If you’re after a cool hotel in South London to book a room in, you’ve come to the right place. Although a lot of the stays south of the river happen to be in pubs, this really is the best way to see the authentic side of the city. Pubs ooze centuries-old London charm and have more character than so many of the hotels that are around these days.
Saying that, there are also a handful of South London hotels that are definitely deserving of a spot on this list. From rooms inspired by the Mojave desert to quaint, neighbourhood pubs with only seven rooms, here’s our guide to cool hotels in South London to book a room in.
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(WA = Wheelchair Accessible)
The Dog and Fox
This dog-friendly boutique hotel and pub in the heart of trendy Wimbledon Village offers a comfortable and quintessentially British place to stay in a charming South West corner of London. But it’s more than just a cool hotel in South London to book a room in, everything from the stylish rooms to the carefully curated food and drinks menus is out to impress, with dishes featuring hearty seasonal ingredients as well as a Sunday roast that comes with mountains of crispy roast potatoes and pools of the chef’s infamous gravy. Although it’s located a little outside of the city centre, this is reflected in the price and leafy Wimbledon Village is still certainly a fantastic place to be based. We highly recommend a visit to the Wimbledon Tennis Museum while you’re here.
Book The Dog and Fox on Booking | Wimbledon
Ruby Lucy Hotel
Another cool hotel in South London to book a room is the funky Ruby Lucy Hotel in the heart of South that excels when it comes to design – it features a moody circus-themed lobby bar contrasted by white minimalist rooms. The rooms are sleek and spacious with white laminated floors, full-length mirrors and floor-to-ceiling windows that soak the room in natural light. It’s a real Instagrammer’s dream. If you can peel yourself away from the comfort of your room for a moment, Waterloo Station is only a short 6-minute stroll from the hotel, making it an excellent base for exploring some of the city’s best bits.
Book Ruby Lucy Hotel on Expedia or Booking.com | WA | Waterloo
The Windmill
It’s all well and good staying right in the heart of London’s hustle and bustle, but there are plenty of other overlooked areas that make for a brilliant spot to base yourself, like The Windmill in Clapham Common. This area, known for being a popular place to live for young people who’ve just moved to the city, is teeming with award winning pubs, restaurants and bars, as well as festivals taking place throughout the summer months.
Not only that, but The Windmill offers an authentic London pub stay that will really make you feel like you’re soaking up the London way of life. There’s a roaring fireplace in the entrance, as well as wildlife-themed decor in the dining area and thoughtfully designed neutral rooms with colourful accents. Again, this hotel is a little out of the way, being a ten minute walk from Clapham Common station, but it’s certainly deserving of its spot on the cool hotels in South London to book a room in list. Plus, the location reflected in the price and it’s fairly easy to make your way into the city centre on the Northern Line.
Book The Windmill on Expedia or Booking.com | WA | Clapham
The Victoria Inn
This Peckham sanctuary first opened its doors back in 1878 and now functions as a cosy hotel serving a menu of seriously impressive food. There are only 15 bedrooms here that come in a variety of sizes each complete with a bright blue and white tiled ensuite bathroom. Although you’re not necessarily well located if you’re after London’s more central attractions, you are only a stone’s throw away from some of the more hip, local joints, like the famous Frank’s Cafe rooftop bar and the cultural hub that is the Bussey Building, both well worth a visit wherever you decide to stay.
Book The Victoria Inn on Expedia or Booking.com | Peckham
The Half Moon
Another pub stay to add to the list, but seriously, pubs are where all the authentic British vibes are at, is this beautifully restored Grade II Victorian hotel. It has seen a fair few stars pass through during its time, having once been a top London music venue with the likes of Frank Sinatra, The Police and even Van Morrison playing back in its prime. These days it functions as a pub, restaurant and boutique hotel with 12 snug rooms that are named after the 12 astronauts that walked on the moon. Rooms are decorated with bold patterns featuring House of Hackney wallpaper (if you’re into interior design, check these guys out) and each comes with mismatched furnishings and heavy, dark wooden accents.
Although it seems like The Half Moon is a little out of the way, this is reflected in the price and London’s transport links make it easy to hop on a bus or a train and head straight for the centre.
Book The Half Moon on Expedia or Booking.com | Herne Hill
Bermonds Locke
Enjoy a slice of the American southwest at Bermonds Locke Aparthotel in London Bridge, located just around the corner from The Shard and Maltby Street Market, a must-visit for any avid foodie. The interior is designed by London-based interior design studio Holloway Li and much of it is inspired by the cool Californian desert, think pastel tones, cacti and lush greenery and colours that make you think of the orange-hued Mojave Desert. There’s a coffee-fuelled co-working space for those who need it as well as studio-style bedrooms that are fully equipped with kitchens and laundry facilities. What’s more, it’s located on the buzzy Bermondsey Street which, when the sun goes down, thrums with people making the most of the pubs and restaurants that line the streets. PS – our founder Jess always talks about how amazing it smells here, as they have a custom scent that’s pumped through the common areas.
Book Bermonds Locke on Expedia or Booking.com | London Bridge
Admiral Hardy
Next up on cool hotels in South London to book a room in is this wonderful traditional pub that simply oozes London charm. It’s located in Greenwich, an area of London known for its naval and military links (it’s home to the Cutty Sark), as well as its lush, vast green parks, one of which houses the Royal Observatory, home of the Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). The bed and breakfast is small with only seven rooms, but it’s chock full of character and you’re guaranteed a comfortable night’s sleep in a truly interesting part of the city. On the map it looks like Admiral Hardy is located slightly out-of-the-way, but getting into the city centre is easier than ever if you don’t mind hopping on the train (The DLR takes a scenic skyscraper route through Canary Wharf if you go that way).
Book Admiral Hardy on Expedia or Booking.com | Greenwich
While you’re staying around south London, get to know the area and it’s amazing restaurants, quirky bars, and interesting things to do by grabbing The Casual Tourist Guide to South London. If you’re the type of traveller that loves to get off the beaten path, this is THE guide to help you do that, even if you’re a first-time visitor.
Read next:
- Cool Hotels in North London to Book a Room in
- Cool Hotels in West London to Book a Room in
- 19 Apart-Hotels in London that are Better than an Airbnb
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