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The 10 Best Hotels in London

By Santorini Dave
Updated: August 13, 2025

My Favorite London Hotels

• 5-Star: Connaught • Savoy
• 4-Star: Ham Yard • Marylebone
• 3-Star: Motel One
• Boutique: Batty Langley’s
• Cheap: Z Soho
• For Families: Park Plaza
• For Couples: Soho
• Heathrow: Sofitel
• Gatwick: Sofitel
• Victoria Station: DoubleTree
• Paddington: Hilton
• Kings Cross: St. Pancras Renaissance

My favorite luxury hotel in London.

Our room at The Savoy in Covent Garden.

London Hotels – My Advice

Me and wife having tea in London.

My wife and I having afternoon tea the Ham Yard Hotel in London.

The Best Hotels in London

1. Connaught – Mayfair

Historic five-star hotel in London's Mayfair neighborhood.

Hotel phone: +44 20 7499 7070
The hub of Mayfair from 1815 onwards and a short walk from designer stores, the Connaught is where English charm and historical heritage meet modernity. The grand dark wood staircase, personal butlers, and traditional rooms designed by Guy Oliver all hark back to the days when the hotel’s guests included French president Charles de Gaulle. Rooms in the new wing are bright, contemporary, and somewhat Eastern in design. Families are accommodated in interconnecting rooms with treats for kids, child-friendly menu, and twice-daily, family-only swimming sessions at the Aman Spa swimming pool. Dining options include the two Michelin-starred Hélène Darroze which serves some of the best French cuisine in London. Afternoon tea is served in the light-filled conservatory. The Connaught Bar, famous for its signature martini, runs cocktail classes overseen by award-winning mixologist Agostino Perrone.
• Hotel website • Check prices for Connaught

2. Savoy – Covent Garden

My favorite hotel in London.

Hotel phone: +44 20 7836 4343
In the heart of West End, the Savoy is the grand dame of London hotels, its roster of past guests including Monet and Laurence Olivier. Once you make your way past feline-shaped topiary and the top-hatted doormen, you are immediately met by the hotel staff and whisked off to your room; there is no reception. Rooms are either English Edwardian or art deco in design, though both come with thoroughly modern bathrooms and rain showers; suites include butler service. Family perks include vacation packages, amenities for kids, and adjoining rooms. Dining options include Gordon Ramsay’s Savoy Grill for classic British cuisine with French touches (dress code). The hotel’s bars are equally illustrious: the legendary American Bar is London’s oldest and renowned for its cocktails, while the Beaufort Bar is dominated by the icicle-like Lalique-style bar serving original creations. The Savoy is one of the best places in London to enjoy afternoon tea.
• Hotel website • Check prices for Savoy

3. Ham Yard – Soho

Me at the Ham Yard hotel in London.

Hotel phone: +44 20 3642 2000
The Ham Yard is my favorite luxury hotel in Soho, brilliantly located in its own quiet urban village just steps from the bustle of the West End. Every room and public space pops with bold colors and witty, eclectic design, creating a fun yet sophisticated atmosphere. Service is friendly and flawless and the rooms are spacious and comfortable, with floor-to-ceiling windows that flood them with light. For a vibrant and stylish stay at the center of London’s social scene, there is, in my opinion, simply no better choice.
• Hotel website • Check prices for the Ham Yard

4. Ritz – St. James

Five-star luxury hotel in London.

Hotel phone: +44 20 7493 8181
The Ritz has been a byword for old-world luxury since 1906. Overlooking Green Park and near Buckingham Palace, the Ritz has played host to countless royals, movie stars, and politicians including Noel Coward, Churchill, Eisenhower. More recently, an episode of “Downton Abbey” was shot here. Conceived by London and Paris-based designers, the high-ceilinged guest rooms are decorated in classic Louis XVI style – the picture of opulence completed with ornate antique furnishings and heavy silk drapes. The three Signature Suites come with butler service. The Ritz Restaurant recreates classic French dishes using the best of British seasonal produce, while the art deco Rivoli bar is an intimate gathering place for cocktails. Non-guests and guests alike indulge in “Tea at the Ritz” every afternoon tea at the elegant Palm Court to the accompaniment of the resident pianist who used to play with Frank Sinatra. Dress code throughout.
• Hotel website • Check prices for Ritz

5. Shangri-La at the Shard – London Bridge

London luxury hotel with city views.

Hotel phone: +44 20 7234 8000
Occupying the 34th to 52nd floors of the Shard (London’s iconic jagged-topped skyscraper) the Shangri-La is London’s highest hotel. The floor-to-ceiling windows in the rooms, restaurant, and bar and Infinity Skypool on the 52nd floor offer unparalleled views of the city. Rooms contain king-sized beds and marble bathrooms equipped with Washlet toilets. While all 17 suites come with personal butler service, the Shangri-La Suite also features its own jacuzzi. Asian specialties feature heavily on the menu of TĪNG, the primary in-house restaurant (and offers classic afternoon tea). The GŎNG bar on the 52nd floor (billed as the highest hotel bar in Western Europe) serves sushi and excellent cocktails. The hotel is close to London Bridge tube; a short walk from Tower Bridge, Tate Modern, and the Tower of London. Well-placed for boat tours of the Thames.
• Hotel website • Check prices for Shangri-La at the Shard

6. Soho Hotel – Soho

Boutique hotel in central London.

Hotel phone: +44 20 7559 3000
This boutique hotel is right in the heart of Soho with excellent dining and nightlife right on its doorstep and soundproofed against the street noise. The entire hotel features bright colors and playful touches that interior designer and co-owner Kit Kemp is known for, from the bold mural behind the bar to the Botero cat sculpture in the lobby. All rooms were individually designed and feature vibrant, eye-catching wallpaper, a signature mannequin, and a striped umbrella in each wardrobe. Some rooms are interconnected to accommodate families. Bathrooms have free-standing tubs and his-and-hers sinks. Guests can relax in the library or in the sculpture-strewn drawing room, complete with a 24-hour honesty bar. A full-scale gym, massage treatments, and manicures can be done in-house. The Refuel restaurant serves contemporary European dishes with a separate children’s menu.
• Hotel website • Check prices for Soho Hotel

7. Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park – Knightsbridge

Best luxury hotel near Hyde Park, London.

Hotel phone: +44 20 7201 3773
Recently refurbished and now more breathtaking than ever the hotel occupies a historic Edwardian building, the tallest in London upon its completion in 1889. There’s an indoor pool and wonderful spa, (featuring an amethyst crystal steam room, a sanarium, and a Pilates studio) and a state-of-the-art fitness center. The restaurant’s culinary program features traditional British fine dining, a gourmet French bistro, all-day dining and afternoon tea, along with an innovative cocktail bar. Rooms and suites are decked out in custom-made furnishings inspired by art deco style and the flora of Hyde Park, just steps away. The hotel sits in Knightsbridge on the south side of Hyde Park, within a five-minute walk of desinger shopping and a 15-minute walk of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
• Hotel website • Check prices for Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park

8. Claridge’s – Mayfair

Best five-star hotel in Mayfair, London.

Hotel phone: +44 20 7629 8860
For over 150 years, Claridge’s has defined London’s luxury experience, its elegant art deco interior playing host to royals, actors, and other VIPs. In the rooms, hand-selected furniture, signature prints, and sumptuous fabrics abound. The service is discreet and attentive. Those staying in the top-tier suites are waited on by butlers. Afternoon tea in the sumptuous Grand Foyer is a highlight. Claridge’s Bar is the place to sample vintage champagnes and some of the world’s best wines, while the Fumoir is a dark, seductive space to retreat to for a signature cocktail.
• Hotel website • Check prices for Claridge’s

9. Montague on the Gardens – Bloomsbury

Boutique hotel for couples in London.

Hotel phone: +44 20 7637 1001
Just around the corner from the British Museum, this Georgian townhouse encloses a luxurious boutique hotel. Brightly patterned wallpaper, luxurious wall fabrics, and hand-crafted furniture decorate the snug rooms. The grandest is the two-room Guv’nor Suite, with its own conservatory and copper bath. Afternoon tea is served in the sunny conservatory, while the smart casual Blue Door Bistro serves mainly Mediterranean dishes. Also on-site, the Garden Grill transforms into a beach bar in summer, complete with palm trees and real sand; in the winter it retains a ski lodge ambiance. Other seasonal perks include tennis viewings in the conservatory accompanied by champagne cocktails during Wimbledon. The Cigar Terrace offers comfortable seating and vintage cigars for connoisseurs; cigar dinners (five-course tasting menu accompanied by cigar tastings) are arranged on request. Pets and families welcome.
• Hotel website • Check prices for Montague on the Gardens

10. Four Seasons at Ten Trinity Square – The City

Best luxury hotel in East London.

Hotel phone: +44 20 3297 9200
Fantastic luxury hotel near Tower Bridge and the Tower of London. There’s a spa, indoor pool, and two restaurants. The one, two, and three bedroom residences are ideal for large groups and families and have a full kitchen and dining room. The hotel is a short walk from two tube stations.
• Hotel website • Check prices for the Four Seasons

Hotels in Mayfair & Marylebone

Shopping in Marylebone, London.

Mayfair is one of London’s most exclusive neighborhoods with old-world grandeur present in its beautiful buildings. Edwardian townhouses line Mayfair’s streets and surround its landmark squares – Grosvenor Square, formerly the site of the US embassy, and Berkeley Square, flanked by original 18th-century terraced houses. Mayfair’s most famous shopping street, Savile Row, is where discerning clients come to get their suits cut at the likes of Henry Poole & Co, who once outfitted Charles Dickens. This is a focal area for British designers, home to Alexander McQueen’s designer wear, while Paul Smith, Browns, and Stella McCartney boutiques flourish in surrounding streets. Along busy Piccadilly road, Mayfair’s southern border, Burlington Arcade (Britain’s first shopping arcade) is every bit as grand as in the 1820s, patrolled by ‘beadles’ in top hats and featuring high-end food shops, fragrance houses, and Italian leatherwear. Further east, Bond Street is lined with high street heavyweights. North of Mayfair, newly fashionable ‘Marylebone village’ attracts both moneyed Londoners and visitors: the latter come to visit Madame Tussaud’s and the Sherlock Holmes Museum on Baker Street, the former – for the upmarket delicatessens and independent boutiques such as La Fromagerie and Daunt Books.

The Best Hotels in Mayfair & Marylebone

  • Connaught (best luxury hotel in London)
  • Claridge’s (majestic art deco/Victorian hotel, excellent dining, close to Mayfair shopping)
  • Four Seasons at Park Lane (5-star, great location & views)
  • Dorchester (old-world opulence, state-of-the-art mod cons, superb dining)
  • Landmark (grand Victorian hotel, family-friendly, near attractions)
  • Athenaeum Hotel & Residences (grand Victorian hotel, family-friendly, near attractions)
  • The Marylebone (contemporary hotel with an indoor pool and spa, stylish restaurant, and comfortable rooms)
  • Chiltern Firehouse (intimate, buzzy boutique hotel inside historic building, close to shopping)

Hotels in South Bank, Bankside, & London Bridge

London Eye in London's South Bank neighborhood.

Stretching along the south side of the Thames, the two-mile pedestrian walk between Westminster Bridge and Tower Bridge is an almost non-stop procession of attractions, from historical to post-millennial. The gentrification of the area began in the 1950s to boost public morale after WWII but the South Bank really came into its own in the 21st century with the arrival of several iconic cultural attractions. If you have kids, start at the western end, where they can be entertained by torture, death, and disease at the London Dungeon and sea creatures at the London Aquarium. Next up, the London Eye offers great views of the city on a clear day. Further along, the contemporary art powerhouse, Tate Modern, is flanked by the tiny Bankside Gallery and the rebuilt Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre. A food market dating back to the 13th century, Borough Market attracts discerning foodies and London chefs seeking out fresh ingredients for their kitchens. It also has an extensive array of exotic street food stalls – your best bet for lunch. Towering above Borough Market is the jagged glass edifice of the Shard, London’s highest skyscraper, in the nearby London Bridge neighborhood. Pay for the incredible views from the observation deck on the 72nd floor or enjoy slightly less lofty views from Gŏng bar on the 52nd floor for the price of a beer on Sundays, Mondays, and Tuesdays.

View of one of London's best hotels.

The Shangri-La The Shard Hotel as seen from the Borough Market in London.

Best Hotels in South Bank, Bankside, & London Bridge

Hotels in Soho & Leicester Square

Leicester Square in London.

Oxford Street, Charing Cross Road, Shaftesbury Avenue, and Regent Street form a rectangle around the dense grid of tiny streets that make up Soho. For a long time, Soho has had a sinful reputation as the city’s red-light district and as a haven for the unconventional: the bulk of London’s gay bars and clubs are still based here. Prostitutes and sex shops are largely gone, replaced by London’s highest concentration of bars, clubs, restaurants specializing in diverse cuisines. Many restaurants are clustered around the leafy Soho Square and Greek Street that leads up to it, while Wardour Street hosts TV production companies. Just south of Shaftesbury Avenue and its grand Victorian theatres is the small, busy Chinatown, its specialty Asian grocery stores attracting chefs and savvy foodies. Many of its restaurants cater to the visiting tourist contingent, but there are a few exceptions serving authentic Cantonese and Sichuan. Bordering Chinatown to the south is Leicester Square, once one of London’s most exclusive addresses and now home to several cinemas. Movie premieres take place at the Odeon Leicester Square; around the corner, Odeon Panton Street attracts film buffs with classics and cult hits. Head south along Charing Cross Road and join art lovers at the National Gallery, or mingle with the crowds and the buskers in front of Nelson’s Column on Trafalgar Square.

Best Hotels in Soho & Leicester Square

  • Soho (edgy contemporary hotel, bright colours, family-friendly, near restaurants and nightlife)
  • Ham Yard (colourful, unique design, friendly service, families welcome, near restaurants)
  • W London (retro, monochromatic decor, party hotel, close to nightlife)
  • Z Soho (compact boutique hotel inside townhouses, luxurious fittings, close to nightlife)

Hotels in Covent Garden

Market in Covent Garden, London.

Covent Garden is a great neighborhood for first-time visitors to London. It is particularly popular with tourists and reviled by some locals in equal measure for the proliferation of high street chains and the buskers along Bow Street. Its centerpiece is the cobbled Covent Garden Piazza, featuring a restored 19th-century market increasingly filled with high-end boutiques such as Fred Perry and Burberry Brit and a clutch of independent shops selling offbeat jewelry, clothing, and arty gifts. Locals seek out independent shops indicative of Covent Garden’s disappearing quirky character. Neal’s Yard Dairy has long been a purveyor of cheeses by UK’s small, independent producers; Stanford’s on Long Acre is London’s top travel bookstore; and Vintage Showroom stocks vintage menswear. The dining scene leans upmarket with restaurants like the Ivy Market Grill competing with mini-chains such as Dishoom and Wahaca. Part of West End and the hub of London’s cultural life, Covent Garden is overlooked by the Royal Opera House, and the surrounding streets are dotted with theaters, from the edgy Donmar Warehouse to the more mainstream Shaftesbury Theatre. Retaining some of its genteel charm and grandeur from centuries past, the Strand runs along Covent Garden’s southern boundary, parallel to the river. It may no longer be ‘the finest street in Europe’, but its western end is lined with several legendary top hotels, as well as the neoclassical Somerset House, home to many London Fashion Week events.

Best Hotels in Covent Garden

  • Savoy (glitzy old-world opulence, terrific dining, families welcome, close to theatres)
  • ME by Melia in Holborn (minimalist, monochromatic, high-tech rooms, rooftop bar, close to restaurants, theatres)
  • One Aldwych (historic hotel, thoroughly modern rooms, popular with theatre-goers and London Fashion Week)
  • Strand Palace (affordable hotel with a fantastic central location)

Hotels in the City of London

St Paul's Cathedral in the City of London.

Gleaming corporate towers, such as the Gherkin, the Cheese Grater, and the Walkie Talkie, mark the spot where the Romans founded Londinium 2000 years ago. Stretching from Clerkenwell and Holborn in the west to Tower Hill and Aldgate in the east, the City of London is compressed into a compact area known as the Square Mile. Its streets busy with commuting bankers, traders, and lawyers on weekdays, London’s business district is packed with sights, including the Tower of London. To appreciate the City properly, take a walk around Holborn’s excellent small museums, or head to Clerkenwell, a fashionable locale with a post-industrial feel, to browse the boutiques, food stalls, and restaurants around colorful Exmouth Market. Once synonymous with the printing press, Fleet Street now features some fine art deco buildings from its heyday. It leads towards St Paul’s Cathedral, one of the capital’s most symbolic buildings. South of St Paul’s the pedestrian Millennium Bridge leads across the river to South Bank, while to the east of the cathedral is the immense One New Change shopping mall. The seven streets that meet above Bank tube station mark the heart of the City, fringed by the Bank of England, the Royal Exchange, and Mansion House (Lord Mayor of London’s residence). Nearby, the Tower of London showcases the Crown Jewels and recreates the lives of British kings and queens.

Best Hotels in (or near) the City

  • Rookery in Clerkenwell (intimate boutique hotel, antique furnishings, romantic, close to restaurants)
  • Four Seasons at Ten Trinity Square (fantastic luxury hotel steps from the Tower of London)
  • Andaz Liverpool Street (grand, revamped railway hotel, simple, stylish rooms, good in-house dining)
  • Threadneedles (former-bank-turned-boutique-hotel, contemporary rooms, excellent restaurant, close to landmarks)

Hotels in South Kensington & Chelsea

Pavilion Road in Chelsea, London.

Compact South Kensington brims with attractions. Three world-class museums line Exhibition Road: Victoria & Albert, the Science Museum, and the Natural History Museum, while its vast parks include Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park, popular with strolling locals, skaters, and cyclists. In the depths of Hyde Park, the Serpentine Gallery hosts contemporary art exhibitions and the park itself has been a traditional venue for protests. Knightsbridge, flanking South Kensington to the east, is where moneyed Londoners shop at the parade of pricey boutiques – Prada, Gucci, Harvey Nichols – that line Sloane Street and where most of London’s embassies cluster along wide, tree-lined avenues. While the legendary Harrods department store on Brompton Road is often overrun with browsing tourists, the fine food halls can be a pleasure to browse during quieter times, and its art gallery is often overlooked. Further south, Chelsea was once synonymous with the Swinging Sixties and immortalized by the punk movement, but today it’s an exclusive residential area, with grand red brick houses lining the cobbled streets, best known for the annual Chelsea Flower Show. Stroll the pedestrian enclave of shops and restaurants at the Duke of York Square, browse the modern art at the Saatchi Gallery or take a stroll to Chelsea Farmers’ Market on Sydney Street.

Best Hotels in South Kensington & Chelsea

  • Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park (Asian themed, old-world luxury, iconic restaurant, close to shopping and Hyde Park)
  • Langham (historic hotel with excellent dining, a Chinese medicine spa, and an indoor pool)
  • The Milestone Kensington (hotel in a historic 17th-century residence with a pool, spa, and well-loved afternoon tea)
  • Berkeley (historic, elegant hotel, Hyde Park views, superb in-house restaurant, rooftop pool, close to designer shops)
  • Egerton House (boutique hotel in an 18th-century townhouse with comfortable rooms, great martinis, and afternoon tea. Dog friendly)

Hotels in Westminster & St. James

Bar & restaurant in Westminster, London.

Westminster has been the hub of political power since the 1200s and is home to historic landmarks, including the Palace of Westminster (aka the Houses of Parliament), Big Ben (the bell inside the world’s most famous clock tower), and Westminster Abbey (a thousand-year-old church where all English and British monarchs have been crowned, 16 royal weddings have been held, and Britain’s most illustrious people have been buried). The neighborhood is bounded by the River Thames to the southeast; Mayfair, Soho, and Leicester Square to the north; and Belgravia to the west. The King’s official residence is here at Buckingham Palace, surrounded by the lush Buckingham Palace Gardens, St. James Park, and Green Park, while the Prime Minister lives at 10 Downing Street on the opposite side of St. James Park between Trafalgar Square and Big Ben. Art abounds in the Westminster and St. James areas with major galleries such as the Tate Britain seated at the southeast corner and the National Gallery and National Portrait Gallery on the north side of Trafalgar Square, along with lesser known art and history museums, such as the Queen’s Gallery Buckingham Palace, the Institute of Contemporary Art, the Churchill War Rooms, the Spencer House (built by Princess Diana’s ancestors), and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Galleries. Most restaurants in Westminster cater to tourists, though there are a handful of excellent restaurants, bars, and pubs in the St. James neighborhood, near its border with Soho and Leicester Square; standouts include the Regency Cafe (great for brunch) and Aquavit London (fine Scandinavian dining all day).

Best Hotels in Westminster & St. James

  • Ritz (standard-setting luxury hotel, sumptuous 18th-century-style rooms, near Buckingham Palace)
  • Taj 51 Buckingham Gate (family-friendly, luxury hotel with spacious 1-6 bedroom suites with kitchenettes)
  • Goring (wonderful historic hotel near Buckingham Palace, afternoon tea is a must)

About Santorini Dave

Santorini Dave in Athens, Greece Santorini Dave was started in 2011 when I posted a short guide to visiting Santorini with kids. Now, my site publishes regularly updated guides to Santorini, Naxos, Paros, Mykonos, Crete, Athens, and all of Greece.

Questions? Email me at dave@santorinidave.com.