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Best Luxury London Hotels To Unwind At In 2025, From The Londoner To The London Marriott
These hotels have the ELLE seal of approval.
Staycations have quickly become one of our favourite ways to holiday in 2024. And it's never been a better time to treat yourself by booking into a luxury hotel and reminding yourself of all that our bustling capital city London has to offer.
Known as the Staycation Nation, the UK – and London specifically – has a plethora of hotels on offer for holidaymakers in need of a break, whether you like to cosy up with a hot chocolate and watch Netflix, or you're a hedonist wanting to party all night long in a subterranean members' bar. With travel overseas often stretching the pennies and the cost of living crisis now an all too real reality, value for money has never been more important this year.
From cosy central bolt holes reminding you of being in the countryside, through to thoroughly modern, sharp-edged open-plan spaces that scream capital city, here is a list of some of our favourite five-star luxury London hotels.
1) Soho Hotel, London
The skinny:
While the Soho Hotel may sit on a quiet neighbourhood street, it's vibe and location is anything but. Surrounded by some of the best restaurants, bars, theatres and nightlife that London has to offer. If you feel like staying in, the hotel has two small cinemas on-site plus an award-winning bar and a gym that comes with a personal trainer.
Top Tip:
For all the musical lovers, be sure to make time for the hotel's The Devil Wears Prada afternoon tea, which is available daily, until January 31 2025. In celebration of the hit film being adapted at the West End, you can treat yourself to edible fruit punch lipstick, runway raspberry opera cake and more to get in the mood for an evening show.
2) Mondrian Shoreditch, London
The Skinny:
Among the hustle and bustle of London’s East End, you’ll find the Mondrian Shoreditch, a five-star hotel offering a laid-back yet luxurious experience. Complete with exposed brick walls, colourful artworks, industrial interiors, and plenty of plants, the Mondrian is set inside one of the trendy warehouse-style buildings that Shoreditch is known for. The surrounding area provides an array of late-night bars and fun activities to keep you busy, but if you need an escape from the buzzy atmosphere, you can book a treatment at the hotel’s wellness spa or check out their gym and rooftop pool.
Top Tip:
If you’re in need of a few extra hours in bed, don’t forget to ask for a later check-out. Just call reception on the morning of and they’ll normally be happy to accommodate you.
3) Broadwick Soho, London
The skinny:
When you leave the Broadwick Soho you’ll be asking two questions; when can you come back, and what are the contact details for their interior designer. A true celebration of Soho, everything is delightfully over the top. Plush carpets meet printed wallpaper, with opulent wall hangings and paintings; any hotel sat on the corner of Broadwick Street and Berwick Street needed to be flamboyant, and Broadwick Soho has certainly succeeded. Head on up to one of its 57 rooms and you’ll see the hotel’s entrance was just the beginning. Velvet headboards, printed rugs and bathrooms with blue leopard print walls, it’ll be a struggle leaving your room to make use of the hotel’s location in the capital.
Top Tip:
Make sure you make a trip to hotel bar, The Nook. Hidden away, you feel a million miles from Soho's hustle and bustle. It's the perfect spot for a pre dinner drink or for unwinding after work.
The restaurant:
The hotel’s restaurant, Dear Jackie, has become an entity of its own for locals. Its menu of classic Italian dishes with a twist is as indulgent as it is delicious with dishes such as scallops and champagne, and shellfish risotto. Like the rest of the memorable decor, its interiors are Instagram heaven. Dimly lit red walls and hidden nooks make for a very glamorous evening.
The bar:
On the top floor of Broadwick is the Flute Bar, named after a noted flute-maker who lived in the building in the 19th century. A rooftop bar is quite a rarity in Soho, especially ones this lavish. So soak up the summer sun looking out over the neighbourhood's rooftops with a margarita in hand. What could be better?
4) The Guardsman, London
The skinny:
It goes without saying when it comes to hotel getaways location is key, and you can’t get much better The Guardsman. Tucked away, minutes from Buckingham Palace, and a short walk to St James’s Park, the boutique hotel is the perfect base for those visiting the city to see all the tourists hotspots.
It's gold gated entrance really sets the scene for the rest of your stay and if it wasn't for the friendly and welcoming staff you'd be forgiven for thinking you were entering a private members club.
Top Tip:
Their Royal Parks afternoon tea isn't one to be missed. Taking it's lead from the local flora, it's the perfect way to spend an afternoon moments from the gardens of Buckingham Palace.
The rooms:
Whether you’re looking for a room as a base while you explore the sites of London, or a home from home for a larger family, one of its 53 bedrooms will suit your needs. The room decor is chic and minimalistic but still feels cosy and comfortable with a free standing bath and huge bed. Six self contained residences are perfect for those staying for longer period of times and include a number of separate bedrooms, a full kitchen and lounge area, plus a spacious balcony. You won’t want to leave.
The restaurant:
The Dining Room at The Guardsman does things a little differently. There are no set hours (yes really!) so pop down to the restaurant whenever you’re feeling peckish and enjoy the chef’s offering, which is focused on freshness and changes season to season. Both the restaurant and bar are only available to guests of the hotel, so make sure you make the most of your time there and give it a try.
5) The Standard, London
The Skinny:
If you've ever been to New York City, you'll know that The Standard high line hotel is one of the most famous in Manhattan, with its prime location in Chelsea (views looking out over the Hudson river) and quirky-chic interiors. So it's nothing short of utterly delightful to know that The Standard has now opened a London franchise, in King's Cross.
Calling itself the 'upside down' hotel, the London location takes quirk to grand, new levels, with elevators that feel like something out of Stranger Things, a library stocked with all sorts of wondrous and weird literary fare and space age, but retro capsule-like rooms.
Top Tip:
If you like space to stretch out and enjoy the fresh air, then book yourself a King's Terrace room on the 8th floor. The terrace rooms come complete with mini-bar, lounge area, access to the outdoor terrace and even a bathtub on your balcony for those that like to bathe al fresco.
The Bar:
The cocktails at The Standard London's 'Double Standard' bar are nothing short of sublime - try their signature twist on the margarita, we dare you. The lime and ginger foam topping is quite special.
The Restaurant:
Way up on the 10th floor and accessible by The Standard's now famous red-pill lift, Decimo is the perfect place if you want views across the capital and exquisite food. Inspired by Spanish and Mexican cuisine, prepare your stomach for a menu including historra tacos with black bean, marinated red peppers, Spanish tortilla and seafood cooked over open fire (yes, really). Grab yourself a cocktail (we recommend the punchy Xue Sour with Barsol Quebranta pisco) and this will be a night to remember, trust us.
6) The Trafalgar St. James, London
The Skinny:
It’s often said that you can’t buy happiness. But when you can book a night’s stay at a hotel situated a hop, skip and a shimmy away from Soho and the West End in the heart of London, we’d argue bliss isn’t far off. Located on the corner of St James Park and Trafalgar Square – yes, that’s right, a stone’s throw away from Nelson’s Statue – you’ll find it hard to beat a hotel with this much flair and finesse slap bang in the middle of the capital. With rooms decorated with artwork inspired by London’s music scene and a subterranean living room called Biblio, a night's stay at The Trafalgar St. James is a must in our eyes.
Top Tip:
This summer the hotel introduced its Tipple Tea, an afternoon tea designed for cocktail and food-lovers. Book yourself in for an afternoon and tuck into everything from a crab roll with Bloody Mary sauce to mini choux buns, banana brûlée, scotch cream and butter shortbread. Non-alcoholic drinks are on offer, in addition to the bar's signature London-inspired tipples (think the Victoria and Twelve Buckingham Street), Laurent-Perrier champagne and an abundance of teas.
The bar:
Stepping into The Rockwell feels like you’ve stepped into Alice and Wonderland, so inviting are the luscious green fauna that lines the bar’s ceiling and plush red velvet seating. In addition to the aforementioned Tipple Tea, The Rockwell’s cocktail menu is a celebration of all things luxury, pleasure and party.
The Restaurant:
Trafalgar, St. James Hotel is also home to The Rooftop restaurant, which is situated atop the seventh-floor and boasts views across Trafalgar Square, over to Embankment where you’ll spot the London Eye, and Big Ben. Choose from small plates, including beef carpaccio and crispy prawns, sharers and mains (like the artisan cheeses and rib of beef burger), before tucking into a quarter of desserts, ranging from a tiramisu slice and gluten-free chocolate cake, to a selection of sorbets (you have to try the strawberry and yuzu) and rum glazed BBQ pineapple. Don’t forget to order one of The Rooftop’s signature cocktails, too. We suggest the gin fizz or Banana Republic. You can thank us later…
7) Home House, Marylebone
The Skinny:
You’d be forgiven for walking straight past these three Georgian townhouses, located in the heart of Marylebone, and not blinking an eye. But behind its understated door is one of the most beautiful and sophisticated private members’ club we’ve ever had the pleasure of visiting. Designed by George III’s architect, James Wyatt, this 18th century building has received a modern makeover and is now home to 23 bedrooms, several restaurants and bars, The Vaults, a garden, gym and more.
Top Tip:
If you’re still peckish after brunch (this is unlikely given the feast on offer, but you never know) then wait a couple of hours – either on the patio in the summer or underneath the Raj Tent in cold climes - until midday to tuck into the BBQ weekend menu. Serving everything from buttermilk fried chicken to the Home House cheeseburger, followed up with a Stay With Me cocktail (gin, cherry Heering, Benedictine, orange, lemon and Kaffir lime bitters), a one-night stay at Home House will leave you feeling well rested and well fed, trust us.
The Bar:
There’s not one but six bars to choose from to order a tipple in Home House. Our favourites? The multicoloured House Lounge and The House Bar, with its fuchsia and salmon pink hues and contrasting navy blue leather bar stools. Later in the evening we suggest heading to The Vaults – a hub of activity with a DJ booth and two karaoke pods that’ll help you party until closing time at 5am.
The Restaurant:
The Drawing Room serves everything, from breakfast to afternoon tea, The Gloucester Lounge is the go-to place for light snacks (think beef nuggets and squid and prawn doughnuts), but the pièce de résistance when it comes to dining, in our opinion, is The Garden. Enclosed in the courtyard and decorated with flowers and twinkling lights, we couldn’t think of a more perfect place to enjoy dishes like Dorset Rock oysters and vegetable thai curry.
8) The Courthouse Hotel, Shoreditch
The Skinny:
The former Old Street Magistrate's Court re-opened its doors in 2016 as a fantastic boutique hotel. Once the place where Reggie and Ronnie Kray were detained, now a grand and immaculately decorated place to stay right in the heart of Shoreditch - for a bit of London flavour on the East side of the city, the Courthouse is a must visit.
For the usually aloof Shoreditch, the staff are surprisingly friendly and meet you at the concierge desk in front of the gloriously grand, sprawling staircase in the atrium, ready to attend to all whims. Room service is prompt, the breakfast is delicious and the clientele is refreshingly diverse, unlike in some of the other more central hotels.
Top tip:
Not satisfied simply with a comfy place to rest your head, if you head down to the basement at The Courthouse, you'll find one of their two secret weapons and, by weapons, we mean delightful places to hang out. The bowling alley!
The Bar:
If basement bowling alleys aren't enough for you, The Courthouse also has a rooftop bar with a stunning view over East London.
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