London is a city of extremes in Europe with many English-style standard hotels but also a seemingly countless number of high-class 5-star ones, some of which are famous all around the world. With the best 10 Hotels in London you can get an idea of what the city has to offer and which hotels could be interesting to look further into. Do not forget that London is huge unlike most other European cities, so making a blind guess for a booking could be worse than you might think first!
These are our top 10 hotels in London
1. Shangri-La Hotel The Shard
If you have ever seen pictures of London, the famous skyscraper “The Shard” has probably caught your attention before. What many people do not know is that there is a Shangri-La Hotel inside, occupying floors 35 to 52 with a spectacular infinity pool on the top floor which you can access as a guest.
The rooms at Shangri-La The Shard are relatively pricey and in the luxury segment so you can easily spend 400£ per night just on the room without any extras. However, the facilities are really high-class and especially the morning view is a breath-taking experience that you will not forget, including sights such as the London Bridge and the London Eye. Shangri-La The Shard is famous for its bathrooms and its strategic location in midst of the most outstanding restaurants London has to offer. Other than that, it does not differ too much from other luxury hotels in London but if you are looking for a unique experience, Shangri-La The Shard is definitely one of the 10 best hotels to stay at in London.
2. The Mondrian
Right inside the famous Sea Container offices from the 1970s you will find the 5-star Mondrian Hotel. With this history, the management has focused on keeping some decorative elements in shipping designs. Located next to the river Thames, most rooms have an incredible panoramic view. After check-in, you can easily reach the Tate Modern Museum and St. Paul’s Cathedral within a few minutes while the London Eye is just around 13 minutes away. Besides its special rooms and design, you can have delicate dinners at the Mondrian’s first-class restaurant or just relax in the luxurious spa area. Thus, the combination of location, design and quality makes this one of the best hotels in London!
3. The Capital Hotel
In Knightsbridge you will find the Capital Hotel as one of the best hotels in London as a 5-star boutique hotel in a quiet and intimate location. It only has around 50 rooms which might give it an edge for noise-levels compared to other 5-star hotels while shoppers’ hearts will beat fast once they know that Harrods is just around the corner and various other designers are nearby. Other than that, Hyde Park and the Natural History and Science Museum are around and the Piccadilly subway line will get you around London quickly from here.
4. Claridge’s
Right in the heart of London and close to spots like Hyde Park, you will find one of the 10 best hotels in London with Claridge’s. It calls itself one of the best 5-star luxury hotels in the world and we believe that this is not an understatement. With a long history, you will sometimes think you are in the London of 1930 with thoughtfully-decorated rooms, a stylish bar and two restaurants. With its typically English design elements, you can be sure to feel like on vacation while being served (almost) like part of the Royal family. Right outside you will find one of the most expensive shopping area London has to offer and there are a lot of activities you can enjoy around the area.
5. The Beaumont
Located in the Mayfair district of the city close to Hyde Park, the Beaumont Hotel has one of London’s most prestigious restaurants, a neat spa area and a fitness centre. The hotel is held in an Art Deco style, with beautifully designed rooms and various artworks. The Beaumont is located in a 1930s building with many opportunities to explore the city from here, for instance Oxford Street which is just a few minutes away.
6. Ham Yard Hotel
The Ham Yard Hotel is particularly known for its very good location in short distance to Piccadilly Circus. That means you can easily explore nearby shopping areas and get around London quickly. For cultural trips, you will also have numerous theatres around in which you can enjoy dancing performances, ballets or musicals. From a value for money perspective, this is probably one of the best choices you can make as the Ham Yard is usually not as expensive as other luxury hotels while offering a very high service and comfort level.
7. Corinthia Hotel London
The Corinthia was originally opened as a hotel but turned into government offices until the early 2000s. The hotel spirit was completely restored however and nowadays offers a highly competitive guest experience for anyone in search of luxury, comfort and service. The hotel has almost 300 rooms with around 60 suites, an extensive spa area over four floors named ESPA Life which is often recognized as London’s most exclusive one. If the relaxation part is important for you when booking a hotel, the Corinthia is thus one of the best 10 hotels in London to consider!
8. The Berkeley
This gem of a hotel belongs to the same group as the Claridge’s which we introduced before. While the quality of both hotels is comparable, the style of the Berkeley is a little bit different from Claridge’s. The Berkeley in Knightsbridge is especially known for its collaboration with world-famous designers and probably serves one of the best teas hotels have to offer in London. It has opened in the 1970s but nowadays has a very young look and incredible views over the city, especially Hyde Park. For people who like uncommon designs, this is definitely one of the best hotels to stay at in London.
9. Hotel Rosewood
The Hotel Rosewood on High Holborn Street in London is a classic 5-star hotel. Closely located Oxford Street and Covent Garden it is the ideal starting point for a touristic day and also offers many shopping opportunities in the surrounding area. When you enter one of the rooms you will experience a bright style with discreet design. As a guest, you will feel like in heaven as the staff is always attentive and trying to make your stay as enjoyable as possible. If you do not want to rely on the staff to do so, you can also find the spa area and sauna. For a trip in London, you should definitely consider the Rosewood if you look for superior service and a neighbourhood that is rich in activities.
10. The Ritz London
The Ritz London is one of the best hotels for those who love historic luxury as the hotel has managed to maintain its vintage style over time. Right in the district of Westminster, you can quickly reach attractions like the Buckingham Palace. If you spend a bit more time inside the hotel, you can check out the Michelin star kitchen and the famous café in the Ritz as a luxury experience. Globally, Ritz hotels have a high reputation and the Ritz London is probably even one of the best among the whole group. If you want to see one of the best hotels in London, the Ritz might be a good option if you have the respective budget!
Which hotel is the right one for me?
London has a broad range of top hotels and our chosen best 10 hotels in the city probably do not cover every gem in town. However, we hope you got some overview of the best places to stay in the city. We know that individual tastes differ but this list might be the first step in your further research. Whatever place you choose to stay at eventually, prepare for your trip so you can be sure not to miss out on the best things to do.
