Finding a hotel in London is easy. Finding the perfect hotel for your unique style and interests, however, can be a challenge. This list of London hotels goes beyond typical rankings. We’ve carefully chosen each hotel because it reflects the unique character and community of its neighborhood. These hotels offer a chance to experience London like a local, inviting you to immerse yourself in the heart of the city’s diverse neighborhoods.
The Dilly: Where Piccadilly’s Energy Meets Family Fun
Step into The Dilly and you’re greeted by a 40-foot indoor pool, a rare sight in central London. The hotel’s General Manager, Daniel Loosley, says, “It’s definitely our biggest attraction! Kids love to swim before breakfast and then try our pancake machine at the buffet.” The Dilly is a perfect blend of family fun and Piccadilly’s lively energy. Enjoy a London-themed afternoon tea with a chocolate Big Ben filled with raspberry ganache, overlooking the bustling Piccadilly Circus. After tea, ask the hotel’s legendary doorman, Rushy, for directions to the best “Harry Potter” filming locations.
For a truly immersive experience, take a 10-minute walk to Hamleys, the seven-story toy store, or Supernova, known for their delicious smash burgers. For kids and adults alike, the vibrant energy of Piccadilly Circus at night is a magical experience.
Good to know: The Dilly is also across the street from Waterstones bookstore, home to the largest children’s section in London, perfect for pint-sized bibliophiles!
The Fitzroy: Where Parisian Elegance Meets Bloomsbury Mystique
The Fitzroy, an IHG hotel, is a palatial retreat clad in thé au lait terracotta, inspired by a Parisian chateau lost to the French Revolution. Inside, the hotel’s designers have crafted a mystical atmosphere, exceeding the expectations of its Bloomsbury address.
During renovations in 2018, a zodiac mosaic was unearthed in the lobby, leading to a marble staircase adorned with a bronze dragon, which visitors rub for good luck. This dragon, designed by architect Charles Fitzroy Doll, is identical to the one he created for the ill-fated Titanic. The Fitzroy’s bar, Fitz’s, invites guests to relax in its dark, velvet décor, with a discreet back entrance for a private escape.
Good to know: The Fitzroy is located near Gordon Square, a historic gathering place for the Bloomsbury group, a renowned circle of writers, philosophers, and artists. English writer Virginia Woolf lived at No. 46 Gordon Square, and the property was later rented to famous economist John Maynard Keynes.
The Goring: Where Royal Charm Meets Edwardian Glamour
The Goring, a five-star Edwardian hotel, is steeped in royal history. The hotel’s Royal Suite was redesigned for Kate Middleton’s royal wedding entourage, and CEO Jeremy Goring commissioned a whimsical painting to hang by the original toilet. The painting depicts a Tudor courtier kissing the hand of Queen Elizabeth I, a playful breach of royal protocol.
“The Sun thought it was treason,” says Goring, with a twinkle in his eye. Luckily, the royals, longtime patrons of The Goring, were in on the joke. The hotel’s standard rooms are equally opulent, draped in Gainsborough silks, echoing the fabrics found at Buckingham Palace, just around the corner.
Good to know: The Goring boasts a sprawling croquet lawn and gardens, larger than Wimbledon’s Centre Court, perfect for a leisurely afternoon.
The Portobello: Where Bohemian Flair Meets Notting Hill Charm
Kate Moss’s love for vintage shopping and champagne helped put Portobello Road Market and the nearby Portobello Hotel in Notting Hill on the map. As house manager Tomasz Augustynowicz explains, “She and Johnny Depp reportedly took a champagne bath in Room 16, as you do.”
Despite the skyrocketing value of the area’s beautiful houses, Notting Hill retains a bohemian vibe reminiscent of the Swinging Sixties and the louche ’90s. This free-spirited atmosphere is reflected in the Portobello Hotel’s lush décor: Moroccan tiles, miles of velvet, and rolltop baths large enough for two.
Good to know: For a quieter alternative to busy Portobello Road, take a stroll along Golborne Road and visit Rellik, one of Kate Moss’s favorite vintage boutiques.
CitizenM Bankside: Where Modern Design Meets Sustainable Practices
CitizenM took a chance on a south-of-Thames location when it opened in 2012, becoming a creative hub for the Bankside area. As Annalise Tyrie, the hotel’s Environmental, Social, and Governance Director, explains, “We’ve become a creative hub for people around Bankside, thanks to new restaurants and retail.” CitizenM’s commitment to sustainability is evident in its BREEAM-certified building and its in-house app designed to minimize food waste. The app also partners with Too Good To Go, a surplus-food marketplace, ensuring uneaten breakfast finds a home. “Over 22,683 meals have been diverted from the dumpster since 2019,” says Tyrie.
Good to know: Guests can enjoy the hotel’s proximity to free attractions like the Tate Modern, Borough Market, and the Thames Path.
The Ned: Where Art Deco Glamour Meets Historic Charm
In the evening, the Art Deco Ned transforms into a Gatsby-esque event with nine lively restaurants and bars. “Londoners cross town for Electric Diner’s lobster roll and the 44-day-aged prime rib at Lutyens Grill, named for the architect of this former bank, Edwin ‘Ned’ Lutyen,” says Jack Cohn, the hotel’s food and beverage director.
The Ned’s Sunday feast, a TikTok-worthy pyramid of lobsters, is a culinary spectacle. Cohn adds, “With the live jazz, the swing dancers, it’s like a time machine back to the 1940s.”
Good to know: The Ned’s new in-house ice cream parlor serves a decadent jelly “fronut,” a donut with ice cream in the middle, the dessert du jour.
The Zetter Clerkenwell: Where Victorian Charm Meets Contemporary Cocktail Culture
Arriving at the cobblestone square outside the Zetter Clerkenwell’s 13-room townhouse, furnished with period Chesterfields, is like stepping into a Jane Austen novel. Guests who prefer a night indoors can enjoy the cozy, candlelit Parlour, run by mixologist Anas El Bahhaj.
An evening spent in a velvet armchair with his signature Nettle Gimlet—made with East London Gin and foraged herbs—is truly transformative. “The combination of gin and homemade nettle cordial captures the essence of Clerkenwell’s unique character,” says El Bahhaj.
Good to know: The most beautiful buildings in Clerkenwell have been transformed into chic bistros and bars. Try Sessions Arts Club or head to busy Exmouth Market for a pint at Mikkeler Brewpub.
The Hoxton, Shoreditch: Where Artistic Energy Meets Community Spirit
When Shoreditch was still a gritty hub for galleries, The Hoxton transformed an abandoned parking lot into an open art house. Artists, curators, and musicians flocked to the exposed-brick lounge, enjoyed treats from the open pantry, and found refuge in the hotel’s bijou bedrooms.
“Being part of the rich artistic heritage and continuing to celebrate that was really important to us,” says Harry Raikes, who recently opened Haricot Gallery in a graffiti-splashed warehouse nearby. “It has an energy we’re able to feed off, and a really strong community that cares for the arts. We didn’t know it would be that strong, but we’re really grateful for it.”
Good to know: The Hoxton is home to the Llama Inn, a Peruvian rooftop bar that serves three types of pisco sours and offers stunning views of the neighborhood’s vibrant street art and murals.
The Luxury Inn, Dalston: Where Vintage Charm Meets Community Spirit
Artsy partygoers migrated northward from Shoreditch and Hoxton, seeking out new creative havens. Dalston became a beneficiary, and the quiet, cozy Luxury Inn has become a popular destination. The former printing factory, now furnished with vintage finds and moody lighting, is a short walk from Brilliant Corners, one of the bars that have replaced West Indian haunts like the Four Aces, now a community library.
The Afro-Caribbean Ridley Road Market Bar is another neighborhood cornerstone. “We’ve tried to capture the beautiful chaos of the market and the feeling of a holiday bar, where everyone is welcome and the drinks are fun,” says owner Kerry Maisey. “The true essence of Dalston lies in its strong community spirit.”
Good to know: LGBTQ+ guests staying at The Luxury Inn will find a welcoming hub in Dalston Superstore, a Queer club, café, and community space.
This curated selection of London hotels offers a glimpse into the city’s unique character, inviting you to discover the heart of London’s vibrant neighborhoods and experience the city like a local. From royal charm to bohemian flair, sustainable practices to artistic energy, there’s a London hotel for everyone.
