Best Cool & Unique Luxury Hotels In London

With an abundance of luxury hotels in London it can be difficult to choose which one is best for your stay. Particularly for well-travelled individuals who want their hotel experience to be quite different from the last, then a five-star rating is simply not enough. From luxurious havens tucked away in the bustling streets of Mayfair to avant-garde retreats in the trendy quarters of Shoreditch, the city offers an array of accommodations that promise more than just a place to stay. These hotels, celebrated for their exceptional design, unparalleled service, and immersive experiences, invite guests to delve into the rich tapestry of London’s culture, history, and modern-day allure. Whether you’re seeking the grandeur of historic establishments or the chic sophistication of contemporary hideaways, these cool hotels are destinations in their own right, each telling a different story of this ever-evolving metropolis and here are our favourites in London to stay in.



Hilton London Bankside

Hotel
(5 stars)
At a glance
Rooms292 Modern Guest Rooms including 25 Bespoke Suites & a Luxurious Penthouse Apartment
AmenitiesFeatures Oxbo Bankside Restaurant Serving Seasonal Menus & the Distillery Gin Bar with Over 100 Gins, a Heated indoor Pool, Fully Equipped Fitness centre, Exclusive Executive Lounge, & Event Spaces
MoreLocated in the Heart of London's Bankside, within walking distance to Tate Modern, Borough Market, & Shakespeare's Globe

Hilton London Bankside is at the forefront of Hilton Hotels’ innovative, design-focused evolution. Every element of the hotel has been meticulously thought out to echo the rich history and vibrant atmosphere of the area, merging raw urban elements with sleek, modern aesthetics. A stone’s throw from iconic London attractions like the Tate Modern, Borough Market, and Shakespeare’s Globe, The property boasts 292 guest rooms, including 25 suites that offer stunning cityscape views, along with a rooftop penthouse, peloton guest rooms, a vegan suite, and a heated indoor pool and gym. Two dining experiences are onsite too OXBO Bankside and The Distillery.

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Hilton London Bankside

Sun Street Hotel, Shoreditch

Hotel
(5 stars)
At a glance
Rooms41 Rooms & Suites
AmenitiesPeruvian-Inspired Restaurant & A Stylish Bar
MoreLocated Where Shoreditch Meets Moorgate & The City Of London Near Liverpool Street Station & Brick Lane

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.

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Sun Street Hotel, Shoreditch

art’otel London Battersea Power Station

Hotel
(5 stars)
At a glance
Rooms164 Uniquely Styled Rooms & Suites
AmenitiesTwo Rooftop Dining Venues, Heated Infinity Pool, Spa & Wellness Facilities

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.

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art’otel London Battersea Power Station

Ruby Zoe

Hotel

Ruby Zoe is located in Notting Hill Gate, the hotel features 173 rooms spread across six floors in a new building. Inspired by Notting Hill’s history and Caribbean heritage, the hotel’s design reflects the vibrant culture of the neighbourhood, incorporating elements from the 1970s, Portobello Road’s colours, and the Caribbean islands. The ground floor offers an open and expansive space with glass fronts, housing a bar, a retail area with a vinyl store curated by resident artists, and a public area for guests and locals to relax or work. The hotel follows Ruby’s Lean Luxury philosophy, providing top design and high-end amenities at an affordable price. The rooms feature open washstands, glass rain showers, fresh white decor, and cherry wood wall panelling. Artwork above the beds depicts colourful houses in Notting Hill. In fall 2023, a glass mosaic artwork by Zak Ové, celebrating the area’s heritage and carnival traditions, will be installed on the hotel’s facade. The hotel’s prime location allows easy access to Kensington Palace, Hyde Park, Portobello Market, and Notting Hill Gate Underground Station.

 

The Standard, London

Hotel
(5 stars)
At a glance
RoomsThe Standard, London offers 266 Rooms & Suites including Loft Suites with City Views
AmenitiesDouble Standard Bar for Cocktails & Snacks, Rooftop Bar with City Views, Wellness Centre, Fully Equipped Fitness Centre & a Rooftop Pool
MoreLocated in Vibrant King's Cross area with Easy access to Central London

Just two minutes walk from St Pancras and anything but standard, this hotel offers terraced suites with outdoor bathtubs overlooking the 19th-century station. Housed in a brutalist building, the property plays host to a variety of events including bottomless brunches, chess tournaments, live jazz and panel discussions. 266 dog-friendly bedrooms come with Bang & Olufsen Bluetooth Speakers, Craig Green robes and packed minibars. On the 10th floor is Decimo with Michelin-starred Chef Peter Sanchez-Iglesias at the helm. Plus you can eat and drink in Isla, Double Standard and The Library Lounge and dance to the DJ’s beats at Sweeties disco/late-night bar.

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The Standard, London

Great Scotland Yard Hotel – The Unbound Collection by Hyatt

Hotel
(5 stars)
At a glance
Rooms151 Uniquely Designed Rooms & Suites, Including a two-bedroom Townhouse,
AmenitiesDining Option led by Michelin-starred Chef Niklas Ekstedt, 24-hour Fitness Centre, Secret Speakeasy Bar, Parlour serving Afternoon Tea
MoreSet within a Historic Edwardian Building in the Heart of London's Westminster

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.

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Great Scotland Yard Hotel – The Unbound Collection by Hyatt

Henrietta Experimental

(4 stars)
At a glance
Rooms40 Uniquely Designed Rooms & Suites
AmenitiesHenri Restaurant Led by Chef Jackson Boxer
MoreSituated in the Heart of Covent Garden near Major attractions

This hotel is located on Henrietta Street, and this street is known for its fine architecture. The hotel is owned by a Paris-based business group, but it does not feature French designs. In fact, the rooms have a traditional English and highly unusual design and feel. The general mood in the place is calm, professional and friendly. In total, the hotel has 18 rooms, and one of them is specially designed for visitors with disabilities. There is also an exquisite cocktail bar and a remarkable restaurant.

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Henrietta Experimental

The Hoxton Shoreditch

Hotel
(4 stars)
At a glance
Rooms210 Rooms Categorized As Shoebox Cosy & Roomy with Parquet Floors & industrial-inspired Finishes
AmenitiesHoxton Grill Serving American-style Cuisine & a Rooftop Peruvian Restaurant offering City Views & Cocktails
MoreLocated in the Heart of East London near Old Street Station Surrounded by Street Art, Restaurants & Boutiques

This was the first ever Hoxton hotel to be launched, landing in Shoreditch in 2006, at a point when the district was beginning to emerge as one of the hippest haunts in the capital. Beyond the brick and glass exterior is the kind of decor that typifies modern East London; a blend of urban, industrial and retro chic. There are 210 bedrooms with design features like parquet floors, accent headboards, distressed-effect rugs, leather Chesterfield wingback armchairs and backlit mirrors. Guests can hang out in the rooftop restaurant and bar, on a lounging sofa by the fire in the lobby, or at the Hoxton Grill.

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The Hoxton Shoreditch

Canopy by Hilton London City

Hotel
(4 stars)
At a glance
Rooms340 Rooms Including King & Deluxe Rooms with Modern Design & Comfort
AmenitiesFlorattica Rooftop London Cocktail Bar, Penny Squares Italian Restaurant, St. Clare Coffee and Bar, Fitness Centre
MoreLocated in London's Vibrant East End

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.

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Canopy by Hilton London City

W London

Hotel
(5 stars)
At a glance
Rooms192 Rooms & Suites, including Fabulous & Wonderful Rooms, with Stylish Design & Modern Amenities
AmenitiesDining at the Perception & Spice Market, a Spa with a Range of Treatments, Fully Equipped Gym, and a Sophisticated Lounge for Cocktails
MoreLocated in the Heart of London's West End, the Hotel Is Perfectly Situated for Shopping, Dining & Entertainment

Bright and bold with a neon interactive veil-like façade, the W London’s commanding positioning on the most prominent corner of Leicester Square crowns it as one of London’s most visually striking hotels.

The hotel opened in 2011 and since then nothing quite like it has been built in London – the hotel embraces a minimalist futuristic look using curved glass panels to soften its imposing form whilst simultaneously reflecting the pulsating lights of Soho and the West End. Inside, the W London continues its bold, contemporary aesthetic with interiors designed to evoke the brand’s signature mix of ultra-contemporary detailing and playfulness. Each of the 192 guest rooms and suites features modern furnishings, smart technology through their DigiValet tablet system, generously sized W MixBar, disco ball and floor-to-ceiling windows, allowing you to soak in the atmosphere of Soho below, think of this as your own private party pad.

Head down to level one where you can mix and mingle over a playful brunch, dinner or afternoon tea in the W Lounge and enjoy an innovative cocktail at The Perception. Break a sweat at FIT, then recharge at AWAY Spa before premiering a blockbuster in their Screening Room and use the hotel’s Whatever/Whenever® service to take care of everything else.

Leman Locke, Aldgate

Apartments
(4 stars)

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. 

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Leman Locke, Aldgate

Montcalm East, Autograph Collection

Hotel
(5 stars)
At a glance
Rooms288 Rooms & Suites Including Family-Friendly Options & Skyline-View Suites
AmenitiesIndoor Pool Spa Jacuzzi Steam Room 24-Hour Gym & Modern British Dining
MoreLocated In London's Shoreditch District Near The Tech Hub Of Silicon Roundabout

Found on the city side of London’s trendy Shoreditch, this diamond-shaped hotel makes for a dazzling landmark. The 288 rooms are a minimum of 25 square metres with Sky TV, mood-lighting and electronic curtains, while bathrooms have underfloor heating, rainfall showers and products by Soap Co. The hotel’s restaurant, Moor + Mead, serves seasonal British food in a casual environment and the bar is found on the mezzanine. A spa incorporates an indoor pool with a hydromassage feature, a sauna, a jacuzzi and treatment rooms. Montcalm East is part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection. 

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Montcalm East, Autograph Collection

ME London

Hotel
(5 stars)
At a glance
Rooms14 Room Categories including Suites with City Views & Modern Amenities
AmenitiesRadio Rooftop Bar with Panoramic Views & Stk Steakhouse for a Vibrant Experience
MoreLocated on the Strand in London's Bohemian & Cosmopolitan District

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.

Courthouse Hotel

Hotel
(5 stars)

So named as it was once a Magistrates’ and police court, this Grade II listed hotel is found just off Regent Street. Many of the original features have been preserved in the privately-owned property. But now it includes 116 bedrooms, a huge pool, the Sanook spa and a 100 seater cinema. Upgrade to stay in Magistrate’s Suites (previously judge’s chambers) or the two-bedroom Lalique suite. The court’s cell block has been transformed into a bar, with artwork depicting its famous real-life defendants Mick Jagger and John Lennon. An alfresco shisha bar strewn with rugs and kept cosy with heaters, is located on the rooftop. 

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Courthouse Hotel

The Gantry Stratford, Curio Collection by Hilton

Hotel
(4 stars)
At a glance
Rooms291 Rooms & Suites
AmenitiesMultiple Dining Options Including Union Social Restaurant & Bar, Fitness Centre
MoreLocated in Stratford, East London, Close to Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park & Westfield Shopping Centre

Conveniently located just a five-minute walk from Stratford train station with easy connections to central London, Westfield Shops, Hackney Wick and Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park all on its doorstep – this hotel is a great base for those who want to explore East London. Guest rooms and suites are modern and minimalistic in design and offer all the in-room amenities a modern-day traveller would expect from the Hilton name.  A relaxed vibe flows through the hotel which offers guests the choice of three restaurants; the All-Day Lounge Bar and Terrace serves breakfast through to dinner, whilst light bites and creative concoctions can be enjoyed at the Cocktail Bar and the Rooftop Bar, located on the 18th floor really is a premier vantage point. Secured and self-parking is also available for guests choosing to travel by car.

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The Gantry Stratford, Curio Collection by Hilton

* All the properties and products we feature are independently selected by our editors and contributors. If you buy something we may earn a commission.

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