leave the hotel to party, as it comes with its own nightclub, Room 913, complete with live DJs and mirror balls. Guests love the location, food and rate the room service menu as one of the best in London. The hotel also has its own beauty boutique, Away Spa, where guests can enjoy a sauna and steam room, and treatments in one of the four elegantly designed treatment rooms.

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Bulgari Hotel

One for the shopaholics, the Bulgari is a located in the heart of Knightsbridge, just a 5-minute walk from Harrods and a short tube journey from Oxford Street. It is also near one of these awesome vegan afternoon tea experiences. The hotel actually caters for all interests, with a swimming pool, spa, and fitness center, private cinema, and even a ballroom.

This stunning hotel is an example of English and Italian style and design perfectly intertwined. The seasonal restaurant menu takes inspiration from Italian market culture to produce deliciously fresh dishes. Guests rave about the rooms and suites, with one noting that the bed “just wrapped its arms around you”, and another that “if you’re after luxury, this is the place.”

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Intercontinental London – The O2

For some of the most iconic views of London, Canary Wharf and the Thames, the Intercontinental London – The O2 is ideally placed. Connected to the O2 Arena by a covered walkway, this hotel makes an ideal location for guests looking to take in a concert or other event. Unusually for London, but happily for guests who choose to stay here, there are a choice of three exquisite restaurants within the hotel and two bars offering stunning skyline views of London. The breakfast is described as “fabulous” and the service “impeccable”. What more could you ask for?

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Rosewood London

Convenient elegance might be the best way to describe the Rosewood. Just a short walk from Covent Garden and Oxford Street, this Italian designed hotel is a perfect stop for theatergoers, shoppers and sightseers alike. The rooms are classically finished but retain all the modern comforts today’s traveler needs, such as a 46-inch flat screen TV, a Nespresso machine, and an iPhone docking station. Described by guests as the most incredible hotel experience with outstanding service and quality, the staff are consistently highlighted as a standout feature of the hotel.

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Sofitel London St James

Situated within a stunning Victorian-era building, the Sofitel is about as luxurious a hotel as you are likely to find in London. Each room is elegantly finished with wonderful individual features, and offer some of the best views of London available. The hotel’s gym comes fully equipped and even has its own team of personal trainers exclusively available for guests’ use. The spa is spread over three floors and offers a full complement of treatments. The on-site Brasserie serves exquisite British-French cuisine, the lounge traditional afternoon teas, and cocktails and champagnes are provided in the bar. A truly full-service hotel, guests loved the stylish decor, the attentive and helpful staff and described the hotel as a “wonderful oasis”.

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Landmark London

Perfectly designed and situated for the fashionistas among you, the hotel stands proudly in the center of Marylebone, one of London’s most sought-after areas. One of the standout features of this stunning hotel is the glass atrium, spanning 8 floors and complete with palm trees for a truly tropical experience. The spa and wellness center is almost unrivaled, with a vast array of treatments available to accompany the gym, steam room, sauna and relaxation room.

Bedrooms are immaculately designed and finished with the finest fittings, the beautiful furniture being matched by the marble bathrooms. The food is described as “fabulous”, the facilities “excellent” and the overall experience “superb”. The hotel staff delight in helping guest celebrate any special occasions, and will do whatever they can to make your stay as memorable as possible.

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The Exhibitionist Hotel

Set in beautifully restored 18th-century townhouses, this boutique hotel is like almost nothing else you will find in London. Quirky, eccentric and unusual could all be used to describe this hotel, but guests love the experience and believe the hotel is worth it for the art alone, with 8 galleries available to guests to view, and collections changing on a regular basis. The style of the hotel and its location make it perfect for guests who want to experience some history and sample some of London’s culture. Several museums are within walking distance, as it the Royal Albert Hall and the Knightsbridge shopping district. The rooms have to be seen to be believed; the Spa Suite, for example, comes with its own plunge pool, and the penthouse comes complete with terrace and outdoor TV. Guests love the “interesting and beautiful artwork” which “stimulates the senses and puts a smile on your face”. The staff are described as “simply awesome”.

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Conrad London St James

One of the least expensive options on our list, guests certainly won’t feel as though they’ve missed out if they choose to stay at Conrad St James. Rooms come with 42” flat-screen TVs, minibars, Nespresso machines and Bluetooth-enabled media hubs. A fully equipped fitness center allows guests to build up an appetite, which will then be more than taken care of by the on-site Blue Boar Smokehouse, serving hearty British cuisine using only locally-sourced ingredients. Not full after that? Perhaps finish off with a traditional afternoon tea in the lounge bar, rated highly by guests. As ever with our selection of hotels, the staff are “simply superb”, and the hotel has “great rooms and a fantastic vibe”.

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Milestone Hotel Kensington

An intimate boutique hotel perfect for couples, the Milestone manages to tread the fine line between classic romance and modern convenience, creating an experience that will not be easily forgotten by its guests. With locally sourced, organic ingredients and a wine list of over 400 vintage selections, to dine at this hotel is to stay a class apart from the usual. Couples have rated the hotel as a perfect 10/10, and it is easy to see why. The rooms are a masterclass in understated elegance, the staff attentive but not overbearing, and the whole ambiance exudes romance and class. Being but a stone’s throw from Kensington Park offers couples a chance to take in a romantic walk or horse-drawn carriage ride to complete the perfect stay.

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Sanderson, A Morgans Hotel

A relaxing, calming hotel with innovative design could be just what you need to escape the hustle and bustle of a trip to London. The design of the rooms is truly special and is specifically meant to be soothing, and the huge spa and wellness center provides everything you need to feel truly relaxed and re-energised. The on-site restaurant focuses on seasonal cuisine, whilst the two bars offer an array of gourmet snacks and stunning cocktails. This hotel is centrally located but offers you a calm and serene world away from the city, allowing you to fully recharge before going out to see all the sights that London has to offer. This hotel comes highly recommended.

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COMO Metropolitan London

For a chance to escape the very center of London, guests can base themselves at the COMO, opposite Hyde Park, for a more relaxed yet no less stylish and luxurious stay. The Nobu restaurant is Michelin-starred and serves Japanese-Peruvian dishes, a true delicacy and one that is hard to find anywhere else. If you haven’t tried it, you really need to! The hotel is still conveniently located for transport into the center of the city, and main attractions such as Buckingham Palace are a short walk from the hotel, so you know you will be in esteemed company if you choose to stay in this area.

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The Hari London

With a fitness center, rooms adorned with artwork from esteemed international artists, on demand movie libraries and an 80-seater on-site Italian restaurant, the Hari is equally adept at catering for solo travelers, couples, and families alike. Both Buckingham Palace and the Royal Albert Hall are less than 20 minutes’ walk away, and Hyde Park is merely half a mile away. A stunning building in a fantastic location, guests have endless praise for the staff as well as the attention to detail shown in both the design of the hotel and by the staff in ensuring guests have a perfect stay.

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Hotel Cafe Royal

For guests wanting to stay in a classic, landmark hotel in ones of London’s most iconic locations, they need look no further than the Cafe Royal. Catering for all room types from a superior king-sized right through to a stunning Tudor suite, each room and suite has been individually designed and finished to provide guests with a truly unique experience. For relaxation, the Akasha Holistic Wellbeing Centre is one of the best London has to offer, and guests are truly spoiled for choice when it comes to dining. They can choose from the Ten Room with informal all-day dining, cocktails in the Green Bar, afternoon tea in the Oscar Wilde Bar or espresso and pastries in The Cafe. All guests are also afforded access to the Club at Cafe Royal, an exclusive central London venue featuring fabulous dining options and private events.
With the hotel being located on Regent Street, in the heart of one of the most popular and exclusive locations in the city, the hotel effortlessly combines modern, minimalist luxury with historic elegance and charm to provide guests with one of the best hotel experiences imaginable.

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The Franklin Hotel – Starhotels Collezione

For locality to the museum district and stunning dining options presented by the Michelin-starred Alfredo Russo, there are no better options in the center of London. Guests’ comfort and enjoyment is so important to this hotel that they even have a pillow menu to ensure the best night’s sleep is had. A luxurious Hamman (steam room) floor will soothe the aches and pains from a long day sightseeing and shopping in the exclusive Kensington and Chelsea district. The staff at the Franklin will go above and beyond to ensure the perfect stay for guests and have an intimate knowledge of the local area that they will be happy to share. The hotel is warm, inviting, and “a real hidden gem” according to guests, with no request too small or too difficult to cater for.

Compare hotel prices and read reviews on: Booking.com | Agoda

As our list of the above luxury hotels shows, there is a plethora of luxury options and it really is impossible to make a bad choice. Whether you want city center or suburb, opulent glamor or understated elegance, the hotels above can cater for you and will ensure that you have an absolutely unforgettable stay in one of the best, most historic cities in the world.

Browse through the rest of our luxury hotel roundups all over Europe

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