LONDON'S BEST LUXURY HOTELS

MG
Aug 17
8 min read

Updated: Aug 18

The capital's finest places to lay your head, as nominated by our readers in the Time Well Spent Awards

Our readers have nominated London's finest luxury hotels for this year's Time Well Spent Awards.

From glamorous, old school stalwarts, to fashionable new destinations, the lowdown on the pick of the capital's sophisticated crop is below.

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Claridge’s

Mayfair

The Art Deco splendour of Claridge’s has been a symbol of wealth and elegance in Mayfair since the late 1800s - no mean feat in a city that chews up hospitality destinations with alarming regularity.

So, what is it that has kept Claridge’s at the top of the tree? Well, it’s never tried to be fashionable, which somehow, has always made it a bit fashionable. It’s London glamour done the ‘old way’ - attentive service, wonderful f&b offerings and, naturally, beautiful decor with well appointed rooms and suites.

It’s been a go-to for Royalty, A-list celebrities and important businesspeople for centuries, but Claridge’s never rests on its laurels, always striving to improve its offering and remain one of London’s most luxurious hotels.

Claridge's Brook St, London W1K 4HR

Raffles London at the OWO

Whitehall

Having made its name in Singapore as a destination with unrivalled standards in services and accommodation, it wasn’t until 2023 when the hallowed name first appeared on a London building. But it was worth the wait, and what a building they chose. The OWO (Old War Office) on Whitehall was previously the heart of Britain’s military, positioned within a stone’s throw of Downing Street and the Palace of Westminster. For the record, we don’t recommend throwing stones at either building.

Raffles London at the OWO is as luxurious as you’d expect, with corner suites costing around £5,000 per night. If that sounds pricey, one of the 85 private Raffles residences in the same building sold for £45m.

Three on-site restaurants were opened in 2023 by three Michelin-star chef Mauro Colagreco and deep down in the basment, there’s a swimming pool, wellbeing suite and spa.

Raffles London at the OWO Old War Office Building, 57 Whitehall, London SW1A 2BX

The Sanderson

Fitzrovia

The Sanderson is our kind of luxury hotel. There’s no intimidating atmosphere when you stroll into the lobby which, like the rest of the venue, is festooned with colourful modern art. In fact, there’s a playfulness to the whole place that seems at odds with its lux offering. The regularly changing afternoon teas are famous, taking on themes including the current Mad Hatters Afternoon Tea, and the Long Bar remains buzzy long into the early hours.

The bedroom decor here is modern and minimalist - expect a lot of white, which is a rest for the senses after the fabulously colourful onslaught elsewhere in the building - but with balconies overlooking the city, an extraordinary spa and gorgeously presented bathrooms, we guarantee you’ll not want to leave.

The Sanderson 50 Berners Street, Fitzrovia, London W1T 3N

The Ham Yard

Soho

One of London’s relative newcomers, The Ham Yard is the place you’ll want to spend an afternoon, even if you can’t afford one of the rooms. Its tree-filled courtyard is a stunning haven away from the hustle and bustle of nearby Soho, and the bar and restaurant serve up some of the finest modern European food and cocktails in the city.

The Ham Yard has positioned itself as the entertainment hotel du jour, with a beautiful screening room playing host to premieres, early screenings and launch parties, which has helped the hotel to become a regular bolthole for stars of stage and screen. There’s also a full bowling alley downstairs, confirming Ham Yard’s place as the hip, fun place to stay if you’re in the city.

Ham Yard One Ham Yard, Westminster, London W1D 7DT

Sea Containers

South Bank

There aren’t many hotels in London with views like Sea Containers. Perched on the edge of the Thames, it enjoys a vantage point across the city, taking in Big Ben, St. Paul’s, The City and the London Eye.

Inside, it’s a modern mix of styles that shouldn’t work, but really do. For the most part, it’s sleek, modern and minimalist, with bars like the 12th Knot cocktail bar looking like a futuristic nightclub and one of London's most Instagrammable spas. But return to your room and you might find modern minimalism or old-time charm that nods to the hotel’s seafaring theme. The Cabin Suites in particular, boast oak panels, leather armchairs and vintage furniture to give the impression of an old ocean liner.

Sea Containers 20 Upper Ground, London SE1 9PD

The Standard

King's Cross

The Standard became… well, the standard for rock ’n’ rollers passing through Los Angeles over the past few decades, earning a reputation as the naughty late night destination on a road that already housed the Chateau Marmont, Rainbow Bar & Grill, and Viper Rooms.

Its London venture - the first outside the USA - has maintained the laid-back, Los Angeles vibe that so many London hotels strive for. While there are more affordable options for an overnight stay (Single and Cosy Core rooms offer the basics in a stylish setting), the Suite Terrace is where it’s at for the big spenders: A huge bed, lounge area and a wraparound terrace offering views of the beautiful Neo-Gothic station across the road.

But the facilities are where it’s at when you visit The Standard. Head to The Rooftop for pizza and bubbles in the sunshine; glut cocktails at Sweeties bar; eat Michelin-starred Mexican food at Decimo; keep it simple with beers at Double Standard; go for seasonal, light dishes amidst the greenery of Isla and its garden terrace or bury your head in a book in the hotel's fully stocked library. Oh, and did we mention it has a radio studio that doubles up as a performance space?

There’s also a gym, because there’s nothing more LA than quaffing cocktails but still needing a solid six-pack.

The Standard 10 Argyle Street, London, WC1H 8EG

Chateau Denmark

Soho

Not long ago, Denmark Street was London's musical mecca, a place where up-and-coming bands would buy their first guitars and established acts would record, hang out and visit their offices. It was here that artistic duo Hipgnosis created Pink Floyd's iconic album covers; where Hendrix and Bowie would hang out and discuss guitars with the experts in the litany of music shops; where the Rolling Stones recorded; where the Sex Pistols lived; and it was here that music magazines NME and Melody Maker started out. 'Tin Pan Alley' as it's known, is very different these days, but Chateau Denmark is a welcome addition.

A room here isn't your average London experience. The decor mixes gothic with psychedelica - perhaps a nod to the many music genres that have touched this short, historic street - and while every room is different, you'll get a butler, high-end speakers for your music and a balcony.

Any good rock 'n' roll hotel needs a good bar, and Chateau Denmark has two: Thirteen and Dial8. Both are sumptuously decorated, with moody velvet and leather, bathed in low lighting, and serving Japanese bites and award-winning cocktails.

Chateau Denmark Denmark St, London WC2H 0LA

The Dorchester

Park Lane

The Dorchester is a stalwart of the London hotel scene, having opened way back in 1931. It's stood firm through world wars and recessions. It has seen no less than five Monarchs (and welcomed a few of them through its doors), and various wealthy owners, but it's always been The Dorchester.

It's crazy to think a hotel that existed before instant coffee could still be sitting at the top of the pile, but this little corner of Hyde Park Lane has become synonymous with timeless glamour.

It's had its makeovers, of course, but the 30s charm still remains. The liveried doormen still feel like a throwback to time of yore, but it's the service that sets The Dorchester apart - nothing is too much trouble here, whether you're dining in one of the five restaurants, drinking at one of three bars, relaxing in the spa or staying in one of the roughly 250 rooms.

The three-Michelin starred restaurant, Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester, has lived on site for two decades and Cantonese fayre has been served at China Tang for even longer - this is a hotel that knows what its customers want, and isn't in a rush to change things up for the sake of being fashionable.

At £900 for the cheapest rooms and extra for breakfast, The Dorchester isn't a cheap overnight stay, but that's not what you're here for. After all, it's The Dorchester.

The Dorchester 53 Park Ln, London W1K 1QA

The Peninsula

Belgravia

If you're looking for a little bit of excess, consider this: The owner of The Peninsula likes cars and planes, so when you enter the bar on the top floor, you'll walk under the nose of a Concorde plane, which is pointed in a specific direction as instructed by a Feng Shui master. You'll then stroll past a 1933 Napier Railton motor vehicle, before stepping in to a lift styled like a hot air balloon basket. Yep, that's the Bond-villain levels of wealth we're talking about here. But we're all for a bit of playfulness when it comes to spending, and The Peninsula provides 5-star service without the stuffiness so often associated with high-end hotels.

Boasting views over the Wellington Arch, this central bolthole is perfect for those wanting to explore the city, though with six bars and restaurants and a wellness centre, swimming pool and fitness suite on site, we'd completely understand if you never wanted to leave.

The Peninsula 1 Grosvenor Place, London SW1X 7HJ

art'otel

Battersea

As the name suggests, it's packed full of art, with every wall space, shelf and drape featuring work by a cultural icon. As you can imagine, that makes for a pretty bold and colourful venue.

Then there's the roof terrace, of course, which is a work of art itself. Overlooking Battersea Power Station and far beyond, the terrace, with Joia bar and swimming pool, it's one of the finest our capital has to offer.

There's also a Pizza and Chichetti Bar; a food-centric version of Joia's Portugese offering; and a Tozi Bar downstairs, plus a well equipped Wellness Centre. The Jamie Hayon-designed Masterpiece Suite is the room to opt for if you're splashing the cash. It offers views over London and those iconic brick chimneys of the power station, which you'll be able to enjoy from the comfort (or discomfort) of your own Peloton bike.

art'otel 1 Electric Boulevard, London SW11 8BJ

London Edition

Fitzrovia

The London Edition started out life as five townhouses in the heart of Fitzrovia, which were all promptlly bundled together to form the Berners Hotel. When it was threatened with closure, John Betjeman - he of Slough-bashing fame - lent his voice to a campaign to have the building listed.

More recently, it was taken over by the Edition group, who tasked Canadian firm Yabu Pushelberg with transforming it into the Edwardian-style beauty you see today.

It's a hotel that built its reputation on its excellent f&b offering, with Michelin-starred Jason Atherton drawing in well-heeled customers from far and wide. But there's luxury on display all over the London Edition, from the slick service to the high-end events held at the hotel on a regular basis.

The London Edition might slip under the radar compared to some of its more fame-hungry contemporaries, but it's a young, friendly and super-luxe hotel that's worth a visit.

London Edition 10 Berners Street, London, London W1T 3NP