The 106 best hotels in London

The best thing about this boutique hotel tucked away down a Shoreditch alleyway is the importance they put on design. Then that's hardly surprising considering it's from the hands of the late Sir Terence Conran. Each of the 17 rooms has a different style to it and the corner ones all pay tribute to pioneering designers. Think Charles and Ray Eames, Eileen Grey and Mies van der Rohe.

Best for tastefully crackpot inventions
Time Out tip: Head to the rooftop at sunset – it's magical.

Curtain Road cuts a swathe through noisy, vibrant Shoreditch and the Mondrian’s guests can spill conveniently out to join the nearby bars, clubs and night-walkers or look down upon them from their luxe, cool eyries. This east London spot is designed with lashings of drama: as you go in there’s a mini-atrium full of lights, for your gram needs. Less naffly, many rooms come with curvaceous, generous baths next to the enormous white pressed beds, as well as impressive walk-in steam showers in the bathrooms. It’s stylish and a tonne of fun. The pool is shared with a member’s club and is generally closed to guests outside daytime hours. It does make for a gorgeous breakfast spot though. All in all, Mondrian Shoreditch is a buzzy one-stop party shop for travellers who can afford to have all the fun.

Best for a classy base for exploring east London 

Design director Kit Kemp has teamed her trademark bold colours with antique and distressed furniture to create this grandly proportioned Firmdale complex of hotel, apartments and shops around a courtyard that’s great for warm days – as is the secret rooftop garden. On cold ones, the basement bowling alley is a nice alternative to the brash attractions of Piccadilly Circus.

Best for bowling

A boutique time-warp in the depths of Clerkenwell, full of four-poster beds, antiques and one very proud house cat. The charming Rookery is conveniently located amongst all the finest restaurants and bars, but if you don't feel like stepping out there's an 'honesty bar' in the drawing room.

Best for tradition

On the hunt for the heights of convenience and cleanliness with a healthy helping of luxury and space? Look no further than the Henrietta. This sort-of boutique hotel (it’s a little bigger than most boutiques) sits steps away from the main Covent Garden piazza on Henrietta Street. It’s technically not one site but two; split between two townhouses that aren’t connected but aren’t more than a dozen feet or so from each other 

As the townhouse location beckons glamour, so does the hotel’s inner chambers. Hidden behind an otherwise-unassuming door, you’ll find a place that reeks with design, from its loud wallpaper to the carefully placed Henry Moore, Man Ray and Roy Lichtenstein books in the lobby. The Henrietta was made with an eye for design and it wants you to know – but there’s nothing wrong with that.

Best for seriously OTT decor

Does the most famous hotel in the world need an introduction? Probably not, but to step into The Ritz is still a semi-magical experience, transporting you back to a time when Britain ruled the world and someone had just invented the train. An update in 1995 injected some modernity into the 1906-does-Louis XVI design, but there’s a wonderful sense of old-school decorum here, appropriate given the sheer quantities of marble and 24-carat gold leaf on site. Be warned: no jeans, no trainers, and jackets for dining, please – apart from at breakfast.

Best for Liberace chic

This sister venue to the The Hoxton in Shoreditch has brought all the style of the East End to central London. Situated a stone's throw from the British Museum, the Holborn branch offers classy midcentury modern decor throughout, iMacs for guests and a lovely cafe/bar.

Best for tomb raiding

Shoreditch House’s stayover option perfectly captures the atmosphere of its neighbourhood, with its fun and slightly retro design. There’s a holiday vibe throughout, with rooms – decked out in pastel-painted tongue-and-groove cladding – that feel fresh and a bit like beach huts, and an excellent rooftop pool in the members’ club next door. If you crave more space, High Road House in Chiswick, also owned by Soho House, has 14 bedrooms from £130 per night (20 percent cheaper for members).

Best for pretending you’re a hipster

This South Bank hotel has been a smash for two reasons: firstly, the fabulous interiors, courtesy of Tom Dixon of Habitat fame; think bold colours and design touches that nod to the building’s nautical heritage, such as the Cutty Sark-like copper hull in reception. Then there’s the location: bang on the river and great for the Tate Modern and Southbank Centre. Icing on the cake? The 56-seat Curzon-run cinema and the seriously impressive Lyaness cocktail bar, from Ryan Chetiyawardana’s award-winning Mr Lyan team. 

Best for yo ho hoing

You’d never guess that central London’s most striking-looking hotel was Selfridges’ former garage until a few years ago. After humble beginnings, The Beaumont is now, quite literally, a work of art, with Antony Gormley’s part-suite, part-sculpture, ROOM, adorning its front. Elsewhere decor is pure art deco fantasia and service manages to find the right line between efficient and obsequious; friendly and pseudo-matey. It’s a convenient spot for Selfridges and Le Magritte Bar is perfect for a post-spree old fashioned.

Best for art deco styling

The city’s first railway hotel opened in 1854 has been reborn as a 91-room classic, thanks to a fabulous refit. Railway fans will love the couchette rooms with beds snugly fitted into the window to evoke sleeper carriages. Each floor has a pantry filled with jars of vintage sweets, fresh cakes, tea and coffee, newspapers, books, and even a USB-friendly printer.

Best for sleeper chic
Time Out tip: Check out the bar terrace for a nightcap.

Historical figures echo in the halls of old-school Brown’s, among them Napoleon III and Empress Eugénie, Emperor Haile Selassie and Agatha Christie, whose ‘At Bertram’s Hotel’ was inspired by the place. But the comfortable and elegant Mayfair hotel – London’s first, and built across 11 townhouses – is perfectly at home in the twenty-first century with all mod cons, among them a spa, walk-in showers and free airport transfers, plus arresting original art by the likes of Tracey Emin and Bridget Riley.

Best for immersing yourself in history

This latest addition to the growing CitizenM chain (there are Bankside and Shoreditch branches too) is affordable, chic and dependable, from its self-check-in to the youthful contemporary styling of its slick café-bar and reception area. Rooms are small but well designed, with wall-to-wall windows, drench showers, and free wi-fi and movies. Funky-coloured lighting, air con and blackout blinds are controlled with an in-room tablet.

Best for technology

Derelict for years, this fabulous Victorian building by George Gilbert Scott was restored to its former glory, with new additions, and opened in 2011. Pamper yourself in the spa and then indulge in a British-inspired meal at the Hansom restaurant (replacing the sadly-closed Gilbert Scott restaurant), preceded perhaps by an 1873 gin cocktail, named after the year the hotel was built. The St Pancras Renaissance is also the best choice for anyone travelling by Eurostar: the hotel has security clearance and a side door takes you straight to the platform.

Best for trainspotting

Slap bang in the heart of the theatre district, this lovely five-starrer oozes charm. You can see it in the floral prints, in the warming colour palate and the classic panelled library. In the lobby you'll find Brasserie Max, decked out like a 1920s Parisian bistro, with a British and European menu.

Best for feeling like a film star

A 1930s art deco block in Wood Green might not initially have much to recommend it but this is the UK’s first arts-led social enterprise hotel. The Scandi-basic accommodation offers dorm beds at £24 per night with doubles at £89, unless you're an artist, in which case you qualify for a discount (contact them directly to book). The brains behind the hotel are Nick Hartwright (Mill Co Project), with Kurt Bredenbeck (Hoxton Hotel) advising on hospitality and chefs mentored by Johnny Smith (Michelin-starred The Clove Club). As well as the ideals and the food, there are exhibitions, yoga and DJ nights. And it’s only 15 minutes from central London by tube.

Best for arty accommodation

The breathtaking Lobby Bar and Dominic Teague’s Indigo restaurant set up this modern conversion (of the 1907 offices of The Morning Post) beautifully. The rest of the hotel doesn’t disappoint either, from Frette linen and bathroom mini TVs to an environmentally friendly loo-flushing system. A cosy screening room, excellent spa and swimming pool with underwater sound system playing soothing music may dissuade you from ever stepping outside.

Best for fashion and theatre

A stylish hotel perched on the corner of Chinatown and Leicester Square, the W is a palace for affluent international travellers, rock stars and party people. Firstly, there's a nightclub on the first floor. Secondly, they provide vinyl room service, which isn't as kinky as it sounds. They have playlists curated by DJs Annie Mac and Lauren Laverne that you can select from and order direct to your room. There's also a private 3D cinema screen.

Best for West End hipness

When a place rates itself as assuredly (in huge bold letters, no less) as Good Hotel does, it’s natural to feel a little sus. But it’s true — Good Hotel really does make you feel good. Besides the cheery, first-rate service and a night of impeccable sleep, you walk out feeling extra uplifted by virtue of its ‘do good’ DNA. The interiors of the rooms are soft, earthy and paired back — think low-hanging lights, origami-style lamp shades and charging ports hidden inside bed frames. Five hangers dangle on the wall in lieu of an actual wardrobe, favouring the lighter packers among us. There’s little in the way of colour besides two teeny hand-crafted worry dolls perched on your pillow (a nod to the hotel’s Guatemalan links) and a gorgeous red sunrise reflecting on the water the next morning.  

Time Out tip: The hotel's rooftop bar opened up in spring/summer months for guests and passers-by to enjoy a tipple or three right above the dock's peaceful waters.

Budget hotels got a whole lot cooler when Z arrived. The Marylebone branch, in some converted Georgian townhouses, retains much of the original wood panelling and has made the most of its high ceilings. Rooms are contemporary and industrial in style, and the size of them – some minuscule – is reflected in pared-back pricing (which happily includes wi-fi, organic breakfast and the 5pm-8pm cheese and wine buffet). Z can also be found in Shoreditch, the City, Soho, Piccadilly, Victoria, Covent Garden and Tottenham Court Road.

Best for central cool

Incongruously set in a Grade II-listed former town hall in the otherwise grungy heart of Bethnal Green, this upscale aparthotel is a masterclass in refitting a classic space, retaining many beautiful original features but jazzing up the whole thing with contemporary art in pale-toned, spacious and well-appointed rooms and apartments. The excellent two-Michelin-starred Da Terra restaurant definitely adds to the appeal.

Best for local government
Time Out tip: Head to the basement for a late-night dip in the sparkly tiled swimming pool.

The hotel loved for its mix of Edwardian neoclassical and art deco design acquired a host of grand new features in its oh-so-twenty-first-century £100 million refurb, including an atrium pool with a jet stream. But we love it for its star-filled history – where else can you stand on the spot where Monet painted the Thames, or where Vivien Leigh met Laurence Olivier? Then there’s Gordon Ramsay’s Savoy Grill, his new River Restaurant, and the fabulous American Bar.

Best for A-list glamour

The London Edition makes a big impact as you walk into its grand hall of a lobby, complete with double-height rococo ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows and marble pillars. Bedrooms are similarly impactful: akin to lodges or dachas, with matte oak floors, wood-panelled walls and faux-fur throws tossed on luxurious beds. Larger rooms come with sofas, some have furnished terraces, all have rainforest showers and Le Labo toiletries (with the hotel’s woody signature scent).

Best for partying and dining with the in-crowd

The staff wear Converse, the fittings are Starck and the suites are former BBC recording studios in this deluxe west London hotel. Rooms are designery but in a cool, understated way. They’re spacious too (the smallest is 23 square metres) and boast in-room tablets, handy smartphones and granite bathrooms with White Company toiletries. Don’t miss the spa – particularly the Snow Paradise cabin chilled to -15C and designed to complement the hot-cold therapy.

Best for cool

This City hotel is one of what's now a nine-strong Montcalm family, and it has all its siblings’ fizz-pop-bang features and then some. Russell Sage’s design is to the fore with statement copper-pipe lighting and silk-lined corridors, but it’s the little touches that make it exceptional: in-room Nespresso machines, Elemis and Hermès toiletries, a complimentary smartphone service with unlimited internet data and selected free local and international calls all add real value.

Best for design twists

No hotel in London is more English than the family-owned Goring; it’s where the Middleton family stayed before the royal wedding. Expect lots of chintz, mahogany and silk, together with genteel luxury: polite tent cards ask you not to use your smartphone or conduct business during afternoon tea. For a true ‘Downton Abbey’ experience, book a suite and the services of a footman are yours. Hide all twenty-first-century encumbrances in the safe and go back in time for a few days.

Best for traditional English luxury

Eschew modern styling and views for these four Georgian townhouses, named after eighteenth-century essayist William Hazlitt, and you won’t regret it. The flamboyance and exquisite attention to detail are spot-on, while the addition of modern luxuries like TVs (discreetly hidden away in antique cupboards, of course) makes for an elegant whole in the heart of Soho.

Best for aged atmos

The noisy exuberance of Soho is left firmly outside in this Firmdale hotel group favourite: tucked away in a mews, the place is wonderfully quiet, with what was once a car park now feeling like a converted loft building. Its big contemporary bedrooms are peaceful too, with nicely judged touches lifting the decor beyond bland.

Best for being at the heart of the action

No designer flash in the pan, the Sanderson remains a statement hotel, a Schrager-Starck creation that takes clinical bedroom chic to new heights. Colour is generally conspicuous by its absence: the design throughout is all flowing white net drapes, gleaming glass cabinets and retractable screens. The Long Bar sports fabulous cocktails and regular DJ nights.

Best for minimalism (with a bit of Prince chucked in)

The Treehouse Hotel prides itself on its plastic-free and sustainable mission – while providing a high-end stay in the heart of central London. This whopper of a 95-room hotel is located just off Regent's Street, mere steps away from the wilderness of Oxford Circus. Unique amenities include complimentary toiletries and niceties, quirky decor such as magic 8 balls and cuckoo clocks and super modern bathrooms, complete with rainfall showers. Top up your in-room glass water bottle from one of the many filtered water dispensers along the corridors before heading up – or down – to dinner and one of the three on-site venues.

Best for rooftop drinks in the rainforest
Time Out tip: Dine at Monza Pizzeria and chat with Francesco – he'll make your evening something to remember. 

Set in a 13-storey building formerly called The Matrix, this hotel next to Aldgate tube station has two restaurants, a bar and 1,600 square feet of meeting space. The hotel features 267 guest rooms and suites, a rooftop bar, and a fitness centre. The hotel brings two popular restaurant concepts from west to east London for the first time, with the opening of Shikumen and VQ (Vingt-Quatre).

Best for a touch of west London in east London

Tucked into one of Notting Hill’s residential streets, you’ll notice it by its outdoor terrace, which is lovely in summer but equally as lovely in winter, with little heaters and cubby holes. Staff are friendly and the entrance is unassuming, with a sweet small restaurant area to the right and a cosy area to the left. This cosy affair continues in the rooms: Torres truffle crisps, mini bottles of prosecco and hand-labelled bath salts that look like they’re out of Alice and Wonderland. And sure, it’s got ridiculously high ceilings, a fluffy bed and a Nespresso machine, but the special part is the shelves lined with vintage penguin books – Brontës and Hemingways – and the little cubby corner with cosy armchairs looking out onto the street. Thoughtful details. That's its thing.

Time Out tip: Go for a proper Guinness at Notting Hill's classic gastropub The Cow, which also happens to do great food; think oysters, crab tarts, goat's cheese salad and handmade pasta.

This addition to the five-star Courthouse family brings the elegant Old Street Magistrates Court bang up to date with modern must-haves like a rooftop bar, spa, pool, 196-seat cinema and bowling alley. But its USP lies in the space and its history; to imagine former ‘guests’ like Joe Orton and the Krays in one of the the original courtrooms (now the main casual fine-dining restaurant and an ultra-exclusive members’ bar), or indeed in one of the five cells pressed into service as bar booths, really is special.

Best for aberrant behaviour

Close to the Tower of London, this is one of the newest low-budget high-design hotels to hit London. Stylish rooms with rainfall showers are affordable, and include organic breakfast, free wi-fi, and early check-in plus late checkout. Work or relax over cocktails in the modern café-bar, with Chesterfield-style sofas and a fire.

Best for budget designerisms

London’s hotel scene is stuffed with some top-notch quintessential Englishness, but few places can lay claim to being the watering hole of James Bond creator Ian Fleming and (some say) the home of the world’s best martini. Beyond Dukes’s bar, chic understated rooms feature regal purple and gold accents and manly (but lovely) marble bathrooms. The Cigar and Cognac Garden is the place to head for a post-dinner puff (though only of cigars purchased from the hotel).

Best for a martini followed by a fine cigar

There’s a refreshing lack of attitude at this Clerkenwell joint, where staff are friendly and the eco-credentials impressive (this hotel owns its very own borehole allowing self-sufficiency in terms of water supply). Rooms feature walk-in showers with The White Company smellies, and some even have private rooftops overlooking the London skyline – the perfect spot for a soak in the claw-foot rooftop tub. The Zetter group also boasts the Zetter Townhouse Clerkenwell across St John’s Square and The Zetter Townhouse Marylebone. Both are also worth checking out.

Best for cycling

Famous for its low rates, the Hoxton also deserves credit for well-thought-out rooms. Sure, they’re on the small side and weekend rates can be high, but hey, you’re in the heart of Shoreditch, at one of the hippest hotels in the city, in one of the hippest cities in the world. And if you come on a Sunday you can enjoy all that hipness for a little less, including breakfast. Hip hip hooray!

Best for affordable Shoreditch

The Corinthia’s conversion from government offices to grand hotel takes in an expansive lobby complete with central dome, dark wood and silk-covered walls in the high-spec rooms and luxurious bathrooms with pool-like oval baths, all done with a light, modern touch that avoids self-importance or stuffiness. The Espa spa and subterranean pools (with jacuzzi, steam room, sauna and hot seats) form a complex over two floors.

Best for a stroll to Downing Street

If you're looking for a budget-friendly stay in central London, the Lime Tree Hotel is the place for you. Located just off the 'prettiest street in London', this boutique Belgravia hotel presents 26 rooms in an eclectic style of old-school country and worldly delights. The double bedroom offers a surprise ensuite – you'll need to look beyond the bookcase wallpaper to find it – that offers sustainable locally-produced toiletries and a fabulous shower. The bed will have you drifting off to la-la-land in no time, before rising for a stellar breakfast at the on-site brunching spot; The Buttery. Try the salmon and eggs; it's magic.

Best for country life in the city
Time Out tip: Grab coffee in the garden – you wouldn't know you're in London.

Soho House’s central London spot is a Grade II-listed, 1730s townhouse-turned-chic-hotel. Bedrooms, over four floors, run from full-size with early Georgian panelling and reclaimed oak floors to a sweet split-level ‘Broom Cupboard’ room. Whatever the size, all come with Apple TV and Bose iPod docks, as well as bathrooms with rainforest showers and Cowshed products. The atmosphere is that of a gentleman’s club: both low-key and luxurious.

Best for members’ club vibes

Kit Kemp’s Firmdale hotels are generally unaffordable to mere mortals, but this South Kensington gaff keeps prices lower and quality high, with bright, generously sized bedrooms that carry the Kemp trademark mix of bold and traditional. Best of all, there’s a large, tree-filled garden, with breakfast is served in a pretty conservatory.

Best for affordable luxe

André Balazs, the man behind the celeb-friendly Chateau Marmont in LA and New York’s Mercer, has a gift for creating exclusive hotels with incredible buzz, and did exactly that with this former fire station, whose lovely red-brick exterior is matched inside by sumptuous colours and design that marries restrained and imaginative beautifully. If you plan to stay in one of the 26 refined suites and want to eat in, book well in advance for the celebrated restaurant – it’s still busy despite Nuno Mendes leaving for pastures new.

Best for food

A terrific addition to Kit Kemp’s Firmdale portfolio, this block-sized building was designed by John Nash, the architect of Regency London. Wow factors include the bling basement swimming pool and bar (shiny sofas, twinkly ceiling) and the central London location. Rooms are generously sized (as are the bathrooms), individually decorated and discreetly equipped with facilities, and there’s plenty of attention from the switched-on staff. The street-side bar and restaurant are top-notch and the breakfast is exquisite.

Best for hanging by the pool

Walking through the lime green doors to St Martin’s Lane feels a bit like entering a quirky modern art gallery. The decor isn’t for everyone, but it is unique. In the rooms, thankfully the decor is more understated, with white walls, crisp white bedding and plush beige leopard-print carpets. My suite was bright with an incredible vista of the London Eye, and panoramic windows covering two walls of the room. The best thing about staying in any hotel is taking a bath, and this had a tub big enough for a swim. The luxurious bed was incredibly comfortable and soft – a midday check-out made it the perfect excuse for a cheeky hurkle-durkle – and colour-changing neon lights in an alcove above the headboard were a fun addition. It could have all done with a little spruce up though, with visible age showing in the bathroom tiles and fixtures. 

Best for fragrant exercise sessions

Time Out tip: The hand sticking out of the wall in the foyer isn’t just another one of Starck’s decorative quirks. Shake it, and you’ll go through the door into the Blind Spot, a grown-up speakeasy serving up delicious, inventive cocktails. I’d recommend the Lille, France. 

Now a fine exponent of Kit Kemp’s much-imitated fusion of flowery English and avant garde, this gorgeous hotel was once a dental hospital. Public rooms have colourful murals and Bloomsbury Set paintings by the likes of Duncan Grant and Vanessa Bell, while bedrooms mix English understatement with bold flourishes and feature trademark polished granite and oak bathrooms. The Oscar restaurant and bar are classy and busy with a smart crowd of media and advertising folk.

Best for art fans

London’s first ME by Meliá is a deluxe beauty by Foster + Partners, modelled on the lines of the 1920s Marconi House next door but with resolutely modern styling – like the breathtaking nine-storey pyramid atrium and rooms featuring triangular windows with views on to Aldwych. The tenth-floor roof-terrace bar offers exceptional vistas. The Meliá White House near Regent’s Park has all the modern touches and style, but much cheaper rooms in a great 1930s apartment block.

Best for rooftop drinking

The decor behind the facades of these five Georgian houses is a mix of restrained country-house florals and intellectual sophistication that’s just right for Bloomsbury’s studious yet decadent history. The library and conservatory open on to a fragrant walled garden, where breakfast is served in summer.

Best for an alfresco start to your day

The rows of leafy trees standing sentinel outside soften the otherwise beautiful but imposing red-brick exterior of this classic Marylebone grand hotel, a worthy architectural peer to the likes of the Renaissance and Andaz Liverpool Street. It’s traditional through and through, with marble, gilt and glitz aplenty, and if the decor in the rooms is a little on the safe side, they’re as plush and comfortable as they come.

Best for Solid, understated excellence

In many ways, Nobu Portman Square is completely what you’d expect. In other ways, though, it’s refreshing – because although you’d not be too surprised to bump into Chloé Kardashian in the ladies’ loos, you swiftly learn that none of this is for show. Nobu’s not riding a wave of reputation at the expense of quality: Nobu is Nobu for a reason. And it’s a place us normal folk can enjoy too (even if only on special occasions), because it doesn’t feel snooty or intimidating. There’s no unnecessary extravagance and the staff seem genuienly happy to help. Of course, the brand’s globally-renowned lustre all harks back to its culinary history via the namesake chef Nobu Matsuhisa, so you’d be a fool to skip eating here. 

Time Out Tip: Book into one of Nobu’s world-leading pilates classes led by Marsha Lindsay. If you’re feeling like treating yourself, they even offer a ‘stretch and sushi’ package, where you can tuck into a fresh bento box to re-fuel right after your workout.

Moorgate is a bit of a cultural wasteland on weekends, and, depending on how you feel about finance bros and signet rings, maybe on weekdays too. 5* boutique hotel, South Place Hotel, is part of this facelift. Its name makes it sound like an arty Miami Beach transplant, and in some ways it is. The hotel hosts art residencies throughout the year, showcasing work from the likes of Real Hackney Dave. What South Place Hotel does well is inject a little fun into the Square Mile. It’s quirky and corporate, functional and flamboyant, the sort of place that’ll appeal to financial analysts who Excel by day and DJ by night: It’s Soho House for Big Four.

Time Out tip: Tuck into the magazine selection in your room. The latest issue of Vogue ain’t cheap.

Kitsch and fun, this well-located hotel has gimmicks aplenty – loft suites named after the heroines of psychedelic rock classics (Lucy, Lily, Jude, Ruby and Eleanor), private terraces, hammocks and even a suite with an eight-person outdoor hot-tub – but the real draw is its well-designed rooms for competitive prices. The bar’s lounge area is a good spot to relax, and travellers with pooches will love its dog-friendly touches, including beds, bowls and treats.

Best for canine-friendly psychedelia

With its abundance of exposed brickwork, cool bar and buzzing small-plates restaurant, Artist Residence is a little slice of Shoreditch in the sleepy-but-convenient environs of Pimlico. Part of a boutique chain (there are others in Brighton, Penzance and South Leigh in Oxfordshire), with only ten rooms, it offers good value as well as great fun. And it’s well positioned for central sights – the river, Westminster Abbey, Tate Britain – as well as Victoria station, which is a five-minute walk away.

Best for blitzing Zone 1 attractions

There aren’t too many first-class hotels around Lincoln’s Inn Fields, which is a shame as it’s just far enough away from Covent Garden to be a haven from the teeming masses – and the quiet courtyard outside this restored Edwardian mansion helps. Inside, contemporary design is mixed with original art-nouveau features in rooms with marble bathrooms, Nespresso coffee machine and Czech & Speake toiletries. The spa’s gorgeous too, but our favourite thing? The 200 single-malt whiskies on offer in the bar.

Best for whisky

Indian hotelier Lalit’s first London outpost is a stunner. There’s its setting for a start, in the grammar school where novelist Lawrence Durrell was a pupil, and the cost of the refurb (£50 million) for 70 rooms filled with high-end furnishings and fabrics like mother-of-pearl and silk. But what we’re most excited about is the Indian theme – from traditional English afternoon tea with a twist to Subcontinental dishes in the former school’s great hall and a basement spa offering Indian therapies.

Best for Indian summers

When it comes to finding a reliable hotel, Hilton knows what it’s doing. The international brand has brought its dependable reputation and warm service to Bankside in the form of this comfortable, sizable and well-designed place to stay, and the first thing you’ll notice is just how convenient the location is. Just three minutes away from the Tate Modern, the Hilton London Bankside lies within walking distance from Waterloo, Blackfriars and London Bridge Station. The decor in our King One Bedroom Suite was simple, with unembellished furniture and very little artwork, but its fuss-free design made it feel organised and roomy. While the hotel doesn’t scream ridiculous grandeur like lots of London’s five-star hotels, the luxury here is in the detail.

Time Out tip: The Hilton London Bankside is a stone’s throw from the Globe. This recreation of the Bard’s famous wooden ‘o’ is one of London’s most famous, and sometimes controversial, theatres, and standing tickets start from just £10.

A grand location in St James’s is the perfect setting for this oh-so-traditional grand hotel, set in a former banking hall. The feeling throughout is one of timeless elegance: muted tones, mahogany furniture and heavy fabrics keep everything quiet and calm, while Nespresso machines and Roberts iPod docks bring a touch of modernity. Don’t miss the Michelin-starred Wild Honey St James, headed up by the hugely talented Anthony Demetre.

Best for a weekend in the West End

From ornithological wallpapers and artworks to complimentary galactically-themed macarons, everything at the Ampersand plays heavily into the hotel’s neighbours. Its ‘science’ afternoon tea spectacularly involves making your own lemonade (with wacky test tubes and all) plus dry-ice and space-themed treats. Sure, this sort of stuff will no doubt be naff to anyone wanting a frilly, snooty sort of posh hotel; but it also makes everything a bit more fun, much less stuffy, and a lot more memorable. Beyond that, lots of the rest is solid. Rooms are decked out with nice stuff: vast, comfy beds, sizeable TVs, Malin + Goetz toiletries, a standalone bath (with full view of the telly), nifty, sleek desk and huge, glitzy headboard. There’s also a general sense of calm. Compared to the shoulder-to-shoulder hordes of tourists and children dawdling through South Ken, the Ampersand is refreshingly tranquil. 

Time Out tip: If you can afford a room at the Ampersand with a standalone bath, get one. Few things make you feel more glam than having a bath, glass of wine in hand, watching a film on a massive telly.

This Premier Inn’s position right by the London Eye, the Thames, Westminster Bridge and Waterloo station is a gift for out-of-towners on a bargain weekend break. Check-in is quick and easy, rooms are spacious, clean and warm, with free wi-fi and decent bathrooms featuring very good showers, and extra points are garnered for its friendly and efficient staff. Breakfast, a buffet-style affair in a comfortable dining room, is extra but provides ballast for the day. 

Best for the South Bank on the cheap

The Trafalgar is part of the Hilton chain of hotels, but the mood is young and dynamic, and it’s housed in the imposing edifice that was once the headquarters of the venerable Cunard Steamship Company. To the right of the open reception is the boisterous Rockwell Bar; breakfast downstairs is accompanied by gentler music. Its none-more-central location, however, is the hotel’s biggest draw.

Best for hitting the central sights
Time Out tip: Got a conference? Book one of the many event rooms on offer.

How do you make a lounge full of black and white contemporary furnishings seem cosy and welcoming? Hard to achieve, but the owners have succeeded at B+B Belgravia, which takes the B&B experience to a new level with a style that’s fresh and sophisticated without being hard-edged or too precious. A gleaming espresso machine provides 24/7 caffeine, and there’s a large (if somewhat gloomy) garden to sit in out the back.

Best for a caffeine fix

Wealthy American visitors make an annual pilgrimage here, their arrival greeted by their regular concierge, as English as roast beef, and a glass of sherry in the room. Yet amid the old-school luxury (butlers on 24-hour call) thrives inventive modernity (the resistance pool in the spa). Some rooms feature the inspired decor of South African owner Beatrice Tillman: Our favourite? The Safari suite, containing tent-like draperies and leopard-print upholstery.

Best for big-game hunting

San Domenico owes much of its tasteful, historic look to interior designer and one-time owner Sue Rogers, who transformed this former private residence into a boutique hotel masterpiece in which all the categories of guest room feature original furnishings or antiques. Royal portraits, Victorian mirrors and Empire-era travelling cases are complemented by fabrics of similar style and taste, offset by contemporary touches to bathrooms. The spacious bedrooms enjoy wide-angle views of London, and some have small balconies.

Best for individual style

This isn’t the only hotel in London to provide butlers, but to our knowledge it is the only one that offers ‘a secured gun cabinet room’ for the hunting season. This is traditional British hospitality for those who love stern portraits in the halls but all mod cons in their room, down to TVs and heated bidets in the en suite. Chef Hélène Darroze’s cuisine has won three AA Rosettes and two Michelin Stars, and the hotel’s modern wing houses a swanky spa and 60 square-metre swimming pool. But if that's not enough? Jean-Georges Vongerichten has recently opened up Jean-Georges at The Connaught – further adding to the serious culinary appeal here.  

Best for small-game hunting

The mini-chain’s second London hotel (the first is at nearby Seething Lane), shares the virtues of the first, with obliging service, crisply designed rooms (most with balconies) with colourful decor and all mod cons, and quirky but appealing touches, like free local calls, jelly beans and internet, and an iron and kettle in the room. More traditional facilities like a gym and well-priced breakfast menu add to the appeal, and prices are decent for the City location.

Best for chatterboxes

Right beside the ExCeL convention centre, Aloft, from the swanky W chain, is refreshingly original. Service is winningly low-key and rooms nicely finished, including a remote keyboard to operate the telly, free wi-fi, and a decently appointed wet room. Your room card also gets you into the pool and fitness centre, which includes a steam room and sauna. A new opening in Tobacco Dock is due in 2023.

Best for unconventional conventions

The futuristic decor might seem a little incongruous on a street of terraced properties, but once inside it’s all royal blue curtains, aluminium panelling and illuminated glassware that looks like something out of the Starship Enterprise. All rooms are clean and well-appointed, with en suite pod bathrooms, but for a little more space and privacy try Stylosuites, which are just around the corner above a pub.

Best for stylish metal

The 39 masculine rooms at this Grade II-listed Georgian townhouse near Westminster are a gadget fan’s dream: there’s underfloor heating in the bathroom, while lighting and curtains are all operated by finger-tip control pads. Our favourite feature? The one that turns the ‘smart glass’ of the bathroom walls opaque for privacy. Oh, and no kids under 13.

Best for gadgets

Formerly the Qbic Hotel, the Corner offers sleek Scandi style and great savings from this Dutch hotel firm. Qbic, based in Amsterdam and Aldgate East, design their rooms on the 'cubi' concept, so each room is like a self-contained little cube. A stay here comes with a bed (obvs), flat screen telly, USB ports, and an en suite. There's an elegant cafe/bar downstairs, but given the hotel's proximity to Shoreditch, you'll have your pick of some of the best food and drink options in the city.

Best for the feel-good factor
Time Out tip: Stroll down to Brick Lane for a famous Biegel.

The central feature of the Hub’s concept, courtesy of budget chain Premier Inn, is an app that controls everything from booking and checking in, to basic room controls and even a guide to the local area. The air-conditioned rooms, with Hypnos beds and wi-fi, are small but well designed, and keenly priced for their locations – along with this one, there are branches at Brick Lane, Goodge St, Tower Bridge, Soho, King’s Cross and Westminster, all with rooms starting at very competitive prices.

Best for a budget break

Two grand Victorian South Kensington townhouses make up this wonderfully OTT fin-de-siècle period piece, founded by descendants of Captain Cook. Bedrooms all have fantastic nineteenth-century carved-oak beds, and the suites are spectacular – ‘Wizard of Oz’ fans should plump for the Judy Garland room with her old bed (and replica ruby slippers).

Best for drama

Here at the Grange Langham, you’re more likely to bump into savvy overnighting visitors than celebs being put up at the more famous Langham, but the striking Grange Langham Court is much more affordable than its more famous namesake, so it’s perfect for a weekend of shopping and sightseeing. The 56 modern, airy rooms feature free Wi-Fi, luxury marble and granite bathrooms, there’s a stylish French brasserie, and the distinctive black and white exterior makes it very easy to find.

Best for clever booking

A luxury hotel with a boutique feel, the May Fair is colourful, excessive and a cut above the safe design directions that some five-star hotels take. Lush tones and sumptuous fabrics are the order of the day here, in both public spaces, like the indoor May Fair terrace, and through to the rooms, which include an entertainment system with a choice of music and movies.

Best for interior design

This family-run hotel has José Raido to thank for its attractive and original craftsmanship. He’s responsible for the brightly coloured décor and he made the bedframes himself. A good breakfast is included in some rooms and there’s an honesty bar too, not to mention plenty of local buzzing options to whet your appetite.

Best for south London exploration

The sprightly offspring of the venerable Dorchester, which it faces across a twinkly-treed forecourt, has translated the famously high standards of its parent into buzzier, boutiquier form. A personal host is sharply suited in grey, you can borrow folding bikes, and rooms come with considered touches such as a yoga mat, designer glassware and an in-safe electrical outlet. Technology is state of the art, with TVs embedded in the bathroom mirror (so that you can watch from the giant marble bath); and touchscreens controlling room functions electronically.

Best for bathtime viewings of ‘Strictly’

This small, fashionable townhouse hotel fills a couple of Grade II-listed Georgian residences with sharply appointed rooms graded according to size. All have a cool and trendy look, with cafetières and ground coffee as well as TVs. The decision to combine the bar and reception desk (situated at the back of the house) means you can get a drink at any time and retire to the graciously modern lounge. Service is at once sharp and very obliging.

Best for visits to the Wallace Collection

In 2007 the red-brick Great Eastern became the first of Hyatt’s new Andaz portfolio, bringing in down-to-earth, well-informed service and eco-friendliness in an affordable but upscale space. The bedrooms wear style-magazine uniform – Eames chairs, Frette linens – but free services (local calls, healthy minibar) are an appreciated touch. Food and drink options include a traditional pub and British nosh at the 1901 restaurant, set in a magnificent former ballroom with a stained-glass dome. The the cinema – set in the basement masonic temple, a feature of the original hotel – appropriately favours horror movies.

Best for a Halloween weekend

The foyer of this London Dorsett (there’s another in the City) has serious wow factor, soaring up as it does through the hotel’s eight storeys with rich wooden wraparound balconies creating a warm but impressive introduction. Beyond it, 317 rooms mix modern architecture and design with original art deco features of this Grade II-listed former cinema overlooking Shepherd’s Bush.

Best for architecture

The Sumner’s cool, deluxe looks have earned it many fans, not least in the hospitality industry, where it’s won a number of awards. You’ll understand why when you get here: from the soft dove and slatey greys of the lounge and halls you move up to glossily spacious accommodation with brilliant, huge showers. The breakfast room has vibrant Arne Jacobsen chairs and the stylishly moody front sitting room is a cosy gem.

Best for kicking back and meditating
Time Out tip: Wave hello to the Royals as Buckingham Palace is a five-minute walk away.

An affordable hotel with tons of charm in the heart of Bloomsbury, the perkily styled Harlingford has light, airy rooms with boutique aspirations. The decor is lifted from understated sleek to quirky with the help of vibrant splashes from coloured glass bathroom fittings and mosaic tiles, creating something of a Scandinavian feel. The crescent it’s set in has a private garden where you can knock a tennis ball about by day or just dream under the trees on a summer’s night.

Best for a central London picnic

Check in at the handsome attached boozer before heading to the separate front entrance for the hotel and a handful of well-appointed, atmospheric and surprisingly luxurious rooms. All are different, but the high-spec facilities (big TVs, drench showers) and quirky attention to detail (bottles of ale in the minibar) are common to all. Expect some noise in the early mornings as the traders roll in, but the proximity to the historic Smithfield meat market also means a feisty pub fry-up in the morning.

Best for eye-popping Instagrams of meat

The Portobello has hosted the likes of Johnny Depp, Kate Moss and Alice Cooper (who used his bath tub to house a boa constrictor) over the last half-century, but it’s a pleasingly unpretentious place, with a more civilised demeanour than its legend might suggest. The rooms are themed – the superb basement Japanese Water Garden, for example, has an elaborate spa bath, its own private grotto and a small private garden – but all are stylishly equipped.

Best for slebby idiosyncrasy

This Bayswater cutie is modern, modish and moderately priced for the area. The lobby and lounge are slick and glamorous, and the rooms low-key with some vibrant, twirly Eastern influences. Some of the larger family rooms retain their elaborate period pillars and cornices. The bathrooms are a symphony in marble; the huge showers have deluge heads. There’s a pleasant little patio, upstairs at the back, for morning coffee and evening drinks.

Best for enjoying Little Venice

Step into the hall or comfortably furnished sitting room of this imposing townhouse and it feels like the gracious home of a slightly dotty uncle, with decor in the public spaces comprising colonial swords and historic prints. Each room has its own style – from cool contemporary lines to a softer, more homely feel – and all are well equipped with appliances. The pretty garden with its fountain and heady scent of jasmine is a shady stunner.

Best for eating in (or outside)

Formerly knowns as the Tune chain and with six London locations – Shoreditch, King’s Cross, Paddington, Westminster, Canary Wharf and Liverpool Street – the Point A chain is convenient as well as cheap (from £65, possibly without a window). Though perhaps not as stylish as the Qbic, Z or Hub, the no-frills air-conditioned rooms feature Hypnos beds, power showers and free wi-fi.

Best for great budget convenience

Choosing the best romantic hotels in London was never going to be an easy task. We defy anyone to walk across Waterloo Bridge with your beloved by your side and not feel your heart glowing. The city really is one of the best places on earth to be loved up, especially if you pick a hotel where there’s champagne on arrival, breakfast is served in bed and the views will make your hearts soar.