London is one of the world's great cities — a real melting pot of cultures, fashion, design, and arts. It is no wonder then that the hotel scene is so diverse and eclectic. When choosing one of the best cool hotels in London the choice is wide and you will find something for almost all tastes and budgets. Our hotel experts have compiled a collection of their favourites across the city including suave luxury stays, uber chic boutiques, and some great value options too. So why not browse through our collection to start planning your next city break?
For a design hotel
- The Boundary Project, set in a converted Victorian warehouse, is best known for its rooftop gardens and local bakery which make this a classic East End option. Each individually designed room is achingly cool and styled in homage to a particular designer. The restaurant is also well-loved by hipster locals.
- St Martins Lane is a chic converted office block, designed by Philippe Starke, in the West End. Full of quirky, irreverent details like a speakeasy bar and a lounge that riffs on a formal British drawing-room — this is a design enthusiast's haven. The rooms are all white affairs with floor-to-ceiling windows and great mood lighting. Very hip.
- Close to Liverpool Station, Spitalfields and the Barbican, the South Place Hotel looks quite ‘modern city hotel’ from the outside but inside it’s much quirkier with really cutting edge design throughout the 80 rooms. The lively rooftop bar, state-of-the-art gym, spa and Michelin starred restaurant ensure an indulgent stay.
- Sea Containers is a lively and hip hotel in an iconic Southbank building, evocative of a 1920s ocean liner. Rooms and suites are all finished in a contemporary style with continued nautical themes and selected pieces of designer furniture. A fabulous rooftop bar and terrace offer superb city views. A very hip choice.
For foodies
- An urban haven, Nobu Hotel, features beautifully designed rooms which are minimalist in style with floor to ceiling windows, large contemporary artworks and polished concrete floors. While the cavernous restaurant serves up that world-renowned Japanese and South American cuisine. A very sleek London offering.
For the location
- The Hoxton Hotel is cool in the way that swathes of East London are cool. Vibrant, stylish, fashionable and minimalist, with lots of unique details, the Hoxton is just like Hoxton, Hackney and Shoreditch. Expect bold wall colours, medieval fireplaces against bare brick walls, herringbone parquet, piles of books and vinyl — and the bar is cool too. Obviously. And it’s really great value.
- Clerkenwell is another hip district, full of new restaurants and bars, print companies, bijou unique boutiques and media companies, and this is where the first Zetter Hotel in London landed. Youthful and bright, expect pop art and site specific installations, plus fun details in the decor — all the 59 rooms are different, some more conservative than others. The cocktail bar is really something and there are lots of local companies involved with their supplies, from the toiletries to the pale ale.
- It says quite a bit about the state of Bethnal Green that its old Town Hall building has been converted into a cool hotel. Clever architects have done a great job with the 98 rooms, including the creation of six ‘feature rooms’, which are the stand out ones, one of which is a conversion from the former men’s loos. Some rooms have their own small kitchens, there’s art by local artists, a pool, a spa, a glass top floor, and the Town Hall tea lady swings by every evening with a cocktail trolley.
- If you want to be close to Covent Garden, Somerset House, the BFI and The National Theatre, then One Aldwych will tick your boxes. The hotel has undergone a recent refurb and while it’s still elegantly classical on the outside it’s now chicer on the inside. The 18-metre pool in the basement with underwater music and mood lighting will not disappoint.
- Zetter Townhouse Marylebone offers a very central location but with a chic village feel. Expect individually designed bedrooms with an eclectic mix of antique furniture and curios, huge beds, luxurious drapes and deluxe bathrooms. The excellent food and cocktails are a real draw too.
- The Resident Kensington is set in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea's famously grand townhouses. Having been converted into streamlined, designer accommodation interiors feature light rooms with high ceilings, bay windows and kitchenettes which are a good choice for longer stays.
For a fresh take on traditional style
- In a fantastic South Kensington location, The Ampersand Hotel is elegantly cool, with a brightness and boldness to its decor that hotels in this particular part of London aren’t particularly known for. The rooms are all individually styled plus there’s a small library, an elegant Mediterranean restaurant, and the Drawing Rooms which serve a traditional afternoon tea. Classic yet hip.
- The Ned occupies an excellent spot right in the heart of the City of London. The design is historic cool with plenty of elegant Art Deco references while the rooftop bar and restaurant are a chic addition.
For luxury
- It’s easy to argue that the Shangri-La at the Shard has the best views of any London hotel and their floor-to-ceiling windows really make the most of them. The pool on the 52nd floor, the Gong Bar, and Asian restaurants are what really pull the crowds. However, the rooms are very sleek too.
- COMO Metropolitan London is perhaps the hippest hotel in London. Set just across from Hyde Park, with a top restaurant, gym and spa and an A-list clientele. Expect fresh contemporary decor and spot-on service.
- The Mandrake is a hip award-winning luxury hotel in the heart of the West End, just off Oxford Street. With organic mattresses, roll-top baths, a trendy bar, funky art and fabulous cocktails, this is the place to be seen.
For a boutique
- The Megaro Hotel stands out from the crowd with its distinctive mural façade. The ethos of this family-run King’s Cross hotel is to offer a departure from typical corporate hospitality and welcome a more whimsical approach for guests. Ideally located for those who like a properly urban base.
For great value
- London has three CitizenMs, these trendy, lux-for-less hipster pads are popping up to meet demand and it seems like there’s quite a demand for bijou rooms with all the mod. cons., trendy living, working, eating and drinking spaces. London’s three are CitizenM Shoreditch, CitizenM Tower of London and CitizenM Bankside. Bankside is a favourite, in a fantastic spot for the Tate Modern and picking up last minute yard tickets to Shakespeare’s Globe or day seats at The National. The hotel itself has plenty of modern art, plus Vitra furniture and they serve food all day.
- The Tommyfield is a fashionable pub with rooms in Kennington. There are just six rooms, all decorated differently, but they’re all bold and chic. With standout pub fare, regular evening entertainment, and a friendly price tag — what's not to love?
- Z Shoreditch is well located just a short walk from Old Street station. Contemporary interiors offer unfussy and light accommodation with minimalist design. Added touches such as complimentary cheese and wine in the evenings make this a stand out choice for a central and affordable stay.
- Z Hotels at Gloucester Place is a collection of five townhouses located in London's smart Marylebone area. Cleanly designed minimalist rooms feature large sash windows, parquet flooring, and crisp white linen. Well positioned and very well priced making this an attractive stay.
- Brook Green Hotel has a pub-like façade and interior, with boutique rooms upstairs, a cool cocktail bar downstairs and a handy west London location. Friendly service and excellent pub food complete the picture. A good value option with easy access to all London has to offer.
Still not sure where to book?
