It’s easy to set our sights on far-off places and exotic locations when we think of luxury hotels. We often forget that London itself is home to a plethora of some of the world’s most exclusive getaways and they are all right on our doorstep. Whether it’s a trademark hospitality brand delivering timeless service or an edgy newcomer looking to put its spin on modern luxury, travel writer Ina Yulo has hand-picked the capital’s top hotels to check in to for a luxurious London staycation.
The Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park
After undergoing a multi-million-pound renovation project, the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park has unveiled newly-designed suites and penthouses by Joyce Wang and improvements to the spa and restaurants by Tihany Designs. Its prime location between the lively Knightsbridge neighbourhood and iconic Hyde Park gives guests the perfect balance of calm and convenience. Treat yourself to a 1920s Afternoon Tea or step into the shoes of one of the hotel’s famous guests with the Stay Like Sir Winston Churchill package, which includes the former statesman’s favourite Pol Roger Champagne, two chocolate cigars, and a couple of “Virtues and Vices” cocktails at the Mandarin Bar.
Address: 66 Knightsbridge, London SW1X 7LA
Phone: 020 7235 2000
Website: mandarinoriental.com/london/hyde-park/luxury-hotel
The Portobello Hotel
Nestled in the heart of London’s bohemian neighbourhood is the eclectic Portobello Hotel. Two converted neo-classical mansions were brought together to create a “chocolate box” of 21 unique bedrooms. Each bedroom benefits from complimentary WiFi, continental breakfast, Belu water, and Green & Spring bath products, and exudes its own distinct character and charm. Signature rooms feature a choice of a canopy, royal four poster, or circular bed, whilst the Roomy bedrooms have pops of vibrant colours and private patios on the lower ground floor. After a long day hunting for antique finds in the nearby Portobello Market, guests are invited to take a breather in the Sitting Room as they look over the private gardens and help themselves to a drink from the Honesty Bar.
Address: 22 Stanley Gardens, Notting Hill, London W11 2NG
Phone: 020 7727 2777
Website: portobellohotel.com
InterContinental London Park Lane
Situated at 145 Picadilly, the site of the Queen’s former childhood home, you will be hard-pressed to find a more iconic address than that of the InterContinental London Park Lane. Whether it’s business or pleasure that you seek, when it comes to living the suite life, the award-winning 5-star luxury hotel is ahead of the pack. With 60 exclusive suites, and 8 in its Signature Suite collection, guests are spoilt for choice with options that feature private lifts, floor-to-ceiling windows, stately dining areas, and panoramic views over the Royal Parks. For a gastronomic experience that Her Majesty would be proud of, modern Mexican restaurant Ella Canta and award-wining Italian restaurant Theo Randall at the InterContinental are sure to deliver.
Address: One Hamilton Place, Park Lane, Mayfair, London W1J 7QY
Phone: 020 7409 3131
Website: parklane.intercontinental.com
Rosewood London
With an ideal location in between the City and the West End, Rosewood London’s opening in 2013 marked the first European outpost for the Rosewood Hotel & Resorts group. The Edwardian Belle Époque building underwent an expansive renovation to bring the Grade II-listed street frontage and dome, grand Pavonazzo marble staircase, and other stunning architectural features back to their original splendour. 262 rooms and 44 suites provide guests with an urban sanctuary after visits to nearby galleries, theatres, and museums. The Signature Suites, known as “houses”, bring all the benefits of a stylish London residence, including personalised butler service. The Grand Manor House Wing is accessible via a private street entrance, has seven bedrooms, a circular soaking tub made from Carrera marble, and holds the title of being the only suite in the world with its own postcode.
Address: 252 High Holborn, Holborn, London WC1V 7EN
Phone: 020 7781 8888
Website: rosewoodhotels.com/en/london
The Curtain
There is no better place to set your artistic mind free than at The Curtain in Shoreditch. A hub for East London’s creative community, the members’ club and hotel is brimming with community-led activities and amenities that focus on collaboration and networking. Rooms take warehouse living to a whole other level with in-room steam showers, marble bathrooms, and king-size beds that rival any stylish Manhattan abode. The hotel is home to a late-night live music venue, a Design Studio with a co-working space and stylish boardroom, a 24-hour fitness centre with Peloton spinning bikes, an all-season heated rooftop pool, an underground spa and treatment zone, and a variety of drinking and dining options. Be one with nature at the Imperial indoor garden with an all-day menu, sample soul food master Marcus Samuelsson’s first London branch of Red Rooster, or get a bird’s eye view of the city at the rooftop brasserie.
Address: 45 Curtain Rd, Hackney, London EC2A 3PT
Phone: 020 3146 4545
Website: thecurtain.com
Threadneedles Hotel
The City of London may not be the first place that comes to mind when you envision a relaxing staycation. Threadneedles Hotel, housed in a former Victorian bank, is out to change all that. The boutique-style hotel is right in the middle of the action of the Square Mile but manages to envelop guests in a bubble of calm. An elegant stained glass dome looms above the lounge where visitors can be seen taking a leisurely afternoon tea. For proper meals, the hotel’s main restaurant is a destination in itself. Wheeler’s of St. James’s Oyster Bar & Grill Room has menus by legendary chef Marco Pierre White with dishes such as the chef’s famous grilled Dover sole, the Wheeler’s classic fish pie, and caramelised foie gras with a fried duck egg on brioche. For the ultimate in luxury city living, the Penthouse takes up the entire fifth floor, accessed by a leather-lined private lift.
Address: 5 Threadneedle St, London EC2R 8AY
Phone: 020 7657 8080
Website: hotelthreadneedles.co.uk
Lincoln Plaza London
Part of the Curio Collection by Hilton, Lincoln Plaza London is just a stroll away from the Canary Wharf Shopping Centre and in close reach of Westfield Stratford, The O2 Arena, ExCel London, The Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, and Greenwich Park. Mix business with leisure as you peruse the 24-hour fitness centre and whirlpool right after an event in the dedicated business area. You won’t need an excuse to stay in all weekend either as the onsite dining options will be difficult to beat. Whether it’s the Pan-Indian restaurant run by Chef Cyrus Todiwala OBE DL, the all-day food store restaurant Bar & Grocer, or the navy-themed Jack Speak cocktail bar, Lincoln Plaza London has your food and drink needs sorted.
Address: 2 Lincoln Plaza, Canary Wharf, London E14 9BD
Phone: 020 7987 1157
Website: lincolnplazalondon.co.uk
The Berkeley
There’s no need to make the trek all the way to the Italian coast for a taste of the good life when you can have it all without leaving Belgravia. The Berkeley has been casting its spell on Londoners and visitors alike for over 100 years, and there’s a reason why guests trust the brand when it comes to delivering intuitive service and refined comfort. Their collection of rooms and suites exudes modern luxury and superior design from the crème de la crème in the design world. This summer, the rooftop terrace has been transformed into a scene right out of Positano with loungers basking in the shade of lemon trees, Acqua di Parma candles signalling aperitivo hour, and special food and spa treatments that will have you living La Dolce Vita The Berkeley-style in no time.
Address: Wilton Pl, Knightsbridge, London SW1X 7RL
Phone: 020 7235 6000
Website: the-berkeley.co.uk
COMO The Halkin
Tucked away on a residential street in the ritzy Belgravia neighbourhood lies COMO The Halkin. Set within a Georgian building, the chic, discreet hotel offers 41 bright and relaxed rooms and suites where guests can avail of private yoga lessons and in-room COMO Shambhala spa treatments. Basque delights from Ametsa with Arzak Instruction and wine from The Halkin Bar guarantee a next-level gastronomic experience. Additionally, visitors need not worry about manoeuvring the complex city on their own; the in-house concierge is happy to share their insider knowledge and curate a bespoke itinerary of opera shows, art exhibitions, sporting events, and Michelin-starred dining to ensure you get the most out of what the capital has to offer.
Address: 5-6 Halkin St, Belgravia, London SW1X 7DJ
Phone: 020 7333 1000
Website: comohotels.com/en/thehalkin
The Beaumont
Evoking the spirit of old world glamour, The Beaumont is an independent, five-star hotel set on a quiet garden square in Mayfair. The Art Deco building houses 73 rooms, studios, and suites. Each has a king-sized bed, marble bathroom with heated flooring, rain shower, large wardrobe, and a collection of hardbound books for guests to browse through. The Roosevelt Suite occupies an entire floor and has up to five bedrooms with a sitting room, separate dining room, pantry, and guest bathroom.
This summer, the hotel is launching a literary series where they are inviting a host of authors to read from their works and discuss key themes with an engaged audience. A canapé and drinks reception will precede the readings with the first event happening earlier in the month and more events planned for the future.
Address: 8 Balderton Street, Brown Hart Gardens, London W1K 6TF
Phone: 020 7499 1001
Website: thebeaumont.com
The London EDITION
Promising a new generation of luxury, The London EDITION is set within a historic building in the bustling Soho neighbourhood. Creating quite a buzz when it first opened a few years ago, it has cemented its role as a premier destination for the capital’s fashionable residents. Sleek interiors, refined service, and a unique character keep guests entertained throughout their stay. Rooms and suites benefit from features such as rainforest showers, an ergonomic work area, wood accents, Hendrik Kerstens photography, and luxury toiletries. Michelin-starred chef Jason Atherton oversees the menu at Berners Tavern and the one-of-a-kind reservations-only Punch Room serves up some of the tastiest tipples right out of punch bowls.
Address: 10 Berners St, Fitzrovia, London W1T 3NP
Phone: 020 7781 0000
Website: editionhotels.com/london
The Wellesley
The Wellesley, Knightsbridge, a Luxury Collection Hotel, is one of the leaders of the London luxury sector. With a prime location overlooking Hyde Park, the Knightsbridge boutique-grand hotel is a bastion of sophistication and grandeur. The remnants of its beginnings as the Hyde Park Corner tube station can be observed with a Leslie Green-designed façade that highlights the original ox-blood tiles. The current design was led by Fox Linton Associates and adds a modern Art Deco spin to the hotel’s look and feel. For entertainment, cigar connoisseurs are invited to join the resident humidor specialist in the Cigar Lounge & Terrace whilst lovers of music will appreciate the hotel’s jazz legacy with weekly jazz nights paired with Italian cuisine. When it’s time to wind down, guests can experience a perfect balance of personalised service and opulent amenities whilst staying in one of 36 beautiful bedrooms and suites, with features that include Hermès bathroom products, an in-room tablet, and complimentary chauffer service drop-off within a 1.5 mile radius.
Address: 11 Knightsbridge, Belgravia, London SW1X 7LY
Phone: 020 7235 3535
Website: marriott.co.uk
Brown’s Hotel
As London’s first hotel, Brown’s Hotel in Mayfair has played host to its fair share of illustrious clientele. Since opening its doors in 1837, esteemed guests such as Theodore Roosevelt, Alexander Graham Bell, and members of the world’s royal families all considered Brown’s their home away from home. Purchased by Rocco Forte Hotels in 2003, the award-winning hotel was reopened by Margaret Thatcher in 2005 after an extensive refurbishment. British hotelier and interior designer Olga Polizzi’s taste and influence can be seen in the hotel’s 115 bedrooms and 33 suites with the most recent addition to the collection being the 164-square-metre Kipling Suite, named after author Rudyard Kipling who wrote The Jungle Book during his time at Brown’s.
Address: Albemarle St, Mayfair, London W1S 4BP
Phone: 020 7493 6020
Website: roccofortehotels.com
Eccleston Square Hotel
With an unrivalled location just a stone’s throw away from Victoria station, Eccleston Square Hotel is a natural choice for travellers looking for a convenient hideaway during a business or theatre weekend break. With a team led by hospitality trailblazer Olivia Byrne, who was recognised as the UK’s youngest hotelier when she opened Eccleston Square Hotel at the age of 23, the luxury hotel is also known for incorporating AI and cloud technology to deliver an innovative and personalised experience for its forward-thinking guests. Rooms are fitted with amenities such as state-of-the-art beds with massage settings by Swedish company Hästens, complimentary smart phones that have a built-in concierge and butler system, and bathrooms with smart glass shower walls.
Address: 37 Eccleston Square, Pimlico, London SW1V 1PB
Phone: 020 3503 0699
Website: ecclestonsquarehotel.com
Dukes London
Situated just a 5-minute walk away from Buckingham Palace, DUKES LONDON is a quintessential British hotel that carefully fuses timeless hospitality with cosmopolitan luxury. With 90 rooms and suites spread across 6 floors, guests are treated to classic furnishings complemented by contemporary technology to make for an exceptional stay. Families and four-legged friends have the red carpet rolled out for them too, with additional services like the Kids Zone, Baby Butler, and special dog-friendly rooms and 24-hour walking services. Literary aficionados can head over to the legendary DUKES Bar, famous for inspiring Sir Ian Fleming to pen his famous novels. Visitors can release their inner Bond by ordering the most famous martini in the world before treating themselves to fantastic British cuisine at in-house restaurant GBR.
Address: 35 St James’s Pl, St. James’s, London SW1A 1NY
Phone: 020 7491 4840
Website: dukeshotel.com
Main image of the InterContinental London Park Lane Presidential Suite courtesy of Will Pryce Photography
