Best Historical Hotels in London

The Grand Hotel Bellevue can be found in London’s Paddington area, sitting on Norfolk Square. This Victorian residence has all the charm of a traditional English home and has been expertly designed by Architect Fabrizio Casiraghi. There are 60 luminous rooms with traditional décor and Italian showers by Burlington and the lavish Grand Norfolk Suite with panoramic views over the square and a bathtub and dual shower by Burlington. Guests are invited to relax in the cosy Pondicherry Bar and admire the exquisite furniture and crockery while savouring the seasonal menu. There is a daily breakfast buffet in The Green Room which doubles as a coworking space and private event space. The fully equipped fitness room by Nohrd is also available to guests.

Patterned wallpaper, painted panelling, palms, Persian rugs and parquet flooring create both a classic and on-trend aesthetic in this property. Bedrooms with carved headboards and bold-printed cushions range from “cosy” through to “luxury studio” categories. The Coral Room salon bar channels the 1920s and was designed in collaboration with Martin Brudnizki. The Dalloway Terrace is a fully heated al fresco space for all-day dining, adjacent to The Coral Garden, with its botanical canopy and fireplace. Then there’s the hedonistic Bloomsbury Club Bar, with a Tarot inspired cocktail menu.

Architect George Dance the Younger conceived this property back in the 1800s. These days it enjoys a spot in one of the capital’s trendiest corners. Rooms and suites hark back to its origin story, with rich jewel tones, patterned wallpapers and Persian-style rugs. Many come here just for the restaurant; Quercus is a destination in itself, with chef Stephen Englefield serving South East Asian inspired dishes prepared using ingredients from our own shores. And it’s well worth stopping for a tipple at the bar, whose cocktail menu uses V.R. Vickers Google Book as its muse.

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.

It is located within sight of the Marylebone, the Dorset Square Hotel is the perfect accommodation option for both business and pleasure when in London. This boutique hotel is set up in a spectacularly renovated regency townhouse. It offers luxury accommodation for couples with top class-cuisine. It also has a magnificent view of a lush private garden square which was the first Marylebone Cricket Club ground.The rooms exquisitely pair scintillating design with minimalist, gadget-lit comfort. The interior also includes vibrant colours with contrasting eccentric fabric.

The Royal Horseguards is one of London’s most iconic and historic hotels partially due to it hosting the National Library club whose members included Churchill and Gladstone. The Royal HorseGuards sits right on the Thames in a prime area of central London. The hotel’s rooms and suites are exceedingly luxurious, and guests can choose between river, garden and city views. The rooms are equipped with air conditioning, underfloor heating and English spa skincare and beauty products. Every detail has been thought of to ensure the comfort of guests. The Royal Horseguards has its own gym and dedicated concierge service, it also serves an exquisite afternoon tea service every afternoon. The hotel is home to One Twenty-One Two, an exceptional fine-dining restaurant which serves delicious seasonal dishes. The Royal Horseguards is also owns Equus, a sophisticated and quiet bar as well as The Terrace, a relaxed restaurant and bar which serves light bites and refreshing drinks.

One of London’s most iconic hotels in London, The Trafalgar rises out of the eponymous square and is a beacon of luxury and sophistication. The hotel’s rooms and suites are the definition of cool Britannia as they have flair and character. The rooms and suites have glorious views of Trafalgar Square and are equipped with walk-in showers, minibars and many other amenities. The Trafalgar is home to its own state-of-the-art fitness centre and a business centre which has meeting rooms and workspaces. The hotel’s rooftop bar and restaurant has arguably one of the best views in London. The Rooftop serves a range of drinks and cocktails and a variety of sharing plates and light bites. The hotel is also home to an exceptional cocktail bar called Rockwell, which serves 11 bespoke cocktails which tell stories of London and its heritage.

This boutique hotel is five minutes away from Sloane Square if you are going by foot. The luxurious bedrooms have marble bathrooms, and you get access to free Wi-Fi so that you stay connected to the rest of the world. The interior design of this hotel leaves a lasting impression on anyone that stays. For interior décor, the hotel has been furnished with antiques collected from all over the world, paintings, as well as classical furniture. All the rooms are air-conditioned to ensure you enjoy comfort and excellent air quality. The Penhaligon’s toiletries and bathrobes provided in every room make you feel at home.

Primely positioned midway between Chelsea and Knightsbridge, The Cadogan is an iconic destination where quintessential British charm effortlessly imbues a modern elegance. An intimate ‘home’ in the heart of the city, where the past and present are intertwined with every detail, the hotel overlooks the private Cadogan Palace Gardens, a botanical haven to which guests have exclusive access. Steeped in history, The Cadogan has an illustrious list of past residents, including Lillie Langtry and Oscar Wilde – the room in which Oscar Wilde was arrested is now the noble Royal Suite. In the 54 individually designed rooms, two-thirds of which are suites, white-on-white linens are offset with vibrant pops of colour, silk and velvet, with captivating artwork and design details honouring the hotel’s rich heritage.

This luxury hotel is in the heart of Chelsea and was originally built by Lord Chelsea as four separate townhouses in the 19th century, this hotel has a rich heritage and an elegant design. The Victorian-style establishment is part of the historical Cadogan Estate, and it offers 56 rooms, 25 of which are individually designed suites. The design seamlessly incorporates contemporary and classic warm tones to bring out elegance and class. The stylish bar offers classic cocktails, and the innovative menu has a variety of foods you can choose from. The top-notch chefs use local produce and fresh ingredients to prepare food. The boutique bedrooms have marble bathrooms as well as Ormonde Jayne toiletries. Quality Italian linen, as well as the fluffy bathrobes, are comfortable and warm. You get access to complimentary Wi-Fi and a gym that is always open.

St. Ermin’s Hotel, an independent four-star deluxe hotel nestled at the end of a tree-lined courtyard in the heart of Westminster, London, offers a unique blend of relaxation within close proximity to the city’s historical attractions. The hotel boasts a wide selection of rooms and suites, including pet-friendly options, catering to a variety of guest needs and as it is conveniently located near St. James’s and Victoria stations, it is the perfect base for exploring the city or combining business with leisure. As part of Marriott International’s Autograph Collection, guests at St. Ermin’s can earn or redeem Marriott BonVoy points. Dining options include Caxton Bar, a historical meeting spot for influential figures, including Winston Churchill during WWII and rumoured spy exchanges, the bar offers a cosy atmosphere for guests and locals to enjoy a wide range of drinks and classic bar meals. The modern European cuisine at Caxton Grill, inspired by the rooftop garden, showcases seasonal, top-quality ingredients grilled to perfection with an emphasis on first-class ingredients and service. Whilst a traditional and indulgent British Afternoon Tea can be enjoyed in the Tea Lounge and Library.  St. Ermin’s commitment to sustainability is evident in its local sourcing and use of its rooftop kitchen garden and bee terrace for fresh produce and honey, making it more than just a typical London hotel but a place of historical significance and culinary excellence.

The Laslett occupies a total of five Grade II listed Victorian Townhouses in the ever-trendy borough of Notting Hill and is named after the founder of its famed carnival. Bedrooms – of which there are 51 – range from singles to suites offering up to two bedrooms and a living space. The Recharge Rooms offers cutting-edge spa treatments and wellness/fitness classes. And there’s a library, The Henderson Bar and a lounge – guests can order food to consume in any of these, or the bedrooms – as well as a boutique selling arty pieces worthy of its location.