While London holds a special place in my heart, the first thing I always warn people about is the fact that it’s expensive. The English know a thing or two about luxury, so luxury hotels in London shouldn’t be a surprise. I’ve compiled a list of 10, 5 star hotels in London that are sure to spark your inner wanderlust and tempt you to stay a night or two in at least one of them.
$$$$ = $1,000+/night | $$$ = $500+ | $$ = $300+ | $ = $200+
Bulgari Hotel $$$$
171 Knightsbridge, Westminster Borough, London, SW7 1DW, UK
The Bulgari Hotel is at the top of the list because it’s the epitome of luxury hotels in London. It also happens to be the priciest option, so I figured we’d get it out the way first. This hotel contains 85 rooms and suites which, in my opinion, is a very low number. This means that staff can dedicate more of their attention to guests and judging from the rave reviews of former patrons, the customer service and hospitality is unmatched. If you stay here, you’re just a 5 minutes walk from Harrods and Hyde Park, and a 15 minutes walk from South Kensington’s museum district.
Corinthia Hotel $$$
Whitehall Pl, Westminster, London SW1A 2BD, UK
The Corinthia Hotel prides itself on being located in one of the most prestigious areas of London and within walking distance to Whitehall and Trafalgar Square. From the roof, and some suites, you even have an unobstructed view of the London eye. The decor makes this one of my top choices and most reviewers mention about the comfortability of the beds. Such a thing wouldn’t matter to travelers who don’t plan to spend much time in their room, but as someone who likes to actually enjoy my hotel, the bed matters.
Rosewood $$$
252 High Holborn, Holborn, London WC1V 7EN, UK
You may love the Rosewood Hotel due to its close proximity to Oxford Street, the shopping epicenter of London. If you’re interested in shopping, the theatre or other forms of entertainment, then you’ll definitely enjoy the Camden area. Sometimes you book a hotel simply based on location, and if this hotel is nothing else, it’s centrally located. What stands out most about this hotel are the spacious bathrooms, which have been highly rated for their cleanliness. Like most hotels it has a top rated spa and even an airport shuttle to keep you from having to navigate the tube or that infamous London traffic.
Four Seasons Hotel at Park Lane $$$
Hamilton Pl, Park Ln, Mayfair, London W1J 7DR, UK
The Four Seasons is one of the most trusted and globally recognized names in the hospitality industry, and for good reason. No list of luxury hotels in London is complete without it. This hotel is conveniently located between Hyde Park and Buckingham Palace Gardens, two lush sights that are a must-visit when in London. Most rooms are this particular location may seem minimal in decor, but the views make up for it.
St Martins Lane Hotel $$
45 St Martin’s Ln, Charing Cross, London WC2N 4HX, UK
In my opinion, the St. Martins Lane Hotel is where boutique and luxury coexist. This hotel looks unlike anything you’ve ever seen with its sophisticated decor in the common areas and modern decor in the rooms and suites. This hotel contains laser lit dance studios and an olympic-sized boxing ring. It sounds like one of those places made for someone like me who, when I splurge on a hotel, I’m going to spend most of my time there enjoying the amenities and getting my monies worth. The St. Martins Lane Hotel is just a 5 minutes walk from the Charing Cross Station, Covent Garden Market, and the Royal Opera House.
The Rubens at the Palace $$
39 Buckingham Palace Rd, Westminster, London SW1W 0PS, UK
The Rubens at the Palace hotel overlooks Buckingham Palace, but also makes you feel as though you’re staying at the palace yourself. The decor gives regal vibes and will make you feel like you’re the Duke or Duchess of something or other. While this isn’t the center of the city, it’s one of the most popular areas in the city and just minutes from major sites, attractions, and theaters. Victoria Station is just a short walk from the hotel and can get you to anywhere you need to go.
The Montcalm Royal London House $
22-25 Finsbury Square, Finsbury, London EC2A 1DX, UK
You may be no stranger to visiting a hotel just for the rooftop bar or restaurant. The Montcalm Royal London House is one of those hotels with a rooftop with amazing city views to be enjoyed at any hour, but especially as the sun goes down. This hotel is truly in the heart of London and located just next door to Finsbury Square Garden. Including that amazing rooftop bar, there are 2 restaurants and 2 bars where patrons rave about the yummy food options and equally delicious cocktails.
The Landmark $$
222 Marylebone Rd, Marylebone, London NW1 6JQ, UK
The first thing one may notice about the Landmark Hotel is its picturesque 8 story, glass-roofed atrium. Not only is this a great place to sit and people watch, or have an impromptu photoshoot, but many of the rooms overlook this area. Affordability-wise, it’s mid-priced on any list f luxury hotels in London. They offer a spa and health club in addition to the two restaurants in the atrium that serve both modern cuisine and an array of European dishes.
The Ampersand Hotel $
10 Harrington Rd, South Kensington, London SW7 3ER, UK
The Ampersand Hotel may be one of the more affordable options on this list, but that doesn’t mean it’s cheap in any sense of the word. This establishment is just a 2 minute walk from both the Natural History Museum and the Victoria and Albert Museum. I’m the traveler that likes to visit at least one museum during my travels, so the walkability factor to museums plays a huge role in where I stay. This hotel happens to be located in a Victorian building which is perfect for those interested in architecture.
Conrad London St. James $$
22-28 Broadway, Westminster, London SW1H 0BH, UK
This luxury hotel is located just minutes from both Big Ben and Westminster Abbey. If you want to be near main attractions and enjoy things like traditional afternoon tea onsite, then this is the hotel for you. Customers mention it feeling like a boutique hotel, which is great for the traveler that doesn’t want to feel like they’re one of a thousand other guests. This hotel is quaint and contemporary with an onsite restaurant that has an extensive menu sure to satiate any appetite. They also offer a 24 hour fitness center but because you’re centrally lofted, you may get most of your exercise walking around the area.