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Our Gurus' list of the top luxury London hotels is a handpicked selection of our favourite classic luxury London properties. Most of the best luxury hotels in London offer a central postcode but their design greatly varies. Choose from one of the city's grande dames where you can expect classic British service, original features, and a real sense of place or opt for one of the city's newer properties for sleek modern design. With something to suit most trips whether you are on a cultural city break, a romantic escape, or a family getaway — why not browse through our collection to start planning your next luxury city stay?
For traditional style
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- Claridge's is an amazing Art Deco-inspired, luxury-centric, institution of a hotel in the heart of Mayfair. The service is impeccable, the afternoon teas are much-lauded and accompanied by light, live piano music, the spa and gym are excellent and the lift is manned. The restaurant and bar are frequently updated, but the glamour of the decor never gets old. If one had bottomless bank accounts there would be no reason to ever stay elsewhere.
- The Savoy is a stunning Grand Dame in the heart of London’s West End, that shows no signs of flagging. You can expect beautiful traditional style, plus numerous original features, coupled with excellent dining including Gordon Ramsay at the Savoy Grill. Exceptional luxury and service that won’t disappoint.
- Brown's Hotel is an old-world Mayfair institution transformed by Olga Polizzi into an elegant and polished five-star hotel, with a spa and top bar. Rooms and suites deliver understated elegance at their finest and the whole place oozes style and sophistication.
- The Stafford is a perfectly-positioned luxury townhouse hotel near St James’s Palace with a rich history, contemporary art, and smart rooms. Enjoy British classics at The Game Bird restaurant and cocktails at the American bar. An elegant choice in a perfectly central position.
- The Langham is a historic luxury hotel that offers a contemporary edge to its opulent Victorian décor. Expect classicly styled, spacious and comfortable rooms and suites. Dining is overseen by the Roux dynasty while a spa and pool are a bonus. An upscale escape aimed at those in search of high-class pampering.
- The Dorchester is an iconic hotel whose signature is traditional British luxury and service that’s out of this world. Here you'll find ritzy-yet-comfortable rooms, Italian marble bathrooms and an opulent central lounge that’s a riot of gilt, fabric, statues and chandeliers. The place to go to be treated like royalty.
- The Beaumont is a beautiful Art Deco style luxury property a stone's throw from Bond Street and Selfridges. Rooms are spacious and bright with a keen eye for detail and continue the gorgeous period feel. Plus there's the Colony Grill for great food and celeb spotting and a spoiling basement spa with hammam. Perfect for a luxury shopping trip.
For contemporary design
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- Shangri-La at The Shard is a bucket list destination property that really has the “Wow” factor and offers Asian influenced interiors, with five-star luxuries as standard. Floor-to-ceiling windows in both bedrooms and bathrooms make the most of the spectacular views over London. With a standout spa, and a fabulous infinity pool on the 52nd floor, this is a truly spoiling choice.
- One Aldwych is a perfect base for those wanting to be in the heart of Covent Garden and Theatreland. Classic on the outside, but wonderfully contemporary on the inside. Expect spacious rooms and suites, a buzzy lobby bar, superb dining and a luxury spa. A stylish and convenient option.
For discretion
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- The Connaught Hotel is a super-discreet grand dame of a hotel, the epitome of old fashioned Britishness, with impeccable service from the fleet of butlers, and every imaginable traditional comfort. Though it has recently been revamped, adding a beautiful new conservatory for breakfasts and two new bars. One of the restaurants has two Michelin stars.
- The Franklin is a small luxury hotel in the heart of Knightsbridge. This is a seriously stylish property that will suit anyone who likes to exist slightly off the radar. Sumptuous rooms and suites boast rich silks and velvets, Frette linens, and marble bathrooms as standard. With access to a private garden and an excellent Italian restaurant — this is a spoiling stay.
For couples
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- For A Big London Treat stay at the Corinthia Hotel. An intricately restored grand hotel with a 21st-century approach. It is ritzy, glitzy and glamorous in all the right ways; in short, a total class act. The legion of staff have been fully drilled at Charm School, the flowers are photograph-worthy, and the scale of the original 1880’s building is magnificent.
For grandeur
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- The Ritz is a privately-owned and perfectly-reserved dream of an experience. This is the kind of place to stay if you want to be clear about how flash you’re being. It’s glitz and glamour from the dapper doormen to the lavish hallways and Neoclassical features — though the Rivoli Bar is beautifully Art Deco. And it’s right by Green Park.
- Rosewood London is a stunning five-star property in the heart of London. Exquisitely designed in a listed Edwardian building, you'll find an eclectic mix of contemporary and traditional which oozes style. An atmospheric cocktail bar, excellent dining and an indulgent spa ensure that this is a stay to remember.
For the spa
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- Four Seasons Hotel London at Ten Trinity Square is a beautiful listed city building that has been given a superb makeover to become a luxury property in the heart of London. Rooms and suites effortlessly blend contemporary and classic styles. Expect Michelin dining on-site and an expansive lower ground floor spa that offers a huge range of treatments, plus a pool, hammam, and more!
- Hotel Cafe Royal is a luxurious reinvention of a London institution. Spacious rooms and suites whose interiors perfectly blend the modern and contemporary with beautiful period features and bathrooms of sheer indulgence, carved from stunning Carrera marble. Expect good dining options and a seriously cool spa and pool.
For the restaurant
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- Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park is a legendary London luxury hotel that has been recently renovated. With great views of Hyde Park, access to the city's best shopping, two-star Michelin dining, a stunning spa and a sophisticated bar — you'll want for nothing here!
- Nobu Hotel London Portman Square is a stunning lifestyle hotel in Marylebone. But what many book a Nobu property for is the exceptional Japanese/Peruvian influenced food they can expect in the onsite Nobu Restauarant, and this one is no different. We'd advise going for one of the superb Omakase tasting menus to experience plate after plate of outstanding quality. A must for any foodie!
- Dukes Hotel is wonderfully situated in the heart of St James's, just a few minutes from Piccadilly. Recently renovated, the hotel combines history with more modern touches. At GBR — or Great British Restaurant — top quality modern British food is served by knowledgeable and friendly staff in a smart and buzzy atmosphere. A great choice for a very British stay.
For a country house feel
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- The Goring Hotel is a sumptuous spot, with plush carpets, antiques, fine dining and every comfort, in the very heart of Belgravia, right by Buckingham Palace. This is family-owned luxury at its finest; the fourth Mr Goring has kept the lawns manicured, the afternoon tea award-winning and the restaurant Michelin starred!
Still not sure where to book?