Best Luxury Hotels in London
London, a city where history and modernity intertwine like the threads of a royal tapestry, offers an unparalleled experience for the luxury traveller. From the regal splendour of Buckingham Palace to the sophisticated charm of Mayfair, every corner of this illustrious city whispers tales of opulence and grandeur. As you stroll along the Thames, the iconic skyline — punctuated by the Shard’s glassy spire and the timeless clock face of Big Ben — serves as a reminder of the city’s ability to gracefully blend centuries-old tradition with cutting-edge innovation. Indulge in world-class cuisine at the best fine dining restaurants, explore the treasures in its world-class museums, or shop at the luxurious boutiques lining Knightsbridge. Here are our favourite 5-star and luxury hotels to stay at in the UK capital.
England, Greater London, London, City of London
Canopy by Hilton London City
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.
England, Greater London, London, Kensington
The Egerton House Hotel
Two red brick Victorian townhouses combine as one, to form The Egerton House Hotel in Knightsbridge. 28 plush bedrooms come with Savoir beds, bespoke handpicked furnishings, Floris toiletries, 200 thread-count Belgian linens, Belu mineral water, fresh fruit and flowers. Of these, the four-poster suites add espresso coffee machines and views over Egerton Gardens. Forbes Five Star rated since 2012, the hotel presents an award-winning afternoon tea and a famous signature martini. You’ll find original artworks by the likes of Toulouse-Lautrec and Erte, and cartoons by Charles M. Schulz, JAK and Sem.
England, Greater London, London, Kings Cross
The Megaro Hotel
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!
England, Greater London, London, Canary Wharf
London Marriott Canary Wharf
With just over three hundred rooms and suites to choose from, guests at this decadent hotel are sure to find something to suit their style. The most sumptuous options boast huge bathrooms set with bathtubs as well as comfortable sitting rooms positioned next to huge picture windows. Unwinding at the end of the day with a juicy steak at the Manhattan Grill is the perfect way to get the evening started and as the name suggests all of the dishes here have been inspired by the diverse cuisine of New Year. Guests who are entertaining business clients can also meet them in the stylish G&Tea bar, where there is an impressive selection of gins from around the world to choose from.
England, Greater London, London, Kings Cross
Kaya Great Northern Hotel, London
Another historical landmark hotel, the Great Northern sits adjacent to Kings Cross station and juxtaposed against the Renaissance Hotel. This Grande II listed building opened in 1854 during the golden age of steam. The property has been skillfully renovated and is one of London’s finest boutique luxury hotels. Rooms feature beautifully handcrafted furniture and original decor set against Farrow & Ball shades with beautiful Lefroy-Brooks bathroom and free wifi, ideal for anyone arriving and departing from Kings Cross Station.
England, Greater London, London, Mayfair
Sheraton Grand London Park Lane
With a prime address overlooking Green Park and onto Buckingham Palace, the Sheraton Grand London Park Lane has been a hospitality icon ever since it first opened in Mayfair in the 1920s. Evoking the golden age of travel, upstairs, rooms and suites subtly echo the era with curved furnishings and mirrored panelling, while downstairs, the newly refurbished Palm Court brings contemporary energy and elegance to this historic social hub. Pair this with their Italian-inspired Mercante restaurant and the playful spirit of their Smith & Whistle bar, and you have the ideal base for a glamorous stay in the capital.
England, Greater London, London, Southwark
citizenM London, Bankside
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.
England, Greater London, London, Canary Wharf
Novotel London Canary Wharf
Offering some of the most stunning views in the whole of Canary Wharf, the Novotel London Canary Wharf sores high above the surrounding buildings. The sophisticated top-floor bar is the perfect place to unwind with a cool cocktail at the end of the day while soaking up the scenery. The check-in process is informal and is sure to put nervous travellers at ease while offering a memorable personalised touch. Lovers of luxury will want to make sure that they secure one of the 26 sumptuous suites, which have open plans to help them feel especially spacious and decadent.
England, Greater London, London, Aldgate
Leman Locke, Aldgate
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.
England, Greater London, London, Victoria
The July
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.