Bed down at some of the best hotels in the world.

Few, if any, cities can top London’s accommodation game. Visitors are spoilt with incredible hotels that showcase the very best in design and hospitality.

From the opulent Claridges Mayfair to the modernist The Standard, London, these are some of the best hotels to book on your next trip to the capital. The only downside? They’re so fabulous you’ll struggle to get yourself out exploring the city.

The shortlist

Best for special occasions: The Goring
Best boutique hotel: Number Sixteen
Best location: The Zetter Bloomsbury

Six Senses London

The newly opened Six Senses London proves to be a true urban oasis in the city and the hotel to stay at if you’re a wellness enthusiast. Housed within the former Art Deco department store, Whiteleys, the hotel’s communal spaces are filled with lush greenery and historic charm. Rooms are spacious and modern, but the real standout is the 2,300 square metre spa featuring a flotation pod, cryotherapy, Turkish hammam, fitness centre larger than many standalone gyms, 13 treatment rooms and an apothecary. And upstairs, a dedicated longevity clinic for advanced, medical-grade diagnostics and therapies, including a hyperbaric oxygen chamber.

Address: 1 Redan Pl, London W2 4SA

The Newman

Another Art Deco, wellness-focused gem, The Newman is a boutique hotel in Fitzrovia that has become one of the city’s top stays for discerning travellers. Rooms are specially designed to encourage a peaceful rest, with advanced soundproofing, blackout blinds and no LED indicator lights from electronics. The wellness floor takes cues from the 1920s Swedish Grace architectural and design movement, and offers a hydrotherapy pool, salt therapy room, experience cabins, gym and treatment spa. An all-day brasserie dishes up excellent Euro-style fare.

Address:  50 Newman St, London W1T 3EB

The Zetter Bloomsbury

Conveniently located next to the British Museum, The Zetter Bloomsbury is six interconnected Georgian townhouses transformed into a boutique hotel. The residential design features an eclectic mix of 20th-century British abstract art, international antiques and vintage rugs. Rooms range from cosy deluxe doubles to more spacious kings and studios, and luxurious suites. The crown jewel is The Residence, a 54.5 square-metre retreat with an open-plan living space, and a freestanding bathtub.

Address: 2-7 Montague St, London WC1B 5BP

Rosewood London

A stalwart on the London hotel scene since 2013, Rosewood London exudes quintessential British charm with modern sensibilities. Housed in a historic Edwardian Grade II-listed building, there’s much to love about this hotel, whether it’s the Belle Epoque design, serene spa or spacious rooms, the signature suites of which come with private butler service. Dining and drinking offerings range from sipping elevated tipples at Scarfe Bar to indulging in refined British bites at Holborn Dining Room, where you can also join in for a pie-making masterclass.

Address: 252 High Holborn, London WC1V 7EN

Hazlitt’s

Bookworms wanting a quiet, old-world stay will fall in love with Hazlitt’s. Housed within a series of historic Georgian buildings, one of which was the home of 19th-century essayist William Hazlitt, rooms are named after the writer’s friends, lovers and historical figures. The rich interiors feature dark wood panelling, jewel-toned velvets, chandeliers and fireplaces, making for a dramatic and cosy stay in Central London.

Address: Frith St, Soho Square, London, W1D 3JA

Raffles London at The OWO

One of the most palatial hotels in the city, Raffles London at The OWO sits within the historic Edwardian Old War Office on Whitehall. Featuring Edwardian Baroque architectural style and regal interiors designed by the late French architect Thierry Despont, rooms feature classic wood panelling and fireplaces, as well as bespoke toiletries from London perfumer Azzi Glasser. History buffs should turn their attention to the suites, which were the former offices of Winston Churchill. There are more reasons than one to linger here, including nine restaurants, three bars, an indoor swimming pool and an impressive 27,000-square-foot Guerlain Spa.

Address: 57 Whitehall, London SW1A 2BX

Claridge’s

A list of the best accommodation in London wouldn’t be complete without including Claridge’s. Being described as the “Queen of Hotels" tells you everything you need to know about this lavish stay which has hosted British and European monarchs, including Queen Victoria, since it first welcomed guests in 1856. Spectacular Victorian and Art Deco design echoes throughout from the Foyer & Reading Room with its Dale Chihuly glass chandelier to the individually designed rooms which start at a spacious 50 square metres. This is the hotel to book if you’re looking for an iconic London adventure you won’t forget.

Address: Brook St, Mayfair, London, W1K 4HR

The Standard, London

If your tastes lean more modernist, The Standard London offers chic Space Age design in spades. Housed in a brutalist building opposite King’s Cross St Pancras, this sleek lifestyle hotel has rooms with retro colours and ‘70-style furnishings, some with views of the London skyline and historic St Pancras station. The rooms to book are the suites, which come with private terraces and outdoor baths. A tasty Spanish-Mexican restaurant boasts sweeping views, while a late-night cocktail bar and discotheque guarantee a good time.

Address: 10 Argyle St, London WC1H 8EG

Number Sixteen

The mid-Victorian residence’s white stucco facade belies a world of colour and pattern within. Conceived by acclaimed designer Kit Kemp, Number Sixteen in South Kensington is one of the city’s most characterful stays and a favourite of design-savvy travellers. Each of the 41 rooms is uniquely dressed with soft furnishings, tailored headboards and fantastical art, while the light-filled conservatory spills onto a leafy garden where you can enjoy a classic British afternoon tea.

Address: 16 Sumner Pl, South Kensington, London SW7 3EG

The Goring

Another hotel famous for being the British Royal Family’s hotel of choice – Kate Middleton famously stayed there the night before her wedding – The Goring is as much fit for a queen as you’d expect. Located in Belgravia near Buckingham Palace, it’s resplendent with classic British elegance and Edwardian grandeur, from the Michelin-starred dining room swathed in floral wallpaper to the red-coated doormen. Rooms are opulent in style with silk-lined walls and marble bathrooms.

Address: 15 Beeston Pl, London SW1W 0JW