With more than 100 luxury hotels dotted around the city, it’s safe to say that there’s certainly no shortage of five-star institutions to stay at in London. With so many to choose from, picking just one can feel overwhelming, so we’ve created this shortlist of our top picks. From revered grandeur at The Ritz to sky-high city views at Shangri-La, here’s our guide to the most luxurious hotels in London. Take your pick.
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(WA = Wheelchair Accessible)
Image Courtesy of The Ritz
The Ritz London
It doesn’t get much fancier than The Ritz, a five-star London establishment set in a beautiful Grade II-listed building right in the beating heart of the city opposite the leafy Green Park. It’s a hot spot for celebrities and royalty; the Queen celebrated her 80th birthday there, and Winston Churchill met for summit meetings at the hotel with Charles de Gaulle and Dwight Eisenhower during the Second World War. The Piccadilly palace is unabashedly lavish, with 136 rooms mostly decked out in a Louis XVI style with antiques and traditional bathrooms with Asprey products. Enjoy opulent dining at the Michelin Star restaurant by Executive Chef John Williams MBE (Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, an honour awarded to someone by the King or Queen for a certain achievement), who uses the best seasonal British produce to craft a menu of timeless dishes. The elegant Ritz Restaurant is considered one of the most beautiful dining areas in the world, with grand windows, high mirrors and hanging chandeliers.
Book The Ritz on Expedia or Booking.com | WA | Green Park
Image Courtesy of Shangri-La
Shangri-La
Head to floors 32 to 54 of The Shard, and you’ll come to Shangri-La hotel, the epitome of extravagance in hotel form and one of the most luxurious hotels in London. The individually designed rooms come with floor-to-ceiling windows so you can make the most of the epic 360-degree city vistas. The hotel’s infinity pool is the highest hotel pool in Western Europe, meaning you can float up high and enjoy even more epic city views. Expect Asian-inspired dishes at the hotel’s restaurant Ting and expertly mixed cocktails from the sky-high bar Gong, as well as wine, champagne, beer, cider and sake alongside a menu of tasty bites, like maki rolls and sushi platters. Top tip: ask for a table with a view of Tower Bridge.
Book Shangri-La on Expedia or Booking.com | WA | Southwark
Image Courtesy of Claridge’s
Claridge’s
Claridge’s, in the heart of Mayfair on the corner of Davies Street and Brook Street, is one of London’s most luxurious and long-standing hotels. It oozes old-school glamour and has long been a second base for royalty and celebrities (Queen Victoria, Audrey Hepburn, Bing Crosby and Winston Churchill, to name a few). It dates back to 1812 but was rebuilt in the 1890s with interiors that are a nod to 1920s Art Deco. The afternoon tea here is legendary, set in the grand Foyer and Reading Room, where you can enjoy an intimate dining experience in a light, bright, stylish space.
Book Claridge’s on Expedia or Booking.com | WA | Mayfair
Images Courtesy of Mandarin Oriental
Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park
Mandarin Oriental is a slice of Edwardian luxury overlooking Hyde Park in Knightsbridge. It was recently refurbished but has been a Mandarin Oriental hotel since 1990 and has a sleek, contemporary feel; think open flower glass chandeliers and patterned carpets. There’s a gilded ballroom where the Queen would dance in the 1930s, a subterranean spa with a 17-metre pool, and a state-of-the-art fitness centre. Rooms are simple with Art Deco accents and heated Japanese toilets, with many overlooking Hyde Park or the bustling streets of Knightsbridge. As for the food, Heston Blumenthal’s restaurant Dinner serves two Michelin-starred British fare or you can opt for the Japanese izakaya, The Aubrey.
Book Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park on Expedia or Booking.com | Knightsbridge
Image Courtesy of Rosewood
Rosewood London
Rosewood London is one of the most luxurious hotels in London, offering a peaceful sanctuary to escape the hustle and bustle of busy city life. The entrance is decked out with a marble zebra-style floor, and a cabinet filled with weird and wonderful treasures and trinkets, like a Clockwork Orange mannequin head. Rooms come in four categories, but all are spacious and promise a comfortable place to rest your head after a busy day exploring the city. The hotel bar, Scarfes Bar, is a popular spot for a cocktail or late-night drink, while The Holborn Dining Room is an Art Deco-decked-out space serving a traditional British menu. Finally we love the Art Afternoon Tea served in the Mirror Room, which you can see in our video showing you some of the most luxurious afternoon teas in London.
Book Rosewood on Expedia or Booking.com | WA | Holborn
Image Courtesy of The Dorchester
The Dorchester
The Dorchester opened in Park Lane in 1931 and has remained one of the most luxurious hotels in London ever since. Inside it’s glamorous and decorated in a neutral, timeless palette with featured floral displays by designer florist Philip Hammond. 250 rooms and suites go all the way up to the ninth floor, some of which feature pretty views over Hyde Park. Four restaurants serve an assortment of cuisines, including contemporary French fare at the three Michelin-starred Alain Ducasse; grilled dishes at The Grill; upscale Cantonese at China Tang, and an exquisite afternoon tea in the Orchid Room.
Book The Dorchester on Expedia or Booking.com | Mayfair
Image Courtesy of The Savoy
The Savoy
Unsurpassed luxury is the aim of the game at The Savoy in Covent Garden, where the hotel maintains an authentic sense of tradition and history, having been around since 1889. The interior is Edwardian-inspired with Art Deco touches, like gold-fronted lifts and crystal chandeliers. Three hotel restaurants here serve very different cuisines, including Gordon Ramsey’s Savoy Grill serving creative takes on traditional fare and The River Restaurant, which boasts a menu of seafood and shellfish.
Book The Savoy on Expedia or Booking.com | WA | Covent Garden
Image Courtesy of The Langham
The Langham
The Langham is located right in the heart of the West End and has remained one of the most luxurious hotels in London for more than 150 years. It’s home to some excellent wining and dining options, including the luxurious Artesian, which has won the award of World’s Best Bar on more than one occasion and the quintessential British restaurant The Wigmore, which serves classic pub grub in a stylish setting. A stay here bases you right around the corner from Oxford Street, which can get busy but means you’re a stone’s throw from London’s shopping epicentre and Soho’s incredible restaurant scene. Rooms are neutral and come in a range of categories; all decked out with neutral walls and dark-wood furniture. Guests that choose to stay in Executive Rooms and Suites get to enjoy complimentary access to The Langham Club, a five-star club lounge with personalised butler service, free-flowing Champagne, complimentary breakfast and more.
Book The Langham on Expedia or Booking.com | WA | Marylebone
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