Staying in a London hotel with a rooftop bar has its perks. Fresh cocktails just steps away, gahgeousss views over London, and an easy walk home after you’ve had a few too many.
This list covers the top London hotels with rooftop bars, but before you get booking, here’s how to take advantage of a good London rooftop hotel…
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When are London’s rooftop bars open?
Most of the London hotel rooftop bars on this list are open all year round. Because we’re used to pretty crap weather here, in order to make the most of these amazing spaces for as long as possible, they’re typically equipped with covered or enclosed areas, heat lamps, blankets, and other warming items so you can enjoy the rooftop even if it’s snowing (which, doesn’t happen often.)
Be sure to check with the hotel if the rooftop will be open when you’re in town.
Are London hotels with rooftop bars expensive?
Some are, some aren’t. If you visit in the off-season (November, Jan-March), you can probably find some good deals on rooms.
The actual drinks at London’s rooftop bars tend to be more expensive than the average city cocktail, but I mean, you’re really paying for the view…
Are London hotels with rooftop bars reserved exclusively for hotel guests?
It depends on the hotel. Some of the hotels listed below leave their rooftop as exclusive for hotel guests, some are members clubs so you’ll find Londoners hanging out alongside you, and some are totally open to the public.
Here are some of the top London hotels with rooftop bars.
1. Ham Yard Hotel, Soho
The Ham Yard Hotel, located in Soho and part of my favourite boutique hotel chain, Firmdale, has a rooftop bar and garden on its fourth floor. Reserved just for hotel guests, up there you’ll be within a leafy jungle that includes two bee hives, Whitmas benches, and well… a bar. The hotel has over 100 rooms, and includes a library, spa and gym, and bowling alley for its guests, plus more. By the way, all of the Firmdale Hotels in London do beautiful afternoon teas for a really reasonable price.
Book the Ham Yard Hotel on Booking
2. ME London, The Strand
Located on The Strand, just steps from Covent Garden, this avant-garde luxury hotel has a super-popular rooftop bar and restaurant Radio Rooftop. Book in advance if you want views over Somerset House while you sip your cocktail. In the winter, they typically get winter-y and Christmas-y with the decor. A large part of the rooftop is enclosed so you can keep warm if you need.
Back to the hotel… there’s a wide selection of luxurious rooms to pick from, some of which include a private terrace with views over the city.
Book ME London on Booking
3. The Trafalgar St. James, Trafalgar Square
The Trafalgar St. James is a Hilton property that’s far more modern and luxurious than most Hiltons I’ve been to. Head up to (the very small) The Rooftop for views over London’s iconic Trafalgar Square. Besides the views, the location of the hotel is very central, and smack-dab in the middle of most of the city’s most famous attractions.
Book The Trafalgar St. James on Booking
4. Sea Containers, Southbank
One of my favourite London hotels with a rooftop bar, Sea Containers’ sexy and futuristic London outfit is located in the Sea Containers building, right on the River Thames. On the ground floor is the award-winning Lyaness bar, run by expert mixologist Mr. Lyan. The real draw of staying at Sea Containers is on the top floor, where you’ll find swanky 12th Knot. Expect views, expensive drinks, and possible celeb sightings.
The hotel itself has a major range of rooms, spanning from standard rooms (still nice though) up to suites with private terraces overlooking the London skyline.
Book Sea Containers on Booking
5. Dorsett City Hotel, Aldgate
Stay in east London, at the Dorsett City Hotel, and you’ll be a lift-ride away from one of the city’s newest rooftop bars, Jin Bo Law. From the 14th floor you’ll spot Tower Bridge, the Shard, the Walkie Talkie, the Gherkin and more iconic London buildings.
The hotel itself has 4-stars, located in City of London’s Financial District, and even has a luxe 24-hour restaurant (plus a gym in case you want to work off that 2am meal.)
Book Dorsett City Hotel on Booking
6. The Montcalm Royal London House, Finsbury Square
Housed in the former Royal Mail head office, The Montcalm Royal London House’s rooftop bar and restaurant, called Aviary, is one of my favourites in the city. Head to the 10th floor for lovely views of the skyline, and grab a cocktail or choose to eat at the AA Rosette-awarded restaurant. (By the way, Aviary is included in our 3-day and 6-day London itineraries.)
The Montcalm brand is known for good service, beautiful rooms and overall being a great value. Stay here and you’ll also be located close to Shoreditch and Old Street, two great areas to explore and definitely eat and drink well.
Book The Montcalm Royal London House on Booking
7. The Boundary, Shoreditch
The Boundary is housed within a converted Victorian warehouse in East London. With just 17 individually designed rooms, each inspired by an iconic designer or design movement of the 20th century, you’ll be in an incredibly unique spot if you choose to stay here.
The Boundary’s rooftop, called the Orangery, is famous with Londoners because it’s very beautiful and is a great spot for a post-work drink whether it’s summer or winter (it’s heated, don’t worry.)
Book The Boundary on Booking
8. CitizenM Tower of London, Tower Bridge
CitizenM is a hotel chain known for being relatively affordable (for London standards) but still chic and cool. Their Tower of London location has a casual terrace bar that overlooks the Tower of London, which looks extra special when looking down on it with a cocktail under the night sky.
Book CitizenM Tower of London on Booking
9. The Ned, Bank
The Ned is under the Soho House brand, but being located in City is a whole different experience to White City House and Shoreditch House and is bookable even if you’re not a member of The Ned or Soho House. The Ned took over an old bank, and now has 250 1920’s-inspired bedrooms, ten restaurants, a panoramic rooftop bar and pool, plus a basement bar that’s located in an old vault. Only certain rooms get access to exclusive member areas, FYI.
This is the place that the city’s financiers go to blow off some (major) steam on a Friday night. Expect a bit of chaos, or if you need some calm, visit the new (and somewhat hidden) Martini bar on the ground floor.
Book The Ned on Booking
10. The Hoxton, Southwark
The Hoxton’s third London location, its latest is in Southwark, perfectly located close to, well, everything. Take a walk on the Southbank or if you’re a longer stroll you can make it to much a central London from this dog-friendly hotel. The Hoxton is known for its modern-yet-relaxing interiors, with room decor inspired by the tanneries and factories that once populated South London. Tip: they offer “cosy” rooms which are ok for one person for say, one night, but go for the larger options for longer stays or when they’re two of you.
When this hotel opened, it was really popular because of its incredible rooftop bar and restaurant called Seabird. Beautifully decorated, up here you’ll not only have stunning city views but also London’s longest oyster list and an impressive marble raw bar, making The Hoxton one of the best London hotels with rooftop bars.
Book The Hoxton Southwark on Booking
11. Mondrian, Shoreditch
The Mondrian is a five-star hotel and members club (nope, not Soho House!) with 120 luxurious guest rooms, complete with king-size beds, bespoke artwork, and toiletries with their own signature scent. The Curtain has a gorgeous little rooftop restaurant and heated pool where cocktails can certainly be enjoyed. When you’re ready to eat and drink, you can head to the ground-floor cocktail bar Christina’s for a swanky tipple or head downstairs to Bibo, a fantastic and buzzy Spanish restaurant.
Book Mondrian on Booking
12. The Berkeley, Knightsbridge
This is the swankiest spot on our list of London hotels with rooftop bars, which, if you know anything about London, you would have already known after seeing its Knightsbridge location.
The Berkeley’s 7th-floor rooftop and swimming pool is lined with white and gold mosaic tiling and is more of a spa than a place for some sky-high beer swigging, but they do offer wine along side juices and other healthy treats so this definitely counts as a rooftop bar, IMO.
Book The Berkeley on Booking
13. Treehouse, Marylebone
Treehouse opened in 2019 and is a stunning hotel right in the centre of London, just a couple of minutes walk from Oxford Circus tube station. The rooms are super modern but a mix of concrete and natural elements, and the hotel has TWO sky-high spaces to check out. Start with the Madera, the restaurant that serves modern Mexican for breakfast, lunch and dinner along side its views over Oxford Circus. The head up one more floor to The Nest, the rooftop bar and terrace with 360-degree views of Central London. It’s open year-round because it’s partially enclosed, and it’s one of the only public rooftop bars in the area.
Book Treehouse on Booking
Watch this video of my stay at the Treehouse hotel:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4q1lLUhvgs
These are the best London hotels with rooftop bars… which will you stay in?
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8 Stylish London Hotels That Cost Less Than £150 Per Night
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Hi Jess,
MY husband and I are bringing our son to London to study abroad a semester on Jan.12 and we will be staying in London for about 4-5 days. I was looking at the Mayfair area to stay in. Seems super convenient. Do you have any good suggestions on where to stay around there? Looking to spend between $260-high $3’s US.
Thanks so much.
Hi Lisa, for some convenient areas and hotel recommendations in them, have a look at this article: https://loveandlondon.com/where-to-stay-in-london-popular-attractions/