Top 8 Best Luxury Hotels in London
After a long day of sightseeing and shopping or doing business, there is nothing like retiring to a top class London hotel for some luxury treatment. London is home to some of the most luxurious four and five star hotels in the world, and it is a challenge to pick out the best of the best.
But by making use of the combined wisdom of enchanted guests and hard-nosed press reviewers, the eight below have earned their place.
Hotel 41
The ‘whatever, wherever’ button on your in-room telephone sums up the ethos of this luxury boutique hotel, renowned globally for its exceptional level of service both in terms of professionalism and genuine warmth. The concierge service employs people who are both knowledgeable and attentive, helping guests to make the most from their stay. This charming and intimate hotel attracts guests from all over the world. At the time of writing, it had been holding its place as the top ranked London hotel, out of over a thousand, on Trip Advisor.
Location is always important in a London hotel, and Hotel 41 is situated near to Buckingham Palace and the Victoria tube station for easy access to all the tourist spots. Rooms are spacious, comfortable and warm with plenty of extras thrown in, including the increasingly vital free Wi-Fi. Dining options are excellent too.
Perhaps the one criticism of the Hotel 41 is that the demand has pushed up prices, so you can end up paying almost double the nightly rate of other luxury hotels.
Price guide: £700/night
Milestone
The Grade II listed Milestone hotel, near Kensington Palace, is another luxury hotel that focuses on providing that intimate, ‘home from home’ service beloved to so many visitors to London. Balancing a warm and personal ‘happy family’ touch with the professionalism and efficiency needed to run a busy hotel is the challenge faced by all staff in a luxury hotel, and those employed by the Milestone have got it just right. The style is very English – you’ll know you are in Kensington – and the concierge is a valuable resource when getting orientated.
No English hotel would be complete without afternoon tea, and this comes highly recommended at the Milestone, with pastries, scones, sandwiches and a great selection of teas.
Each room is unique, clean and comfortable but can be quite small, so do consider an upgrade if your budget can handle it.
Price guide: £400/night
Haymarket
Located on the Strand, near to the National Gallery, the Regency-fronted Haymarket offers one of the most value for money stays in the city. A Firmdale hotel, the decor is characteristically bold in the extreme, and the trademark tailor’s dummy takes pride of place in each of the hotel’s tasteful and comfortable rooms.
The Brumus restaurant is the ideal place to eat prior to a night out at the theatre.
Price guide: £250/night
Halkin by COMO
With so much quality competition, every luxury hotel has to carve out its own niche in London. For the Halkin by COMO, it is the oasis of calm that pervades the atmosphere, making it the perfect retreat from the hustle and bustle of London. But don’t think that this means the Halkin is stuck out of the way somewhere. In fact, the opposite is true with Hyde Park Corner tube station only a short walk away, and landmarks such as Buckingham Palace and Westminster Abbey within easy walking distance for most residents.
The staff at the Halkin are well-organised, warm and welcoming and will often have your room ready early (though don’t bank on that, of course). Rooms are spacious, clean and, above all, quiet.
Price guide: £400/night
Rosewood London
If you strike the right price, a stay at the Rosewood London (Rosewood are a luxury chain) could be one of the best value for money stays you ever experience. This is another centrally located hotel with friendly, attentive and professional staff and spacious, well-equipped rooms that include giant TVs, free Wi-Fi and face a peaceful courtyard, ideal if you need to concentrate on work. With a room service centre per floor, the hotel staff are poised to jump to the assistance of guests wherever they are staying.
The hotel is complemented by the excellent Scarfes Bar and a restaurant serving great food and with superb waiting staff.
The overall ambience of the Rosewood is of a country hotel, and it comes complete with resident dog.
Price guide: £300-£400/night
Charlotte Street
Located in the quaint and urbane Bloomsbury area, the Charlotte Street hotel is full of character and enhanced by superb dining facilities at Oscar’s restaurant and bar. From the light and elegant facade and ornate, green-tinged lamp-posts outside to the open fire and cheery interiors within, this hotel is a breath of fresh air from the sterile chains. Despite this, the staff are quick on the draw without sacrificing any of the friendliness that suffuses the atmosphere.
In terms of rooms, these are colourful and comfortable, with bathrooms in each one. A tailor’s dummy reminds you that this is a Firmdale hotel. There is even a screening room downstairs (the hotel attracts film industry types), and the hotel puts on special film-meal combos on a Sunday.
Price guide: £300/night
Corinthia
One of the best luxury hotels in south-west London, the Corinthia is unabashedly opulent with huge public rooms adorned with pristine pillars, warm wood furniture and burgeoning chandeliers.
Everything about the Corinthia is plus size, with a spacious restaurant (The Northall); a bar (Bassoon Bar); a large event venue; a four floor spa and even a mini Harrods.
One rare treat is the 24 hour check-in facility; the Corinthia is not short of rooms, and the hotel takes full advantage of the fact. There are 294 rooms, including 7 Penthouses, and 43 Suites.
Located near to Charing Cross station, most of London’s attractions are within close proximity.
Price guide: £350/night
Conrad St James
Ranked top of London’s luxury hotels by LateRooms guests, and also highly-regarded by Trip Advisor travellers, the Conrad St James is a stylish and efficiently-run establishment with friendly and attentive staff, comfortable bedrooms, well-appointed bathrooms and great dining.
Once again, this centrally-situated hotel (it’s just next to St James tube station) is ideally located for exploring Westminster and the usual London tourist spots.
Unlike some of the hotels further up this list, the Conrad has more of a traditional, classy five-star chain attitude, although some guests prefer this over the more intimate boutiques. .
Price guide: £350/night