Best Luxury Hotels in England

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.

The Dutch design firm Concrete has been tasked with creating an eclectic aesthetic that blends retro with modern, while showcasing using natural textiles, at The BoTree. Found where Mayfair meets Marylebone, it has two destination restaurants — one on the rooftop — a live music club, a cinema room and a fitness centre. Each bedroom boasts a reception area, with sliding panels leading to sleeping and lounge spaces; upgrade to a suite for a lounge, a balcony and your own bar and with an integrated cocktail station. The BoTree’s service ethos is described as intuitive and personalised.

An immersive experience as much as a hotel, The Mandrake is a theatrical yet fashionable boutique property in Fitzrovia. Its 34 cocoon-like bedrooms include a penthouse. Ostrich feathers, curtained beds, heavy jewel-coloured fabrics, clawfoot tubs, esoteric paintings and candlelight create an opulent backdrop for your stay. The Mandrake’s unique design approach is thanks to the Beirut-born owner Rami Fustok, himself an art collector and draws more than its fair share of A-listers. Spiritual healing wellness events take place in the basement, there are two bars; Waeska and Jurema serving ethnobotanical cocktails and YOPO, the South American restaurant led by Executive Chef George Scott-Toft.

This is an example of modern luxury, being part of the famous Shard building that towers above London. The building was completed in 2012 and was the tallest structure in Europe at the time. The multi-award-winning hotel takes up floors 34-52. It offers stunning panoramic views across the capital from its 202 rooms, decorated in plush silks, satins and cut-pile velvets. The Hong Kong-based multinational hotelier brand is a favourite with business travellers, providing excellent meeting spaces and proximity to the city’s commercial centre. The Shard is now firmly on the London map, so visitors who prefer a sleek, modern Asian influenced style flock to stay at Shangri-La, to swim in the infinity sky pool and dine with a view at TING. There are also packages for wellness, honeymoons and weddings, as well as two funky bars, babysitting, butler and limousine services.

Hotelier Ian Schrager designed this one-of-a-kind Fitzrovia hotel, set in a row of Georgian townhouses. It’s ideal for those who want to stay in true luxury but with West End and Soho nightlife on the doorstep. Past and present are blended in this boutique space, where period features are complemented by forward-thinking innovative furnishings and decor. Step inside one of the 172 rooms and suites, and you could imagine you’re aboard a private yacht. Dine at Berners Tavern hosted by Michelin-starred Executive Chef Jason Atherton and drink in the Punch Room. Many guests visit for the ‘happenings’, a programme of events for adults and families, including immersive gong sound meditation retreats and cocktail masterclasses. But the pièce de résistance has to be the 2098 square foot Penthouse with wraparound landscaped terrace and 360-degree views of the capital.

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.

You’ll find the Corinthia London where Northumberland Avenue meets Whitehall Place. Positioned on a landmark triangular site, it’s between Trafalgar Square and the Thames Embankment. The building once served as British Government offices and as the Hotel Metropole in the 19th century. Nowadays it’s home to the award-winning ESPA Life at Corinthia, a new 1920’s inspired theatrical cocktail bar named Velvet, The Northall restaurant with its designer dining room, Michelin-starred celebrity chef Tom Kerridge’s Bar & Grill and a glittering lounge, where 1,001 Baccarat crystals provide chandelier lighting for your afternoon tea. Corinthia London accommodates 283 bedrooms including 51 suites and seven penthouses.

Constructed in four blocks between 1912 and 1960, this Grade II listed building is a grand landmark in Covent Garden in the West End. Transformed into a luxury hotel in 2000, the Rosewood’s 262 rooms offer guests an ideal blend of British heritage and contemporary sophistication. Another distinctive afternoon tea is found here. Many visit for the art-themed pastries and sweet treats inspired by the work of sculptor Anthony Gormley and created by Executive Pastry Chef, Mark Perkins. Families are made especially welcome with interconnecting rooms (the second room is complementary), activities, games and cosy dog beds for the furry family members. Take part in the Rosewood Room Hunt and hunt for clues in an immersive scavenger adventure on specified dates. There’s also a Sense Spa for wellness and beauty, incorporating the Face Place and Matthew Curtis Hair Salon.

One of the most famous hotels in London, if not the world, the Savoy opened in 1889 on The Strand, as the first luxury hotel in Britain. It quickly became a byword for elegance and grace, with interiors designed by Collinson & Locke. Now owned by the Fairmont group, it has an illustrious history – Frank Sinatra, Geroge Gershwin and Noel Coward all entertained here, while Oscar Wilde, Laurence Olivier, Edward VII, Humphrey Bogart, Elizabeth Taylor, The Beatles and many other legends have counted among its guests. Hosting royalty and a wide variety of celebrities is all in a day’s work for this titan of the hotel industry. Many of the 268 rooms provide stunning views across the nearby River Thames, and the hotel also has 7 restaurants for a wide variety of fine dining options. As an English icon, The Savoy is very popular with tourists seeking a quintessentially classic British stay.

Raffles London at The OWO, the first Raffles hotel in London, has officially opened its doors at the iconic Whitehall address. This magnificent new destination features 120 rooms and suites, a luxurious Guerlain Spa, and an array of restaurants and bars curated by acclaimed chef Mauro Colagreco. The OWO, a building with a storied history, has been meticulously restored and transformed into a haven of timeless luxury. Guests can explore its grand spaces, including Heritage Suites once occupied by influential leaders, and enjoy three unique dining experiences by Chef Colagreco. The hotel also offers two atmospheric bars, extensive spa facilities, and grand event spaces, making it the ultimate venue for memorable celebrations. Raffles London at The OWO represents a new era for Whitehall, now a vibrant hub for fine dining, entertainment, and opulent living.

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.

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.