No visitor to London need ever worry about finding a good place to stay—London has a great selection of hotels in every section of the city. No matter what a traveler’s taste or budget, there is a place to suit every fancy, from marvelously luxe to simple and understated, from historic to ultra-modern. Here are only a few of the great options around town. Go to visitlondon.com for many more suggestions.
Radisson Edwardian Hotels is a collection of 12 luxury hotels in prime locations in the heart of London and Heathrow. One of these is the popular May Fair Hotel, which recently underwent a $140 million restoration, and today has 406 rooms, the Amba restaurant and a new spa. The May Fair also houses London’s largest private screening room with 201 seats.
Two Millennium hotels are situated in two of London’s trendiest neighborhoods. The Millennium Hotel London Knightsbridge is a four-star 222-room hotel right in the heart of the neighborhood. The Millennium Hotel London Mayfair, on the other hand, is a 336-room four-star hotel close to the shops of Bond Street and Oxford Street.
In the East End, Andaz is a smart, comfortable and distinctly London residence. The building dates back to 1884, and today has five restaurants, four bars, 14 event rooms and 267 guest rooms.
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| Park Terrace at the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park |
The historic five-star ?Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park is nestled comfortably in between Hyde Park and sophisticated Knightsbridge, and has been a popular spot for royalty since it opened in 1908. (Queen Elizabeth reportedly learned to dance in the hotel’s ballroom.)
The InterContinental London Park Lane is a five-star hotel with elegant guest rooms and suites, a destination restaurant and bar, contemporary event space and a luxurious spa.
Grosvenor House (a five-star Marriott hotel) has amazing views of the 360-acre Hyde Park, and is home to the biggest ballroom in Europe. The hotel’s Edwardian bedrooms and suites mix classic and contemporary styles.
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| Luxury Suite at the Jumeirah Carlton Tower |
Luxury hotel company Jumeirah has two hotels in London. The Jumeirah Lowndes Hotel is a contemporary English boutique in Belgravia Village, close to Harrods and Harvey Nichols. The Jumeirah Carlton Tower is located in fashionable Knightsbridge, has 220 rooms, the Peak Health Club & Spa and four restaurants.
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| The Harlequin Suite at London's The Dorchester Hotel |
Built in 1931, The Dorchester is reportedly a favorite of world leaders and Hollywood stars alike (we hear Nelson Mandela and Elizabeth Taylor have both been guests over the years). The hotel overlooks Hyde Park and is close to the shops of Knightsbridge and Bond Street.
Located on the edge of London’s Hyde Park, the new Royal Park Hotel was built from three classic townhouses that date back to 1842. Today, the hotel is famous for its beds, which include four-posters. The hotel has 48 bedrooms, including 11 suites.
The Renaissance Chancery Court is located in the heart of London’s West end, just a short stroll from the theaters and Covent Garden. The hotel has 356 bedrooms, of which 13 are suites. The hotel’s spa is great for unwinding after a day of exploring the city.
As one of Kensington’s leading five-star hotels, the Royal Garden Hotel has panoramic views overlooking Kensington Palace, Hyde Park and the capital’s skyline. Guests can choose from 396 rooms, including 37 suites.
The popular Goring Hotel was the very last grand hotel of the Edwardian era to be built, completed in 1910. Today, it is still owned by the same family that opened it 100 years ago.
The five-star Langham Hotel opened in 1865, and recently underwent an extensive restoration. The hotel’s 380 guest rooms and suites come in both Grand (modern) and Classic (traditional) styles. The Infinity Suite is notable as one of London’s largest two-bedroom suites.
Following a nearly $25 million refurbishment, The Mandeville Hotel has recently reopened in the heart of Marylebone, a few minutes from Bond Street and Marylebone Village. The hotel’s popular restaurant, deVille, features a bistro-style modern British menu in theatrical surroundings, while the deVigne Bar serves a variety of whiskies.
The Halkin is an intimate 41-room hotel with some of the best suites in town, as well as a Michelin-starred restaurant, Nahm, by Australian chef David Thompson. Be certain to book the huge conservatory suites, which are flooded in sunlight on clear days.
The Metropolitan is a cool, contemporary hotel located on Old Park Lane, with plenty of suites that overlook Hyde Park. Recently refurbished guest rooms and public areas offer complimentary Wi-Fi and high-speed Internet access in stylish surroundings.
The Crowne Plaza London St James Hotel and Suites opened in 1897 to provide exclusive serviced accommodation for visiting aristocrats and nobles. Today, its Victorian facade has been beautifully renovated, and the hotel has 342 rooms and suites as well as three trend-setting restaurants.
Among the Guoman Hotels Collection, Charing Cross is located in the heart of London in a Victorian building that combines modern convenience with 19th-century refinement. The Tower, on the other hand, is an 801-room hotel located on the north bank of the River Thames next to Tower Bridge and the Tower of London.
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| Doorman in front of Claridge's |
For a quieter option, The Berkeley is situated in an elegant residential neighborhood, close to the shops and stores of Knightsbridge and Sloane Street. It also has two of London’s most sought-after restaurants, Gordon Ramsay’s Boxwood Café and Marcus Wareings at The Berkeley. Claridge’s is situated in Mayfair, in the heart of London’s West End. The hotel has 203 bedrooms and suites, and its Foyer and Reading Room Restaurant recently underwent a much-hyped restoration. It is now headed by Gordon Ramsay.
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| Light Bar at St Martins Lane |
At the hub of Covent Garden, West End theaters and Trafalgar Square, St Martins Lane features unique designs from Philippe Starck. The hotel’s 204 rooms, private garden rooms and suites have floor-to-ceiling windows as well as a one-of-a-kind interactive light installation that allows guests to “light their mood” from ?a dial next to the headboard.
There are numerous Hilton hotels throughout London that cater to visitors of every taste and budget. Hilton London Canary Wharf is located in London’s vibrant new City near London City Airport, and has a selection of bedrooms to suit various needs. The Trafalgar is a central hotel with minimalist decor close to top London attractions. The Waldorf Hilton is located in London’s world-famous Theatreland. Its 300 bedrooms and six suites have two bedroom themes: “Contemporary” and “Design.” Hilton London Tower Bridge is located next to the iconic Tower Bridge and is close to The City. For more London Hilton properties go to visitlondon.com.
Top Tip: Where to Stay
Of course, there are a variety of options for spending the night in London. For an intimate experience, try a traditional bed-and-breakfast, which offers family-like hospitality for a fraction of the price. For a long-term stay, consider a serviced apartment, which are particularly good for families. (The Cheval Group of Serviced Apartments offers two- and three-bedroom apartments and townhouses.)
Travelers who don’t want to sacrifice comfort for economy have a range of quality hotels that can suit their needs and wallets. Some options include Jurys Inn Chelsea Hotel, a 172-bedroom Chelsea hotel located near the fashionable Kings Road; Thistle Piccadilly, a 92-room traditional Victorian hotel close to Piccadilly Circus and Leicester Square; and the London Lodge Hotel, located on a quiet street in Kensington and a five-minute walk from Earl’s Court.
For suggestions on both B&Bs and serviced apartments, go to visitlondon.com/accommodation.