When you mention London, the word “grand” immediately comes to mind. This regal and opulent capital city is renowned for its majestic hotels, and rightfully so. It boasts one of the world’s most impressive collections of luxurious and stately establishments. Yet, if you venture beyond the usual upscale suspects, you’ll discover a city bursting with innovative boutique hotels. This is a place where the English elements take centre stage, whether it’s the quirky feature of bathrooms hidden behind bookcases, Union Jack flags adorning the rooms, or creative room categories like “Tiny” and “Bigger.” You might even find your room key discreetly concealed within what you initially thought was a book, a nod to London’s rich literary tradition.
It’s within the boutique hotel scene that much of London’s innovation in hospitality is taking place. These hotels offer not only exceptional accommodations but also house celebrity-favoured restaurants, vegan tasting menus, even rooftop yoga sessions and so many more ‘weird’ and ‘quirky’ things. What’s more, hoteliers from around the world, including Japan, Hong Kong, Paris, and Berlin, have brought their unique styles to London, adding a delightful international flavour to the city’s vibrant hospitality landscape. Sometimes, you’ll receive room service from renowned chef Gordon Ramsay (Don’t count on this!), while on other occasions, you might indulge in a plate of mince and potatoes, a quintessentially English delight that feels straight out of a Dickens novel, Delicious! From opulent Georgian townhouses to LA-style rooftop settings, London’s boutique hotels offer an ever-changing and diverse experience, reflecting the city’s multicultural essence.
These boutique hotels in London cater to various budgets, ranging from affordable to luxury, and offer a wide range of room sizes, from cozy to spacious and homey. Here are our top 15 picks for the best boutique hotels in London:
1. Amano Covent Garden
Address: Drury House, 34-43 Russell St, London WC2B 5HA
Located in Covent Garden, this former office block was transformed into a cosmopolitan boutique hotel. It’s the first Amano hotel outside of Germany. The hotel boasts a vibrant basement bar, a restaurant that combines Israeli and Spanish cuisine, and a seventh-floor rooftop bar with panoramic views. The rooms are elegantly simple yet exhibit a touch of exhibitionism, especially the “Goldy” corner rooms with glittering golden bathtubs.
The vibe: Step back in time
Location: Soho
Top amenities: Sir Godfrey, the house cat
Best for: Living London’s history
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2. Page8
Address: 8 St. Martin’s Pl, London WC2N 4JH
Situated near Trafalgar Square, Page 8 is a taste of Hong Kong in the heart of London. It offers a craft coffee bar with glass walls overlooking the city’s bustling energy. During the summer, guests can enjoy rooftop activities such as candle-making classes and yoga sessions. The rooms are stylish, featuring chrome and royal blue color palettes, with minibars stocked daily, and all rooms come with Marshall speakers and bathroom amenities from the Australian brand Appelles.
The vibe: Calm in the storm
Location: Trafalgar Square
Top amenities: Rooftop terrace overlooking Trafalgar Square
Best for: Central London sightseeing
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3. The Prince Akatoki
Address: 50 Great Cumberland Pl, Marble Arch, London W1H 7FD
The Prince Akatoki, located just blocks away from Oxford Street and Marble Arch, brings a touch of Japanese hospitality to central London. With its peaceful and tranquil rooms, it’s an oasis amidst the hustle and bustle of the city. The hotel features a whiskey-specialist bar and a restaurant with a Japanese twist on local ingredients.
The vibe: Japanese calm
Location: Marylebone
Top amenities: Turndown tea
Best for: A meditative take on London
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4. The Adria
Address: 88 Queen’s Gate, South Kensington, London SW7 5AB
For those seeking an old English vibe, The Adria is the perfect choice. The hotel’s decor is steeped in tradition, with butlers to greet you, armchair check-in, and keys hidden within specially carved books. The rooms are named after quintessentially English places and events, and the bathrooms are clad in marble. While there’s no on-site restaurant, the hotel collaborates with nearby dining establishments like Gordon Ramsay and Nobu for in-room dining.
The vibe: Elite townhouse
Location: South Kensington
Top amenities: TVs over the baths in the suite
Best for: Pretending you’re in The Crown
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5. The Goring
Address: 15 Beeston Pl, London SW1W 0JW
Located near Buckingham Palace, The Goring is a beloved boutique hotel with a royal history. The hotel, owned and operated by the same family that opened it, offers an intimate and attentive experience with just 69 rooms. The rooms are beautifully decorated with silk wall coverings, and the marble-swathed bathrooms are stocked with luxurious Asprey amenities. The hotel’s garden is one of the largest in London.
The vibe: Regal
Location: Belgravia
Top amenities: One of London’s biggest private gardens
Best for: Seeing the royal sites
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6. The Soho Hotel
Address: Soho Hotel, 4 Richmond Mews, London W1D 3DH
A property by designer Kit Kemp, The Soho Hotel stands in the middle of lively Soho but offers a quiet retreat down a peaceful alleyway. The hotel features 96 rooms with warehouse-style windows and quirky, print-heavy designs. The Refuel bar and restaurant serve modern British cuisine and host screening events in the basement.
The vibe: Creatives ahoy
Location: Soho
Top Amenities: Basement screening room
Best for: A taste of London’s cultural scene
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7. Batty Langley’s
Address: 12 Folgate St, London E1 6BX
Nestled in East London near Spitalfields Market, Batty Langley’s transports you back to the 18th century with its individually designed rooms. While they have a period style, they offer modern touches, such as toilets hidden behind bookshelves and period-style portraits. The lounge has an honesty bar, and guests can browse thousands of books in the library.
The vibe: Vintage East End
Location: East London
Top amenities: The calm courtyard
Best for: City of London meetings and East London’s nightlife
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8. Number 16
Address: 16 Sumner Pl, South Kensington, London SW7 3EG
Among Kit Kemp’s townhouse hotels, Number 16 is the coziest. This collection of four Victorian houses near South Kensington Tube station provides a real home away from home. The 41 bedrooms have playful patterns, bright colors, and custom-made furnishings. The hotel also has a peaceful garden, and guests can enjoy meals in The Orangery.
The vibe: Genteel home away from home
Location: South Kensington
Top amenities: The idyllic private garden
Best for: A quiet retreat from the city
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9. Henrietta Hotel
Address: 14-15 Henrietta St, London WC2E 8PS
Part of the Experimental Group, Henrietta offers a stylish and French-inspired experience. The hotel features a restaurant run by the Italian Supper Club, serving regional dishes and wines from Italy’s Tyrrhenian coast. The rooms are spacious and whimsically decorated, with unique details like marble skirting boards and cocktail recipe books.
The vibe: French chic
Location: Covent Garde
Top amenities: In-room cocktail recipes
Best for: A girls’ night out
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10. The Zetter Townhouse Clerkenwell
Address: 49-50 St John’s Sq, London EC1V 4JJ
In Clerkenwell, the Zetter Townhouse offers a rich blend of Victorian eccentricity, creating an urban den with genuine warmth. With only 13 rooms and no check-in desk, it provides an intimate experience. The decor is quintessentially British, featuring Union Jack flags and a nod to the area’s historic distilleries.
The vibe: English eccentricity
Location: Clerkenwell
Top amenities: The award-winning cocktail bar
Best for: Those in the know
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Embark on a journey through the heart of London’s boutique hotels, where each establishment tells a unique story beyond the city’s typical grandeur. From hidden bathrooms and discreetly placed room keys to celebrity-frequented restaurants and rooftop yoga sessions, these hotels capture the essence of a multicultural metropolis. Whether it’s the historic charm of Amano Covent Garden, the Hong Kong vibes at Page8, or the Japanese tranquility of The Prince Akatoki, each hotel offers a distinct narrative. The old English allure of The Adria, the regal history near Buckingham Palace at The Goring, and the creative haven of The Soho Hotel showcase the city’s diverse soul. Let Bellhopp be your trusted companion, ensuring your London adventure is as extraordinary as the city itself. Book now with Bellhopp and make every moment a chapter worth remembering.
