A staycation in the capital is never a bad idea and the city's top hotels are always pulling out all the stops to offer guests an incredible escape. If you're wondering where to start, our pick of the most luxurious hotels in London provides all the information you need for a city break to the capital.
From afternoon tea to super-stylish bars, London's luxury hotels have all the goods to attract Londoners and visitors alike. Some provide the chance to bring your four-legged friend along (One Aldwych) and others offer the finest Michelin-starred dining that attract the most discerning of diners.
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The capital is the place to be and Red's pick of the best luxury hotels in London will give you all the inspiration you need for your next stay.
Whether you're looking for a luxury London hotel with views or a luxury London hotel with a hot tub in the room, you've come to the right place as we've selected the finest places to stay in town.
Perhaps you're searching for an unforgettable address for a weekend mini-break, or would like to spend an entire week celebrating the season in the city – however long you plan on staying, there's plenty to keep you entertained at your hotel, such as Michelin-starred restaurants, sublime spas and some incredible hotel suites.
From the Sofitel London St James for a touch of French elegance on your getaway, to the mid-century, brutalist marvel that is The Standard in King's Cross, you'll want to keep scrolling for the best luxury hotels in London.
1
The Goring, Belgravia
Opened in 1910 by Otto Goring and now the only five-star luxury hotel in London that is owned and run by the family that built it, this is a truly special place to stay. Set deep in the heart of Belgravia, close to Buckingham Palace, The Goring is within strolling distance of the Royal Parks and some of the city’s finest shops, theatres and galleries - a fitting location for one of the most luxurious hotels in London.
In 2013, it was granted a Royal Warrant of appointment to HM The Queen for Hospitality Services and in the 2016 guide, The Dining Room was awarded its first Michelin star. It's here where the Princess of Wales spent the night before her Royal Wedding, too. During a stay, you can sleep in a sumptuous room uniquely decorated with the finest furnishings, including Gainsborough Silk (the same silk that graced the First Class Dining Room of RMS Titanic).
2
Sofitel London St James, St James's
From the marble floors in the impressive lobby to the Hermès toiletries in the bedrooms, the Sofitel London St James is a luxury London hotel offering five-star features around every corner. Its neoclassical architecture and fancy dining in restaurant Wild Honey are the epitome of French indulgence from the renowned hotel group.
At Wild Honey, you can sample elegant dishes, such as Cornish sea-bass with chicory and blood orange, and white asparagus with mushroom and miso Hollandaise. Meanwhile, the spa is a haven of decadence, with an excellent menu which includes HydraFacial treatments for a detoxifying and replenishing ritual that gives noticeable results. When it's time for bed, the rooms offer a gorgeous place to retire, boasting bold carpets and marble bathrooms.
The hotel enjoys a prestigious postcode and is the perfect address for first-time visitors to London especially, since it's so close to famous sights such as Piccadilly Circus, Leicester Square and Trafalgar Square, not to mention the many theatres along Shaftesbury Avenue.
3
The Lanesborough, Mayfair
One of the masterpiece hotels in the Oetker Collection, The Lanesborough straddles Knightsbridge and Mayfair, and was originally built by James Lane, second and last Viscount Lanesborough, in 1719. Art lovers will be in their element as the five-star hotel is home to one of the largest art collections from the 18th century outside of a museum. The hotel's history also includes a stint as a hospital.
One of The Lanesborough's most impressive rooms is the Royal Suite, among the largest in London, which extends across 450 square metres, with grand views of Buckingham Palace Gardens. Complimentary pre-dinner G&Ts are left in all suites for you to enjoy happy hour in privacy, and every room category comes complete with a private butler. Some of the secrets to its stellar service were revealed in an episode of the BBC series Amazing Hotels: Life Beyond the Lobby.
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4
Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane, Mayfair
Surrounded by the most coveted shopping streets London has to offer, Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane provides every five-star experience imaginable, including the concierge arranging for all your shopping bags to be brought back to the hotel for you. During your stay, you can choose to take in the views of Hyde Park with a drink in hand on the terrace, or if you desire more privacy, opt to go back to your terrace-enhanced suite and enjoy soaking up the sun.
The hotel's five-star rooftop spa is a must-visit. Go on a personalised, holistic wellness journey with a Couples' Exclusive Sky Suite Experience package (available Monday to Friday), where you'll have your own suite to ensure maximal relaxation with the added benefit of Hyde Park views for you to enjoy with your companion. There's a private steam room, welcome drinks and a two-hour spa treatment formed from your choice of three 40-minute rituals.
5
Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, Knightsbridge
There aren't many hotels in London more luxurious than the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, which oozes five-star credentials inside and out. The rooms are suitably indulgent, the afternoon tea is fit for a queen and the interiors are so lavish that the hotel hosts some of society's grandest weddings.
One thing its well-heeled guests love is the quietness, despite being located bang in the middle of Knightsbridge. Check into a Hyde Park Suite and you'll feel like you're in the countryside with the views overlooking the treetops. Then there's Dinner by Heston Blumenthal, a Michelin-starred restaurant that needs no introduction.
Here, you can feast on fascinating British dishes with a fun twist, such as the celebrated chef's well-known Meat Fruit and scallops with cucumber ketchup. The Hereford beef fillet served with Heston's legendary triple-cooked chips and mushroom ketchup is another dish you're unlikely to forget. Meanwhile, the Tipsy Cake (spit-roasted pineapple), inspired by the Victorian dessert, is a sweet, fluffy and comforting delight.
Another treat at the Mandarin Oriental is the impeccable spa. It's a space for pure indulgence, where you can relax with an Oskia facial or massage after melting away any tension in the serene vitality pool with hydrotherapy jets.
6
One Aldwych, Covent Garden
If you're hoping to see a show during your visit to London, this hotel in the heart of the West End is the perfect choice. Set next to Covent Garden, One Aldwych is a modern haven with stunning interiors, embellished with an impressive contemporary-art collection. The elegant, pastel-coloured bedrooms are spacious and filled with natural light, creating an incredibly calming space in the centre of town.
Beneath the hustle and bustle of the streets above, the hotel's health club is a subterranean sanctuary with an 18-metre chlorine-free swimming pool, a sauna and a steam room. The state-of-the-art 24-hour gym has a Peloton bike for those who like to be active and offset the indulgence holidays often bring. One Aldwych also welcomes dogs, who can stay the night at no extra charge and will be provided with a Bow Wow London bed and bowl, making it an excellent pet-friendly hotel in London.
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7
Bulgari Hotel, Knightsbridge
For obvious reasons, Knightsbridge has no shortage of ultra-luxurious hotels to choose from. Located on Knightsbridge at the edge of Hyde Park, Bulgari Hotel is known for being an indulgent haven of calm close to Harrods and Harvey Nichols (yes, it's an excellent hotel choice for avid shoppers). The contemporary architecture and Bulgari’s flair make this undoubtedly one of London's most luxurious hotels. With a private cinema, New York Italian restaurant Sette, expansive suites and one of the most exclusive spas in London, this place sets new standards for luxurious accommodation in the capital.
The Bulgari's spa is arranged over two levels and is an urban oasis of tranquillity, with a 25-metre swimming pool lined with shimmering green and gold mosaic, and a vitality pool entirely covered by gold-leaf tiles. There are also 12 private treatment rooms and a spacious fitness area with personal trainers on hand.
8
NoMad London, Covent Garden
The first international outpost for the NoMad hotel brand and now one of its flagship properties, NoMad London draws inspiration from its storied building. Formerly the Bow Street Magistrates Court, the 19th-century police station in Covent Garden has 91 elegant rooms and suites. The luxury hotel's all-day dining space is housed in its light-filled atrium and the focus is on cuisine rooted in NoMad's classic approach.
In addition to the main restaurant, Side Hustle evokes the comfort of a pub-like environment paired with the refinement of NoMad's signature style – if you're in search of London's often elusive good Latin American food, this is where to find it (the dips and tacos to accompany the co*cktails are sensational). When you feel like relaxing, the Library is a place to unwind, offering respite from the city any time of day and serving coffee, snacks, or even a carafe of wine.
9
Corinthia London, Embankment
The Corinthia is a true London icon, originally opened in 1885 as the Metropole, frequented by King Edward VII, then used as government offices during both world wars. It reopened 12 years ago as Corinthia London, restoring elegance to the Embankment and reclaiming its reputation as an A-list destination. I
This is an unrivalled hotel experience, with no five-star corner unturned. Every detail has been executed through the prism of luxury, from the slick check-in experience and impeccable staff for whom nothing is too much trouble, to the swooping architecture and sweet surprises for little ones.
Rooms and suites are spacious and opulent beyond belief – some come with views across Whitehall Place and marble bathrooms complete with in-set TVs – while ESPA Life provides everything you need for mental and physical wellbeing. Think spoiling treatments, an amphitheatre sauna, ice fountain, private sleep pods and a large pool. Food here is equally sublime – one can enjoy afternoon tea in the Garden, co*cktails in the sumptuous Velvet bar, fine dining at The Northall and rotisserie meats and fish at Kerridge’s. Words Sarah Tomczak
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10
The Standard, King's Cross
If your idea of a luxury hotel leans towards cool and retro rather than classically elegant five-star indulgence, then you'll appreciate The Standard, the London outpost from the American hotel brand. Located in the currently cool part of town, King's Cross, the fashionable hotel is frequented by supermodels and boasts vintage, mid-century decor behind its iconic brutalist façade.
At The Standard, you can check into a Junior Suite Terrace with its own alfresco bath tub on a terrace overlooking St Pancras Station – who needs the Eurostar to Paris when you can soak in your outdoor bath with impressive views? Like most five-star hotels, you'll find thoughtful details in the rooms too, including plush robes and rain coats to borrow.
Downstairs, the drinking and dining spaces are fit for the fashion set and were designed by Shawn Hausman, who wanted interiors that appeared as though the 'California rebels had taken over a government building'. There's Spanish-Mexican food from Michelin-starred chef Peter Sanchez-Iglesias in Decimo and the seasonal Rooftop for co*cktails with views.
11
Dukes London, Mayfair
Dukes needs no introduction – or rather, its martinis don't. The bar here is famously where Bond author Ian Fleming liked to drink and the martinis are so potent, guests are limited to two each (trust us, that's plenty). It also has the feel of a country-house escape in the heart of London, since Dukes London has Green Park and St James’s Park as its back garden. The luxury hotel's Victorian exterior evokes a time when artists and writers rubbed shoulders with royalty in fashionable St James.
Upstairs, you’ll find elegant rooms and suites with antique furnishings coupled with the latest technology, while downstairs, the Great British Restaurant (abbreviated to GBR) serves up seasonal British cuisine in hearty, comfort-food dishes such as Wagyu burgers, scorched Cornish mackerel and monkfish scampi in beer batter with caper and parsley mayonnaise. Of course, y0u'll also be able to enjoy fish and chips, and a full English breakfast.
12
Shangri-La The Shard
If you’re looking for a luxury London hotel in a landmark building, stay within the Shard at the city’s Shangri-La outpost, which has some of the most amazing views of the capital courtesy of its lofty position, spanning 18 floors from the 34th storey upwards. As well as the trains coming in and out of London Bridge station (trainspotters, rejoice), you’ll be able to spy Tower Bridge, the river and many of the equally iconic skyscrapers over in the City.
The hotel has a sauna and swimming pool with more pinch-me panoramas from within Western Europe’s tallest building; a sublime setting for sunset in the form of the Gong bar, one of the best hotel bars in London; and an Asian restaurant on its 35th floor. It's also a brilliant choice for afternoon tea in the capital, since the cakes and sandwiches are served with a rather spectacular backdrop.
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13
Claridge’s
Claridge’s has been one of the finest hotels in London for well over a century and a half now, and it shows no sign of letting up, having added a subterranean super spa to its offering. The Brook Street address in Mayfair is just the start; the red-brick building, which is a short stroll from Hyde Park, is home to famous afternoon teas, the Le Fumoir bar and a listed, art deco ballroom (there’s a reason the hotel was chosen as the venue for Queen Elizabeth II’s ruby wedding anniversary).
The spa may be in central London, but it feels more like a temple in Japan, thanks to the imagination of its acclaimed designer, André Fu. Here, guests can enjoy Augustinus Bader and FaceGym facials, and rose body scrubs. The spa also hosts 'wellness masters', including women's health expert Ross J Barr and star manicurist Harriet Westmoreland, and there's a team of Josh Wood hairstylists on hand by appointment only.
14
Rosewood London
The Rosewood brand is about to expend its presence in the capital, with a new outpost in the former American embassy on Grosvenor Square coming in 2025, but its original London hotel is still one of the finest places to stay in the city. It may be popular with business travellers, but there’s nothing corporate and soulless about Rosewood London, set in the old Chancery Court building on High Holborn.
Be sure to show up hungry at the Holborn Dining Room, which has an adjoining pie room, creating various takes on the British classic. For pre-dinner drinks, the supremely cosy Scarfes Bar is the dimly lit, wood-panelled and fireplace-enhanced place to be, especially if you’re a fan of whisky, since 500 types are for sale. The capital’s best nightlife (including the many theatres of the West End) are on your doorstep and you can rejuvenate yourself the morning after with an A-list-approved Face Place treatment at the hotel’s Sense Spa.
15
The Connaught
Maybourne has mastered the art of the luxury hotel, having exported its distinctly British brand to Beverly Hills and the French Riviera. The Connaught, sister property to Claridge’s and the Berkeley in London, is on Mount Street in Mayfair, with a Jean-Georges grill, a three-Michelin-starred restaurant by the decorated French chef Hélène Darroze, and a bar with a famous martini trolley and mixologists that like to put on a show.
The hotel is also the proud owner of an Aman spa with a pool to soon make you forget you’re in a busy city.
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16
The Adria, South Kensington
As one walks through The Adria’s pillared entrance and across its threshold, one steps into another (lovelier) world – one that is luxurious without being pretentious and a haven from London’s busy streets. But this hotel's allure goes far beyond its affluent postcode. Certainly, the recently renovated Victorian townhouse occupies an enviable location – Harrods is just a stroll away, as are some of the city’s best cultural highlights, including the V&A – but it is the atmosphere (one of a private house rather than a hotel) that makes it so special.
A joyous celebration of the capital, each of the 24 rooms pays homage to the city with a London-themed name, be it a place, event or, a very important person – and the interiors follow suit. Here, contemporary comforts blend seamlessly with traditional townhouse features and grand Victorian flourishes: think antique four-poster beds and Cipollino marble-clad bathrooms with TVs over the tub and underfloor heating.
There is no restaurant in the hotel, but that doesn’t pose a problem as friendly staff, who are willing to go the extra mile, order in feasts sent over from the likes of Nobu. There is, however, a breakfast room, that's a real delight after a blissful night’s sleep. Effortlessly stylish, elegant and exclusive, The Adria almost feels like a private members’ club – one that would certainly be worth joining. Words Charlotte Page
17
Art’Otel London Battersea Power Station
If you're in search of a London hotel in an alternative neighbourhood, away from the West End and the busier central areas, head over the river to Battersea. Part of the redevelopment of the iconic Battersea Power Station, Art’Otel, as its name suggests, has art as a central theme. The hotel has a rooftop bar with a heated infinity pool and hot tub, and eye-popping views of the power station itself and the London skyline from the 16th floor.
Dining options include Tozi Grand Cafe for Venetian-style cicchetti and a restaurant (with more 360-degree panoramas of the city) by a Michelin-starred Portuguese chef. The luxury hotel is also home to a spa.
18
1 Hotel Mayfair
The luxury hotel scene in London has been fizzing over with excitement lately, with highly anticipated arrivals from several big-name international brands. One such debut is 1 Hotels’ first foray into Europe, with its Mayfair outpost. The US brand, which has hotels in cities such as New York and Miami, selected London’s poshest postcode for its entrance.
The group’s sustainability-focused mindset is apparent, not least from the signature greenery gracing the exterior and the moss walls in the rooms. There’s a Bamford spa and a restaurant by accomplished chef Tom Sellers that eases seamlessly into its upscale neighbourhood.
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19
Raffles at the OWO
Almost a decade in the making, Raffles at the Old War Office on Whitehall is another one of the capital’s most eagerly awaited hotels in a while. The restoration preserved the heritage building, but extensive works were undertaken, including underground – two new floors were added below the Westminster streets.
You might be in central London, which means drinking and dining on tap, but that didn’t stop the hotel’s creators from installing a staggering nine restaurants and three bars, with flavours from all over the world coming to this luxurious Whitehall address. Its stately exterior hints at the lavish world that awaits behind its front door.
20
The Berkeley
Part of the Maybourne hotels collection, which includes Claridge’s and the Connaught, the Berkeley has the one thing everyone in the capital craves during a heatwave: a rooftop pool. But that doesn’t mean it lies idle during the remaining 360 or so days of the year – instead, it transforms with the seasons, including, most magically, in the winter, when you can expect mulled wine, blankets and festive film screenings up there.
There’s also a Bamford spa, a Cédric Grolet pâtisserie and suites overlooking Hyde Park that are a vision of pastel perfection. Fittingly for a hotel so close to Harrods and Harvey Nichols, the afternoon tea is oh so fashion.
