Finding the right hotel in London can make or break your experience. The city itself is massive with over 9 million people in the greater London area. Every area is also different. We’ve done London too many times to count and we’re going to serve you our favorite hotels on a silver platter. Here are the best hotels and apartment rentals in London at every price point.
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While this list most definitely includes London’s most expensive hotels, it doesn’t ONLY include the most expensive ones. We have four categories covered in this order:
- Super Expensive
- Expensive
- Kind of Affordable (Mid-Range Luxury)
- Low Cost
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The Best “Super Expensive” Hotels In London
These are the poshest, most luxurious, and most accommodating places to stay in London. At these hotels, you’ll get the crème de la crème of hotel experiences in London and the bill will most definitely reflect that.
“Super Expensive” Prices: Expect to pay over $450 for standard rooms in these hotels which is just the tip of the iceberg for what you can spend. Many of these hotels have epic suites, which can be priced beyond $30k/night and offer amenities you didn’t even know you wanted. Prices will obviously vary, so click the “Booking” link which will take you to Booking.com to see prices.
Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park
5 Star | ££££+ | Hyde Park | Contemporary Design | Indoor Pool
The Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park is one of the most beautiful man-made buildings on the face of the Earth, especially at night when it’s lit up. The building has a victorian design with bold colors that simply look amazing day or night.
It’s located a block from Hyde Park, which seems like an extension of the hotel and is a wonderful green space to enjoy during your stay.
Inside, you’ll find contemporary and updated finishes throughout the building, which is in line with the Mandarin Oriental’s international design theme. Rooms are spacious with unique and beautiful bathrooms sure to shock and amaze.
Shangri-La Hotel at The Shard London
5 Star | ££££+ | The Shard | Modern and Refined with Victorian Touches
The Shangri-La hotel chain, like many of the other luxury staples, simply crushes it at the Shard property. If you’re unfamiliar, the Shard or Shard of Glass is a massive glass skyscraper emerging from the London skyline and the Shangri-La is inside it.
The building is completely contemporary along with all of its impressive rooms. Floor-to-ceiling windows is the general theme, which is a massive draw to the hotel and likely why they can charge $700/night. Their most impressive suite is 232 sqm (or 2,021 sqft) and will cost you about £14k/night.
The Savoy Hotel
5 Star | ££££+ | City of London/Covet Garden | Royal Luxury
It’s really hard to describe a hotel like The Savoy with words and do it justice. The hotel is royal, everything inside it is expensive, and every detail is opulent. I wonder if the king himself has it this good.
The location is also striking. You have views of London’s waterways, the London Eye, and many monuments. You’ll feel like you’re in the middle of everything!
Claridge’s
5 Star | ££££+ | Mayfair | Modern and Refined with Victorian Touches
If anyone invented being “refined,” it was likely the British and the rule book is presumably inside Claridge’s. The soft comfortable colors combined with a mix of modern and victorian touches make this Mayfair hotel a delight.
You’ll find yourself close to high-end shopping, great food, Hyde Park, and London’s high-class neighborhoods. It’s an easy choice if you have the budget of a sultan!
The Four Seasons Park Lane
5 Star | ££££+ | Mayfair | Modern and Refined with Victorian Touches
I really love the Four Seasons in general as it’s a symbol of luxury. Hotels are always decorated in a contemporary style and up-to-date to impress visitors and bring back the high-end clientele.
The hotel is right between Hyde Park and the Green Park of Buckingham Palace, which gives a truly rural effect for being in the middle of a sprawling metropolis.
While you can likely land a standard room (which is anything but standard) for £700/night, you’ll have to dish out £5k+ for the smallest suite. They don’t list out pricing for the larger ones. Needless to say, if you stay here don’t brag about flying first class because everyone else flew private.
Location, photos, and booking Park Lane
Location, photos, and booking Trinity Square
Hotel Café Royal
5 Star | ££££+ | Perfect | Regent Street | Indoor Pool | Family Friendly
Hotel Café Royal is possibly the best-designed hotel I’ve ever seen. Their rooms are so beautifully designed that I find myself asking why I don’t live there. Once you look at the price per night, it appears pretty obvious that very few could afford that. But that doesn’t change how amazing this hotel is.
While not many families could afford it, they offer some great deals on adjoining rooms for longer holidays and staycations at their property, which is why this also lands on my family-friendly hotel list.
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The Best “Expensive” Hotels In London
The “Super Expensive” category, while not in the same league price tag-wise as the previous category, will still set you back a pretty penny. However, the experience, amenities, and locations make it worthwhile. Find out if they’re for you.
“Expensive” Prices: While the prices of hotels change rapidly, expect these hotels to range from $300 to $449 per night for a range of rooms. That obviously will vary, so click the “Booking” link which will take you to Booking.com to see prices.
Number Sixteen
5 Star | ££££ | Kinsington | Design Hotel | Great Coutryarrd | Family Friendly
If you don’t know Kensington, it is one of the poshest neighborhoods in London—if not the world. Number Sixteen is a quaint hotel with unique rooms and comforting colors. Each room has its own character full of rich design and an excellent use of colors and prints.
They also have a magical courtyard, which will make you feel like you’re at a retreat in the countryside. This is a great pick for anyone looking for a small but great hotel in a fantastic area.
The Kensington Hotel
5 Star | ££££ | Kensington | Modern and Refined | Family Friendly
The Kensington Hotel is a beautifully decorated property in Kensington, an ideal place to stay in London. The hotel is well-kept and very luxurious. It’s a boutique property, which means you’ll find fewer people there.
While they don’t position themselves as a family hotel, there are many integrated touches that make this good for families. They have rooms with 3 beds and add small touches, like a stuffed animal, to make children comfortable. It’s a great choice.
The Langham
5 Star | ££££ | Marylebone | Classic Luxury | Indoor Pool
The Langham is in every sense a really beautiful hotel. Everything about it is beautiful. It’s in a gorgeous area, the rooms are stunning, the pool is beyond words, and the common areas are—you guessed it—beautiful! That said, it’s still an expensive hotel, but if you have the money then you can get amazing value here!
The Bloomsbury Hotel
4 Star | £££ | Theatre District/British Museum | Modern
The Bloomsbury is a beautifully designed hotel situated right near the famed British Museum of London. There are a lot of unique elements to this property, which is home to a great restaurant and bar. You’ll find lots of plant life and good vibes here!
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The Best “Mid-Range Lux” Hotels In London
London, in general, is an expensive city, and the hotels often leave you wondering what you spent your money on. This category will include very nice luxurious accommodation that is somewhat more affordable.
“Mid-Range Lux” Prices: While the prices of hotels change rapidly, expect these hotels to range from $200 to $300 per night for a standard room. That obviously will vary, so click the “Booking” link which will take you to Booking.com to see prices.
Treehouse Hotel London
4 Star | £££ | Industrial and Nature Vibes | Marylebone | Great Rooftop
The Treehouse Hotel is a very literal description of this Marylebone hotel. I doubt the art world would accept my new “design description” but I would describe it as “Industrial Nature Vibes” and why not? The place looks like a contemporary Brooklyn apartment building that’s been overrun by a safari.
I have not stayed here yet, but I think it’s going to be my next hotel of choice when I film in London. The place just looks and feels so cool that I have to check it out. I doubt they cater to children, but if you love all the greenery, this could be for you.
The Mandrake Hotel
5 Star | £££ | Central London | Contemporary
This is a contemporary, luxurious, and romantic hotel in central London and it’s a top pick if I’m traveling with my wife (check out top romantic hotels in London). The dark colors and ambiance combined with the contemporary design really make this hotel a treat.
Sofitel St James
5 Star | £££ | St James | Grand
The Sofitel is awesome if you’re looking for a grand hotel with a lot of upscale common spaces. It’s an excellent hotel chain, so you’re likely to have a great stay. The location is also ideal and the rooms are comfortable with nice design touches.
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The Best “Low-Cost” Hotels In London
Finding good low-cost hotels in London may not always be easy but there are options. “Low-Cost” Prices: While the prices of hotels change rapidly, expect these hotels to range from $100 to $175 per night for standard rooms.
Pricing will obviously vary, so click the “Booking” link which will take you to Booking.com to see prices. Anything below $100/night is a crapshoot. If you want even cheaper, you can also go to Booking.com and look for the cheapest hotels in the center.
The Hoxton Holborn
4 Star | ££ | British Museum | Modern
This is a visually appealing modern hotel in downtown London that will work for anyone on a budget without sacrificing style. It’s a great option for romantic couples. At the same time, this hotel is priced great for business trips or family vacations.
All-in-all a great choice in central London! I recommend a typology upgrade to get some extra space. The first link goes to the hotel described here, but I have linked to another London location that this same hotel group owns in Shoreditch.
Location, photos, and booking Holborn
Location, photos, and booking Shoreditch
St. James Court
4 Star | Buckingham Palace | Contemporary | Family Friendly | Indoor Pool
It’s very hard to argue why anyone would stay anywhere other than the St. James Court Hotel. It’s a beautiful hotel with nice, clean, and stylish rooms. The courtyard outside is a really nice addition and they have an indoor pool.
The Rembrandt Hotel
4 Star | ££ | Clean and Comfortable | Family Friendly | Indoor Pool
This hotel has a great location, clean sheets, and is inexpensive. The Rembrandt Hotel has a pretty corporate-hotel feel but, for the price, it’s a great option. I would likely stay here on a business trip or stop-over with the kids.
You can use the extra budget to get a larger room to spread out! They also have an indoor pool, which is great for anyone looking for this amenity and families.
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Your blog is very nice. These tools are really very helpful…:-)