London is a city where timeless elegance meets modern masterpieces. It is also home to some of the most widely renowned hotels in the world. These are not just places to rest your head, but rather, they provide an immersive experience for guests. Each offering a unique take on what British luxury actually is.
From old aristocratic buildings that have hosted royalty and celebrities to sleek new contemporary skyscrapers with views of the city. London’s top hotels offer some of the best versions of hospitality that guests can and want to receive.
6 Best Hotels In London
1. The Ritz London
2. Shangri-La the Shard
3. The Savoy
4. The Four Seasons Hotel London (Tower Bridge)
5. Claridge’s Hotel
6. JW Marriott Grosvenor House London
The Best Hotels In London
No one hotel in London can be crowned “the best”, as they each come with individual iconic features that make each of them desirable. Here is a list of some of the best places worth visiting during your stay in London.
1. The Ritz London
Arguably one of the most famous hotels in the world. The Ritz is not just a hotel but a living proof of old money charm and high society in England. It has set the standard for British luxury since it opened in 1906, keeping alive much of the old era hospitality that makes you feel like an aristocrat. A place where formality still reigns, you just know that every detail and service is executed with extraordinary care.
Stepping through the doors of the Ritz, you are met with a gold painted ceiling, lavish red carpets, and sprawling chandeliers. Plush Louis XVI furnishings that are decorated elegantly in gold, cream, and blue, and of course, the flowers. The hotel boasts luxurious suites, stylish rooms, and opulent service.
The hotel is located just at the edge of Green Park in Mayfair, a stone’s throw away from Buckingham Palace. Its signature space has got to be The Palm Court, the birthplace of one of London’s most legendary cultures; the Afternoon Tea. A tradition so revered that it practically requires its dress code. Guests can sample the best teas in the world, sourced from both established local and international tea plantations. Combine this with delectable pastries and scones from highly trained pastry chefs, and partake in an old, revered tradition.
You also don’t want to miss dining at The Ritz Restaurant, with its chic Louis XVI interiors and Michelin-starred cuisine. It offers the best seasonal menus from breakfast to dinner, complete with a floor-to-ceiling window with a direct view of the park.
The hotel is the home of classic refinement, where doormen still wear tailcoats, and the scent of fresh-cut flowers fills the halls. In the Ritz, no detail is too small. Many of its rooms still showcase original old-world features, with ornate mouldings, antique furnishings, and even the occasional grand piano.
For many Londoners, the hotel is a thriving museum of hospitality and one of the few hotels to hold a Royal Warrant, highlighting its long-standing tradition of service excellence.
Location: 150 Piccadilly, Mayfair, London, United Kingdom
Price Range: £750 – £3500
2. Shangri-La at The Shard
Perched right above the city of London, and occupying floors 34 to 52 of the Shard, Europe’s tallest building is Shangri-La. The hotel offers guests an experience quite like none other with uninterrupted, floor-to-ceiling views from every one of its 202 rooms and suites overlooking iconic landmarks. The best of which are the Thames, the Tate Modern, the Borough Market, and St Paul’s Cathedral. These landmarks make it less of a hotel stay and more of a front-row seat to the best parts of London’s skyline.
Some of its best features include the Sky Pool, London’s highest infinity pool, hovering above the city on the 52nd floor. It comes complete with a gym, sauna, and spa treatment. The hotel also boasts a really cool restaurant named Ting, an Asian-English fusion restaurant that serves the best south asian dishes with British ingredients. You might want to go for any of the 3 bar/lounge areas within the hotel, perfect for meeting up with friends. Guests can have a good time, cocktail in hand, with a view that is simply breathtaking.
The layout of the rooms in Shangri-La is pretty unique, shaped to follow the Shard’s angular architecture. Each room is designed with a sleek contemporary decor that blends urban minimalism with splashes of serene asian sophistication.
The service at Shangri-La is very good, if a bit intense. Security follows through with almost airport-like procedures to search everyone going into the hotel.
Shangri-La is open to events and celebrations, the beautiful view making it a sought-after spot for weddings and proposals. It can also be a place to seal the deal by impressing your stakeholders or clients. The hotel has about 6 rooms that can be converted easily to create an event center that will wow any audience.
Location: 31, Saint Thomas Street, London, United Kingdom
Price Range: £600 – £1000
3. The Savoy
Few hotels in London wear their history quite as elegantly as The Savoy. This hotel has been in the hospitality business since 1889, and somehow still manages to honour its rich past while still feeling vibrant and modern. This riverfront landmark has been a major go-to for royalty, stage legends, and literary icons. Many of which maximize its strategic position of being close to Covent Garden, Theatreland, and the Embankment Station, right in the heart of central London.
The Savoy blends timeless simplicity and ornate decorations to create soaring ceilings, regal marble floors, and dramatic lighting, an unmistakable ambience of old money mixed with modern charm.
The hotel has three impressive restaurants. Each of them, managed by Gordon Ramsay, is named the Savoy Grill, the River Restaurant overlooking the Thames, and the Michelin-starred Restaurant 1890. Guests can relax and indulge in carefully curated dishes or a couple of scones at the Scoff.
It is a must to enjoy a romantic night at the Savoy Gallery. You can enjoy the buzz of the American Bar, still among the world’s finest cocktail spots. Maybe spend a night out with friends at the Beaufort Bar, where champagne and live cabaret collide.
Travelers with family and kids need not be anxious at the Savoy. Families visiting the hotel get access to the best of kid-friendly amenities and all its accompanying facilities. Guests can either request a family room or interconnecting rooms to have quick access to their children. They can even request a babysitting service should they need one during their stay at the hotel.
The hotel also hosts some of the best events and celebrations within its walls, from large event rooms to smaller private rooms. Guests can plan with professional in-house event planners to bring the visions of their event to life.
Location: Strand, London, United Kingdom
Price Range: £550 – £1500
4. Four Seasons Hotel
The Four Seasons is located across from one of London’s historic buildings, the Tower of London. Tucked within the iconic Ten Trinity Square building, Four Seasons at Tower Bridge is a remarkable blend of history’s charm and contemporary luxury. The hotel has a magnificent view of Tower Bridge, just a short distance away, a position that begs guests to stay for a while.
For the interior, the design fuses modern minimalist elegance with touches of the structure’s original ambience—think marble columns and grand staircases. Some of the rooms and residences include private terraces that open directly onto Instagram picture-worthy views of the Thames or famous landmarks. Other rooms are very family-friendly and come with multiple bedrooms and kitchens included.
The hotel also features an inviting indoor swimming area, complete with a vitality pool. The spa offers a serene, rejuvenating space that boasts multiple treatment rooms and a well-equipped fitness center that will actually make you consider giving exercise a go.
Dining here is just as impressive. You might just be able to snag a reservation at Michelin-starred La Dame de Pic London. If not, you can try one of the several upscale restaurants located at the Ten Trinity Square Complex, like the Mei Ume or Afternoon Tea at the Rotunda, many of which were curated by celebrated chefs.
The hotel’s proximity to some of London’s greatest landmarks also means that you get quick access to discover London’s history in style. Guests can explore on a boat cruise across the Thames or with a guided tour of the Tower of London. In any case, it is a destination worth experiencing, price aside.
Location: 10 Trinity Square, London, United Kingdom
Price Range: £750 – £1,500
5. Claridge’s Hotel, London
Claridge’s is the home of luxury and excellent hospitality service. Open since the 1850s, it is one of London’s most famous and luxurious hotels, blending opulence with practicality. The hallway of Claridge’s boasts flowers in bloom, marble floors, and a sweeping staircase that is very impressive. Claridge’s contains 72 beautiful and stylish guest rooms that effortlessly mix comfort and luxury, blending modern elegance with timeless art decor and smart tech. Guests should definitely consider the penthouse suite, complete with a pool that spans the entire hotel rooftop, and others with grand pianos or a terrace with a view of the park.
One of the hotel’s best features is the calming retreat that is the swimming area and spa, complete with serene spaces like the Pink Room. Inspired by Japan’s zen gardens and temples, it boasts of natural elements, soft serene lights, and flowing water. It makes use of smell, sight, and sound to bring guests into that unique Zen mode for the perfect rejuvenation.
Claridge’s has some of the best upscale restaurants and lounges in the city. The famous Foyer and Reading Room, or Painting Room, are perfect for a bit of British afternoon tea. The hotel also boasts some of the finest British-inspired dishes at the Claridge’s restaurant and cocktails at the Fumoir.
Location: Brook Street, Mayfair, London
Price Range: £800 – £1500
6. JW Marriott Grosvenor House, London
Formerly known as just the Grosvenor House Hotel, JW Marriott has a rich history in London. The hotel has a reputation for hosting grand affairs, glittering galas, charity fundraisers, and headline-making events within its halls. Beyond the glitz and glamour, though, the hotel rooms offer comfort and a serene environment for guests who value generous space amidst London’s crowded accommodation and a scenic view of Hyde Park.
The hotel is positioned within strategic walking distance of some of Mayfair’s chicest boutiques and the theaters of the West End, London. This makes it a suitable choice for retail shoppers and theater aficionados. Its close proximity to Marble Arch Station also means guests have quick access to visiting all of London.
It is a bit shocking for guests to find out that the hotel doesn’t have a swimming area or spa. It makes up for this inconvenience with a magnificent garden and the “Great Room,” one of the largest ballrooms in Europe.
Marriott is perfect for large conferences, weddings, and business functions. Its delectable list of upscale restaurants and lounges includes the JW Steakhouse, afternoon tea at the Park Room, and drinks and catch-up at the Bourbon Bar.
Location: 86 – 90 Park Lane, London, United Kingdom
Price Range: £300 – £600
Conclusion
London’s hotel scene is a copy of the city itself, rich in history and traditions. The hotels are constantly reinventing themselves to fit in the modern world while holding on to the charms of the past.
Guests love these hotels because they can participate in London’s age-old tradition. Whether it is sipping afternoon tea beneath chandeliers at The Ritz or simply taking in the views at Shangri-La at The Shard.
In London, it’s not enough to just book a hotel; it is also about choosing the chapter you want to experience in the city’s grand narrative of elegance, tradition, and charm.
