Looking for the perfect London hotel? It’s easy to find lists of the best hotels in the city, but finding one that truly matches your travel style and interests can be a challenge. This list will take you beyond the usual tourist traps and introduce you to unique hotels that act as ambassadors for their distinct London neighborhoods, offering immersive experiences for adventurous travelers.
Dive into Piccadilly’s Glamour at The Dilly
Start your day at The Dilly with a refreshing swim in their 40-foot indoor pool, a rare find in central London. The kids will love splashing around before breakfast, enjoying the pancake machine at the buffet. Later, indulge in a delightful afternoon tea overlooking Piccadilly, featuring a chocolate Big Ben filled with raspberry ganache. Don’t forget to ask the legendary doorman, Rushy, for directions to the best “Harry Potter” filming locations. The Dilly is also within walking distance of Hamleys toy store and Supernova for delicious smash burgers. The bustling energy of Piccadilly Circus at night is a true highlight, especially for families.
Pro Tip: Take your little bookworms across the street to Waterstones bookstore, boasting the largest children’s section in London.
Step into a Parisian Fantasy at The Fitzroy
The Fitzroy is an elegant IHG hotel housed in a building inspired by a Parisian chateau destroyed during the French Revolution. Inside, you’ll be transported to a world of pure fantasy, more magical than its Bloomsbury location suggests. Discover a mesmerizing zodiac mosaic unearthed during recent renovations, leading up the marble staircase to a bronze dragon visitors rub for good luck. Architect Charles Fitzroy Doll designed an identical sculpture for the doomed Titanic. Enjoy a drink at the hotel’s bar, Fitz’s, with its dark, velvet décor and discreet back entrance.
Pro Tip: Learn about the Bloomsbury Group, a collection of writers, philosophers, and artists who met in nearby Gordon Square in the early 20th century. Virginia Woolf, a famous English writer, lived at number 46 and later rented the place to renowned economist John Maynard Keynes.
Experience Royal Charm at The Goring
The Goring is a five-star Edwardian property renowned for its royal connections. The hotel’s Royal Suite was redesigned for Kate Middleton’s royal wedding entourage. CEO Jeremy Goring commissioned a painting to hang in the bathroom, depicting a Tudor courtier kissing the hand of Elizabeth I, a playful breach of royal protocol. Even the standard rooms here are luxuriously appointed, draped in Gainsborough silks, the same fabric found in Buckingham Palace.
Pro Tip: Spend some time relaxing on The Goring’s croquet lawn and gardens, which are said to be larger than Wimbledon’s Centre Court.
Embrace Bohemian Chic at The Portobello Hotel
Kate Moss’s vintage shopping habit put Portobello Road Market on the map, and her love for champagne contributed to the bohemian spirit of the nearby Portobello Hotel in Notting Hill. Rumor has it that Moss and Johnny Depp once enjoyed a champagne bath in Room 16, adding to the hotel’s legendary aura. Despite the soaring value of the surrounding houses, the Swinging Sixties and louche ’90s still linger in the hotel’s atmosphere, reflected in its lush wallpaper, Moroccan tile, velvet accents, and spacious rolltop baths.
Pro Tip: For a quieter alternative to bustling Portobello Road, stroll along Golborne Road and visit Rellik, one of Moss’s favorite vintage boutiques.
Sustainability and Creativity at CitizenM Bankside
CitizenM took a chance on a south-of-Thames location when it opened in 2012. The hotel has since become a creative hub for the Bankside neighborhood, thanks to its proximity to new restaurants and shops. CitizenM prioritizes sustainability, as demonstrated by its BREEAM-certified building and in-house app designed to minimize food waste. The hotel partners with Too Good To Go, a surplus-food marketplace, ensuring that uneaten breakfast finds a new home.
Pro Tip: Guests will appreciate the hotel’s proximity to free attractions like the Tate Modern, Borough Market, and Thames Path.
Gatsby-esque Glamour at The Ned
In the evening, The Ned, housed in a former bank, transforms into a glamorous Gatsby-esque event space with nine bustling restaurants and bars. Londoners flock to the Electric Diner for its lobster roll and the 44-day-aged prime rib at Lutyens Grill, named after the building’s architect, Edwin ‘Ned’ Lutyen. The Sunday feast, a social media sensation, features a magnificent pyramid of lobsters. With live jazz and swing dancers, The Ned is a time machine back to the 1940s.
Pro Tip: Indulge in a jelly ‘fronut’, a donut filled with ice cream, at the new in-house ice cream parlor.
A Victorian Escape at The Zetter Clerkenwell
The Zetter Clerkenwell, a 13-room townhouse furnished with period Chesterfields, evokes a sense of Victorian charm. Guests who prefer a night indoors can relax in the cozy, candlelit Parlour, run by mixologist Anas El Bahhaj. Enjoy a signature Nettle Gimlet, made with East London Gin and foraged herbs, for a truly transformative experience.
Pro Tip: The neighborhood is filled with chic bistros and bars. Try Sessions Arts Club or head to bustling Exmouth Market for a pint at Mikkeler Brewpub.
A Creative Hub in Shoreditch at The Hoxton
The Hoxton, once an abandoned parking lot in Shoreditch, was transformed into a 24/7 open art house. The hotel attracts artists, curators, and musicians, who gather in the exposed-brick lounge, enjoy treats from the open pantry, or rest in the bijou bedrooms. The Hoxton became a catalyst for the creative energy of Shoreditch.
Pro Tip: Visit the Llama Inn, the hotel’s new Peruvian rooftop bar, which serves three types of pisco sours and offers stunning views of the neighborhood’s outdoor art and murals.
Dalston’s Hidden Gem: The Luxury Inn
As Shoreditch and Hoxton became popular destinations in the 2000s, artsy partygoers started venturing northward to Dalston. The Luxury Inn, housed in a former printing factory, offers a cozy and welcoming escape in this vibrant neighborhood. Furnished with vintage finds and moody lighting, The Luxury Inn is within walking distance of Brilliant Corners, a bar that has replaced West Indian haunts like the Four Aces, now a community library.
Pro Tip: LGBTQ+ guests staying at The Luxury Inn will enjoy a visit to Dalston Superstore, a hub for all things LGBTQ+, including a Queer club, café, and community space.
Your London Hotel Awaits
This list offers a glimpse into the unique and vibrant hotel experiences waiting for you in London. From the glamour of Piccadilly to the bohemian charm of Notting Hill and the artistic energy of Shoreditch, these hotels are more than just places to stay; they are gateways to exploring the diverse neighborhoods and cultural treasures of London. So, choose your adventure and discover your perfect London hotel!
