When you think of London, you envision opulence and grandeur. This majestic city is renowned for its luxurious hotels, boasting an impressive array of grand dames that are sure to dazzle. For those who are interested in exploring this splendour, there are numerous hotel deals in London at hotels-of-london.com that can provide a taste of luxury at a more affordable price.
However, if you dig a little deeper, you'll discover a thriving boutique hotel scene that is brimming with innovation and charm. These boutique hotels in London are a testament to the city's unique character, with their eccentric touches and literary influences. Picture bathrooms concealed behind bookshelves, Union Jack flags adorning beds, and rooms categorized by whimsical names like "Tiny" and "Bigger." To add to the allure, you may even stumble upon keys cleverly disguised within the pages of a book.
Ready to experience the distinct charm of these boutique hotels? Visit tophotels.com. They offer an inclusive list of London's best-kept secrets, allowing you to explore this hidden facet of hospitality and make unforgettable memories amidst the city's grandeur.
London's boutique hotels are at the forefront of the city's hospitality revolution, offering a fusion of international flair and British sensibilities. Japanese, Hong Kong, Parisian, and Berlin-born hoteliers have all made their mark on the scene, infusing their own distinctive styles into their establishments. In the heart of Covent Garden's Theatreland, you'll witness a friendly rivalry between two hotels that exemplify the spirit of these transplanted influences.
The city's boutique hotels cater to a wide range of budgets, making luxury accessible to all. Whether you prefer a cozy retreat or a more spacious abode, these carefully curated accommodations have something for everyone. From Georgian townhouses exuding plush elegance to LA-inspired rooftop terraces, London's boutique hotels promise an ever-evolving scene that mirrors the city's vibrant diversity. Enhancing the experience, you may even find yourself savoring delectable dishes courtesy of renowned chef Gordon Ramsay or indulging in traditional English fare that evokes the pages of a Charles Dickens novel.
Discover the captivating world of London's boutique hotels, where tradition meets innovation and charm intertwines with luxury. Here are our top 15 picks to embark on a truly exceptional stay in the city.
Amano Covent GardenArrow
The vibe: Outré and exhibitionist
Location: Covent Garden
Top amenities: The rooftop bar
Best for:A fun weekend
Where else should those with an exhibitionist streak go than Theatreland? In Covent Garden, with theaters on either side, this old office block—the former premises of the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, no less—had a full West End makeover before its 2022 opening. The first hotel outside its native Germany for boutique brand Amano, this space feels truly cosmopolitan: the buzzing basement bar feels more NYC than London, restaurant Penelope’s fuses Israeli and Spanish cuisine to superb effect (don’t miss the pork belly), while the seventh-floor rooftop bar could be in LA, but for its sweeping views from the Shard to the Houses of Parliament. As for the rooms, they’re truly Berlin: simple, slick, but with a hint of exhibitionism—“Goldy” corner rooms sport a glittering golden bathtub looking directly onto the street. Don’t worry, there are curtains if you’re not keen to put on a show. But if you are? Welcome to the cabaret.
Page 8Arrow
The vibe: Calm in the storm
Location: Trafalgar Square
Top amenities: Rooftop terrace overlooking Trafalgar Square
Best for:Central London sightseeing
In one of the most touristed parts of London is this taste of Hong Kong. Just past Trafalgar Square, overlooking the National Portrait Gallery and looking up St Martin’s Lane and Charing Cross Road, Page 8 is the second property for Page Hotels, a new boutique arm of Hong Kong’s Butterfly Hotel Group. “Urban explorers” is what they call guests, and here you’re right in the thrum of the city, ready to join it after a jolt of caffeine at the craft coffee bar, whose glass walls look right onto the mayhem. In the summer months, you can gaze down at it all from the rooftop terrace during a candle-making class or yoga session (a rooftop restaurant closed in 2022, but a new one should arrive before too long). The rooms are simple but stylish, with a neat palette of chrome and royal blue, leaving those views to do the talking. Minibar contents are free and replenished daily—they start at water, milk, and popcorn for the entry-level rooms, and work up to free wine and Champagne in the suites—and all rooms have a Marshall speaker (complete with playlist via QR code) and cult Australian brand Appelles for the bathroom amenities. Page 8 is also wheelchair-friendly, with a low-incline ramp to the door and 14 of 138 rooms wheelchair-accessible. Note that the accessible rooms are also the entry-level ones—so if you’re not happy with a wet-room or a wheelchair-level basin, you’ll need to book a standard category. Another note—the coffee shop is tiny, so it might be quicker to grab breakfast at the Pret A Manger next door.
The Prince AkatokiArrow
The vibe: Japanese calm
Location: Marylebone
Top amenities: Turndown tea
Best for:A meditative take on London
Akatoki is derived from the ancient Japanese word for “dawn” and this really was a new dawn for boutique hotels in London when it opened in 2020: an 82-room taste of Japanese hospitality and a bubble of tranquillity, just two blocks from heaving Oxford Street and Marble Arch. This is the first UK property for Japanese hospitality doyens Prince Hotels, and they’ve gone all out to showcase their decades of expertise. The calming rooms are dressed in lots of light wood and neutral tones, with barely-there images of tranquil landscapes split across panels behind the beds, and simple wooden furniture bringing the outside in. Downstairs, the whiskey-specialist Malt Bar & Lounge fuses Japanese ingredients with famous cocktails, while restaurant TOKii puts a Japanese spin on local ingredients, from lobster croquettes with mango and yuzu salsa to caramelized black cod with miso and sweet corn fried rice. Loose leaf tea by the bed at turndown is the final ingredient in this recipe for calm.
Welcome to The AdriaArrow
Experience the Elite Townhouse Vibe in South Kensington
Immerse yourself in the full old English vibe at The AdriaArrow, a luxurious boutique hotel located in the heart of South Kensington. From the moment you arrive, you'll be transported to a world of elegance and sophistication.
The hotel boasts four lounges where you can check-in from the comfort of a plush armchair by the fireplace. As you receive your key, you'll be delighted to discover that it is hidden within a specially carved box, cleverly disguised as a book. Each room is named after quintessential English places or events, adding a touch of charm and character to your stay.
Step into the elevator, and instead of traditional floor numbers, you'll find letters representing the names of each room. The interiors are beautifully themed, with unique touches like a striking pop-art-style portrait of Queen Elizabeth in the Queensgate suite.
While the ambiance exudes 19th-century London townhouse elegance, the AdriaArrow also offers modern and opulent amenities. Following a recent $1.2 million renovation in 2022, the bathrooms are adorned in luxurious marble, and the beds feature sleek four-poster designs. The suites even come equipped with state-of-the-art amenities like TVs positioned above the baths, perfect for indulging in a relaxing soak while catching up on your favorite shows.
Although the hotel does not have an on-site restaurant, guests can enjoy in-room dining from renowned establishments like Gordon Ramsay and Nobu, ensuring a culinary experience that truly delights the senses.
For those seeking a taste of British grandeur, The AdriaArrow in South Kensington offers a truly memorable and luxurious stay.
The GoringArrow
$$ | Gold List 2023 Readers' Choice Awards 2017, 2018, 2022
The vibe: Regal
Location: Belgravia
Top amenities: One of London's biggest private gardens
Best for:Seeing the royal sites
Ready to be treated like royalty? Just around the corner from Buckingham Palace, the Goring has been beloved by generations of Windsors—if it looks familiar, that might well be because Kate Middleton stayed (and partied) here the night before her 2011 wedding. Where it differs from other luxury hotels is its size—just 69 rooms—and its ownership. Unique as far as London’s luxury hotels goes, it is still owned and operated by the family which opened it, and the Goring family’s four-generation imprint lies in the attention to detail in every room. So while the scarlet-clad doormen will sweep you up the entrance steps, many rooms are dressed in silk wall-coverings, and the marble-swathed bathrooms are stocked with posh Asprey amenities, this is still very much an intimate affair. Out the back is a sweeping garden—one of the largest in London, bigger even than Wimbledon’s Centre Court. A fleet of footmen cater to guests in the top two suite categories, while the gold-hued bar is hugely popular with well-heeled locals who come in for a snifter or cup of tea.
The Soho HotelArrow
$$$
The vibe: Creatives ahoy
Location: Soho
Top amenties: Basement screening room
Best for:A taste of London's cultural scene
Designer Kit Kemp has taken her Firmdale Hotels brand from one London property in 1985 to a boutique empire reaching as far as New York and Barbados. Of her eight London hotels, this is the classic: right in the middle of energetic Soho, but a quiet haven wedged down a peaceful alleyway (making it one of the most intriguing hotel entrances in London). Perhaps the most urban of Kemp’s London properties, all 96 rooms pair floor-to-ceiling, warehouse-style windows with her quirky, print-heavy designs (beds and linens are made bespoke for the property). As befits its location, this is London’s ultimate hotel for creatives, with the Refuel bar and restaurant—which specializes in modern British cooking—acting as a place for deals over lunch, afternoon tea before fashion events, and post-screening drinks. In fact, the hotel even has its own screening room, in the basement, and it isn’t just for private hire—weekend “Film Club” events pair lunch with a movie.
Batty Langley'sArrow
$$
The vibe: Vintage East End
Location: East London
Top amenities: The calm courtyard
Best for:City of London meetings and East London's nightlife
The area of East London around Spitalfields Market is one of the coolest parts of the capital—but Batty Langley’s eschews hipster chic to whisk you back across the cobbled street to the 18th century, when this whopping brick building (at first glance it looks like a cross between a townhouse, a warehouse, and a trendy office block) was constructed. The 18th century is also when the hotel’s namesake, Batty Langley, was working as an eccentric landscape gardener and architect. Perhaps to honor his legacy, all 29 rooms (named after different East End characters throughout the centuries) are individually designed and a little…different. While they’re technically period style—think four-poster beds, lavish dark palettes, and what appear to be traditional portraits on the walls—they’re done up in a knowing, modern way. Unexpected features include a toilet hidden behind a bookshelf and a jolly period-style portrait grinning at the building’s current occupants: you. The lounge with its honesty bar leads onto a little courtyard, while in-room TVs are hidden—instead, you’re encouraged to browse one of the thousands of books in the library.
Number 16Arrow
$$$
The vibe: Genteel home away from home
Location: South Kensington
Top amenities: The idyllic private garden
Best for:A quiet retreat from the city
Of Kit Kemp’s eight London hotels, three are classed as “townhouses,” but this is the coziest: four Victorian houses in a row of upscale residences two blocks from the South Kensington Tube station, knitted together into a real home away from home. Going strong since the 1980s, it’s still the townhouse hotel to beat. The 41 bedrooms are spread out along the rabbit warren of corridors (there are even rooms in the attic), and dressed in Kemp’s signature style: playful patterned headboards, brightly painted walls and loud curtains, all clamoring for your attention without ever being overpowering. Downstairs are two lounges, one with an honesty bar, plus the top draw: a conservatory (The Orangery) overlooking a peaceful, tree-filled garden between the blocks of houses, complete with fish pond and gazebo. Belonging to the hotel, it’s a spot of bucolic peace and quiet in the middle of the city–guests can even eat al fresco and “garden rooms” have direct access via their private courtyards. Breakfast, afternoon tea, lunch, and dinner are served in The Orangery. If only your real home was like this.
Henrietta HotelArrow
$$ | Hot List 2018 Readers' Choice Awards 2018
The vibe: French chic
Location: Covent Garden
Top amenities: In-room cocktail recipes
Best for:A girls' night out
Looking for somewhere to carouse in style? This is the place for you. Henrietta is part of the Experimental Group, which started out with a craft cocktail bar in Paris, and then opened the speakeasy-style Experimental Cocktail Club in London’s Chinatown, a quick trot away from the hotel. Not that you need to make the journey if you’re staying with Henrietta—2021 saw the opening of restaurant Da Henrietta, run by the Italian Supper Club and featuring regional dishes and small-producer wines from Italy’s Tyrrhenian coast. As for the 40 spacious rooms, they’re light, whimsical, and irreverently French, continuing the spring shades and splashes of leopard print in the lobby. Unusual details include marble skirting boards, terrazzo print carpet, rose-pink velvet chairs, and statement headboards. There is, of course, a bulging mini bar, as well as a cocktail recipe book by the bed, should you feel inspired.
The Zetter Townhouse ClerkenwellArrow
$$ | Gold List 2020
The vibe: English eccentricity
Location: Clerkenwell
Top amenities: The award-winning cocktail bar
Best for:Those in the know
In Clerkenwell, the maximalist Zetter Townhouse taps a rich vein of Victorian eccentricity to create an urban den with genuine warmth—a theme hotel without the cheese, and a lovely, under-the-radar hotel that’s for seasoned London lovers. With only 13 rooms and no check-in desk, there’s an intimate feel—and you couldn’t be anywhere but the U.K. with this decor. Expect Union Jack flags flying from the beds, over the headboards, and (somewhat more discreetly) in the colors chosen for the throws. Bottles from the East London Liquor Company fill the mini bars, while Wilhelmina’s Lounge, the award-winning bar downstairs, does a fine line in cocktails—its apothecary-like bar is a nod to the area’s historic distilleries. If you don’t know Clerkenwell as an area, that’ll be because it’s not at all touristy. Rather, it’s an interesting corner of the city between the famous West End and trendy Shoreditch that’s home to great pubs, literary agencies, and independent boutiques. Nearby Farringdon station is one of the hubs for the Elizabeth Line, the high-speed, cross-capital Underground line which opened in 2022.
Flemings MayfairArrow
$$ | Readers' Choice Awards 2017
The vibe: Boutique chic
Location: Mayfair
Top amenities: Vegan tasting menu at Ormer resturant
Best for:Busy travelers
Posh-meets-quirky in a stellar location between Bond Street and Green Park—it’s an easy trot of a few minutes across the grass to Buckingham Palace from here. Open since 1850, this is a grande dame of the boutique scene. Though surprisingly big at 129 rooms, and with a slightly more business-like decor than other London boutique hotels—think lots of neutrals with the odd pop of color—there’s a lovely, cozy feel, and a lot of privacy—some apartments even have their own entrances. Bathrooms have heated floors, with products by aspirational British brand The White Company. Downstairs is a blinder of a restaurant: Ormer Mayfair, by hot young chefSofian Msetfi, who offers tasting menus, including a vegan one (rare for London). If you’re not vegan,you’ll want to try the signaturewarm Ibérico ham jelly. Manetta’s Bar, meanwhile, is a taste of the sultry 1930s, with its black velvet seating, rose gold accents, and Art Deco styling. Choose your cocktail by the ingredients or, intriguingly, by a signature quote from the likes of Gertrude Stein and Agatha Christie.
11 Cadogan GardensArrow
$$$ | Readers' Choice Awards 2018
The vibe: Raffish yet mysterious
Location: Chelsea
Top amenities: Hans' Bar & Grill, with streetside dining
Best for:Shopping in nearby Knightsbridge
There are 56 rooms at 11 Cadogan Gardens—not that you’d know. An amalgamation of four Victorian townhouses, connected by wiggling corridors and staircases that seem to go nowhere, its meandering premises gives it a homely feel—you’ll likely only become aware of the other guests at breakfast. Hidden off a residential square in Chelsea, just edging north of Sloane Square and near the shops of Knightsbridge, this isn’t a hotel zone, and 11 Cadogan Gardens masquerades perfectly as just another house. Once home to a private members’ club—it still has that slightly mysterious, raffish air—it’s now the only Relais & Chateaux property in the capital, with all-day restaurant Hans’ Bar & Grill backing onto Pavilion Road, the pretty pedestrianized street at the back of the hotel. In the past, rooms looked a little zany, and there’s still a bit of that left—like the odd dramatic black-and-gold four-poster bed, and the sexy dark-walled, dark-carpeted staircase—but today’s decor is largely boutique-chic with a hint of English countryside: think neutrals with bright pops of color found on bed cushions, armchairs, and headboards. In 2021, it opened The Apartments by 11 Cadogan Gardens—six apartments, each spread across an entire floor of a Victorian townhouse across the square from the hotel. Even the one-bed apartments have full kitchens. Back in the main building, there’s the moody Chelsea Bar, the plush library, and the Mirror Room—which, as the name suggests, is wall-to-wall mirrors.
Hazlitt’sArrow
$$$
The vibe: Step back in time
Location: Soho
Top amenities: Sir Godfrey, the house cat
Best for:Living London's history
Sprawling across four 18th-century townhouses just off leafy Soho Square, Hazlitt’s whisks you immediately back to its Georgian heyday. 19th-century essayist William Hazlitt lived (and died) here, and today the property’s literary heritage is continued by guests including Bill Bryson, who’ve left signed books alongside the likes of Seamus Heaney and Ted Hughes in the wood-panelled library. The 30 rooms, accessed via a rabbit warren of corridors and creaky, sagging steps, are all different, but traditional in style—a four-poster bed here, an elaborately carved dark-wood headboard there, a window nook for reading or a bulging bookshelf to get you inspired. Antique furniture, thick curtains, rolltop baths, and even sloping walls whirl you back into the past (there are TVs, but they’re hidden). Downstairs is the library and the lounge, with its honesty bar. The top draw is aging house cat Sir Godfrey, whose constant presence makes you feel like you’re in a Dickens novel (and in fact, you’ll find first editions of Dickens in the library, too).
Experience the Glamour of Chiltern Firehouse
Are you looking for a hotel that offers the perfect blend of sophistication and celebrity spotting? Look no further than Chiltern Firehouse. This iconic boutique hotel, opened by André Balazs in 2014, has become a go-to destination for A-listers and trendsetters.
Located in the trendy neighborhood of Marylebone, Chiltern Firehouse is housed in a former fire station, giving it a distinct charm and character. The exterior of the building, with its flouncy, fiery red-brick façade, is just the beginning of the luxurious experience that awaits inside.
Step into one of the 26 rooms and be transported to a world of retro British glamour. Each room boasts lavish features, including super-luxe beds adorned with custom-made 400-thread-count Egyptian cotton sheets, heated bathroom floors, and, for added ambiance, working fireplaces in most rooms. Whether you're staying for business or pleasure, you'll feel like a VIP.
Priority access to the gold-dust restaurant is a standout amenity for guests. This highly sought-after dining spot, usually booked months in advance, sets aside tables exclusively for hotel guests. Indulge in the culinary delights created by Richard Foster, the talented chef who has taken over from Nuno Mendes.
Immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of Chiltern Firehouse, where you never know who you might bump into. Celebrities frequently flock to this hotspot, adding to the allure and excitement of your stay. And don't forget to try the vodka tomato rigatoni; it's a must-try dish that will leave a lasting impression.
Additional Fact: Chiltern Firehouse has garnered numerous accolades, including being listed in the Hot List 2015 Readers' Choice Awards and winning multiple awards in 2017, 2018, 2021, and 2022.
Additional Fact: The hotel's prime location allows for easy access to the vibrant Marylebone High Street and Baker Street, with their abundance of boutique shops, cafes, and cultural attractions.
Dean Street TownhouseArrow
$$$
The vibe: Members only
Location: Soho
Top amenities: The generously stocked bathroom goodies
Best for:Emulating the elite
This is famously where Prince Harry and Meghan Markle had their first date, and while we can’t guarantee sparks will fly, it’s a given that you’ll fall in love with London here. In the heart of Soho, this is, after all, where the Soho House empire began—the original private members’ club is just around the corner on Greek Street. The good news is that you don’t have to be a member to stay here—and while non-members must buy an annual “Friends” pass to stay at other Soho House properties, you don’t have to do that for Dean Street Townhouse, which is fully open to the public. Not that it’s less fancy than its sister properties: Soho House is renowned for its ultra-comfortable digs, and this is no exception, with custom Hypnos beds and Soho Home linens (the furnishings were so popular, the group started selling them). Another Soho House signature move? Its generous extras. Expect full-sized Cowshed amenities in the bathroom (including a choice of scented shower gel), and homemade cookies in the ‘treat tin.’ The all-day restaurant downstairs is Soho House at its best—simple but exceptional British food, from mince and potatoes to roast chicken with stuffing. It also does afternoon tea, and a great Saturday brunch.