The Best Hotels in London

My Favorite London Hotels

• 5-Star: Connaught
• 4-Star accommodation: Marylebone • 3-Star: Motel One London
• Boutique: Batty Langley’s inn.
• Low-cost: Z Soho
• For Families: This lodging
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• Heathrow: Sofitel
• Gatwick: Sofitel hotel.
• Victoria Station: DoubleTree
• Paddington: Hilton Suites
• Kings Cross: St. Pancras Renaissance

a series of photos showing different types of food 1. St. Pancras Renaissance • 2. Hilton • 3. Marylebone • 4. Connaught • 5. Montague on the Gardens • 6. Soho • 7. Z Soho • 8. Batty Langley’s • 9. Motel One • 10. Mandarin Oriental • 11. Sofitel Heathrow • 12. Sofitel Gatwick • 13. The Goring • 14. DoubleTree • 15. Park Plaza

London Hotels – Tips & Info

The 9 Best Hotels in London

1. Connaught – Mayfair

a large brick building with a large window

Hotel phone: +44 20 7499 7070
The central role of Mayfair from 1815 onward features a short walk from high-end stores, the Connaught offers where English tradition and historical heritage intersect modern comforts. The magnificent dark wood staircase, dedicated attendants, and traditionally designed rooms courtesy of Guy Oliver all echo the days when the hotel hosted guests like French president Charles de Gaulle. Accommodations in the new addition are bright, contemporary and somewhat Eastern in atmosphere. Families can stay in adjoining rooms with perks for kids, a child-amenable menu, and swimming periods solely for families twice daily at the Aman Spa swimming pool. Dining selections encompass the two Michelin-starred Hélène Darroze renowned for several of the finest French meals in London. Afternoon tea is served in the light-filled conservatory. The Connaught Bar, known for its signature martini, conducts cocktail seminars directed by award-winning mixologist Agostino Perrone.
• The Le Royal Monceau Raffles Paris website and Booking.com prices

2. Savoy – Covent Garden

a car that is parked in front of a building

Hotel phone: +44 20 7836 4343
The Savoy located in London`s West End district is a prominent hotel where past guests such as Monet and Laurence Olivier resided. Guests are immediately assisted by staff upon arrival since there is no front desk reception area. Rooms exhibit either Edwardian English or art deco designs along with modern bathrooms featuring rain showers, while suites provide butler services. Family amenities encompass vacation packages, kid amenities, and adjoining rooms. Dining options incorporate Gordon Ramsay`s Savoy Grill serving classic British cuisine with a French flair (formal attire required). The hotel`s bars are equally renowned: the legendary American Bar known as London`s oldest for cocktails and the icicle-shaped decorated Beaufort Bar serving original libations. The Savoy offers one of the best places in London to enjoy afternoon tea.
• Hotel website • Inquire about room rates for Savoy

3. Ritz – St. James

a car parked in front of a tall building

Hotel phone: +44 20 7493 8181
The Ritz has long been synonymous with traditional luxury since 1906. Overlooking Green Park and near Buckingham Palace, the Ritz has hosted countless royals, celebrities, and politicians including Noel Coward, Churchill, Eisenhower. More recently, an episode of “Downton Abbey” was filmed here. Designed by London and Paris-based creatives, the high-ceilinged guest rooms are decorated in classical Louis XVI style – the epitome of opulence complete with ornate antique furnishings and heavy silk drapes. The three Signature Suites include butler service. The Ritz Restaurant recreates traditional French dishes using high-quality British seasonal ingredients, while the art deco Rivoli bar is an intimate gathering place for cocktails. Both guests and non-guests indulge in “Tea at the Ritz” every afternoon at the elegant Palm Court amidst music from the resident pianist who previously performed with Frank Sinatra. Dress code remains throughout.
• Hotel website • Review cost estimates for Ritz

4. Shangri-La at the Shard – London Bridge

a large building with a clock on it

Hotel phone: +44 20 7234 8000
Occupying the 34th to 52nd floors of the Shard skyscraper (London’s iconic jagged-topped tower), the Shangri-La hotel ranks as London’s loftiest accommodation. The floor-to-ceiling windows in the rooms, restaurant, and bar and Infinity Skypool on the 52nd floor offer unequaled vistas of the city. Accommodations contain king-sized beds and marble bathrooms furnished with Washlet toilets. While all 17 suites come with private butler care, the Shangri-La Suite also has its own hot tub. Asian cuisine takes center stage on the menu at TĪNG, the main in-house eatery (and provides traditional afternoon tea). The GŎNG bar on the 52nd story (touted as the elevated hotel bar in Western Europe) serves sushi and excellent cocktails. The hotel is near the London Bridge subway station; a brief walk from Tower Bridge, Tate Modern, and the Tower of London. Well-placed for boat tours along the Thames.
• Hotel website – Check prices for Shangri-La at the Shard

5. Soho Hotel – Soho

a building with a flag on top of it

Hotel phone: +44 20 7559 3000
This boutique lodging is right in the core of Soho with excellent nearby dining and nightlife and protected against street commotion. The whole property highlights vibrant hues and playful details that interior designer and co-owner Kit Kemp is renowned for, from the bold wall graphic behind the bar to the Botero cat statue in the lobby. All rooms were uniquely styled and feature eye-catching wallpapers, a signature mannequin, and a striped umbrella in each closet. Some rooms interconnect to accommodate families. Bathrooms have free-standing tubs and his-and-hers sinks. Guests can unwind in the library or in the sculpture-filled living room, complete with a 24-hour honesty bar. Full-service gym access, massage treatments, and manicures can be done on-site. The Refuel restaurant serves modern European dishes with a separate children`s menu.
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6. Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park – Knightsbridge

a patio area with tables, chairs and umbrellas

Hotel phone: +44 20 7201 3773
Recently renovated and now more magnificent than ever the hotel occupies a historic Edwardian construction, the tallest in London upon its completion in 1889. There’s an indoor pool and wonderful spa, (featuring an amethyst crystal steam room, a sanarium, and a Pilates studio) and a state-of-the-art fitness center. The restaurant’s culinary plan features traditional British fine dining, a gourmet French bistro, all-day dining and afternoon tea, along with an innovative cocktail bar. Rooms and suites are decorated out in custom-made furnishings inspired by art deco style and the flora of Hyde Park, just steps away. The hotel sits in Knightsbridge on the south side of Hyde Park, within a 5 minutes walk of desinger shopping and a 15-minute walk of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
• Hotel website • View price estimates for Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park

7. Claridge’s – Mayfair

a large building with a flag on top of it

Hotel phone: +44 20 7629 8860
For over one hundred and fifty years, Claridge’s has characterized London’s high-end experience, its elegant art deco interior hosting royals, actors, and additional VIPs. In the rooms, hand-chosen furnishings, signature prints, and sumptuous fabrics abound. The service is discreet and attentive. Those staying in the top-tier suites are waited on by butlers. Afternoon tea in the magnificent Grand Foyer is a highlight. Claridge’s Bar is the place to sample vintage champagnes and some of the world’s best wines, while the Fumoir is a dim, seductive space to retreat to for a signature cocktail.
• Hotel website • Check prices for Soho Hotel

8. Montague on the Gardens – Bloomsbury

a number of cars parked in front of a building

Hotel phone: +44 20 7637 1001
Just around the corner from the British Museum lies this Georgian townhouse housing a luxurious boutique hotel. Brightly patterned wallpaper, luxurious wall fabrics and handcrafted furnishings decorate the cozy rooms. The grandest is a two-room suite with its own conservatory and copper bathtub. Afternoon tea is served in the sunny conservatory while the casual yet stylish Blue Door Bistro mainly serves Mediterranean dishes. Also on-site, the Garden Grill transforms into a beach bar in summer complete with palm trees and real sand retaining a ski lodge atmosphere in winter. Other seasonal perks include tennis viewings in the conservatory accompanied by champagne cocktails during Wimbledon. The Cigar Terrace offers comfy seating and vintage cigars for connoisseurs dinner comprising five courses accompanied by cigar tastings can be arranged upon request. Pets and families welcomed.
• Hotel website – View rates for Montague on the Gardens

9. Four Seasons at Ten Trinity Square – The City

a large building with a clock on the front of it

Hotel phone: +44 20 3297 9200
Luxurious high-end hotel near Tower Bridge and the Tower of London. There’s a spa, indoor pool, and two restaurants. The one, two, and three bedroom accommodations are ideal for large groups and families and have a fully equipped kitchen and dining area. The hotel is within a short walk of two underground stations.
• The hotel`s website: Hotel website • Assess rates for the Four Seasons

Staying in Mayfair & Marylebone

a man and woman standing in front of a store

Mayfair is one of London’s most exclusive neighborhoods with an air of grandeur present in its beautifully constructed buildings. Townhouses from the Edwardian era line Mayfair’s streets and surround its landmark squares – Grosvenor Square, dominated by the US embassy, and Berkeley Square, flanked by original terraced dwellings from the 18th century. Mayfair’s most renowned shopping street, Savile Row, is where discerning patrons come to have their suits tailored by esteemed tailors such as Henry Poole & Co, who once outfitted the famous writer Charles Dickens. This area is a center for British designers, home to fashion brands from Alexander McQueen, while boutiques from Paul Smith, Browns, and Stella McCartney flourish in nearby roads. Along the busy Piccadilly road, Mayfair’s southern boundary, Burlington Arcade (Britain’s first shopping arcade) retains its grandeur as in the 1820s, patrolled by security guards in top hats and featuring high-end food shops, perfume purveyors, and stores selling Italian leather goods. Further east, Bond Street has chains lining its stores. North of Mayfair, newly trendy ‘Marylebone village’ attracts both moneyed London locals and visitors: the latter come to visit Madame Tussaud’s and the Sherlock Holmes Museum on Baker Street, the former – for the upscale delicatessens and independent boutiques like La Fromagerie and Daunt Books.

The Best Hotels in Mayfair & Marylebone

  • Connaught (finest luxury hotel in London)
  • Claridge’s (elegant art deco/Victorian hotel, superb dining, near Mayfair shopping)
  • Four Seasons at Park Lane (5-star, great location & sightseeing)
  • Dorchester (old-world splendor, state-of-the-art amenities, superb dining)

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  • Landmark (grand Victorian style hotel that is family-friendly and near attractions)
  • The Athenaeum Hotel & Residences (grand Victorian style, family-friendly, near attractions)
  • Pegasus Boutique: Near the hotel of an identical name, this compact boutique offers apparel, footwear, swimsuits, and extras by Greek designers.
  • Chiltern Firehouse (cozy, trendy boutique lodge situated in historic building, near shopping)

Best Restaurants in Mayfair and Marylebone

  • Bentley’s Oyster Bar & Grill ( historic restaurant with classic decor, simple, impeccable fish and shellfish dishes)
  • Dinings (innovative Japanese small dishes and sushi, stark underground setting, relaxing atmosphere)
  • Le Gavroche (a Michelin starred French fine dining restaurant led by Michel Roux Jr, reservations required months in advance)
  • The website for Corrigan’s Mayfair focuses on their romantic atmosphere, innovative British dishes using seasonal ingredients, and dress code.

Staying in South Bank, Bankside, & London Bridge

Stretching along the south side of the Thames, the approximately two-mile pathway meant exclusively for pedestrians between Westminster Bridge and Tower Bridge showcases an almost continuous procession of attractions, ranging from those related to history to those that emerged after the new millennium. The gentrification of the area began in the 1950s with the aim of boosting public morale following WWII, but the South Bank truly came into its own in the 21st century with the debut of several iconic cultural destinations. For families with children, starting at the western end allows the kids to be entertained by depictions of torture, death, and disease at the London Dungeon as well as sea creatures at the London Aquarium. What comes next is the London Eye offering superb vistas of the city on a clear day. Additional along is the contemporary art powerhouse Tate Modern, flanked by the diminutive Bankside Gallery and the rebuilt Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre. A food marketplace dating back to the 13th century, Borough Market attracts discerning foodies and London chefs seeking out fresh ingredients for their kitchens. It also features an extensive selection of exotic street food stalls – the best choice for lunch. Towering above Borough Market is the jagged glass edifice of the Shard, London’s tallest skyscraper, in the nearby London Bridge neighborhood. Paying allows for the incredible views from the observation deck on the 72nd floor or enjoying sights slightly less elevated from Gŏng bar on the 52nd floor for the price of a beer on Sundays, Mondays, and Tuesdays.

people walking down a city street

Best Hotels in South Bank, Bankside, & London Bridge

Best Restaurants in South Bank, Bankside, and London Bridge

  • Restaurant Story (Michelin-starred Tom Sellers establishment, fun menu of British seasonal produce, reservations essential)
  • Union Street Café (a decor blending industrial and classic styles, with a daily changing Italian menu featuring modest portions)
  • Borough Marketplace (Gourmet food stalls – from Lebanese appetizers to Indian to Scandinavian, excellent for lunch Wed-Sat)
  • Check prices for the Cadence hotel
  • M. Manze (London’s oldest pie establishment, menu centered on pies and mash, busy, family-friendly)

Staying in Soho & Leicester Square

a large group of people walking down a street

Oxford Street, Charing Cross Road, Shaftesbury Avenue, and Regent Street create a rectangular boundary encompassing the dense grid of tiny alleys comprising Soho. For quite some time, Soho has been notorious as the city`s red-light district and a sanctuary for the unconventional: many of London`s gay bars and clubs continue to operate within this area. Prostitutes and sex shops have largely disappeared, replaced by London`s highest concentration of bars, pubs, and restaurants specializing in diverse cuisines. Numerous restaurants cluster around the leafy Soho Square and Greek Street guiding towards it, while Wardour Street houses television production companies. Just south of Shaftesbury Avenue and its grand Victorian theatres lies the compact, busy Chinatown, its specialty Asian grocery stores attracting chefs and discerning food aficionados. Many of its restaurants cater to the visiting tourist contingent, but some exceptions serve authentic Cantonese and Sichuan cuisine. Adjoining Chinatown to the south is Leicester Square, once among London`s most exclusive addresses and now home to several movie theatres. Film premieres take place at the Odeon Leicester Square; nearby, Odeon Panton Street attracts cinephiles with classics and cult hits. Head south along Charing Cross Road and join art lovers at the National Gallery, or mingle with the crowds and street performers facing Nelson`s Column in Trafalgar Square.

Best Hotels in Soho & Leicester Square

  • Soho (trendy contemporary hotel, bright colours, family-friendly, near dining and nightlife)
  • Ham Yard (colourful and unique design, friendly staff, suitable for families, near restaurants).
  • The W London (retro, monochromatic decor, party hotel, close to nightlife)
  • Z Soho (small boutique hotel in townhouses, luxurious interiors, near nightlife)

Best Restaurants in Soho and Leicester Square

  • Ceviche (trendy Peruvian restaurant, ceviche and anticuchos (skewers) specialties, busy and exciting)
  • Patara (high-end Thai dining, outstanding customer service, dinner reservations required)
  • The Ember Yard offers Basque-style grilling and Spanish/Italian tapas, using seasonal ingredients. It is a great spot for pre-theatre meals.
  • Bao (Taiwanese street stall-turned-restaurant, steamed buns, sliders and other small plates, lively environment, queues)

Staying in Covent Garden

a large crowd of people in a large building

Covent Garden is a favored locale for initial visitors to London. It is notably popular with travelers and scorned in equal measure by some locals for the prevalence of high street chains and the street performers along Bow Street. Its centerpiece is the paved Covent Garden Piazza, featuring a restored 19th-century marketplace increasingly filled with upscale boutiques such as Fred Perry and Burberry Brit and a gathering of independent shops offering unusual jewelry, clothing, and creative gifts. Residents seek independent shops indicative of Covent Garden’s disappearing quirky character. Neal’s Yard Dairy has long been a supplier of cheeses by UK’s small, autonomous producers; Stanford’s on Long Acre is London’s top traveling bookstore; and Vintage Showroom stocks vintage menswear. The dining scene leans more upscale with establishments like the Ivy Market Grill and Terroirs competing with mini-chains such as Dishoom and Wahaca. Part of West End and the hub of London’s cultural life, Covent Garden is overlooked by the Royal Opera House, and the surrounding streets are dotted with theaters, from the edgy Donmar Warehouse to the more mainstream Shaftesbury Theatre. Retaining some of its genteel charm and grandeur from centuries past, the Strand runs along Covent Garden’s southern boundary, parallel to the river. It may no longer be ‘the finest street in Europe’, but its western end is lined with several legendary top hotels, as well as the neoclassical Somerset House, home to many London Fashion Week events.

Best Hotels in Covent Garden

    The luxurious Savoy Hotel in London caters to families and is nearby several theatrical venues, providing opulent Old World style and superb dining

  • The ME by Melia in Holborn area features minimalist design with monochromatic color scheme, high-tech amenities, a rooftop bar, and proximity to restaurants and theaters.
  • Reservation Process: Booking.com generally has the most competitive rates: Aria Las Vegas.
  • Strand Palace (affordable hotel with a fantastic central area)

Best Restaurants Covent Garden

  • .

    • ” – Here a restaurant called Flesh & Buns is described and linked for visitors

  • Lima Floral (imaginative Peruvian haute cuisine, excellent cocktails, relaxed ambience)

    • Holualoa Inn

  • Terroirs (casual wine bar serving small plates in rustic setting, popular and trendy spot)
  • Homeslice Pizza (huge wood-fired pizzas with imaginative toppings, trendy decor, families welcome)

Staying in the City of London

a crowd of people walking down a city street

Gleaming high-rise buildings, such as the Gherkin, the Cheese Grater, and the Walkie Talkie, indicate the location where the Romans started Londinium over two millennia ago. Extending from Clerkenwell and Holborn in the west to Tower Hill and Aldgate in the east, the City of London is compacted within a tight region known as the Square Mile. Its streets busy with commuting bankers, traders, and lawyers on weekdays, London`s business district is brimming with attractions, counting the Tower of London. To properly appreciate the City, take a stroll around Holborn’s excellent small museums, or head to Clerkenwell, a trendy place with a post-industrial feel, to browse the boutiques, food stalls, and restaurants around colorful Exmouth Market. Once synonymous with the printing press, Fleet Street now has some fine art deco buildings from its heyday. It leads towards St Paul’s Cathedral, one of the capital’s most iconic structures. South of St Paul’s the pedestrian Millennium Bridge leads across the river to South Bank, while to the east of the cathedral is the immense One New Change shopping complex. The seven streets that meet above Bank subway station mark the heart of the City, surrounded by the Bank of England, the Royal Exchange, and Mansion House (Lord Mayor of London’s residence). Nearby, the Tower of London showcases the Crown Jewels and recreates the lives of British kings and queens.

Best Hotels in (or near) the City

  • The Rookery in Clerkenwell (intimate boutique hotel featuring antique furniture and a romantic setting near abundant dining).
  • Resort near Tower of London (luxurious lodging steps from the landmark)
  • Andaz Liverpool Street (grandly refurbished railway hotel, straightforward yet sophisticated rooms, good dining options in-house)
  • Threadneedles (former bank redeveloped into a boutique hotel, contemporary rooms, excellent restaurant, close to landmarks)

Best Restaurants in the City

  • Moro (Mediterranean cooking with an African-inspired twist, in an industrial-style decor inside Exmouth Market, with a lively atmosphere)
  • .

    • ” – This line mentions the classic seafood restaurant Sweetings and its link, noting its popularity and suitability for lunch

  • Duck & Waffle (small dishes from various regions with global influences served 24 hours atop Heron Tower in London)
  • 1 Lombard Street (grand brasserie with Neoclassical interior, featuring mainly meat- and fish-based modern European dishes)

Staying in South Kensington & Chelsea

a restaurant with tables and chairs in front of it

Compact South Kensington is packed with attractions. Three world-renowned museums line Exhibition Road including the Victoria & Albert Museum, the Science Museum, and the Natural History Museum, while its expansive parks incorporate Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park, popular places for local residents, skaters, and cyclists to stroll. Deep within Hyde Park, the Serpentine Gallery hosts contemporary art exhibitions and the park itself has traditionally served as a venue for protests. Knightsbridge, bordering South Kensington to the east, is where moneyed Londoners shop at the row of expensive boutiques – including Prada, Gucci, and Harvey Nichols – that line Sloane Street and where most of London’s embassies cluster along broad, tree-lined avenues. While the legendary Harrods department store on Brompton Road is often overrun with browsing tourists, the fine food halls can be a pleasure to explore during quieter times, and its art gallery is frequently overlooked. Further south, Chelsea was once synonymous with the Swinging Sixties and immortalized by the punk movement, but today it’s an exclusive residential area, with grand red brick houses lining the cobbled streets, best known for the annual Chelsea Flower Show. Take a stroll through the pedestrian enclave of shops and restaurants at the Duke of York Square, browse the modern art at the Saatchi Gallery or take a walk to Chelsea Farmers’ Market on Sydney Street.

Best Hotels in South Kensington & Chelsea

  • Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park (Asian inspired, classic luxury, iconic restaurant, near shopping and Hyde Park)
  • Langham (historic hotel with excellent dining, an Chinese medical spa, and an indoor pool)
  • The Milestone Kensington (lodging in a historic 17th-century residence with a pool, spa, and well-loved afternoon tea)
  • Berkeley (historic building, elegant setting, superb views of Hyde Park, excellent in-house dining, rooftop pool, nearby designer boutiques)
  • Egerton House (a hotel in a 18th-century townhouse with cozy rooms, great drinks, and afternoon tea. Pet friendly)

Best Restaurants in South Kensington and Chelsea

  • Dining by Heston Blumenthal (2 star Michelin molecular gastronomy, Top 10 restaurants in the world 2015, advance reservations essential)
  • Zuma (ingredient-focused contemporary Japanese cuisine, stylish setting, bustling environment)
  • Marcus at The Berkeley (a two star Michelin restaurant known for its romantic atmosphere and refined British cuisine served in an elegant setting)
  • Hawksmoor (an elegant art deco interior place, superb cuts of meat, imaginative cocktails, relaxed and friendly atmosphere)

Staying in Westminster & St. James

a building with a sign on the front of it

Westminster has served as the nucleus of political authority since the 1200s and is home to historic landmarks, like the Palace of Westminster (also referred to as the Houses of Parliament), Big Ben (the bell within the world`s most famous clock tower), and Westminster Abbey (a thousand-year-old church where all English and British monarchs have been crowned, sixteen royal weddings have been held, and Britain`s most renowned figures have been laid to rest). The area is bounded by the River Thames to the southeast; Mayfair, Soho, and Leicester Square to the north; and Belgravia to the west. The Queen resides here in Buckingham Palace, surrounded by the lush Buckingham Palace Gardens, St. James Park, and Green Park, while the Prime Minister lives at 10 Downing Street on the opposite side of St. James Park between Trafalgar Square and Big Ben. Art saturates the Westminster and St. James locales with major galleries such as the Tate Britain seated at the southeast corner and the National Gallery and National Portrait Gallery on the north side of Trafalgar Square, alongside lesser known art and history museums, for example the Queen`s Gallery Buckingham Palace, the Institute of Contemporary Art, the Churchill War Rooms, the Spencer House (constructed by Princess Diana`s ancestors), and the Queen`s Diamond Jubilee Galleries. Most restaurants in Westminster cater to travelers, though there are a handful of excellent restaurants, bars, and pubs in the St. James neighborhood, near its border with Soho and Leicester Square; standouts comprise the Regency Cafe (great for brunch) and Aquavit London (fine Scandinavian dining all day).

Best Hotels in Westminster & St. James

  • The Ritz (luxury hotel known for exemplary service and accommodation, rooms styled after 18th century decor near Buckingham Palace)
  • Taj 51 Buckingham Gate (large family-friendly luxury hotel with kitchenettes in one to six bedroom suites).
  • This property (well-known historic hotel near Buckingham Palace, afternoon tea is highly recommended)

Best Restaurants in Westminster and St. James

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Welcome to my travel website! I’m Mary Howard, an American who has been exploring the world full-time for 8 years.

Together with my husband, Intan, we often find ourselves in our second home, Bali, but our adventures take us to exciting destinations all over the globe.

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