LONDON'S BEST LUXURY HOTELS
- MG
- 15 hours ago
- 9 min read
The finest places to lay your head, as nominated by our readers in the Time Well Spent Awards
Looking for somewhere to lay your head? We've got you! Oh, you want somewhere luxury, where you'll be treated like the rockstar you are? We've STILL got you! Read on to see where our readers nominated as London's Best Luxury Hotels in 2025.
Claridge’s
Mayfair
The Art Deco splendour of Claridge’s has been a symbol of wealth and elegance in Mayfair since the late 1800s - no mean feat in a city that chews up hospitality destinations with alarming regularity.
So, what is it that has kept Claridge’s at the top of the tree? Well, it’s never tried to be fashionable, which somehow, has always made it a bit fashionable. It’s London glamour done the ‘old way’ - attentive service, wonderful f&b offerings and, naturally, beautiful decor with well appointed rooms and suites.
It’s been a go-to for Royalty, A-list celebrities and important businesspeople for centuries, but Claridge’s never rests on its laurels, always striving to improve its offering and remain one of London’s most luxurious hotels.
Claridge’s, Brook Street, Mayfair, London W1K 4HR
Brook St, London W1K 4HR
Raffles London at the OWO
Whitehall
Having made its name in Singapore as a destination with unrivalled standards in services and accommodation, it wasn’t until 2023 when the hallowed name first appeared on a London building. But it was worth the wait, and what a building they chose. The OWO (Old War Office) on Whitehall was previously the heart of Britain’s military, positioned within a stone’s throw of Downing Street and the Palace of Westminster. For the record, we don’t recommend throwing stones at either building.
Raffles London at the OWO is as luxurious as you’d expect, with corner suites costing around £5,000 per night. If that sounds pricey, one of the 85 private Raffles residences in the same building sold for £45m.
Three on-site restaurants were opened in 2023 by three Michelin-star chef Mauro Colagreco and deep down in the basment, there’s a swimming pool, wellbeing suite and spa. It’s perfectly located near Charing Cross and Waterloo stations, though we suspect few hotel residents would get the train with the great unwashed.
Raffles London at The OWO, Whitehall, London SW1A 2BX
Old War Office Building, 57 Whitehall, London SW1A 2BX
The Sanderson
Fitzrovia
The Sanderson is our kind of luxury hotel. There’s no intimidating atmosphere when you stroll in to the lobby which, like the rest of the venue, is festooned with colourful modern art. In fact, there’s a playfulness to the whole place that seems at odds with its lux offering. The regularly changing afternoon teas are famous, taking on themes including the current Mad Hatters Afternoon Tea, and the Long Bar remains buzzy long into the early hours.
The bedroom decor here is modern and minimalist - expect a lot of white, which is a welcome rest for the senses after the colourful onslaught elsewhere in the building - but with balconies overlooking the city and gorgeously presented bathrooms, we guarantee you’ll not want to leave.
50 Berners Street, Fitzrovia, London W1T 3NG
The Ham Yard
Soho
One of London’s relative newcomers, The Ham Yard is the place you’ll want to spend an afternoon, even if you can’t afford one of the rooms. Its tree-filled courtyard is a stunning haven away from the hustle and bustle of nearby Soho, and the bar and restaurant serve up some of the finest modern European food and cocktails in the city.
The Ham Yard has positioned itself as the entertainment hotel du jour, with a beautiful screening room playing host to premieres, early screenings and launch parties, which has helped the hotel to become a regular bolthole for stars of stage and screen.
There’s also a full bowling alley downstairs, confirming Ham Yard’s place as the hip, fun place to stay if you’re in the city.
One Ham Yard, Westminster, London W1D 7DT
Sea Containers
South Bank
There aren’t many hotels in London with views like Sea Containers. Perched on the edge of the Thames, it enjoys a vantage point across the city, taking in Big Ben, St. Paul’s, The City and the London Eye.
Inside, it’s a modern mash-mash of styles that shouldn’t work, but somehow really do. For the most part, it’s sleek, modern and minimalist, with bars like the 12th Knot cocktail bar looking like a futuristic nightclub. But return to your room and you might find modern minimalism or old-time charm that nods to the hotel’s seafaring theme. The Cabin Suites in particular, boast oak panels, leather armchairs and vintage furniture to give the impression of an old ocean liner.
The Standard
King's Cross
The Standard became… well, the standard for rock ’n’ rollers passing through Los Angeles over the past few decades, earning a reputation as the naughty late night destination on a road that already housed the Chateau Marmont, Rainbow Bar & Grill and Viper Rooms.
It’s London venture - the first outside the USA - hasn’t quite managed the same reputation over here, but it has maintained that laid-back, Los Angeles vibe that so many London hotels strive for.
While there are more affordable options for an overnight stay (Single and Cosy Core rooms offer the basics in a stylish setting), the Suite Terrace is where it’s at for the big spenders: A huge bed, lounge area and a wraparound terrace offering views of the beautiful Neo-Gothic station across the road.
But the facilities are where it’s at when you visit The Standard. Head to The Rooftop for pizza and bubbles in the sunshine; glut cocktails at Sweeties bar; eat Michelin-starred Mexican food at Decimo; keep it simple with beers at Double Standard; go for seasonal, light dishes amidst the greenery off Isla and its garden terrace or bury your head in a book in the holel’s fully stocked library. Oh, and did we mention it has a radio studio that doubles up as a performance space?
There’s also a gym, because there’s nothing more LA than quaffing cocktails but still needing a solid six-pack.
10 Argyle Street, London, WC1H 8EG
Chateau Denmark
Soho
Not long ago, Denmark Street was London's musical mecca, a place where up-and-coming bands would buy their first guitars and established acts would record, hang out and visit their offices. It was here that artistic duo Hipgnosis created Pink Floyd's iconic album covers; where Hendrix and Bowie would hang out and discuss guitars with the experts in the litany of music shops; where the Rolling Stones recorded; where the Sex Pistols lived; and it was here that music magazines NME and Melody Maker started out. 'Tin Pan Alley' as it's known, has been decimated by gentrification - something this writer isn't entirely happy about - but that pang of disappointed is eased slightly by the appearance of Chateau Denmark.
A room here isn't your average London experience. The decor mixes gothic with psychedelica - perhaps a nod to the many music genres that have touched this short, historic street - and while every room is different, you'll get a butler, high-end speakers for your music and a balcony... and you can be guaranteed you'll feel like Ozzy Osborne as you drift off to sleep.
Any good rock 'n' roll hotel needs a good bar, and Chateau Denmark has two: Thirteen and Dial8. Both are sumptuously decorated, with velvet poured over leather, all bathed in low lighting, and serve Japanese bites and award-winning cocktails.
Denmark St, London WC2H 0LA
The Dorchester
Park Lane
The Dorchester is a stalwart of the London hotel scene, having opened way back in 1931. It's stood firm through world wars, recessions and high-profile celebrity boycotts. It has seen no less than five Monarchs (and welcomed a few of them through its doors), and various wealthy owners, but it's always been The Dorchester.
It's crazy to think that a hotel that existed before instant coffee could still be sitting at the top of the pile, but this little corner of Hyde Park Lane has become synonymous with old-style glamour.
It's had its makeovers, of course, but the 30s charm still remains. The liveried doormen still feel like a throwback to time of yore, but it's the service that sets The Dorchester apart - nothing is too much trouble here, whether you're dining in one of the five restaurants, drinking at one of three bars, relaxing in the spa or staying in one of the roughly 250 rooms.
The three-Michelin starred restaurant, Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester, has lived on site for two decades and Cantonese fayre has been served at China Tang for even longer - this is a hotel that knows what its customers want, and isn't in a rush to change things up for the sake of being fashionable.
At £900 for the cheapest rooms and extra for breakfast, The Dorchester isn't a cheap overnight stay, but that's not what you're here for. After all, it's The Dorchester.
53 Park Ln, London W1K 1QA
The Peninsula
Belgravia
If you're looking for a little bit of excess, consider this: The owner of The Peninsula likes cars and planes, so when you enter the bar on the top floor, you'll walk under the nose of a Concorde plane, which is pointed in a specific direction as instructed by a Feng Shui master. You'll then stroll past a 1933 Napier Railton motor vehicle, before stepping in to a lift styled like a hot air balloon basket. Yep, that's the Bond-villain levels of wealth we're talking about here. But we're all for a bit of playfulness when it comes to spending, and The Peninsula provides 5-star service without the stuffiness so often associated with high-end hotels.
Boasting views over the Wellington Arch, this central bolthole is perfect for those wanting to explore the city, though with six bars and restaurants and a wellness centre, swimming pool and fitness suite on site, we'd completely understand if you never wanted to leave.
1 Grosvenor Place, London SW1X 7HJ
The Adria
South Kensington
L’Art Otel
Battersea
Our only criticism of L'Art Otel is that while that name is undoubtedly supposed to sound French and classy, when you're from London, it's almost impossible to say it without sounding like a cockney geeza. Now we've got that off our chests, we should point out that L'Art Otel really is a beautiful place to stay.
As the name suggests, it's packed full of art, with every wall space, shelf and drape featuring work by a cultural icon. As you can imagine, that makes for a pretty bold and colourful venue.
Then there's the roof terrace, of course, which is a work of art itself. Overlooking Battersea Power Station and far beyond, the terrace, with Joia bar and swimming pool, is one of the finest our capital city has to offer, and we'll be spending plenty of time there when the sun finally shows its face.
There's also a Pizza and Chichetti Bar; a food-centric version of Joia's Portugese offering; and a Tozi Bar downstairs, plus a well equipped Wellness Centre. The Jamie Hayon-designed Masterpiece Suite is the room to opt for if you're splashing the cash. It offers views over London and those iconic brick chimneys of the power station, which you'll be able to enjoy from the comfort (or discomfort) of your own Peloton bike.
1 Electric Boulevard, London SW11 8BJ
London Edition
Fitzrovia
The London Edition started out life as five townhouses in the heart of Fitzrovia, which were all promptlly bundled together to form the Berners Hotel. When it was threatened with closure, John Betjeman - he of Slough-bashing fame - lent his voice to a campaign to have the building listed.
More recently, it was taken over by the Edition group, who tasked Canadian firm Yabu Pushelberg with transforming it into the Edwardian-style beauty you see today.
It's a hotel that built its reputation on its excellent f&b offering, with Michelin-starred Jason Atherton drawing in well-heeled customers from far and wide. But there's luxury on display all over the London Edition, from the slick service to the high-end events held at the hotel on a regular basis.
The London Edition might slip under the radar compared to some of its more fame-hungry contemporaries like The Ned, but it's a young, friendly and super-luxe hotel that's worth a visit.
10 Berners Street, London, London W1T 3NP
The Hoxton
Shoreditch
The Hoxton is perhaps the trailblazer for new luxury hotels aimed at the younger market - a sign that high-end doesn't need to mean stuffy. There's plenty of those on this list, but when The Hoxton first launched it felt like a shift in the norms of the hospitality industry. Perhaps that's due in part to its location - Shoreditch is packed with big earners in the creative industry, as well as being on the cusp of the City and an increasingly popular destination for cash-rich bankers who'd rather tell women they work in the creative industry.
It means the ground floor bar is buzzing every evening with cocktail drinkers and light-bite eaters, giving the hotel a wonderfully friendly feel. Hoxton Grill is the destination for meat eaters and there are usually DJs in the lobby to keep the vibes strong. Head to the roof for Peruvian food in the sun at Llama Inn. If you're staying the night, there are 210 rooms in total, ranging from 'Shoebox' to 'Roomy' - their words, not ours - and nine concept rooms that have been individually designed by local artists in keeping with the creativity of the neighbourhood.
81 Great Eastern St, London, EC2A 3HU
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