London’s Best Boutique Hotels | 20 Stylish & Luxurious Hideaways in London
Choosing a new bed can be difficult enough.
Ideally, you should sleep on it.
So choosing an entire hotel room can be even more daunting – which is why we’ve put together this discerning list of London’s best boutique hotels, from Georgian townhouses to minimalist havens, floating hotels to retro hideaways.
So you can literally rest assured that you’re in the best of the bunch…
BOUTIQUE HOTELS IN CENTRAL LONDON
Ham Yard Hotel | Soho
You’ve probably walked past Ham Yard dozens of times without realising – but once you find this secluded little Soho courtyard, it’s like stepping into Narnia. Once an abandoned car park, it was transformed when The Ham Yard Hotel moved in, setting up one of London’s most elegant boutique hotels and creating a peaceful, spacious terrace outside where the pavement is studded with twinkling lights.
Part of the excessively stylish Firmdale family of boutique hotels, the Ham Yard Hotel is filled with the tastefully eccentric decor of founder and interior designer Kit Kemp. Each of the 91 rooms and suites have been individually designed, with sumptuous furnishings decked out in bold, colourful patterns. There’s fancy toiletries, a fully stocked minibar – and 24 hour room service for anything else you could possibly need.
Elsewhere, explore the lantern-lit rooftop bar and kitchen garden (accessible only to guests and the hotel bees); unwind in the Soholistic spa; snuggle up in the library with its open fireplace; watch a film in the boutique screening room; or score a strike, 50s style, in the retro Croc Bowling Alley. And when you need to refuel? The Ham Yard Restaurant – and its two AA Rosettes – is waiting for you.
Amenities: Valet, concierge & chauffeur service; 24-hour room service; gym; spa; cinema; bowling alley & rooftop bar
Location: Right in the middle of Soho – although you’d never notice it.
Best spots nearby: Soho’s best restaurants make up a long list – but you’re right next to The Devonshire, Kiln and Bocca di Lupo.
Details: 1 Ham Yard, London W1D 7DT | Book The Ham Yard Hotel
Henrietta | Covent Garden
Coming to you from the impossibly chic friendship group behind Chinatown’s Experimental Cocktail Club and La Compagnie des Vins Surnaturels, the Henrietta is set across two adjoining townhouses in Covent Garden boasting 18 sleekly designed bedrooms, the synonymous Da Henrietta restaurant downstairs, and of course, ECC bottled cocktails in your minibar.
Amenities: Concierge service, luggage storage, rainfall showers and 24-hour room service.
Location: Walking distance from some of London’s biggest attractions, but surprisingly peaceful for a good night’s rest.
Best spots nearby: You’re spoilt for choice, with Flat Iron next door, and Cora Pearl opposite.
Details: 14-15 Henrietta St, London WC2E 8PS | Book here
The Goring Hotel | Victoria
It just so happens that The Goring is London’s last remaining family-owned luxury hotel, having been around since 1910. Luxury is the key word here with the hotel priding itself on impeccable service, deluxe bedding, and exquisite food. It’s also got its own secret oasis – a pristine private garden which to enjoy some peace and quiet in the capital.
Amenities: You can look forward to 24hr access to the fitness club during your stay with state-of-the-art equipment, daily newspaper deliveries with your breakfast in bed, and a complimentary shoeshine because… why not.
Location: Perfect for those wanting to check off all the classic London landmarks. You’ll find Buckingham Palace in walking distance; Big Ben, Westminster Abbey & the Tate Britain are not too far either.
Best spots nearby: Check out our guide to the best Victoria restaurants and best bars in Victoria (one of which is right here).
Details: 15 Beeston Pl, London SW1W 0JW | Book here
Artist Residence | Victoria
A secluded Bohemian bolthole, the Artist Residence is gloriously furnished, with lofty ceilings, free standing baths and four poster beds. Each of the 10 bedrooms has been uniquely designed with vintage furnishings at its heart – some of which are even dog-friendly – and it’s all a stone’s throw from a whole load of art at Tate Britain.
Amenities: TVs, Roberts radios, Nespresso coffee machines & well-stocked minibars in every room.
Location: Tucked away in Victoria, this neighbourhood is fairly residential – but ultimately, it’s well-connected and makes for a lovely cultural staycation in London.
Best spots nearby: Tick off this bucket list of things to do in South Kensington, before chowing down at Lorne.
Details: 52 Cambridge St, Pimlico, London SW1V 4JD | Book here
The Grazing Goat | Marylebone
Simple sophistication, that’s what you’ll find here. The Grazing Goat may not faff around with crimson velvet sofas and rare 18th century artwork, but it still sings luxury and comfort which is just about all you need… and it’s attached to a lovely pub with a roaring fire.
Amenities: Flatscreen TV with Freeview, walk-in rainfall shower, Aesop toiletries, and a glorious pub & restaurant just below.
Location: Great for those wanting to be in the centre of town with quick and reliable transport links. This is the ideal place to book if you plan to be on the move a lot.
Best spots nearby: Follow our Hyde Park itinerary, browse Marylebone’s boutiques and soak up a little culture for free, or have a meal at one of the best restaurants in Marylebone.
Details: 6 New Quebec St, London W1H 7RQ | Book here
The Rookery | Clerkenwell
The Rookery is an intimate hotel nestled in a street near to St Paul’s Cathedral which kind of feels like you’ve stepped back in time to the 18th century, only it’s a lot warmer and everyone smells a lot better.
Amenities: This hotel oozes period charm with antique furniture as far as the eye can see: deep free-standing baths, open fires, its very own library, annnd a resident black cat.
Location: Perfect for those wanting to get stuck into to all things in the heart of London. You’ll be able to zip from museum to gallery to activity bar to restaurant in no time at all.
Best spots nearby: Amazing Clerkenwell restaurants nearby include St John and Trattoria Brutto. You’re also near the Barbican Centre, and there’s a few of London’s best secret gardens to uncover nearby.
Details: 12 Peter’s Lane, Cowcross St, London EC1M 6DS | Book here
The Zetter Townhouse | Marylebone & Clerkenwell
The Zetter Townhouses in Marylebone and Clerkenwell offer a stylish mix of old-school charm and British eccentricity. Each of their Georgian townhouses boasts individually designed rooms with plush Hypnos beds, unusual antique finds and quietly luxurious details, from the raindance showers to The White Company toiletries.
Amenities: The vividly-decorated downstairs lounges are cocktail bars even non-guests make the pilgrimage to – and they’re a great place to take afternoon tea.
Location: Both hotels boast decent transport links, but sit in two of London’s most elegant neighbourhoods that can often feel like secluded secrets.
Best spots nearby: In Marylebone, buy an indie mag from Shreeji’s to enjoy with breakfast at the Monocle café, then take a jaunt around the Wallace Collection. In Clerkenwell, bag a reservation at Sessions Arts Club before taking in a show at Sadler’s Wells.
Marylebone details: 128-30 Seymour Street, London W1H 7JB | Book here
Clerkenwell details: 49-50 St John’s Square, London EC1V 4JJ | Book here
Broadwick Soho | Soho
Those of a sensitive disposition should look away now – this Martin Brudnizki-designed boutique hotel in Soho is a gloriously kitsch ode to overblown maximalism. You’ll know what you’re in for from the start, as you pass through the entrance overlooked by two colossal circus elephants secured to the building’s facade. Inside, every spare inch of floor, ceiling and wall space has been plastered with glitz, from the shimmering elephant wallpaper of the most luxurious bedrooms to the leopard-print chairs and mirrored pilasters of the rooftop bar.
Rooms range from the merely excessive to the wildly ostentatious (where even the minibars are housed inside elephant sculptures). But they all come with fluffy bathrobes and Ortigia toiletries; 24 hour room service; the latest film releases loaded onto the telly and even a packing service on request.
Amenities: There’s a glitzy on-site restaurant, Dear Jackie; a rooftop bar; and a courtyard café (that’s reserved exclusively for guests).
Location: Slap-bang in the centre of Soho, with lots of tube stations close by.
Best spots nearby: You’re at the centre of the known food universe, but Rita’s, Bubala Soho and Bar Lina are all good places to start.
Details: 20 Broadwick Street, London W1F 8HT | Book here
Chateau Denmark | Soho
There aren’t many places that can get away with black walls and gold ceilings, but Chateau Denmark has managed to do it. While you’d typically think purple snakeskin sofas, ruby red velvet headboards, red and black freestanding baths would be best suited to a sex dungeon, it’s actually very tasteful in this rock ‘n’ roll-inspired hotel.
Amenities: Expect soundproofed rooms complete with butler service & 75″ TVs. It’s also got its very own late-night bar where you can party ’til late.
Location: Chateau Denmark is right in the heart of Soho, so get ready to have a lot of fun. You’re also in the thick of Theatreland, so it’s worth checking out some of the best London theatre shows on now.
Best spots nearby: Check out the best bars in Soho – you’re very close to Dram Bar – or treat yourself to a stellar meal at The Devonshire or Noble Rot Soho.
Details: Denmark St, London WC2H 0LA | Book here
BOUTIQUE HOTELS IN WEST LONDON
The Portobello Hotel | Notting Hill
Founded in 1971 and home to many famous mugs over the years, The Portobello is easily one of the more decadent boutique hotels in London. Their 21 individually designed rooms range from dinky singles to the ‘Exceptional’ – airy suites with private access to the gardens – but the more snugly-fitting ‘Good’ rooms are much cosier, with their individual exotic murals and eclectic colour schemes.
Amenities: Expect late-night room service, cooked breakfasts, plus an honesty bar stocked with Portobello Gin overlooking scenic private gardens.
Location: Perfect for lazy market browsing and Sunday brunches – but be prepared to travel a bit to sample London’s rowdier side.
Best spots nearby: Mooch round Portobello Market and Golborne Road, catch a film at The Electric and treat yourself at Notting Hill’s top restaurants. Check out our ideal Sunday in Notting Hill.
Details: 22 Stanley Gardens, London W11 2NG | Book here
The Bingham Riverhouse | Richmond
The Bingham Riverhouse is a beautiful Victorian townhouse perched on the Richmond riverfront. It triples up as a members club, restaurant & bar, and boutique hotel offering up 15 bedrooms with gorgeous views overlooking the River Thames. It’s elegant, luxurious and serene – the perfect place to make you feel at home.
Amenities: Dine in The Bingham Riverhouse restaurant, run by Masterchef The Professionals winner Steven Edwards, & opt for a room with a hand-forged copper bath tub for some serious TLC.
Location: It’s the ultimate suburban dream in the capital; perfect for those wanting to explore the greener areas of London. You will have to rely on the South Western Rail and the tube’s District line to explore the city, but if all goes to plan you can get to Waterloo in 20 minutes.
Best spots nearby: Deer-spotting in Richmond Park; lunch at the stunning Petersham Nurseries Richmond; Peggy Jean for brunch; and the Orange Tree Theatre for culture. Check out our perfect day in Richmond.
Details: 61 – 63 Petersham Road, Richmond, TW10 6UT | Book here
The Adria | South Kensington
The Adria is quite literally a five star establishment. It’s set in a 19th century townhouse with a selection of 24 bedrooms and suites that have decadent Italian marble bathrooms. You can be sure that you’ll receive the all-star treatment being able to pick when, where and how you want your breakfast everyday… and this also applies to cocktails later in the day.
Amenities: Unwind in their very own luxury gym & spa by treating yourself to a full body massage, or a well-deserved warm-down in their sauna.
Location: The Adria is the perfect spot for those wanting to dive into all things cultural. You’ll find yourself in the best location to visit the best museums in London and check out some excellent South Kensington restaurants.
Best spots nearby: Brother Marcus South Kensington for brunch & Wright Brothers South Kensington for everything else.
Details: 88 Queen’s Gate, SW7 5AB | Book here
The Laslett | Notting Hill
Named after Rhaune Laslett, the founder of Notting Hill Carnival, this West London boutique hotel aims to be as much for locals as it is for visitors. The ground floor is a ‘neighbourhood hangout’ bar and restaurant with an outdoor terrace, while upstairs a fleet of rooms spanning from single beds to suites make sure you’re fully rested.
Amenities: Enjoy the likes of a Nespresso machine with organic coffee, a selection of Penguin classic books, and a rainfall shower in your room. Meanwhile the hotel offers a selection of recharge rooms with wellness treatments to keep body and soul in tip-top condition.
Location: The ideal place for those after a buzzy area which is not in East London. You certainly won’t be stumped of places to eat and drink until late, but if you do find yourself heading over to the other side of town, you can get back easily with the Central Line which runs a night service on weekends.
Best spots nearby: Let your hair down at Notting Hill Arts Club; recover at Dorian; and tick the quirky activity box by visiting the Museum of Brands.
Details: 8 Pembridge Gardens, London W2 4DU | Book here
room2Chiswick | Chiswick
Welcome to London’s first Hometel, which quite self-explanatorily is something between a home and a hotel. From the outside you could easily mistake it for a block of new-build flats, but inside it actually comprises of 89 studios with a focus on the arts & crafts movement. It’s the perfect place to go if you want luxury, but also want to do things for yourself.
Amenities: Kitchenette (subject to room), co-workspace, DIY laundry facilities and gym decked out with Peloton bikes.
Location: You’ll find yourself in leafy West London; think strolls along the river, independent cafés, markets gorgeous parks. The plus side is that it’s well-connected with SWR, District & Piccadilly line services to take you across London.
Best spots nearby: Chiswick House & Gardens, Kew Gardens, and these lovely Chiswick restaurants. Here’s how to spend an ideal Sunday in Chiswick.
Details: 10 Windmill Road, London W4 1SD | Book here
Lime Tree Hotel | Belgravia
You’ll find this little boutique bolthole in the heart of Belgravia, just off what some think to be the prettiest street in London. The aim at Lime Tree Hotel is to give you a cosy place where you can hunker down in the capital. This Grade II-listed townhouse has its own lounge, a café-style restaurant and a lovely walled garden. Upstairs, it has an impressive selection of 26 bedrooms which have the feel of a sumptuously comfortable family pile.
Amenities: Feel at home with a selection of 100% natural British toiletries from Bramley and a flatscreen TV. Pop downstairs to their casual restaurant for any meal of the day before having a breath of fresh air in their walled garden.
Location: Lime Tree Hotel is in walking distance of Chelsea Bridge, from which you can head over to Battersea Park or follow the river for a long walk up to Central London.
Best spots nearby: You’re right opposite one of London’s best bakeries, while up towards Knightsbridge Pantechnicon is a five storey temple to Japanese and Nordic food & design. Round the corner, Cadogan Hall hosts quality concerts in an intimate setting.
Details: 135 – 137 Ebury St, London SW1W 9QU | Book here
San Domenico House | Chelsea
With just 19 rooms, this Chelsea boutique hotel focusses on quality, not quantity. So each room is absolutely stuffed to the rafters with rococo furnishings; antique rugs; oil paintings and marble en suite bathrooms. There’s a rooftop terrace overlooking the chimneypots of Chelsea, plus every service you can think of, including concierges, chauffeurs and babysitters.
Amenities: Expect grandeur with a capital G. You’ll be bamboozled with walls covered with rare, 18th century Italian & British Art, along with four-poster beds and smart TVs.
Location: You’ll find San Domenico House in the heart of Chelsea for a relaxing break where you can amble & browse through the local boutique shops. With District & Circle Line services, you’ll be able to get around with no problem.
Best spots nearby: Take in sophisticated London sights like the Saatchi Gallery, Fulham Palace, Battersea Park, Chelsea Physic Garden, the V&A and Lift 109, with plenty of great Chelsea restaurants to hit afterwards.
Details: 29-31 Draycott Pl, London SW3 2SH | Book here
BOUTIQUE HOTELS IN EAST LONDON
Batty Langley’s | Shoreditch
One of very few boutique hotels in Shoreditch, Batty Langley’s historic interiors are like a time-warp compared to the manic pace of East London outside. The quintessentially British interiors boast 17th Century carved oak beds, dimly-lit rooms layered with fancy fabrics, and the occasional wooden toilet. And when you want to come back to reality, you’ve got some of London’s best bars and restaurants on your doorstep.
Amenities: Tea & coffee all-day, everyday with machines and/or tea trays in each room; you’ll also find a lovely terrace & garden outside and a pair of honesty bars downstairs.
Location: This is the ideal place for experiencing the buzzing nightlife around East London – with plenty of things to do in Shoreditch, you might not even need all the bus and tube links to go elsewhere.
Best spots nearby: A few doors down you’ll find the equally time-warped Dennis Severs’ House. You’re also in walking distance of Old Spitalifields Market and Brick Lane; and it’s worth checking out the best bars in East London for an evening out.
Details: 12 Folgate St, London E1 6BX | Book here
The Ned | The City
With 250 bedrooms, The Ned isn’t exactly a boutique hotel. But it is a really, really nice one. Coming to you from the people behind Soho House, it’s an exceptionally gorgeous place to stay, housed in a Grade I listed converted bank. That means a heck of a lot of original features, marble and wood panelling. The (amazing) restaurants and bars on the ground floor are open to the public, but as a guest you’ll also get to check out the hotel’s many other private features.
Amenities: You’ll get exclusive access to The Ned’s Club Spa & Gym, fitted with high-tech equipment and bespoke wellness treatments, meanwhile the bedrooms ooze luxury with upholstered beds, deep bathtubs or rainforest showers, and Cowshed toiletries. You’ll also be able to access the rooftop terrace with its swimming pool – it’s teeny, but the views across London are amazing.
Location: A great option for those wanting to get a sense of the hustle & bustle of London, while having a cosy sanctuary to return to when you fancy a time out.
Best spots nearby: Head down to St Paul’s Cathedral, Leadenhall Market or The London Mithraeum for something cultural, or take a shot at Clays for something with a bit more oomph. There’s plenty of excellent restaurants in the City, too.
Details: 27 Poultry, London, EC2R 8AJ | Book here
Town Hall Hotel | Bethnal Green
This art deco town hall’s been successfully converted to a hall of residence – boasting vast suites with triple height ceilings, and for the rest of us, a range of more modest (but nonetheless beautiful) bedrooms. Running from minimalist modern cocoons to spacious rooms with original features (including fireplaces and gilt ceilings), they’re all unique, and most come with a fully functioning kitchen…
Amenities: You can look forward to (ab)using their marble-clad swimming pool, fitness facilities and 24-hour room service. Plus, there’s a morning shuttle service to the City if you fancy hitching a free ride, and their in-house restaurant Da Terra provides double Michelin-starred fine dining.
Location: Perfect if you like to be in the thick of it all, but want somewhere quiet to come back to.
Best spots nearby: Explore one of London’s weirdest museums beneath the Last Tuesday Society, try a cocktail at Satan’s Whiskers, or explore Netil Market and Broadway Market.
Details: Town Hall Hotel, 8 Patriot Square, London E2 9NF | Book here
The Hoxton | Shoreditch
The Hoxton is full of surprises: parquet floors and desks in every bedroom; a rotating collection of artwork on their walls; a secret, fairy-lit garden which often plays host to workshops and cocktail-laced film screenings; and the fact that – given its insane location – it doesn’t cost you an arm and a leg to stay there.
Amenities: Room service, a very useful reception ‘corner shop’, and a fireplace-warmed lobby that’s great for working in.
Location: Bang in the middle of Shoreditch, with markets and boutiques to explore, excellent restaurants and plenty of places for a tipple. And the Northern line and Overground will get you everywhere else you want to go, too.
Best spots nearby: Upstairs is the first international spot of Brooklyn’s famed Peruvian, Llama Inn, but you can also set off to explore these other great restaurants in Shoreditch, or head up to Islington for a walk along Regent’s Canal.
Details: 81 Great Eastern St, London EC2A 3HU | Book here
The Culpeper | Spitalfields
Sporting the same beautiful aesthetic of faded elegance as the rest of the building, this Spitalfields pub has five charming bedrooms on the second floor. They sit nestled between the wonderfully cosy bar and dining rooms downstairs, and the rooftop terrace upstairs, which is home to cocktails by day, and stargazing by night…
Amenities: Breakfast is included, alongside flat-screen TVs and wifi in every room.
Location: Perfect for exploring East London, with plenty of independent shops and the Old Spitalfields Market a stone’s throw away. It’s also well connected by bus for cheap trips into central London.
Best spots nearby: Check out our guide to the best Spitalfields restaurants, or great bars in Shoreditch and Spitalfields.
Details: 40 Commercial St, London E1 6TB | Book here
BOUTIQUE HOTELS IN NORTH LONDON
The Bull & Last | Hampstead
The Bull & Last is a stellar neighbourhood pub with 7 guest bedrooms in North London. The rooms are classic, cosy and timeless taking inspiration from the nearby Kenwood House. If you’re down about missing your weekly Sunday Roast, fear not, head downstairs for a hearty helping of roast meat and potatoes.
Amenities: It’s all about laid-back luxury here; you’ll find a Nespresso coffee machine in every room, 32″ TVs, Roberts radios, a mini-bar featuring a range of independent beverages, and artwork by local artists.
Location: Situated right at the foot of Hampstead Heath, it’s a great place for those wanting somewhere tranquil to retreat to after a day in the bustling streets of inner London. However, the tube will be your best friend to get around.
Best spots nearby: The Southampton Arms for pints & piano, or check out our itinerary for the ultimate jaunt round Hampstead.
Details: 168 Highgate Rd, London NW5 1QS | Book here
Now that you’ve got the room… you’ll need our guide to the best restaurant in every London neighbourhood
