Best Urban Hotels in United Kingdom

This was the first ever Hoxton hotel to be launched, landing in Shoreditch in 2006, at a point when the district was beginning to emerge as one of the hippest haunts in the capital. Beyond the brick and glass exterior is the kind of decor that typifies modern East London; a blend of urban, industrial and retro chic. There are 210 bedrooms with design features like parquet floors, accent headboards, distressed-effect rugs, leather Chesterfield wingback armchairs and backlit mirrors. Guests can hang out in the rooftop restaurant and bar, on a lounging sofa by the fire in the lobby, or at the Hoxton Grill.

This residence may be among the bright lights of London’s theatreland and nightlife hub, yet it’s tucked out a view in a peaceful pocket of the district. Kit Kemp has created the colourful interiors, with bright prints and a cool Britannia vibe. Guests at The Soho Hotel have the benefit of an onsite boutique cinema with two funky screening rooms, a beauty spa, a library and a drawing room and access to a Nintendo Wii. Bedrooms come equipped with a fully stocked mini-bar, a Tivoli Radio, a Bluetooth Bose unit, Frette bed linen and RikRak bath and body products.

Located in the business district, just outside the Square Mile. It is an all-time charm. The hotel has flagged stone floors, polished wood panelling, open fires and authentic antique furniture. This gives it a homely feel and is more of a private club than a hotel. Every room in the hotel is uniquely set up and named after the original residents who lived in the building over two centuries ago. Today, if you are looking for a private and discreet place to meet near the Square Mile, then The Rookery is the perfect place to touch base.

If you want pure decadence and lashings of theatrical opulence for your next stay in Edinburg, look no further. House of Gods’ design is infused with deco-style drama at every turn – velvet cushions and heavy drapes, curtained four-poster beds, mahogany antique furniture, parquet flooring, fringed lampshades, oak panelled walls, gleaming freestanding gleaming Victorian tubs and palms. The colour palette revolves around dark, rich hues of deep red and rooms come full of surprises, like hidden TV mirrors and coffee machines secreted out of immediate sight. Lilith’s lounge features a curated cocktail list that’s inspired by rock n’ roll’s tales of hotel debauchery.

Deep in the heart of Glasgow’s city centre, adjacent to Glasgow’s Central Station, The Grand Central Hotel shines a light on beauty, opulence and luxury. After its £20 million refurbishment and transformation, it is one of Glasgow’s most stylish hotels and the winner of 4 Scottish Hotel Awards in 2015, including the Gold Laurel Award. Whether you choose a Deluxe Double, Standard Twin, Junior Suite or one of their three Executive Suites, your stay will include exquisitely furnishings, large plasma screen TV, fluffy robes and free wi-fi throughout the hotel. More than just the hotel, don’t miss the chance to dine at one of Glasgow’s top restaurants and sip champagne and cocktails at their award-winning Champagne Central.

The Athenaeum Hotel is a five-star hotel and residences with a five-star history. Dating back to the 1800’s the building has taken many forms; from a popular Gentlemen’s Club, a luxurious Art Deco apartment block and a prestigious hotel – The Athenaeum Hotel has become synonymous with the important, the rich and the famous. The Athenaeum has made a name for itself not just as a hotel but also as a dining destination on its own merit. As the name suggests, Galvin at The Athenaeum is the hotel restaurant by Michelin-starred chef brothers Chris and Jeff Galvin, known for the French-inspired menus the brothers have developed a menu for this restaurant that champions classic British produce. The cosy bar is also a firm favourite with hotel residents and non-residents alike, with a carefully curated cocktail menu it’s well worth a visit.

Stroll a mere ten minutes from the centre of Inverness to discover this uber-trendy hotel – the city’s only to have five stars. The sleek, modern Rocpool Reserve, is contained in a Georgian mansion house and overlooks the River Ness. It has its own moody cocktail ‘r bar’ and Chez Roux (part of the wider Roux group) serving everything from amuse-bouche to hearty high-end fare and even special meals for your pooch. Four categories of bedrooms (11 in total) offer delights such as hot tubs, cabin-style saunas, balconies, oversized beds and Tassimo coffee machines, along with dark and dramatic decor. Valet services and beauty treatments are available on request.

The Halyard Liverpool is part of IHG’s expanding Luxury & Lifestyle Vignette portfolio of one-of-a-kind properties. Named after a nautical rope knot the property melds Liverpool’s rich maritime and mercantile history with its vibrant cultural legacy. Top-floor suites feature rooftop terraces with panoramic city views, while guest room designs showcase Liverpool’s creativity, including playful references to the local Meccano toy brand and artworks that highlight the city’s landmarks. The hotel’s destination restaurant and bar Voyages serves a small plate menu offering innovative global flavours that pay homage to the ingredients and cooking techniques that would have been brought through this port city over the many years of its existence. Located in the Ropewalks guests are just a short and convenient walk from the many bars, restaurants and shops making it an ideal choice for those eager to explore the city’s historical and contemporary offerings.

Following a complete redesign of the property by architect John Simpson and interior designer Martin Brudnizki in 2019, the University Arms Hotel part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection portfolio has re-established itself as one of Cambridge’s most remarkable destinations. The property offers 192 rooms and suites across four floors, with views of Park’s Piece and historic Regent Street. The property is undeniably British through and through. Classic Edwardian interiors are combined with bespoke, leather-padded writing desks, low ottomans and tiered chandeliers in playful colours and rooms full of natural light. We love their suites each individually named with a bookshelf of books curated by Mayfair’s Heywood Hill, large sitting rooms to relax in, while some also include walk-on balconies. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner are served at their brasserie Parker’s Tavern, which has a menu of British classics made with seasonal ingredients sourced from England.

A fabulous location any time of the year, but especially in the summer. As the name implies, the Head of the River Hotel sits on the bank of the River Isis. Alongside Christchurch Meadow, it is just a few minutes’ stroll from the shops, theatre, museums and galleries. The converted warehouse is now a modern twenty bed hotel. With two large bars come dining area, and a large terrace area with parasols, planters and heating for the cooler months, it is a great place to relax after a day exploring the city.

Staying at the Hoxton puts you in easy reach of the River Thames and South Bank’s best galleries and food markets as well as easy access to central London’s other attractions. Arrived to work, rest or play? Relax for this four-star hotel has 192 creatively designed guest rooms with comfy beds, concrete ceilings and marble surfaces. There’s a choice of restaurants as Seabird offers panoramic views from the rooftop with a menu presenting Portuguese and Spanish influence from sea to table. Or opt for oysters with fizz, martinis or your choice of cocktail. Then there is Albie, an all-day lobby spot offering proper breakfasts, modern dishes and a killer wine and cocktail list. For parties, the ideal spot is the hotel’s Apartment, a fresh and airy space with a wraparound balcony. It has six useful rooms available separately for team away days and brainstorming sessions or combined for a network event or product launch. It also has The Pantry, an open plan kitchen providing a communal help-yourself space stocked with tea, coffee, snacks and fruit that can flip to a private bar in the evening.

The Covent Hotel is housed in a building that served as the Frech Hospital back in the 1890s. It features a fusion of traditional British designs with contemporary architecture. The hotel has 58 rooms and suites. The Covent Garden Loft suite is probably their most luxurious suite. This suite covers two floors and has a vast drawing-room. This hotel is situated at the heart of the theatre district, and that makes it ideal for pre and post-theatre dining. In the basement, there is a 48-seat cinema with red leather seats. You can score a discount on the tickets and food on Saturdays.