The best boutique hotels in London, UK, that will not leave you indifferent
The capital of the United Kingdom is filled to the brim with glamorous, glitzy, and luxurious places that attract travelers from all over the world. However, if you're looking for something truly special, we recommend that you choose the beautiful boutique hotels in London, each with their own distinctive character and style, over the chain establishments. With artfully decorated rooms, original details and personalized service, guests enjoy many benefits in these centers of fashion and creativity.
The boutique scene is a special place where the innovative development of the capital's hospitality sector is taking place. Here you will find celebrity-favorite restaurants with vegan tasting menus, open-air yoga, and lobbies where progressive young people gather. From rooftops in the style of hot LA to luxurious Georgian townhouses in the heart of the city, the changing field of boutique hotels reflects London's fierce diversity, offering a wide range of options to suit different tastes and budgets. All you have to do is choose a place to stay during your trip to the UK using the following list.
Prince Akatoki
For a true zen experience in the ever-active bustle of London, we recommend looking at this traditional townhouse located in Marylebone, showcasing Japanese tranquility and minimalist style. The hotel is just minutes from Hyde Park and Marble Arch, and Paddington train station is just over one kilometer away.
The Prince Akatoki offers 84 impeccably appointed guest rooms, each with light wood furnishings and snow-white, high-quality linens, decorated with artfully dried flowers. The apartments feature an abundance of natural elements, colors and luxurious fabrics that perfectly fit into the minimalist concept of the establishment.
The complex has a chic wood-paneled lounge bar Malt, specializing in sake and top-notch Japanese whiskey, and is ideal for cocktail lovers in a relaxed atmosphere. We also recommend visiting the TOKii restaurant, which offers seasonal fusion dishes.
Great Northern Hotel
One of the best boutique hotels in London, offering good value for money, is located in King's Cross, especially attracting railroad lovers and everything related to them. The Great Northern Hotel was built in 1854 to serve passengers at the newly opened King's Cross station, which was designed two years earlier by the same architect Lewis Cubitt.
The hotel has recently been renovated and restored, as has the neighborhood around it, as the location is still an important busy transportation hub. Now the area is home to Google's headquarters, the impressive British Library, the Francis Crick Institute, and a variety of restaurants and cafes.
The Great Northern Hotel, which intertwines past and present, has 91 comfortable rooms that will especially appeal to railroad and Victorian architecture lovers. The hotel doesn't offer many additional services, but guests will find a homey feel and warm atmosphere. In particular, there is no room service, but this is compensated by a large pantry on each level filled with cakes, coffee, tea, etc.
In keeping with the location, subtle references to the railroad are evident throughout. For example, on the ground floor of the building is the Plum and Spilled Milk restaurant, run by Mark Sargent, former chef at Gordon Ramsay. The restaurant was named after the colors of the restaurant car of the old Flying Scotsman train and offers delicious classic dishes.
The rooms are no less attractive: the Couchette single rooms refer to the design of sleeping cars, while the Cubitt double rooms are cozy and minimalist, some with freestanding bathtubs. If you are planning a romantic weekend, we recommend choosing The Wainscot rooms located on the top floor. In addition to the rooms themselves, the corridors are also impressive - extremely wide and gently curved so that Victorian women could easily pass each other in their luxurious skirts.
Mandrake
This luxury boutique hotel in London is located in the heart of the city, just a two-minute walk from Oxford Street. In addition, the British Museum and Covent Garden are close by, and The London West End, filled with numerous bars, restaurants and shops, can be reached in just a 15-minute walk from the location. Another special feature is the building itself, which the hotel occupies: the meticulously renovated property has won the RIBA Fitzrovia Award.
The Mandrake boasts a carefully selected collection of artworks, and the rooms inside are distinguished by bright and eclectic interiors. The hotel has 30 stylish rooms, and you can also choose to stay in a chic penthouse or one of three extraordinary suites. The apartments are located on four floors, rising from a central courtyard surrounded by hanging gardens of passionflower and jasmine.
Noteworthy are the excellent dining options at The Mandrake, including:
- Jurema Terrace, an open-air restaurant;
- YOPO Restaurant and Bar, specializing in Latin American cuisine with South American influences;
- YOPO Bar, where you can enjoy natural homemade cocktails created by an experienced team of mixologists.
Please note that from Thursday to Saturday the bar is open only for members; during this time, DJs perform and live music plays, so the rooms can be a bit noisy.
Rookery
Wandering through the picturesque streets of Clerkenwell, you will eventually come across the charming and slightly secretive The Rookery, as its doors are well hidden so it's easy to miss. A corridor with wood-paneled walls leads to the old reception area. The boutique hotel itself occupies a successfully converted Georgian townhouse, filled with local history and as far away from faceless and monotonous chain establishments as possible.
Everyone who stays at the elegant and full of secrets The Rookery is sure to fall under its spell. You can book one of the 33 individually decorated spacious rooms decorated with unique works of art. Each of the rooms is named after characters from Clerkenwell's past, so guests can not only relax, but also take their own tour of local history.
For example, some of the suites feature four-poster beds, huge bathtubs with brass legs, shelves filled with leather-bound books, and many other details inspired by 18th-century glamor that are a delight to behold. Despite the historical chic, modernity is not forgotten in The Rookery. In particular, in the minibars you will find "topical" drinks and snacks, and high-quality REN toiletries will allow tired travelers to relax as much as possible. Of course, you can count on stable high-speed Wi-Fi coverage. Also included in the room rate is a delicious breakfast, which can be ordered in the room.
If you are planning a romantic weekend or a special vacation, we recommend booking a luxurious two-level Rook's Nest Suite, which offers amazing views of St. Paul's Cathedral.
There is no restaurant on site, but this will not be a problem due to The Rookery's convenient location in one of the main "gourmet" districts of the capital. Various popular restaurants are located nearby, including Hix Oyster & Chop House, Zetter Townhouse, Hix Oyster & Chop House.
Hoxton Hotel
Hoxton Hotel is the first fashionable hotel in East London. Since then, it has managed to build an excellent reputation for its excellent rooms, luxurious look and first-class service. The hotel boasts a truly fashionable location in Shoreditch; it's no wonder Soho House took over the ground floor bar a few years ago.
The rooms offered by the Hoxton are mostly small but well-designed, with nice touches like cold breakfast snacks, high-speed Wi-Fi, and free fresh milk in the fridges. You can also book a private suite, individually decorated (suites are available for the same price, but are on a first-come, first-served basis).
After a recent major renovation, an original bar was added to the hotel, and the lobby was replenished with accent red leather sofas and a small coffee shop. Also in 2024, a cozy Mexican restaurant Maya opened its doors. It is located on the roof of the building, offering delicious quesadillas or hearty tuna toast and much more.
The Hoxton Hotel is less than a kilometer and a half from Liverpool Street, and Old Street Tube Station is a five-minute walk away, providing convenient access to the capital's attractions.
Covent Garden Hotel
The list of the top 14 best boutique hotels in London includes Covent Garden Hotel, which has many advantages to offer, including a central location in the heart of the theater district. The Royal Opera House, popular bars, restaurants and nightclubs are within a five-minute walk, concentrated in the famous Leicester Square and Covent Garden areas. The cozy establishment continues to attract celebrity clients and those who need a little privacy.
The hotel's guest rooms feature Keith Kemp's iconic style, in which thin-striped wallpaper, floral upholstery, and snow-white soft blankets are combined with modern elements. Each of the rooms is unique, but always includes a signature Kit Kemp mannequin and a chic bathroom decorated with oak and granite. Many of the suites offer enchanting views of London's rooftops. Among the key amenities available to guests are the following:
- a cinema
- a quiet private library
- a cozy living room
- a fully equipped gym;
- a spa room where you can order beauty treatments or massages, etc.
On the ground floor there is a popular, and therefore noisy, beer restaurant Max, decorated in the Parisian style of the 1920s, and a retro bar with open-air tables from which you can watch the active life of Covent Garden in summer.
Boundary Hotel
As part of Sir Terence Conran's Boundary Project, the former warehouse has been lovingly transformed into something much more. Its restaurants, including Albion, an upscale establishment on the ground floor, and a luxurious rooftop bar (one of the most popular in the East End), impress with their high quality and carefree atmosphere. In addition, Redchurch Street is just around the corner, a favorite location for shopping enthusiasts, as it is home to a large number of international brand boutiques.
This beautiful boutique hotel in London has only 17 rooms, but each of them is beautifully decorated. Each room has a comfortable handmade bed, and the decor is different - from classic furniture to original artwork that decorates the apartments and makes them special.
The five duplex suites also come in a variety of styles, from nautical beach to updated Victorian, reflecting a different take on Polly Dickens. The remaining rooms (corner rooms are slightly larger and have windows along both exterior walls) are decorated using different design techniques: Mies van der Rohe, Eames, Shaker. You can also stay in the charming Heath Robinson room, decorated with sketches of complex machines by the cartoonist.
The nearest airport is 12 kilometers from the hotel, and just over a ten-minute walk away you will find Liverpool Street Tube Station, so it is convenient to get to London's iconic sights and other desired locations.
Kettner's Townhouse
Kettner's Townhouse is one of the top-rated boutique hotels in London, and it has a rich history. One of the iconic places in Soho was founded in the 1860s. The luxurious Georgian townhouse offers 33 bedrooms with accent design details. Different room categories are available for booking - from standard to chic Art Deco suites. Kettner's Townhouse is now owned by the famous Soho House group, so members of the club can enjoy discounted rates.
However, the biggest pride of this complex is the historic restaurant opened in 1867 by Auguste Kettner, the chef of Napoleon III. It is located on the ground floor and offers seasonal British cuisine with Mediterranean influences. The menu is accompanied by an extensive wine list that focuses on natural drinks.
Artist Residence London
London's popular, award-winning boutique hotel is a small slice of Shoreditch in the sleepy yet convenient surroundings of Pimlico. Artist Residence London, which also has branches in Penzance and Brighton, is just a ten-minute walk from Victoria train station and underground.
Above the welcoming restaurant are ten beautifully appointed rooms, each of which features a different artwork. All rooms are equipped with a TV, Roberts radio, free Wi-Fi, toiletries from the English brand Bramley, and a minibar filled not only with alcohol but also with typical local sweets such as almonds or Rococo jelly, etc. The apartments vary in size and price accordingly; some of them come with a private bath. The furniture in the rooms combines old and new, with tweed pillows and precious metal fittings.
The downstairs café is equally popular with locals and travelers alike. Cambridge Street Café specializes in modern European dishes and serves traditional roasts on Sundays. Other facilities at Artist Residence London include:
- Clarendon Cocktail Cellar, a friendly bar in the Speak Easy style, located on the ground floor;
- guest lounge;
- ping-pong room, etc.
The hotel is a ten-minute walk through the beautiful streets of Pimlico to the banks of the Thames, and in less than half an hour you can reach Big Ben, the famous Westminster Abbey and other attractions of the capital. In addition, popular London dining options are located nearby, from the traditional Chinese restaurant Hunan to Hai Cenato, led by Jason Atherton, specializing in Italian cuisine.
Portobello Hotel
When talking about London's iconic landmarks, it's impossible to ignore this magnificent boutique hotel in London, which has been in great demand among celebrities for more than half a century. According to rumors, Kate Moss and Johnny Depp once filled one of the Portobello Hotel's bathtubs with champagne, and rock musician Alice Cooper used it to house his boa constrictor. Despite the eccentric celebrity guests, the hotel continues to maintain an unpretentious, pleasant atmosphere that contrasts with the legendary antics that are far from history.
The Portobello Hotel, which has five floors, has been replenished with a modern elevator so that rockers of advanced age can easily get to their rooms. Downstairs, there is still a 24-hour bar available to guests if you still want to plunge into the unobtrusive party atmosphere.
The rooms are decorated in different themes. For example, the exquisite basement Japanese Water Garden features the following luxurious amenities
- a sophisticated spa bath;
- a private grotto;
- a small private garden.
However, all apartments are equipped with a large fan and TV, tall indoor plants, free Wi-Fi, and guests have the opportunity to use the 24-hour room service.
Hazlitt's
One of the top 14 best boutique hotels in London is set among four historic townhouses dating back to the 18th century near Soho's green square. Hazlitt's transports guests back to the days of its Georgian heyday. William Hazlitt, the nineteenth-century essayist, lived (and died) here, and his literary legacy is continued and enhanced by other guests, such as Bill Bryson, who left autographed books alongside works by Ted Hughes and Seamus Heaney in the wood-paneled library.
Accommodation options include 30 rooms, accessed by a creaking narrow staircase. Each of the rooms is decorated differently, but in accordance with the traditional style: a reading corner by the window or a bookshelf, a four-poster bed with a carved dark wood headboard, etc. Thick curtains, antique furniture, bathtubs, and even slightly sloping walls take you back in time, and even the TVs are skillfully hidden so as not to spoil the overall impression.
Downstairs, guests will find a library and a self-service lounge bar. However, the main highlight of the historic boutique hotel is its permanent resident - a house cat named Sir Godfrey. The presence of a common furry pet allows guests to feel like the hero or heroine of one of Dickens' novels, the first editions of which you can borrow from the library.
Town Hall Hotel
Town Hall Hotel, located in East London, is decorated in Art Deco style combined with its unwavering utilitarianism to create the most enchanting atmosphere possible. The five-star boutique hotel in London offers many amenities for a perfect stay in the capital:
- gym
- bar
- a large swimming pool;
- modern recreation areas;
- room service;
- free Wi-Fi, etc.
A large selection of spacious apartments in various configurations, including amazing suites, are available for booking.
On the ground floor of the Town Hall Hotel is the popular Corner Room restaurant, which offers delicious dishes at a reasonable price. The chef offers a daily menu of seasonal dishes, drawing inspiration from his love of fine French cuisine. In addition, we recommend visiting the Michelin-starred Da Terra restaurant, and if you are looking for a more informal atmosphere, book a table at the Brazilian-Italian restaurant Elis.
The hotel is a 20-minute drive from the airport and the attractions around Westminster are conveniently accessible by tube.
Henrietta Hotel
This delightful boutique hotel in London offers more space than similar establishments in the capital. In addition, The Henrietta Hotel is characterized by upscale amenities, impeccable cleanliness and a balanced dose of luxury. The hotel is located a few steps from the main square of Covent Garden on the street of the same name. Technically, the complex consists of two townhouses that are not connected to each other, but are located no more than ten feet apart.
In keeping with the location, the interior spaces are filled with glamor and a special atmosphere. The hotel, hidden behind a nondescript door, surprises with its sophisticated design - from the carefully selected books by Roy Lichtenstein, Henry Moore and Man Ray in the lobby to the accent wallpaper.
You can choose one of 18 rooms and suites designed by Dorothea Meilichzon, who was not afraid to use such striking details as colorful geometric floor coverings, marble skirting boards or leopard print wallpaper for a wow effect. The Henrietta Hotel pays a lot of attention to interior design, and this point is very obvious in comparison to many hotel chain giants concentrated in the West End. The rooms are decorated in Art Deco style, with luxurious round sofas, coffee tables, and golden lamps. The beds are no less luxurious - massive and comfortable, the windows are huge, and the lighting can be adjusted independently. Inside, guests will find a well-stocked minibar, a selection of tea and coffee, good air conditioning, and a beautifully appointed bathroom.
We also recommend booking a table in the restaurant, which seats 80. The modern Italian bistro was created by Toto Dell'Aring and Silvio Pezzana, founders of the Italian Supper Club.
CitizenM London Shoreditch
If you plan to make a run through the capital's many shops, CitizenM London Shoreditch is the best solution. This branch of the Dutch chain is located in Shoreditch, close to the boutiques on Redchurch Street, bars, nightclubs and lively restaurants. The hotel can be described in two words - "affordable luxury". This is reflected in the elegant décor, which includes, for example, Vitra furniture in the lobby, and a sufficient number of amenities included in the room rate, such as Wi-Fi, movies, and whatever is in the room's fridge. Breakfast is extra, but there is a cocktail bar open around the clock. Each room has floor-to-ceiling windows, a TV, blackout blinds, and complimentary toiletries.