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What does it take to be considered one of our favorite hotels in London? Two things, really: Location and luxury.
Particularly ideal for first-time visitors, every hotel on this list is well-placed in a top London neighborhood that's close to iconic sights and world-class shopping: Westminster (where Big Ben lives, of course), Mayfair (surrounding Hyde Park), Belgravia, Knightsbridge (home to Harrods), St. James's, West End (London's theater district), Chelsea, and Shoreditch, to name a few.
While we do expect you'll be spending most of your days taking in everything from Buckingham Palace, Covent Garden, and Tower Bridge to Regent Street (especially at Christmas) and London's many gorgeous greens, there's nothing better than being treated like royalty—perhaps with an afternoon tea—when you return to your home away from home. It's vacation, after all.
From the iconic Ritz London and the Shangri-La, which majestically starts on the 34th floor of The Shard, to The Goring, a.k.a. the royal family's hotel of choice, no booking on this list will disappoint.
1
The Langham London
Neighborhood: West End
Opened by the then-Prince of Wales in 1865, The Langham London was considered Europe's first "Grand Hotel," complete with hot and cold running water—a first at the time! Today, it's still quite, well, grand. It houses 380 beautifully appointed bedrooms and suites, countless dining options (including The Palm Court, where its said high tea was first popularized), and a wellness center. Plus, it sits at the top of Regent Street, meaning Selfridges, Old Bond Street, and one of London's best-kept secrets, The Wallace Collection museum, are only a stroll away.
2
The Beaumont
Neighborhood: Mayfair
Pulling inspiration from the grand transatlantic hotels of the 1920s, The Beaumont is the very definition of old-world luxury—with lacquered furniture mixed with checkerboard floors, a New York-style grill, and a complimentary limousine for local trips. You may not need it, though, as the hotel is within walking distance to both Bond and Regent Streets, as well as Hyde Park.
3
Chelsea Townhouse
Neighborhood: Chelsea
When considering the Chelsea Townhouse, two words come to mind: understated elegance. The entire red-brick residence is swathed in soft shades of oatmeal, dove gray, and mauve, creating the most peaceful of atmospheres. Some rooms even overlook the private garden square, making the urban locale feel like a countryside retreat. Best of all, Harrods, the Victoria and Albert Museum, and the Natural History Museum are less than a five-minute cab ride away.
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4
The Goring Hotel
Neighborhood: Belgravia
Belgravia has multiple five-star hotels to its name, but only one with a long-standing connection to royalty. As it's the closest hotel to Buckingham Palace, The Goring has been graced by multiple royals, including Queen Elizabeth II (who granted the hotel an official Royal Warrant), the Queen Mother—who famously enjoyed eating Eggs Drumkilbo in the chinoiserie-laden, Michelin-starred Dining Room—and Catherine, Princess of Wales, who slept there the night before her royal wedding. Thus, if you're a royalist, no place will tickle you more. Bonus: The hotel also owns one of London's largest private gardens, which is the perfect retreat for guests, as well as its resident shetland pony, Teddy.
5
Corinthia London
Neighborhood: Westminster
Less than a 10-minute walk to Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, and the London Eye, Corinthia is well placed. But should guests never leave, there's an abundance to satisfy inside. The spa is spread over not one, not two, but four floors—and when it comes to dining, there are five options. There's also an in-house florist, high tea, and, from every angle, the perfect view, courtesy of the River Thames and the London Eye.
6
1 Hotel Mayfair
Neighborhood: Mayfair
The interiors at London's eco-conscious, nature-inspired beauty are all sand, cream, and oak, creating a supremely soothing atmosphere, while its restaurants—including Dovetale, led by two Michelin-starred Chef Tom Sellers—are farm-to-table. There are even in-room wellness experiences, designed to "nurture mind, body, and spirit," courtesy of Bemford Wellness Spa. It's pet-friendly, electric car-friendly, and, if one still craves more green, it's steps from London's iconic Green Park.
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7
Shangri-La, The Shard
Neighborhood: Shard Quarter in Southwark
At the Shangri-La, which only starts on the 34th floor of The Shard, it's all about one thing: the view. From nearly any spot within the hotel, guests are treated to a panoramic view of London, including the iconic Tower Bridge. Even the Sky Pool, the highest pool in Western Europe, is just another opportunity to gaze upon the city. (You feel as though you can reach out and touch St. Paul's dome.) When you come down from the clouds, Food emporium Borough Market is just downstairs, and Shakespeare's Globe is less than 15 minutes away by foot.
8
Claridge's
Neighborhood: Mayfair
The one and only Claridge's has been a Mayfair staple since the 1850s, thanks to its impeccable style, dining options, and service. Claridge's Restaurant is one of London's finest, with its instantly recognizable teal-hued china, and the Claridge's Spa is a true escape. Then, of course, there's the hotel's proximity to many things we love: Liberty London, one of our favorite department stores, as well as Hyde Park and Green Park. Slightly further away is the beloved British Museum, and even that's only a 10-minute drive.
9
45 Park Lane
Neighborhood: Mayfair
The Dorchester Collection's 45 Park Lane has countless attributes, but perhaps its most intriguing is that each room overlooks the city's stunning Hyde Park (i.e. the backyard for William and Kate's London home, Kensington Palace). Plus, every room comes with its own "host," meaning a butler, concierge, and bath preparer, all in one. That's not to mention the indoor hydro pool, surrounded by a massive traditional Venetian floral mosaic, or its very own CUT, the sister to Wolfgang Puck's Beverly Hills locale.
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10
At Sloane
Neighborhood: Chelsea
Looking for a touch of Paris in London? Say pas plus! At Sloane, located just off Chelsea's Sloane Square, you'll find exactly that: a British hotel with a distinctly French flair, courtesy of Paris-based interior designer Francois-Joseph Graf. Upstairs, there's the "secret" restaurant, complete with flawless views of chic Chelsea, and downstairs, a speakeasy, where the in-house DJ plays late into the night. In between sit 30 bedrooms, all luxuriously appointed in plush velvet and high-contrast hues.
11
The Connaught
Neighborhood: Mayfair
If creature comforts are what you crave, Mayfair's The Connaught—and the butler who will be assigned to you throughout your stay—will make sure to deliver. Hélène Darroze at The Connaught provides Michelin-star dining (triple-starred, in fact), while the Aman Spa, the first to be built outside of one of the luxe Aman resorts, offers both the best in beauty services and relaxation therapies. It even caters to its littlest visitors with welcome treats, an activity book, and bathrobes and slippers in children's sizes.
12
Chiltern Firehouse
Neighborhood: Marylebone
Owned by André Balazs, the man behind the celeb-adored West Hollywood haunt Chateau Marmont, Chiltern Firehouse is renowned for its universally loved restaurant. But its hotel—the perfect combination of stately and bohemian, old and new—is just as divine. The Sherlock Holmes Museum is nearby, as is Regent's Park, which is home to both Queen Mary's Rose Garden and the London Zoo.
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13
The Ritz London
Neighborhood: Mayfair
Nothing screams iconic quite as loudly as The Ritz. World-famous for its opulent aesthetic, sumptuous suites, and afternoon tea once enjoyed by Judy Garland, Winston Churchill, and Queen Elizabeth II, it's been touted as one of London's most prestigious hotels for 118 years. And yet, it's never rested on its laurels. The Ritz Restaurant received its first Michelin star in 2017, and its Butler Service (complimentary for those staying in Signature Suites and available to everyone else at a cost) makes sure each guest's stay is perfectly curated. With its central location on top of everything else, what more could anyone ask for?
14
Beaverbrook Townhouse
Neighborhood: Chelsea
Three influences are at work in the Beaverbrook Townhouse: British charm, Japanese allure, and the flamboyant spirit of Lord Beaverbrook, whose colorful London lifestyle is recreated inside the boutique hotel's two Georgian townhouses. Each of the hotel's fourteen suites is styled and named after one of London's famed theaters, but in the art in the hallways—and in the food at The Fuji Grill—you'll find that Japanese touch. Then there's Lord Beaverbrook, whose spirit is not only alive and well in these townhouses, but also in his country estate in Surrey, now also a hotel and rife for visiting to experience England's quaint countryside.
15
Broadwick Soho
Neighborhood: West End
Broadwick Soho was conceived by a group of friends who wanted to capture the "grit and glamour" of one of London's most vibrant neighborhood's, otherwise known as the West End. Once inside, guests are greeted with multiple dazzling aesthetics: a touch of Jazz Age, a dash of Disco, a sprinkle of Italian drama, and, of course, a wonderland of English eccentricity. All within a stone's throw of London's finest stages.
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16
Four Seasons London at Park Lane
Neighborhood: Mayfair
As the first Four Seasons hotel to open outside of Canada in 1970, the Four Seasons London at Park Lane became a blueprint for a new definition of luxury it still proudly upholds today. It boasts 153 guest rooms, 40 suites, and three one-of-a-kind Speciality Suites, all designed by leading interior architect Tara Bernerd, who was inspired by its prime location—directly between Hyde and Green Parks—while creating the hotel's serene color palette. A new modern-French restaurant, Pavyllon London, recently opened and scored its first Michelin star in February 2024 (taking Chef Alleno’s total number of stars to 16). As for the spa, it's on the roof, perfect for taking in all of London after a pool dip or beauty treatment.
17
Brown's Hotel
Neighborhood: Mayfair
The utterly entrancing wallpaper alone is reason enough to book a stay at Brown's. But should one need more, how's this: At nearly 200 years old, it's London's oldest luxury hotel. So old, in fact, that it is said to have been Queen Victoria's preferred spot for high tea. (That tea is still going strong, and it's award-winning, so be sure not to miss it.) It's also long been a favorite of literary greats, including Agatha Christie, Rudyard Kipling, and, more recently, Stephen King (who, it's said, wrote the entire outline for Misery at the hotel, fueled by "tea and jet lag"). Should there still be a craving for more history, it's but a 12-minute walk to Buckingham Palace.
18
Bulgari Hotel London
Neighborhood: Knightsbridge
Nestled in Knightsbridge, the Bulgari Hotel London has set a standard for elegance since opening in 2012. (The contrast of creamy bedroom décor against the dark, marble baths is swoonworthy.) The hotel is down the street from Harvey Nichols, barely a minute's walk to Harrods, and guests can see Hyde Park from nearly every suite. If real estate is about location, this one nails it.
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19
The Cadogan, A Belmond Hotel
Neighborhood: Chelsea
Belmond never misses. The Cadogan's architecture is perfectly classic, the décor is timeless, and the tea is unique, in that it boasts a French twist. (Chef Benoît Blin can serve up delicate corn bread with cured Wagyu beef, Flan Vanille, and Gianduja marble cake, all in one sitting.) That's not to mention the hotel's exclusive perks: beauty treatments courtesy of legendary skincare expert Teresa Tarmey, a curated collection of shoppable vintage pieces from Heristoria, and, if you can't kick that jet lag, a hypnotherapist is on tap.
20
The Dorchester
Neighborhood: Mayfair
To enter The Dorchester is to feel as though you've stepped back in time to some glamorous, bygone era. And indeed, some very glamorous stars, like Elizabeth Taylor, Diana Ross, and Karl Lagerfeld, have walked its halls. Yet, everything about The Dorchester feels warm, from the color palette in The Promenade (a floral fantasia, made to sip tea in) to the cream-based suites, with sky, sage, and blush accents. With 12 dining options, an outstanding spa, and a front door that faces Hyde Park, this is the spot for comfort.
Rose Marie Walano
Freelance Writer
Rose Marie Walano is a freelance editor and children's author. (And a Cosmo alum!) Among the many things she loves are high tea, period dramas, Central Park, K-pop, and her adorable mini-doodle, Colette. You can follow her on Instagram at @rosiewalano.
