
Best Urban Hotels in United Kingdom
As a long-established luxury travel publication, The Luxury Editor is known for showcasing hotels that go beyond star ratings alone and focus on what really matters to discerning travellers seeking a memorable stay in a urban hotel in United Kingdom. Service, design, atmosphere, sense of place and the overall quality of the guest experience all play a part in whether a property earns its place in our curated list.
Whether you are at the early stages of planning or already comparing a shortlist, our choice of urban hotels in United Kingdom is a credible and useful guide, with easy booking options too.
Let us help you make searching for the perfect place to stay more inspiring, more informed and more enjoyable.
England, Greater London, London, Belgravia
The Hari
(5 stars)Walking distance from the poshest landmarks in the city, The Hari is an exclusive pad for distinguished travellers. Its 85 bedrooms include 14 suites, draped in velvet and marble with contemporary artworks on the wall (the hotel hosts its own annual art prize). Dine in-house at the refined Italian restaurant, il Pampero, drink in the Hari Bar, and relax with a cocktail on the Garden Terrace during warmer months. The Hari’s fitness room includes a Peloton bike and you can book personal training sessions. The hotel has strong eco-credentials too, having received Silver Accreditation from EarthCheck.
Scotland, Lothian, Edinburgh, West End
The Caledonian Edinburgh, Curio Collection by Hilton
(5 stars)Housed in a Victorian building that dates back to 1903, this hotel is considered to be one of the city’s most iconic landmarks and was one of the British grand railway hotels. Nowadays The Caledonian is perhaps most renowned for its excellent cuisine. Dean Banks at The Pompadour, the flagship restaurant by a star of TV’s Masterchef, has been awarded a coveted Michelin star. Then there’s Grazing by Mark Greenaway and Peacock Alley for drinks and snacks. This Curio Collection property also offers a Guerlain Spa, with treatments using 111SKIN face and body products.
England, Greater London, London, Covent Garden
One Aldwych
(5 stars)One Aldwych is a five-star hotel located about 5 minutes from The Covent Garden. This location makes it ideal for people who are visiting the city for the first time. It also makes it great for pre-theatre drinks. The building has an Edwardian style as it was constructed in the 1900s. It is still noted for being one of the earliest buildings to be constructed using steel in London. The hotel has 105 rooms and suites, and each of these has a Nespresso machine, Hypnos mattress, and free Wi-Fi.
England, Greater London, London, Kensington
Beaverbrook Town House
(5 stars)Grade II-listed Georgian townhouses in swanky Sloane Street provide the setting for this art-filled boutique hotel, a sister property to the Beaverbrook Hotel in Surrey. Inside is a gem of a destination restaurant, the Japanese Fuji Grill. Sample the 12-course omakase tasting menu, or take a leather seat at the sushi bar for some of the best sashimi in the capital. Meanwhile, 14 bohemian bedrooms follow a theatrical West End theme, with fringed and canopied beds. Guests also have their own Chromecast, Roberts radio, a complimentary minibar, Nespresso coffee machine, East India Company teas and Bamford bath products.
England, Greater London, London, Marylebone
Nobu Hotel London Portman Square
(5 stars)This modern glass-fronted building has 249 naturally styled bedrooms and suites, each with traditional Japanese tea sets, Grown Alchemist toiletries, 4k ultra HD TVs, contemporary detailing and the brand’s own luxury mattresses. A wellness centre includes a Pilates Reformer studio and treatments such as Nobu Zen, the brand’s signature ritual incorporating stretching and massage. Whether you stay here or not, do eat here. Nobu’s international range of restaurants have a trademark style, incarnated by the highly acclaimed Tokyo-based Chef Nobu Matsuhisa. There’s a Japanese-inspired afternoon tea, lounge, bar and Laurent-Perrier Terrace overlooking Portman Square and serving Nobu’s signature dishes.
England, Greater London, London, Kings Cross
St Pancras London, Autograph Collection
(5 stars)One of Britain’s most important and finest Neo-Gothic buildings is home to the incredible St Pancras London, Autograph Collection. Originally designed in 1873 at the Midland Grand, the hotel is now a 5-star powerhouse combining modern conveniences with the elegance of yesterday’s grand accommodation offerings. Relax in spacious luxury guest rooms, unwind in the spa and pool and dine and drink in the hotel’s excellent restaurants and bar options. This is one of our favourite hotels in London!
Scotland, Lothian, Edinburgh, New Town
Kimpton Charlotte Square
(5 stars)The Kimpton Charlotte Square Hotel, located in the city’s historic New Town, combines classic Georgian architecture with modern luxury. Guests can enjoy a range of amenities including a fitness centre, spa, and Tesla chauffeur service. The hotel features eclectically styled rooms and suites with luxurious details and innovative technology. Dining options include The Garden for cocktails and light fare, BABA for Levant-inspired dishes, and Aizle for seasonal tasting menus. The hotel is also pet-friendly and offers unique experiences like sound therapy suites and personal shopping services.
England, Greater London, London, Whitehall
Great Scotland Yard Hotel – The Unbound Collection by Hyatt
(5 stars)A few minutes walk from Trafalgar Square is this relatively unassuming, Edwardian fronted 153-bedroom hotel. But this was in fact, the original HQ for Scotland Yard, now a five-star refurbished property, that’s part of the Hyatt’s Unbound Collection. The interiors are modern, yet effectively pay homage to the building’s past, with copious memorabilia and artworks. The Yard is the hotel’s aptly named restaurant, plus there’s a cosy colonial style Parlour and a whisky bar evocative of the art deco era. It’s also pet friendly, offers valet parking and has an onsite fitness centre.
Great Scotland Yard Hotel – The Unbound Collection by Hyatt
SAVE FOR LATEREngland, Greater London, London, Covent Garden
NoMad London
(5 stars)Bringing Big Apple attitude to Bow Street, this NoMad Hotel is housed in a grade II-listed that once served as a Magistrates’ Court and Police Station. Design studio Roman and Williams was enlisted to overhaul the 19th-century building in Covent Garden. And Ricari Studios and Katie England were brought on board as spa partners. Eat breakfast, lunch and dinner in a glass conservatory with a soaring triple-height ceiling. Drink in Side Hustle (once the Bow Street Police Station); The Library; and Common Decency cocktail bar. Book a Signature Suite for a clawfoot tub, entertaining spaces and views of the Royal Opera House.
Jersey, Saint Aubin
Somerville Hotel
(4 stars)Overlooking the village of St Aubin, the family-owned and historic Somerville Hotel first opened its doors to guests in 1881 and has been one of Jersey’s best hotels ever since. The Sommerville is perfect for guests wishing to relax and unwind in a cosy hotel, yet it is also a wonderful choice for guests wishing to explore the delights of Jersey. The rooms are playful and inviting with many boasting an incredible view of the sea. The hotel’s Tides Restaurant is one of Jersey’s best restaurants due to its emphasis on using local and seasonal ingredients. The Voyager Curiosity Lounge Bar provides guests with an area to relax and enjoy the views of the sea all whilst sipping on exquisite cocktails and delicious cakes.
England, Durham, Durham
Radisson Blu Durham
(4 stars)A room at the Radisson Blu will bring you right to the city’s riverside. The contemporary hotel has 207 rooms ranging from standard doubles through to a Presidential Suite complete with a separate living and dining area. It’s a family-friendly choice — cots can be requested and there are children’s menus available in the restaurant, Collage. The eatery serves mainly British dishes, with the breakfast buffet becoming a more international affair. Radisson Blu also has a gym, a spa and an indoor pool with a poolside jacuzzi, sauna and steam room.
Northern Ireland, Antrim County, Portrush
The Marcus Portrush, Tapestry Collection by Hilton
(4 stars)Breathing new life into a restored Victorian landmark, The Marcus Portrush marks Hilton’s Tapestry Collection debut in Northern Ireland. Overlooking the Atlantic in the charming seaside town of Portrush, this 80-room hotel blends local storytelling with a playful spirit, offering guests a stay steeped in creativity and coastal character. Inspired by the fictional explorer Marcus, interiors are filled with bold illustrations, maritime curiosities and rich textures. The result is an immersive space where history, whimsy and design come together. Younger guests receive a complimentary copy of The Adventures of Marcus, encouraging exploration from the moment they arrive.
The building, which once served as a hotel and artisan bakery for nearly a century, has undergone an £11 million renovation that carefully preserves period features such as original floor mosaics and the tiled façade. Bedrooms are bright and contemporary with nods to the nautical setting, while bathrooms feature elegant green tiling and walk-in showers. Dining is centred around Nemesis, the hotel’s Asian fusion restaurant, where classic dishes are reimagined with a twist. The Heritage Cocktail Bar channels the atmosphere of a harbour tavern with cosy corners, local spirits and inventive signature drinks like the Orra Margarita.
