Best Design Hotels in London

The first art’otel in the capital officially entered London’s hospitality landscape in February 2023. Spanish artist and designer Jaime Hayon is behind the interiors, which take inspiration from the Power Station, while Foster + Partners and Electric Boulevard were responsible for the architecture. The hotel is in Battersea Roof Gardens, part of a whole new district, served by a recently opened tube station. It includes the TOZI Grand Cafe, JOIA, the 15th-floor restaurant by Michelin-starred chef Henrique Sá Pessoa, a spa, a rooftop bar with an infinity pool and 164 arty bedrooms.

Need some ME time? Mosey on down to The Strand, where you can check into this slick 173-bedroom hotel, designed by Foster + Partners. It was erected on the site formerly home to the Gaiety Theatre and beside the former BBC (Marconi) headquarters. On its 10th floor, the Radio Rooftop bar and restaurant offers far-reaching views of the city’s skyline from Tower Bridge to the Houses of Parliament. STK is the hotel’s refined steakhouse, serving cuts of USDA prime beef, while Luciano is the Italian all day dining destination restaurant headed up by TV chef Gino D’Acampo. And the Marconi Lounge (named after its neighbour) offers a relaxed and chic place to unwind.

The antidote to London’s largeness, the bijou Boundary has but 17 rooms, ensuring a boutique ambience in the surroundings of a former Victorian warehouse. Each has been individually designed in the spirit of Shoreditch’s commitment to creativity, boasting funky, edgy and arty decor that’s entirely unique and very imaginative. And you’d expect nothing less when you discover that this hotel is owned by Sir Terence Conran, himself a design legend. At the top is its Rooftop Bar & Grill, within a glass extension that enables far-reaching views as you dine, whatever the weather.

With 143 rooms, Hotel Indigo London Clerkenwell brings neighbourhood-inspired charm and IHG’s boutique flair to one of the capital’s most creative districts. Located on Clerkenwell Road, just five minutes from Farringdon Station, the hotel draws on the area’s heritage of clockmakers, goldsmiths and architects, with interiors layered in textured finishes, playful patterns and local design motifs.

Rooms come with espresso machines, Urban Apothecary toiletries and comfortable workspaces. Dining includes Wilderness Kitchen, offering Mediterranean-inspired, vegetarian-friendly dishes crafted from seasonal British produce, Sabini Bar serving signature cocktails and curated wines, and the Grade II-listed Hat and Feathers pub for classic British fare and local ales.

Native Bankside is a stylish aparthotel located in London’s vibrant Bankside district. Housed in a restored Victorian tea warehouse, the property blends historic charm with modern comforts, featuring exposed brick walls, polished concrete floors, and arched factory windows. The aparthotel offers 75 thoughtfully designed studios and one- and two-bedroom apartments, each equipped with a fully fitted kitchen, washing machine, and complimentary Wi-Fi, creating a home-away-from-home experience. Guests can stay active in the on-site fitness suite, which includes Peloton bikes. While there is no on-site restaurant, a 24/7 grab-and-go pantry is available, and the renowned Borough Market is within walking distance. Situated on a quiet cobbled street near the River Thames, the hotel is moments from cultural landmarks such as Shakespeare’s Globe and Tate Modern. With excellent transport links, including Southwark, London Bridge, and Blackfriars stations nearby, Native Bankside offers a unique and convenient stay in the heart of London.

Housed in a 19th-century building on Holbein Place, this Victorian mansion now exudes French sensibilities along with an eternal British charm. Hotelier Costes and designer François-Joseph Graf have created a discreet home-from-home with just 30 period bedrooms and suites, ranging from a “Mini” to a two-bedroom apartment. Enter via the Neo-Greek lobby and descend to the lower-ground floor speakeasy bar. Or climb to the top, where you can dine in the candlelit restaurant, surrounded by stained-glass windows, a mosaic floor and an antique collection of Anglo-Chinese vases. Vintage albums and a signature scene throughout create an immersive feel at One Sloane.

Complete with panoramic views over the City of London, Canopy by Hilton London City echoes the spirit of one of the capital’s most vibrant neighbourhoods. The UK’s first Canopy by Hilton hotel is set within the multi-million-pound Minories development close to Aldgate station and offers the perfect base for design-conscious visitors looking to immerse themselves in London’s East End. 

The hotel’s interior design reflects the rich culture of the area’s historic textile industry inspired by the Huguenot silk weavers who settled in Spitalfields in the 17th century with guest quarters and dining spaces featuring floral patterns and woven fabrics reminiscent of the techniques used by the Huguenots. Artworks created by local artists adorn the public spaces throughout the hotel while inspiration from the area continues throughout the hotel, East End-inspired dishes made with local, sustainable ingredients are served at the hotel’s restaurant Penny Squares, which takes its design inspiration from the quilting technique popular in the textile industry. 

Meanwhile, St. Clare Coffee and Bar, provides the perfect place to relax, work or socialise over a craft coffee or East End-inspired cocktail in the hotel’s ground floor. A must-visit is the hotel’s stunning rooftop terrace Florattica which offers uninterrupted views of the City of London and serves delicious small plates with a great selection of drinks against a vibrant backdrop inspired by the floral patterns of the Huguenots.

This glorious 4-star hotel located across from Kings Cross station breathes a breath of fresh air into Kings Cross with it graffiti fronted facade and newly refurbished Design Rooms. The Megaro is independently run and integrates, design, fashion, cinematography and music together with a big dose of British pop culture! Design Rooms come in 4 different styles with our favourite rooms being Backstage Britannia. The hotel has an all-day dining restaurant ‘The Eatery’ as well as a speakeasy basement bar and the lobby doubles up as the hotel’s mini bar too!

CitizenM graces South Bank with a luxury hotel experience at an affordable price handily placed in the bustling cultural area near Tate Modern and the Borough Market. The open-plan ground floor offers great space to relax, work or play with comfortable furniture, communal desks and private conference rooms. Bright décor includes world-class art and books to browse and the four-star hotel’s 192 guest rooms are cleverly designed for two adults with floor-to-ceiling windows, pod-style bathrooms and extra-large beds. The Dutch chain, which is increasing its number of popular city outposts, provides super-fast free Wi-Fi and iMacs for guests to use, while the canteenM restaurant and bar offers food and drinks 24/7 and a buffet breakfast in a five-hour window. Southwark and London Bridge stations are nearby, providing easy access to the rest of the city.

If you prefer to have your own cooking and dining facilities while staying in London, Leman Locke in Aldgate is a great choice. The self-contained studios and apartments are well placed in the super-cool east, with good transport links into the rest of the city. Each has good views, its own bespoke furnishings, a kitchenette, washing machine, minibar, Apple TV Box and Samsung smart TV. Neutral palettes with pale pastels provide a soothing ambience in the airy, light-filled rooms. For guests wanting to make use of the aparthotel’s shared facilities, there’s also a fitness centre, cafe and bar onsite.

The July London Victoria apartment-hotel is located just a five-minute walk from Victoria Station. Designed for modern lifestyles, the property offers 114 rooms, including family apartments with interconnecting spaces ideal for longer stays and multi-generational travellers. Interiors reflect Art Deco influences and Victoria’s rich architectural heritage with bespoke lighting, parquet flooring, marble details and an adventurous palette inspired by nearby royal parks. Each guest room is equipped with multifunctional oak joinery, integrated kitchen facilities and bathrooms with a distinctive chequered tile design.

The Idler Restaurant, led by Chef Jay Campbell, serves modern British cuisine with Mediterranean touches, complemented by a stylish bar for cocktails and wines. Guests can enjoy a deli for gourmet sandwiches, a dedicated co-working area, meeting spaces, an honesty bar, a fitness studio and wellness facilities including a sauna and cold room. Sustainability is central to the hotel’s concept, with BREEAM Excellent certification and eco-conscious materials used throughout.

The property’s “neighbourhood key” provides access to curated events and perks across all The July properties. Located near Buckingham Palace, St James’ Park and West End theatres, the apartment-hotel is well positioned for exploring central London.