Bustling roadways, prestigious buildings, scenic views, and whatnot! A visit to the UK’s capital is simply an experience of a lifetime. London surely is a world by itself, as Thomas Brown says. However, if you are planning a visit to the city of royalty, there is one thing you should deal with beforehand: your accommodation in a luxury hotel in London. Since London is an all-year destination, hotels can be pricey, especially during the summer months when there are more tourists. Booking early is always a smart move to secure the best deals and availability. Check out our guide to the five best hotels in London for 2023 to get started!
1. Nomad London, Covent Garden
London is currently experiencing a revival of American hotels, with The Standard in King’s Cross and Mondrian in Shoreditch. The NoMad, a hotel chain from the United States, recently opened its first property outside of the US in an imposing former magistrates’ court situated opposite the Royal Opera House.
Despite the high expectations, this luxury hotel in London has been a huge success, with its centrepiece restaurant being booked out for weeks. The decor is rich in showmanship, featuring vintage chandeliers, brass and crimson, mohair and damask, and abstract expressionism art. The bathrooms feature the golden Twenties Art Deco, while the main spaces have a transatlantic connoisseur spirit.
The Library bar has a vast collection of books, but the criminology section pales in comparison to the adjacent Bow Street Police Museum. The Side Hustle, a tavern-style bar, offers a variety of American-style cocktails. Overall, the NoMad is a grand and ambitious hotel that also manages to provide an intimate experience, making it deserving of a standing ovation.
2. 1 Hotel Mayfair, Mayfair
Located across the street from two of London’s most iconic hospitality landmarks, The Ritz and The Wolseley, 1 Hotel Mayfair is a nine-story luxury hotel that offers a serene and sustainable environment in the heart of London’s bustling shopping district. Upon entering the hotel, guests are greeted with a giant suspended plant chandelier, a reception desk carved from a giant oak tree trunk sourced from a Sussex forest and a wall of Yorkshire stone that fits seamlessly together without any additional materials. Thanks to a father and son carpentry stonemason duo!
The hotel’s interior is designed to provide a peaceful experience amid the hectic surroundings of Piccadilly, with thousands of plants. The plants include 1,300 local and regional species and raw materials sprinkled throughout the property to absorb the noise and create a calming atmosphere. This is one of the most significant aspects that make 1 Hotel Mayfair one of the best hotels in central London. The tranquil aesthetic of the reception area extends to each of the 181 bedrooms, decorated in soothing sandy hues and creamy tones, with linen-covered cushions, soft furnishings, and oak flooring.
The living moss wall in each room further emphasises the hotel’s commitment to bringing the outdoors inside. Downstairs, guests can take advantage of the hotel’s cafe and co-working space during the day, which transforms into a wine bar at night, and enjoy the elegant, low-lit cocktail bar area leading to London’s most talked-about new restaurant, Dovetale.
3. The Connaught, Mayfair
One of the best hotels in central London, the Connaught is a hotel that proudly showcases its English heritage and culture, which is evident in the celebrated central staircase of the hotel. The bannister of the staircase is dark and woody, and the carpet is bright and stripy, which exudes a unique charm that is hard to resist. In fact, the central staircase was so impressive that fashion designer Ralph Lauren was inspired to commission a replica of it for his flagship store on Madison Avenue.
The Connaught Bar, on the other hand, is a mini Art Deco masterpiece and, according to us, the best bar in London. The hotel’s two restaurants, Hélène Darroze’s three Michelin-starred restaurants and the more casual Jean-Georges at The Connaught are also exceptional. The latter provides guests with a view of the magical Tadao Ando water sculpture outside, making dining here a truly memorable experience.
4. The Twenty Two, Mayfair
The Edwardian manor house, which was previously a residential property, has been transformed into a luxurious 31-room hotel and member’s club by Navid Mirtorabi, the former owner of Blakes. Upon entering the hotel’s marble-floored lobby, guests are greeted by a doorman wearing a cape and a staff dressed in Charlie Casely-Hayford suits, surrounded by the scent of churchy frankincense.
Despite the velveteen quality of this luxury hotel in London, the atmosphere is friendly and welcoming, creating a relaxed and comfortable ambience that feels like a chic Parisian hideaway, unlike the majority of smart new hotels in London that tend to conform to Hoxton or Heritage stereotypes. The room decor is understatedly plush, with most rooms decorated in a sensual blue hue that reflects the Edwardian era’s elegance.
The dining experience at The Twenty Two is noteworthy, with former Arbutus chef Alan Christie creating dishes that perfectly blend modern British cuisine with traditional flavours. Although some of the prices may seem steep, it is important to remember that this is Mayfair, and The Twenty Two is offering something different, something more fun, which could be a marker for the area’s future.
5. Lime Tree Hotel, Belgravia
Located on Ebury Street, this converted townhouse is a prime example of how to maximise style in a small space. It’s a place that delivers on its promise: an elegant and cosy hangout that feels like home, all in a great location at an affordable price. The property was opened in 2008 by owners Matt and Charlotte Goodsall, who quickly transformed it into one of the loveliest boutique hotels in central London.
During the 2020 lockdown, the couple saw an opportunity to overhaul the interiors and add a new cafe, which they did with the help of Fraher & Findlay architects, who have previously worked on projects such as Wolf & Badger in Coal Drops Yard. The couple relied on their own taste for decorative details, adding Sanderson wallpaper and Pooky lampshades to spruce up the corners.
The hotel’s 28 bedrooms range in size from minuscule to moderate, but this only adds to the country-cottage cosiness. Clever design ensures that even the smallest space is utilised to its full potential, with teal velvet headboards, piles of ikat pillows, and marmalade-coloured armchairs. Thoughtful reading material is also provided, such as Aesop’s Fables. Single rooms come at a lower price, ensuring that solo travellers are well taken care of.
The Buttery kitchen is led by Stefano Cirillo, previously from Notting Hill’s Beach Blanket Babylon. The breakfast menu offers perfectly executed classics such as avocado on sourdough with runny eggs, chocolate-spread-layered French toast topped with berries, and a full English breakfast with halloumi. It’s all accompanied by the smell of freshly ground Gentlemen barista beans and crunchy pastries from the bakery down the road. The small back garden is a peaceful spot for chatting late into the summer evenings. It’s a sweet miniature that has all the necessary elements and charm in abundance, just like the rest of the house.
To Wrap Up:
This was the list of some of the best luxury hotels in London. Exuding luxury and sophistication, these hotels are ideal for making your visit worth remembering. So, don’t forget to make those reservations to avoid last-moment chaos. At the same time, if you’re confused about getting to these hotels, HYFLY Taxis is here to provide you with a direct taxi from London City Airport or Heathrow to these hotels. Just call us, pre-book your taxi, and our driver will be there at the allocated time.