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The search for the best hotels in London is a formidable undertaking. As one of the most visited cities in the world, it’s brimming with luxurious and historical lodgings. (Seriously. You’re more likely than not to stay in a landmark hotel.)
But how do you narrow it down when there are so many options for hospitality? Below, a guide to our favorite hotels—whether you want an iconic haunt that’s a stone’s throw away from major tourist attractions like Buckingham Palace, or a boutique hotel in a fashionable part of town. And don t fret—most of them offer afternoon tea.
Without further ado, the best hotels in London.
NoMad London
Acclaimed interior design firm Roman and Williams turned the former Bow Street Magistrates Court and police station into the elegant NoMad Hotel in Covent Garden. Inspired by the Victorian era and also New York’s Jazz age (an apropos nod to the hotel brand’s American roots), expect clawfoot tubs, gilded armoires, moody Lelièvre damask wallpaper, and marble fireplaces. Meanwhile, the former police yard has been turned into an all-day restaurant adorned with greenery. —Elise Taylor, senior living writer
Claridge’s
Claridge’s is perhaps the crown jewel of London hotels. The five-star Art Deco property, located in Mayfair, has hosted everyone from Audrey Hepburn, to Cary Grant, to Brad Pitt and Mick Jagger. (The Rolling Stones even filmed their music video for “Scarlet” here.) When you’ve been around since 1812, you’re bound to have quite the history. Although that doesn’t mean the hotel is afraid of the new: in 2021, they opened The Painter’s Room, a blush-colored bar that embraces modern mixology. And every December, their Christmas tree is a festive, avant-garde attraction for tourists and Londoners alike due to its celebrity decorator: in 2019, it was Christian Louboutin, whereas 2017 saw the late, great Karl Lagerfeld adorn its branches. —E.T.
The Connaught
Come to The Connaught for its five-star accommodations and service, stay for the unparalleled food and beverage offerings: restaurant Hélène Darroze has three Michelin stars, while the more casual eatery is by Jean-Georges Vongerichten. The Connaught Bar was officially named the world’s best bar. (Order from their traveling martini cart.) Last year, they opened the Red Room, an additional bar that features four scarlet artworks by Jenny Holzer, Ti-a Thuy Nguyen, and Trina McKillen. Also of note? The Aman spa—the only one built outside of Aman’s resorts. —E.T.
Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park
Take a stroll down Knightsbridge and it would be hard to miss the iconic, storied building that houses Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park—if for no other reason than the enthusiastic doormen clad in bright red tailcoats and top hats awaiting guests in the entryway. Nestled on the park’s southern edge, you are just a short stroll away from the rose garden (if you’re lucky, you’ll catch it in all its full-bloom glory), Buckingham Palace, and St. James’s Park. You are also near some of the best things to do in London: just around the corner you’ll find Harrods, and beyond that the Victoria and Albert Museum, Natural History Museum, and Royal Albert Hall. To end the night? Sip on a drink at the cool, dark Mandarin Bar before retiring to possibly the most comfortable bed you’ll ever sleep in. —Katie Henwood, associate director of audience development
Brown’s Hotel
There is perhaps no more elegant boutique hotel in London than Brown’s, where Rudyard Kipling wrote The Jungle Book and Alexander Graham Bell made the city’s first telephone call in 1877. Rooms are adorned in English wallpaper and pops of color, and the restaurant, Charlie’s, serves a Sunday roast where roast beef comes by the trolley. The upscale shops of Savile Row are minutes walk away, as is Hyde Park. —E.T.
Ham Yard Hotel
Drawn to modern modish maximalist interiors? Look no further than Ham Yard, the Kit Kemp-designed hotel smack in the middle of Soho. Rooms—all with floor-to-ceiling windows—either have a view of the London skyline or a tree-filled courtyard. There’s also a library, spa, gym, theatre, rooftop garden, and a 1950s-style bowling alley adorned with vintage bowling shoes to boot. —E.T.
The Peninsula
Classic elegance meets modern style at The Peninsula London, where wood-paneled walls and plaid curtains are paired with high-tech features in every room (think, bathtubs with a television and built-in remote—which to me, is peak luxury). The lofted dining room in the lobby floods with natural light during breakfast hours, and the piano plays softly day and night. Head to the top floor for an unforgettable dining experience (and, unforgettable view). Start your evening with a cocktail at the aviation-themed Brooklands Bar overlooking the London skyline, then head across the hallway to the two Michelin-starred restaurant Brooklands by Claude Bosi. If you’re lucky, you’ll enjoy multiple courses while the sun sets over Hyde Park, casting as many colors as you’ll find in the dishes placed in front of you. If you’re luckier, the chef will come out to meet you at the end of the night—I was able to personally thank chef Francesco Dibenedetto for an unforgettable meal, and for a wait staff to rival any other. —K.H.
Beaverbrook Town House
If it’s classic English charm you’re seeking during your London stay, look no further than Beaverbrook Town House—although you should also know that the hotel’s take on the traditional comes with a twist. An offshoot of the popular Beaverbrook hotel on a vast estate in Surrey, their London property features 14 suites named after iconic West End theaters (complete with vintage programs and posters for each on the walls), decadent interiors that blend classic English country style with more modish, maximalist touches, and a restaurant serving—surprise!—stellar sushi and a top-tier omakase menu, along with plenty of deliciously lethal cocktails. Located steps away from the shopping meccas of the King’s Road and Sloane Street, you can spend the day wandering the picture-postcard streets of Chelsea before retiring to your cozy bathtub. When it comes to finding a home away from home in London, what more could you ask for? —Liam Hess, living editor
The Langham
Situated in the heart of the West End, The Langham has everything you would want out of your London visit, all in one place. Afternoon tea? Make a reservation at Palm Court and listen to a live pianist while enjoying tea sandwiches, scones, and sweet treats paired with champagne (and tea, of course). Later on, pop by The Wigmore for a pint and elevated pub fare in a chic, cozy space. End with a nightcap at Artesian before retiring to one of the 380 luxuriously appointed guestrooms. If you do plan to adventure outside of the hotel, you are just steps away from the shopping scene on Regent Street and its festive lights at Christmastime. In warmer months, you can stroll through Regent’s Park and even brave the climb up Primrose Hill for one of the best views in London. —K.H.
The Berkeley
One of the true grande dames of the city’s hotel scene, The Berkeley’s blend of old-school hospitality with a few contemporary twists—and an impressive ability to wear its illustrious history lightly—means it firmly occupies a place at the top of any list of five-star London stays. Step through the sleek glass and steel entryway designed by starchitect Richard Rogers, and head down one of its rabbit-warren corridors to find the elegantly-proportioned Blue Bar or the cozy snug area of the Berkeley Bar with its playful, hand-painted murals, or simply make a beeline for the bright, airy café to enjoy one of the city’s most popular (and deservedly so) afternoon teas. If you’re looking for a serious treat, however, book yourself in for one of the spectacular counter service tasting menus of wildly intricate pastries and cakes courtesy of the award-winning pâtissier Cédric Grolet. As far as the hotel’s 190 individually-designed accommodations go, with its minimalist, quietly luxurious design scheme, there isn’t a bad room in the house. Arguably the greatest star attraction, however? That would be the breathtaking rooftop pool, with its expansive views across Hyde Park and the Thames. Despite the popular perception of London as a land of drizzly skies and pea-soup fog, when the summer months roll around, the ability to take a cooling dip on a hot afternoon offers a little slice of paradise. —L.H.
Rosewood London
From the moment you enter Rosewood London through its cast iron gates, you know you’re in for a sophisticated stay, from its black-and-white floors to its grand marble staircase that snakes throughout. Their afternoon tea takes inspiration from famous artists throughout history: currently, they’re serving a menu inspired by Yayoi Kusama, which includes tea cakes made to resemble her famous pumpkins. —E.T.
Mandarin Oriental Mayfair
Mandarin Oriental Mayfair is a younger, more modern take on its Hyde Park sister down the road, but with the same standards for service and hospitality that you would expect from the original location. The hotel just celebrated its one-year anniversary and it just keeps getting better—the Korean chef’s table Dosa By Akira Back just earned its first Michelin star, and the nightly seating has a rotating menu that will keep you coming back again and again. If you find yourself with a rainy day (as one often does in London), spend the afternoon relaxing at the spa or enjoying a cocktail or two on the enclosed rooftop terrace. —K.H.
The Dorchester
Staying at The Dorchester Hotel—that majestic grande dame on the edge of Hyde Park—has long been the stuff of legend: Elizabeth Taylor spent five of her honeymoons there and had the penthouse bathroom redone in pink marble; Eisenhower planned the Normandy Invasion during his stay in 1944; Prince Philip assembled his nearest and dearest in its private dining room for his stag do; and James Bond turned 45 in one of its suites. It’s little wonder that the most fabulous people in the world flock to The Dorchester’s Park Lane address. It’s opulent, to be sure—all shimmering chandeliers, haute cuisine, and fresh-cut flowers—but it’s also perfectly discreet; one gets the best of everything without any of the fuss. In January 2023, The Dorchester reopened after a sprawling renovation (the first in 30 years) that refreshed its lobby and ground-floor promenade, updated its rooms and suites, and unveiled two new cocktail bars: The Vesper Bar (named after Ian Fleming’s signature drink) and The Artists’s Bar, where pop art masterpieces surround Liberace’s mirrored piano. —Jessie Heyman
Hotel Café Royal
Brimming with elegant charm, Hotel Café Royal has been a meeting spot for those in the know for over a century. Previously a Parisian brasserie established by 19th-century wine merchant Daniel Nicholas Thévenon, a modern interpretation of the space imagined by renowned architect David Chipperfield brings together its Parisian roots with luxurious London sophistication—plus, with its location discreetly tucked behind Regent Street, it’s merely a stone’s throw from Mayfair’s most premium shopping destinations. Once you return, you can kick your heels off in the hotel’s tea room (a grade II listed salon once favored by Oscar Wilde)—complete with powder-pink macaroons and a refined tea menu masterminded by executive pastry chef Loic Carbonnet—before retiring to one of their generously proportioned suites to relax in their slate gray marble bathtubs, or visiting the breathtaking Akasha Spa with its 60-feet pool, complete with sauna and jacuzzi. It’s ideal for staycations as well as visits from further afield. —L.H.
The Cadogan Hotel
In the heart of Chelsea is The Cadogan Hotel, a collection of five connected townhouses where the doorman greets you in a bowler hat and the halls are filled with over 400 original artworks. (Including one Swarovski-encrusted peacock.) Like most London hotels, there’s quite a history behind it. This time, the stories are scandalous: one of the townhomes is the former residence of Lillie Langtry, a mistress of King Edward VII (at the time the Prince of Wales), and once upon a time, Oscar Wilde got arrested in room 118. —E.T.
Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane
The Four Seasons Hotel at Park Lane is tucked between two of the best spots to visit in London: Hyde Park and Buckingham Palace. This, plus its world-class reputation for service and hospitality, make this hotel an ideal starting point for any trip to England’s capital city. After a day of exploring all that London has to offer, return to The Four Seasons for a culinary adventure at Pavyllon, the hotel’s Michelin starred French restaurant by Chef Yannick Alléno. Ask for a spot at the bar for a front-row seat into the active, open kitchen—you’ll see firsthand the diligence and creativity that goes into your many-course meal. And trust me, you won’t want to skip dessert. Yes, chef. —K.H.
The Twenty Two
In just a month, The Twenty Two has become one of the most buzzed-about hotels in London: the Edwardian manor houses 31 guest rooms, a private member s club, and an all-day restaurant, all adorned in 18th-century classical French-inspired design executed by Natalia Miyar Atelier. (Think beveled mirrors, velvet piping, Cabochon marble bathrooms, canopy beds, and plenty of gold fringe.) Need further proof of its cool factor? None other than Madonna was spotted departing its gilded halls last year. —E.T.
45 Park Lane
If Don Draper were to visit London today, chances are he’d find himself at 45 Park Lane, the sleek, art deco-inspired sister hotel to the neighboring Dorchester. With just 45 handsomely appointed rooms (think: black lacquered dining tables, red leather loungers, and a collection of genuinely good British art), it’s a boutique hotel that doesn’t feel precious. You can find some of the best steaks in London at CUT, its ground-floor restaurant overseen by Wolfgang Puck; and for a nightcap, head to Bar 45, where the lighting is low and the pours are heavy. Fancy a dip? Take the lift down a level to the subterranean swimming pool—you’d be forgiven for thinking you’ve slipped into another time.
Raffles London at the OWO
Fifty-seven Whitehall in London’s Westminster has had a long and storied history, having played host to Tudor royalty, the locus of the military brainpower behind Britain’s victories in the two World Wars, and even as the stomping ground of Ian Fleming, providing ample inspiration for his Bond novels. This September, however, the storied address entered a new era as Raffles London at The OWO (short for “Old War Office”). The hotel’s opening followed a six-year renovation, overseen by the late French architect Thierry Despont, resulting in 120 guest rooms across seven floors, 2.5 miles of corridors, and a 65-foot subterranean pool alongside a Guerlain Spa. Here, oak doors have brass push plates adorned with the royal cipher of Edward VII, and the 13 decorative fireplaces were salvaged from other London landmarks. The wide hallways—designed to accommodate couriers ferrying confidential MI5 and MI6 correspondence—have too been preserved. And the hotel has also kept its discreet entrance off of Whitehall Court, marked by EVIIR (Edward VII) insignia—perfect for spies, or perhaps, today, a privacy-seeking celebrity. —E.T.
One Aldwych
As far as location goes, One Aldwych is hard to beat. Not only is it a few minutes walk to London hotspots like the Covent Garden Piazza, Trafalgar Square, and an endless number of West End theaters, it’s also a hop, skip, and a jump from the Thames pathway and the vast array of cultural attractions along the South Bank. Yet once you’re happily ensconced in one of its 105 rooms and suites overlooking the likes of Waterloo Bridge and the London Eye, you’ll feel a world away from the clamor of the city. Luxuriously-appointed rooms feature crisp Frette sheets and sleek, minimal interiors that further foster the feeling you’re in your very own tranquil haven, while the hotel’s Indigo restaurant—with its convivial atmosphere and seasonal menu of inventive British classics—is esteemed enough to attract locals alongside One Aldwych guests. Bonus points too for the health club and indoor pool located in the basement, meaning you can get a few laps in before a long day of walking to see all the nearby sights—or retreat to the sauna to decompress on your return. —L.H.
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