USD
London’s Best Boutique Hotels: Small Pockets of Luxury in the Big City
Written by Ruby Staley
Discover a world of intimate charm when you step inside London’s best boutique hotels.
From one end of the Thames to the other, London is packed with distinct boroughs and lively neighbourhoods for travellers of all persuasions – but where you stay has the potential to make or break your trip.
While big brands aren’t hard to find in the big city, it’s often worth hunting down its hidden gems. From intimate service that makes you feel like the hotel’s most important guest to quirky onsite bars and uncrowded restaurants; there’s something undeniably special about going boutique.
From elaborate townhouses with enviable postcodes to hip hideaways that redefine modern luxury, here is our pick of London’s best boutique hotels.
Best for regal opulence with a modern twist: The Clermont London, Victoria
Designed and opened in 1862 as The Grosvenor Hotel, this historic site is now home to the utterly opulent Grade II listed railway hotel: The Clermont. Mere steps from Victoria station with access to the Circle, Victoria, and District underground lines, this luxurious stay is not only classically beautiful but also connected to the modernity of London. Let the grand foyer take your breath away, finished with Baroque styling, gold leaf accents, and fresh blooming flowers, before ascending to your modern-meets-heritage private suite.
The Apollo Theatre is just a short stroll from this stunning boutique stay, while the city’s famous landmarks including Buckingham Palace, Hyde Park, Big Ben, Houses of Parliament, and Westminster Abbey are a also within easy walking distance.
Best for a journey through time: Roseate House London
Reconnect with a bygone era of refinery and elegance while unearthing London’s modern marvels with an elegant stay at Roseate House London. With just 48 rooms and suites stretch across three heritage townhouses dating back to 1842, each brings to life original Victorian features of rich tapestries and eye-catching oil paintings. Paired with modern comforts, attentive service and those all-important personal touches, this is a true five-star boutique experience.
The verdant grounds of Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens are within walking distance, as are the world-famous Victoria and Albert Museum and Natural History Museum, plus the shopping meccas of Selfridges, Harrods and Liberty London.
Best for décor that makes your heart sing: Henrietta Hotel
Henrietta Hotel’s playful DNA is evident in all elements of this 18-room, boutique Covent Garden townhouse. The tasteful interiors fashioned by Dorothée Meilichzon add to the hotel’s lively yet distinguished atmosphere in the form of velvet details, royal blue and baby pink tones, and eye-catching Art Deco shapes. An upgraded stay in the Grand London Eye Junior Suite is worth its weight in gold, with a private balcony and views over – you guessed it – the London Eye.
Tastemakers will love the proximity to Soho, Leicester Square and the Strand, bustling with markets and boutiques, famed theatres, galleries and some of the city’s best restaurants.
Best for sartorial-inspired elegance: Bvlgari Hotel London
Dripping in class and style synonymous with the Italian luxury fashion house, Bvlgari Hotel London is a fashion lover’s dream. Just a short walk from London’s most famous retail haven, Harrods, this cosmopolitan oasis provides an experience of elevated calm amid the city’s chaos. From attentive private butlers to an innovative shoeshine service and a luxurious Cigar Shop and sampling room, a stay here will be expertly tailored to your liking, just like a Bvlgari ensemble.
Whether you’re seeing the famous city from sky-high on a private helicopter tour, or cruising down the Thames aboard a Venetian-style boat, the hotel is perfectly placed to explore the finer side of London.
Best for world-class sushi and cutting-edge design: Nobu Hotel London Portman Square
The brand best known for inventive Japanese, razor-thin salmon, and spicy tuna is behind one of London’s most illustrious stays. Dubbed the city’s ‘coolest hotel’ by Forbes, Nobu Hotel Portman Square impresses all the senses. From world-class sashimi and sake pioneered by Chef Nobu Matsuhisa served up at the iconic namesake restaurant, to the light-filled lobby and bright Pilates studio, there’s no surprise that Nobu reservations are sought after.
With a premium location in Marylebone, the hotel offers a gateway to some of the city’s best dining and shopping with London’s iconic Oxford Street steps away.
Best for escaping the buzz of Central London: Great Northern Hotel, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel
Set in the heart of London’s iconic Kings Cross, Great Northern Hotel, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel’s claim to fame is that it’s known as London’s original railway hotel. Each corner of the hotel pays tribute to the building’s almost two centuries of rich history, from the antique mirrors in the private suites and the painted mural of historic London covering one wall of GNH Bar and Terrace, to the refined in-house restaurant aptly named: RAILS.
Described as one of the most connected hotels in the world, this boutique escape is the perfect starting point for any London adventure situated inside King’s Cross St Pancras Station.
Best for enchanting grandeur: Threadneedles, Autograph Collection
A former Victorian bank, this boutique-style stay has retained all its original heritage charm while boasting refreshed suites, rich furnishings, and contemporary art. Step into Threadneedles and be amazed by the hotel’s elegant stained-glass roofing crowning the cosy Dome Lounge.
Set in the heart of the city’s financial sector, you’re just a short walk from Liverpool Station, connecting you with the city’s centre, the vibrant shopping at Royal Exchanges and the markets of Leadenhall and Spitalfields.
Best for contemporary glamour in a prestigious setting: The Athenaeum Hotel & Residences
This sleek and contemporary hideaway in Mayfair is one we will proudly share with you – but will not blame you for wanting to keep to yourself. The eye-catching vertical green wall on The Athenaeum Hotel & Residences façade perfectly complements the views over the treetops of Green Park, and the statement, Art Deco-inspired furnishings and chrome accents take the definition of modern elegance to new heights.
Throw in a sauna and spa access, a guest-only rooftop bar and lounge, plus exquisite service, and you’ve got yourself one of London’s best – and most underrated – boutique stays.
Best for heritage-inspired Belgravia bliss: COMO The Halkin
Behind the classic Georgian brick exteriors, enter a world of chic city living at the boutique COMO The Halkin. The 41 bespoke rooms are designed with classic rich furnishings, warm wood panelling, and arched windows to add a touch of old-world opulence to your next London stay. Indulge in Bali-inspired eats at Halkin Bar for afternoon tea or a refreshing evening drink infused with the recipes and healthy-living philosophies of COMO Shambhala.
Steps from the border of the magnificent Hyde Park, this opulent stay is also within walking distance from St. James Park and offers an easy gateway to two of Central London’s most historic districts: Belgravia and Knightsbridge.
Best for a quintessential British escape in a posh postcode: The Chesterfield Mayfair Hotel
From the impressive marble lobby to the extravagantly designed suites and award-winning afternoon tea, The Chesterfield Mayfair Hotel is steeped in English charm. Find the perfect cosy corner for a sophisticated cocktail or high-end whisky at Terrace Bar, where exciting gin and jazz sessions run once a week, or try the finest Dover sole in London, filleted tableside, at Butlers Restaurant alongside renowned smoked salmon from the oldest smokery in London and classic Devonshire chicken.
Easily wander through the glamorous rows of Mayfair townhouses and luxury shopping strips, or stroll a little further to explore the city’s iconic sights from Hyde Park to Buckingham Palace, the Royal Parks, and Soho.
Discover London
Looking for more London inspiration? Here’s 10 of the Best London Restaurants You Must Try.
