The 8 Best Hotels In London
Tourists and business travelers are what makes London all that it is. Without this huge flow of people the capital would be nothing alike. But not enough attention has been paid to what exactly all of these voyagers go trough, what difficulties they encounter while abiding the dimensions of London, what makes them resent the thought of coming back or rather part reluctantly with London, what steps do they have to take so as to insure a safe stay, a pleasant vacation, even an unforgettable visit if possible? We know how many features there are to plan when coming to the capital: transport, accommodation, food, sightseeing, most appropriate night venues, how much would that cost, how much does anything cost in London, how much time would each thing take and so on. And out of the billions choices to be considered at least a third of the overall experience is defined by where you stay.
So I think a helpful hand on this array of choices is something each tourist should look for; don’t risk it and don’t bet impulsively unless you’re prepared for new insect species to discover or a rash when you wake up. London has tons of wonderful places to offer, ones which will make you feel a lot better than at home and will stay in your memories for long – read about these magical places and if possible, don’t miss your chance to include them in your trip. Of course counting down to Number 1 Hotel because otherwise it would just be a spoil…
8. The Arch London
This Hotel is perfectly located for…anything; it’s very close to the Marble Arch station and to Hyde Park. The Arch is actually more of a family hotel; it’s quiet, calm, relaxing, small-ish. You walk in a small lobby where not many guest are buzzing around, the receptionist will warmly welcome you but it’s clear that she’s not so uptight as if being filmed with a camera at the corner. Be sure the rest of the staff will take great care of you as well. You can choose a large room – they really are spacious, convenient for any period of staying; or you could pay less for a smaller room which might not feel that ‘liberating’ but is still loveable with its coziness. The design in all parts of the hotels is very bald, contemporary and elegant. Almost all of the rooms have soaking tubs in the bathroom with a built in TV which we can admit is a dream…The restaurant of the hotel is in tune with everything else – warming, homey and with high quality food. And of course the regular free (and fast) WiFi, minibars, hundreds of channels are also present. You can find iPod docks, many coffee machines for your convenience. The only downsides one may find are that there are no SPA to pamper yourself at or a pool but keeping in mind the nature of The Arch none of these would seem in place there…
Prices: £275-470 for 2 or 3 people (all with booking 2 months in advance).
Address: 50 Great Cumberland Pl, London W1H 7FD
7. The Soho Hotel
It’s resemblance to number 8 is in the valued location and the warm feel; and of course the fact that it’s a top London Hotel. But other than that, Soho Hotel has nothing in common with a small family hotel. Ignore the prices as high as they might be – it’s worth it. Very ironically, this place does not help you gather the desire to go out…usually guests have to force themselves or be tempted by the fact that they’re in the center of Soho so as to get out of the hotel. Soho Hotel’s rooms area spacious creating a feeling of sheerness in your very soul yet not even distantly reminding of the coldness of bed and breakfast rooms. You can choose from many options, different rooms and suites with large windows; pay attention to the suits on the fifth floor which can pour you into a private terrace overlooking London with each of its symbols. I needn’t mention that all rooms are stunningly decorated and equipped with everything you may need. If you are already considering The Soho Hotel for your stay, you should know you haven’t heard even half of its features. The hotel also offers two private cinemas where you can regularly witness screening, plays and other performances (which by the way are usually ones for true art lovers, rarely commercial) and two drawing rooms in which there are fireplaces and honor bars…Agree now that there is no need to go out? The Soho Hotel’s restaurant is expectedly astonishing – great service, sophisticated menu of dishes, stylish décor. If you are on a business trip there is a perfect conference room available for any private events too. And during the day you could take advantage of the hotel’s fitness to blow off some steam. Practically you can find everything you need….if you think you’re strong enough to sustain to its temptations and gain the strength to wander around outside (you’re in London after all…) go on and book a room!
Prices: £360-3300 for 2 people ( with booking 2 months in advance and no breakfast included)
Address: 4 Richmond Mews, London W1D 3DH
6. The Goring
The Goring has been an irreplaceable part of London for over a century now and it has a Longstanding legacy with the English royal family as it is the perfect Classical English designed hotel. It’s close to the Buckingham Palace and makes it convenient to reach many spots; all rooms are luxurious, always look as if refurbished yesterday with bathrooms you may like so much that you’d want to move the bed there. What’s most loveable about The Goring is probably their emblematic afternoon tea – seriously, it has won awards. If you’re a tourist there’s a great chance tea is not the lining of your day so keep in mind you could also stay at the hotel for a cocktail or coffee. Or have a meal at the restaurant – if you have enough time, don’t miss it. And apart from that, what shoots this hotel on the sixth place is the staff quality. All of The Goring’s guest have left the hotel after developing personal relationships with each member of the staff…I know it sound ambiguous but try it yourself and if you don’t compliment the doorman, several receptionists, a few more waitresses and maids on their wonderful job on your way out – ask me again what I mean. Even top places have some downsides; in this case you may want to know that The Goring’s flaws are the absence of minibars in standard rooms, the fee you have to pay for WiFi and probably that there’s no spa, pool or gym – although you can use the local one for free; personally, I think these are obscure enough not to spoil The Goring’s quality.
Prices: £340-750 for a room (with booking two months in advance)
Address: Beeston Pl, London SW1W 0JW
5. Corinthia Hotel London
What do you want to see in London? Big Ben, Tower of London, Tate Museum, Trafalgar Square, Buckingham Palace, South Bank, Leicester Square, the National Gallery, the Theatre District, Mayfair, Borough Market? I can go on. Corinthia is a situated a walk from all of these. Even if it was the worst hotel to stay at, you could bring a sheet and some repellent and the stay would still be worth it. Fortunately, that’s not the case. This lovely hotel has accommodated a huge part of London’s lovers and has offered them clean, spacious and elegantly decorated rooms in tune with the best trends; immaculate service and many amenities. I should tell you about the great vibe Corinthia manages to create with the fresh flowers all around, the décor featuring various artwork and I can talk a lot about the Bassoon bar with its delicious cocktails, friendly bartenders and the grand piano or the heavenly tasty courses and selected wine bottles at Massimo Restaurant and Oyster Bar but I am eager to mention something else. Corinthia’s SPA. Even if you are not a tourist or you don’t have a special occasion…go for the SPA. It’s one of the best in the UK and seems to be what the hotel’s guests remember most vividly. I don’t know if I feel that the spa compensates everything else or I’m right to be unable to think of any disadvantage to Corinthia Hotel London but if you don’t believe me – check yourself.
Prices: £450-700 for a room; £900-2,200 for a suite; “2,500-3,600 for a penthouse (when booking 2 months in advance)
Address: Whitehall Pl, London SW1A 2BD
4. Taj 51 Buckingham Gate Suites and Residences
It’s only flaw is that you can’t buy it and stay forever…Taj 51 is a historic property, valuable sight even if it wasn’t available for accommodation; it features architectural heritage and it’s courtyard is just magnificent, like in a fairy tale – maybe if Alice’s engage was about to happen there, she wouldn’t even bat an eye on when she saw a talking rabbit. The suits you can rent at Taj 51 are spread in three marvelous Victorian townhouses, all of them re richly furnished and sophisticatedly decorated and every suit has a full kitchen and butler service. You can chose among numerous bars and restaurants, one of which – Quilon – is even awarded with a Michelin star; do not miss the afternoon tea and the legendary desserts. Taj 51 also offers one of the best SPA treatments – a gorgeous center with true professionals will help you cross to another world and come back relaxed, refreshed and happy. There is also a large gym with yoga classes (and spin classes too). Needless to say all other amenities like WiFi are provided and not to miss, although you’ve probably noticed, Taj 51’s great location close to any sight you might want to visit in London!
Prices: £360-980 for one bedroom; £540-3,080 for two/three bedrooms (with early booking)
Address: 51 Buckingham Gate, London SW1E 6AF
3. The Milestone Hotel
Moving to the top 3 London hotels I’m starting to wonder how did I manage to build a rank, frankly I can name all these 8 hotels ‘top 3’ and don’t even give a number to any of them. But I must have had a solid reason to rank The Milestone Hotel as the lucky number 3. Coming at a high price, The Milestone Hotel goes out of its way to show you it’s worth the money. Firstly, it is impressive how fabulous the staff is – everything happens fast, without any errors, you are even addressed by name. With your arrival you are entitled to a personal butler-guided tour accompanied by a welcome drink. If you wish, the hotel can offer you a personal butler and chauffeur too. Your room is bound to be immaculate – clean, individually designed, with every bit of product you might need, the most luxurious toiletries and iPod docking stations are a must. Free WiFi is available at any point of the hotel, every morning you get a daily newspaper and wherever you turn there is mineral water provided. To make your stay more than undisturbed The Milestone Hotel has taken into consideration its guests’ relaxation – there is a health club with spa, fitness, resistance pool and a sauna. High quality standards must have been invented just for The Milestone Hotel.
Prices: £350-700 for a room; £500-2,000 for a suite (early booking)
Address: 1 Kensington Ct, London W8 5DL
2. Egerton House Hotel
Coming down only one place after the ‘winner’ is Egerton House Hotel. As we climb up in the rank, believable or not, you should know that service quality goes higher and higher. Ask a random Egerton House’s guest what comes first to their mind about the hotel and be sure they’ll scream something about the staff; your every need is handled attentively, efficiently and fast while at the same time you can hardly feel someone’s persistent presence. This luxurious boutique hotel offers only 28 rooms but each of them is uniquely designed, equipped with opulent bathroom, again the best toiletries made, iPod docking stations, WiFi and what else not… The historical townhouse in Knightsbridge offers countless perks like champagne to celebrate your arrival and candles at turndown, it also has a large drawing room where afternoon tea is served in a beautiful surrounding scented with fresh flowers. What is more, at Egerton House Hotel you can find a marvelous art collection including original works by Picasso, Chagall, Matisse and more. And with regard to its wonderful location, Egerton House Hotel can be suspected in no feature worth hesitating over when choosing a hotel.
Prices: £270-900 for a double room (with early booking, no breakfast included)
Address: 17-19 Egerton Terrace, London SW3 2BX
1. Hotel 41
Finally London’s Number One hotel. Loved by each guest, talked about in pretty much every conversation in the UK including the word ‘hotel’ and the ultimate must for any London goer who can afford it – Hotel 41. At first you’ll be fooled by the not very impressive entrance and the small lobby even though it is beautifully decorated. But from the very first second in, the experience starts. Hospitality seems like some sort of religious law in Hotel 41 – don’t be confused if someone of the staff asks you about your day, expect them to see every tiny detail. Your every sense will be pampered intentionally, you can choose among many rooms and suites, be welcomed with delicious champagne into a spacious and spotless room equipped with just everything – I don’t have to list, name it and it’s there. Splendid bathroom and quality toiletries, of course, WiFi, iPod dockings, okay, I said I wouldn’t list…Maybe just the free snacks around the clock and the evening canapes. Apart from the fact that every possible feature of a hotel is carefully planned so as to please every guest, there is also the perfect location just in case you’d like to go out…
Prices: £370-1,300 for a room (early booking)
Address:41 Buckingham Palace Rd, London SW1W 0PS
For a single post you’ve heard too many superlatives, right? I know such statements can sound rather incredible and may make you more mistrustful than eager to try all these hotels. But you have to admit, superlatives exist for a reason and London is entitled to at least these 7 out of thousands other hotels that are truly magical. And if my reviews on them and your intuition are not enough to do your best to book a room in any of them for your stay, do it out of curiosity, check out if they really are such a catch and enjoy your trip to London!
