In the sprawling metropolis of London, where you might think the only thing more abundant than historical landmarks are its hotel rooms, there’s a surprising twist: no one really knows the exact number. The last figure we have is a scholarly guess from 2010—123,000 rooms and counting. That number is as outdated as a flip phone in a TikTok world. But who needs an exact count when we have a shortlist of the best hotels in London to make your decision easier?
Forget the sheer number of rooms and focus on the crème de la crème. Our selection of the 8 best hotels in London is like finding a golden needle in a haystack of hospitality. Think Paris and New York have impressive options? Maybe. But London is the queen of them all, serving up hotels that are as diverse and dazzling as a box of chocolates. Ready to experience the best hotels in London? Dive into our top picks and discover luxury, quirkiness, and charm that’s bound to make your stay unforgettable. Because in a city this grand, you deserve nothing less than the best hotels in London.
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Claridge’s: The Best of the Best Hotels in London
Since 1812, Claridge’s has been strutting its stuff in Mayfair, proving that age really is just a number—especially when you’re one of the best hotels in London. It’s been the playground for Queen Victoria and a standout since Baedeker’s called it “the first hotel in London” back in 1878. But don’t think this grand dame is resting on her historic laurels. Oh no, Claridge’s keeps waltzing ahead with style, thanks to glam makeovers by the likes of Guy Oliver and Diane von Furstenberg.
Step into the lobby and you’re instantly transported to the Jazz Age, where flappers mingled with royalty and the checkered floor buzzes with Hollywood stars, brides, and the occasional business mogul sipping on Ginger John cocktails in the swanky 1930s-style Fumoir bar.
When it comes to rooms, Claridge’s doesn’t disappoint. The Georgian suite is a love letter to English heritage and subtle chinoiserie, complete with a Steinway baby grand and a dining room wrapped in silk de Gournay. Or check out the Mayfair suite, where Bryan O’Sullivan’s modern touches make you feel like royalty in coral and pastel-green mohair furniture.
And don’t get us started on the subterranean spa, designed by André Fu. It’s a zen sanctuary where you can indulge in bamboo-stick massages and Cryo Oxygen Shot facials, all beneath a vaulted ceiling surrounded by stone columns. Claridge’s might not be the only name in town, but it’s certainly the one setting the bar for the best hotels in London.
Price: Rooms from around £842 per night.
The Dorchester: London’s Iconic Luxury Hotel with a Dazzling New Look
The Dorchester, one of the best hotels in London, isn’t about to let new kids on the block steal the spotlight. After a three-decade hiatus from major makeovers, this grand dame is back and more fabulous than ever. With supercharged public spaces and two new floors of rooms and suites, she’s proving why she’s still a top contender in the “best hotels in London” category. And, let’s not forget, this is the same hotel where Elizabeth Taylor famously signed her Cleopatra contract from the comfort of her bath—clearly, it’s always been the place to make a splash.
The Artists’ Bar gleams with Lalique crystal pillars and a mirror-ball baby grand that Liberace would’ve loved. It’s the perfect spot to sip on Petal Head cocktails (fancy kumquat and Stoli Elit vodka, anyone?) while nibbling on caviar and native oysters. Meanwhile, Martin Brudnizki’s Vesper Bar offers an intimate setting with scalloped armchairs and smoked glass—a perfect retreat after your medical-grade facial at the spa.
With new suites inspired by English gardens, you’ll be surrounded by soft greens, roses, and heather hues. Think of it as British charm with an American twist—because, really, who can resist that fantasy? The Dorchester is still setting the standard for the best hotels in London, and we’re absolutely here for it.
Price: Rooms from around £902 per night.
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Raffles London at The OWO: A Historic Icon Among the Best Hotels in London
If you’re looking for one of the best hotels in London with a history that would make a Netflix drama blush, Raffles London at The OWO is your go-to. Once the War Office, where Winston Churchill himself commanded operations (cue the dramatic music), this grand building has been given a billion-pound facelift by the Hinduja Group and transformed into one of the best hotels in London. It’s basically Churchill meets chic.
After seven years of revamping, The OWO boasts 120 rooms and suites, nine restaurants, three bars, a 20-meter pool, and a Guerlain spa that’s bigger than most London flats. Churchill’s old office is now a plush suite called The Haldane, draped in red damask and oozing historical swag.
Hungry? Argentine chef Mauro Colagreco runs three of the hotel’s restaurants, including fine dining and a private-table experience. But if you’re more into politics (or just some A+ people-watching), head to the Guards Bar, where media types and gossip-happy politicians hobnob over drinks. For a spy-worthy finale, check out the tiny Spy Bar, located in an old interrogation room. With its red velvet banquettes and a car from No Time to Die on the wall, it’s the perfect place to channel your inner James Bond.
Price: Rooms from around £1,100 per night.
The Peninsula, Belgravia: Where British Charm Meets Asian Luxury in One of the Best Hotels in London
When even your taxi driver starts gushing about the lion statues outside, you know you’ve arrived at one of the best hotels in London. The Peninsula London took a mere 30 years to find its perfect spot, and boy, was it worth the wait. Sitting pretty near Hyde Park Corner, this eight-storey beauty has all the opulence you’d expect, with a dash of feng shui and a whole lot of Asian flair.
Inside, the vibe is pure seven-star luxury. From the fleet of signature Rolls-Royces in Peninsula green to the underwater pool music and robo-toilets (yes, really), this place has everything you never knew you needed. The lobby’s afternoon tea is an event in itself, while Canton Blue serves up Cantonese classics alongside Little Blue, a sultry bar inspired by a 19th-century trading junk. Not to be outdone by its Cantonese cousins, Brooklands restaurant-bar brings some nostalgic Britishness to the table, with Michelin-starred dishes by Claude Bosi and stunning views of London’s iconic skyline.
Whether you’re gazing at the London Eye or indulging in some spa-time luxury, The Peninsula proves why it’s one of the best hotels in London for those who demand only the finest.
Price: Rooms from around £1,300 per night.
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The Emory, Knightsbridge: The Sleekest Addition to the Best Hotels in London
Looking more like a futuristic yacht than a London hotel, The Emory ditches the old-school red bricks and Portland stone for sleek glass and steel. Tucked away on Old Barracks Yard, this shiny, all-suite gem is the latest brainchild of the Maybourne crew, the same folks behind Claridge’s and The Connaught. But forget old-world charm—The Emory is all about modern vibes and, of course, serious discretion. Guests glide in silently (thanks to those electric BMW i7s) and enter through an unassuming glass box.
Inside, the word is understated luxury. Six design heavyweights (think Pierre Yves Rochon and Patricia Urquiola) worked their magic across two floors each, ensuring that every suite feels like the pinnacle of chic. The penthouse? A casual 300 square meters designed by Rigby & Rigby, perfect for anyone looking to rent out an entire floor—just like Louis Vuitton’s top brass have done.
The cherry on top is the Surrenne holistic spa, where longevity is the buzzword. Fancy biohacking or learning how to tweak your vagus nerve? You’re in the right place. Add in nutrition programs by a model-turned-nutritionist and skincare treatments from NYC’s most in-demand surgeon, and you’ve got one of the best hotels in London for wellness lovers.
Price: Rooms from around £1,440 per night.
Broadwick Soho: A Maximalist Dream Among the Best Hotels in London
Forget stiff upper lips and quiet refinement—Broadwick Soho is where the party’s at! Nestled at the buzzing corner of Berwick and Broadwick Streets, this Martin Brudzinski-designed hideaway isn’t here to blend in. With 57 vibrant rooms, this bold, boutique hotel throws together leopard prints, zebra stripes, and enough flamingo pink to make Barbie jealous. Think glittery DJ booths, silk walls, and handcrafted Jaipur elephant mini bars—because why settle for subtle when you can have elephants in top hats?
Broadwick Soho is unapologetically fun, with rooms draped in shimmering elephant-print wallpaper and a rooftop bar, Flute, that screams disco-chic. If you’re looking for something a little more sultry, Dear Jackie’s Sicilian-inspired menu is as seductive as the dimly lit atmosphere, while Bar Jackie offers a more laid-back vibe for those mornings when coffee is non-negotiable. For exclusive nightcaps or sneaky naps, The Nook, a guest-only lounge, has your back.
Broadwick Soho is more than just a cool place to crash; it’s a maximalist masterpiece that slides seamlessly into Soho’s glamorous and slightly rebellious spirit. No wonder it’s climbing the ranks as one of the best hotels in London, shaking things up with bold design and unforgettable style. Who says luxury can’t have a little fun?
Price: Rooms from around £464 per night.
Chelsea Townhouse: Your Private Key to London’s Leafy Luxury
If you know London, you know that private communal gardens are basically the VIP lounges of real estate—and Chelsea Townhouse just handed you the golden key. Nestled in posh Sloane Square, this 36-room gem grants access to the exclusive Cadogan Place Gardens, a leafy sanctuary where you can rub elbows with the high-society squirrels.
The decor? Think chic antiques with a twist—velvet headboards, botanical prints, and the occasional porcelain figurine to remind you you’re in one of the best hotels in London. Ground-floor suites even have French doors that open directly into the garden, perfect for your morning cup of tea… or a discreet peek over the hedge.
Chelsea Townhouse isn’t just a pretty face, though. Its warm dining room and bay-windowed library feel like a big, cozy hug from your posh British aunt. Need a workout? Skip over to sister property 11 Cadogan Gardens for a private gym sesh. Or head to Pavilion Road for indie restaurants, bars, and enough boutique shopping to max out your credit card.
Whether you’re soaking in the luxury or exploring Chelsea and Kensington, you’ll quickly realize why this townhouse is climbing the list of the best hotels in London. After all, who wouldn’t want to call this tucked-away retreat home?
Price: Rooms from around £455 per night.
NoMad London: Where Broadway Flair Meets British Elegance
When New York’s NoMad Hotel crossed the pond to London, it brought some serious showmanship with it—minus the circus act. Nestled in a former magistrates’ court opposite the Royal Opera House, NoMad London has quickly earned its place among the best hotels in London. If you’re after vintage charm with a dash of transatlantic flair, you’re in the right spot.
The centerpiece restaurant, housed in a neoclassical atrium dripping in greenery, is a hot ticket—booked weeks in advance. It’s more Noël Coward than PT Barnum, with chandeliers, mohair, and brass all adding a touch of the theatrical. The bedrooms flirt with Twenties Art Deco, while the library bar has enough criminology books to make Sherlock blush—plus a bar tour that takes you straight to the Bow Street Police Museum. Fancy a cocktail? The tavern-esque Side Hustle shakes up American-style drinks that are as smooth as they are fancy.
This hotel is like the perfect Broadway hit: big thinking, star-studded decor, but with enough cozy charm to make it feel personal. Whether you’re here for the art, the history, or just the cocktails, you’ll agree—NoMad London is a must-stay. It’s no wonder it’s climbing the ranks of the best hotels in London. Standing ovation, anyone?
Price: Rooms from around £499 per night.
