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Westminster, St. James’s, and Royal London | Mayfair and Marylebone | Soho and Covent Garden | Bloomsbury and Holborn | The City | The East End | South of the Thames | Kensington, Chelsea, Knightsbridge, and Belgravia | Notting Hill and Bayswater | Regent’s Park and Hampstead
Listed alphabetically by neighborhood.
Westminster, St. James’s, and Royal London
Westminster
Fodor’s Choice | The Corinthia.
HOTEL | A star in the firmament of new hotels that have opened in London in this decade, the Corinthia is design heaven-on-earth, with levels of service that make anyone feel like a VIP. There’s an eye-popping Moderne lobby; the Northall restaurant is an amazing symphony of soaring columns, Edwardian woodwork, and futuristic chandeliers; the Massimo restaurant—a ravishing David Collins masterpiece—has candy-striped columns that nod toward medieval Siena; even the shop is drop-dead chic. Guest rooms in soothing, masculine tones have beautiful city views, and spacious bathrooms have underfloor heating, so even your toes will feel pampered. Pros: so much luxury and elegance you’ll feel like royalty. Cons: prices jump to the stratosphere once the cheapest rooms sell out. | Rooms from: £420 | Whitehall Pl., Westminster | SW1A 2BD | 020/7930–8181 | www.corinthia.com | 294 rooms | Breakfast | Station: Embankment.
FAMILY | DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel London Westminster.
HOTEL | Spectacular views of the river, Big Ben, and the London Eye fill the floor-to-ceiling windows in this rather stark, steel-and-glass building steps from the Tate Britain, and a plethora of techy perks await inside. These include Skype-enabled phones (allowing for free calls) and Macs in every room. Cribs, baby baths, Nickelodeon, special menus, and baby food are on tap for kids. The restaurant and bar serve Modern British cooking. Pros: amazing views; flat screens and other high-tech gadgetry. Cons: small bedrooms; tiny bathrooms; TV has to be operated through a computer (confusing if you’re not used to it). | Rooms from: £230 | 30 John Islip St., Westminster | SW1P 4DD | 020/7630–1000 | doubletree3.hilton.com | 444 rooms, 16 suites | Some meals | Station: Westminster, Pimlico.
The Goring.
HOTEL | With Buckingham Palace just around the corner, this hotel, built in 1910 and now run by third-generation Gorings, has always been a favorite among discreet VIPs—including Kate Middleton’s family on the night before the royal wedding. It’s popular for its Edwardian style: the striped wallpapers, floral curtains, patterned carpets, and brass fittings that make it luxurious and welcoming at the same time. Pros: elegant, spacious rooms; prices have come down recently. Cons: price is still too high for what you get; interiors a bit fussy. | Rooms from: £315 | 15 Beeston Pl., Grosvenor Gardens, Victoria | SW1W 0JW | 020/7396–9000 | www.thegoring.com | 68 rooms, 6 suites | Some meals | Station: Victoria.
Fodor’s Choice | Hotel 41.
HOTEL | Designer credentials and high-tech gadgets are everywhere in the impeccably coordinated black-and-white rooms, some split-level and all gorgeously furnished with extraordinary pieces drawn from every corner of the globe. All have exquisite bed linens, feather comforters, and luxurious marble baths. Even the hotel entrance is unique: an elevator sweeps you up to the fifth-floor lobby, where you can relax on a buttery leathery couch in front of the fire. A “whatever, whenever” button on the telephone connects you with helpful, amiable staffers who provide exactly that, and breakfast is served until a magnificently lazy 1 pm on Sunday. Pros: unique place opposite Buckingham Palace; great service; unlimited free Wi-Fi. Cons: unusual design is not for everyone. | Rooms from: £323 | 41 Buckingham Palace Rd., Victoria | SW1W 0PS | 020/7300–0041 | www.41hotel.com | 26 rooms, 4 suites, 2 apartments | Breakfast | Station: Victoria.
Lime Tree Hotel.
HOTEL | In a central neighborhood where hotels veer from grimy boltholes at one extreme to wildly overpriced at the other, the homey Lime Tree stands out for its gracious proprietors, the Davies family, who offer comfortable, contemporary rooms and hearty cooked breakfasts that set you up nicely for the day. The simple breakfast room, covered with notes and gifts from former guests, opens onto a garden. Thoughtful extra touches include a guest computer and a guidebook library. Pros: lovely and helpful hosts; great location; rooms are decent size (though the cheaper rooms are small). Cons: some rooms are up several flights of stairs, and there’s no elevator; family rooms don’t allow kids under five. | Rooms from: £155 | 135–137 Ebury St., Victoria | SW1W 9QU | 020/7730–8191 | www.limetreehotel.co.uk | 25 rooms | Breakfast | Station: Victoria, Sloane Sq.
Sanctuary House Hotel.
B&B/INN | This is a classic example of what the British mean when they refer to an “inn”—a pub with bedrooms, albeit one of exceptionally good quality for London. A recent renovation has added a muted autumnal color scheme to the guest rooms, with decent-size beds, antique-style furnishings, and Algotherm products in the bathrooms. The pub serves decent traditional British fare, but can get extremely busy from when the office crowd descends at 5 until late. Pros: cozy, authentically London feel; price can drop below £100 on weekends; wow-location right in the heart of Westminster. Cons: pub can be noisy (light sleepers should ask for a room as far from the ground floor as possible). | Rooms from: £115 | 33 Tothill St., Westminster | SW1H 9LA | 020/7799–4044 | www.sanctuaryhousehotel.co.uk | 34 rooms | Breakfast | Station: St. James’s Park.
Windermere Hotel.
HOTEL | This sweet and rather elegant old hotel, on the premises of London’s first B&B (in 1881), is a decent, well-located option—but only if you can’t get a discount rate at a plusher hotel for the same price. It’s a cheery little place, with comfortable (if small) bedrooms, in which muted modern color schemes clash only slightly with the kind of floral fabrics your grandmother would love. The restaurant serves decent but unimaginative British and European cuisine; however, you’re just a couple of blocks from London’s Victoria train station and the multitude of eateries close by. Pros: good location; free Wi-Fi. Cons: price is a bit high for what you get; rooms and bathrooms are tiny; no elevator. | Rooms from: £160 | 142–144 Warwick Way, Victoria | SW1V 4JE | 020/7834–5163 | www.windermere-hotel.co.uk | 19 rooms | Breakfast | Station: Victoria.
St. James’s
The Ritz.
HOTEL | Immortalized in song by Irving Berlin, the Ritz is synonymous with London’s high society and super-rich decadence. The central lobby, with its chandelier and balconies circling above, is a photo opportunity waiting to happen. The lounges are as gorgeous as ever, but the bedrooms are bastions of 1980s Louis XVI style, with acres of luxurious fabric, and glittering chandeliers. With a ratio of two staff members to every bedroom, you’re guaranteed personal service despite the hotel’s massive size. However, guests must sit up straight: formal dress is encouraged, jackets are required in the bar and restaurant, and jeans and casual shoes are forbidden in public areas. What’s more, the staff can be so snobby they verge on downright rude. This place feels much more about showing off than relaxing, but then money doesn’t always buy class. Pros: historic luxury hotel; service at every turn. Cons: snooty service; some rooms have views of a nearby wall; tediously old-fashioned dress code. | Rooms from: £345 | 150 Piccadilly, St. James’s | W1J 9BR | 020/7493–8181 | www.theritzlondon.com | 136 rooms | Some meals | Station: Piccadilly Circus.
Fodor’s Choice | The Stafford London by Kempinski.
HOTEL | This is a rare find: a posh hotel that’s equal parts elegance and friendliness, and it’s in one of the few peaceful spots in the area, down a small lane behind Piccadilly. All the accommodations are luxurious and chic, but those in the 18th-century stable block—with cobbled mews entrances, gas-fueled fireplaces, and exposed beams—are especially pleasant. It’s hard to check in without meeting the gregarious manager, and his unshakable cheeriness is mirrored by the upbeat and helpful staff. The popular little American Bar has ties, baseball caps, and toy planes hanging from the ceiling. Pros: great staff; big, luxurious rooms; quiet location. Cons: traditional style is not to all tastes; men must wear jackets in the bar. | Rooms from: £260 | St. James’s Pl., St. James’s | SW1A 1NJ | 020/7493–0111 | www.kempinski.com/london | 81 rooms | Breakfast | Station: Green Park.
Mayfair and Marylebone
Mayfair
22 York Street.
B&B/INN | This Georgian town house has a cozy, family feel, with polished pine floors and plenty of quilts and French antiques in the homey, individually furnished bedrooms. Pride of place goes to the communal dining table where guests share a varied Continental breakfast, and a living room with tea/coffeemaker is at guests’ disposal as well. Family rooms are available. Pros: outstanding location for shoppers; friendly hosts; very flexible check-in times; entirely non-smoking. Cons: if you take away the great location, you’re paying a lot for a B&B; not everyone enjoys socializing with strangers over breakfast. | Rooms from: £130 | 22 York St., Mayfair | W1U 6PX | 020/7224–2990 | www.22yorkstreet.co.uk | 10 rooms | Breakfast | Station: Baker St.
Athenaeum Hotel and Apartments.
B&B/INN | This grand hotel overlooking Green Park offers plenty for the money: rooms are both comfortable and lavishly decorated, with deeply comfortable Hypnos beds, plasma-screen TVs, luxurious fabrics, and original contemporary artworks, and breakfasts are luxurious and varied, with endless Continental and cooked options. If you need more space, you can choose one of the apartments (£530–£630 a night) that occupy a row of Georgian town houses next to the main hotel buildings, each with separate living, dining, and sleeping areas and tiny, fully equipped kitchenettes. The spa is available only to guests, ensuring you can always get an appointment, and the restaurant serves butter-rich European cuisine and a full afternoon tea here (£29), an elegant experience (complete with honey from bees in Regent’s Park). Pros: peaceful park views; handy for Buckingham Palace and Piccadilly; great value for elegant setting. Cons: bathrooms are almost all small. | Rooms from: £276 | 116 Piccadilly, Mayfair | W1J 7BJ | 020/7640–3557 | www.athenaeumhotel.com | 111 rooms, 46 suites and apartments | Breakfast | Station: Green Park.
Best Western Premier Shaftesbury.
HOTEL | At this member of the Best Western chain right in the heart of the West End theater district (we can count three within sight of the front door alone), the small, pleasingly Victorian exterior gives way to ultramodern rooms inside, with neutral rugs, white walls, dark curtains, and sleek furniture. The price reflects all this effort, so it’s not the typical Best Western bargain, but it’s pleasant and well located. Pros: great location for theaters, shopping, and museums; online deals can reduce the price considerably. Cons: rooms are tiny; you pay for the location, rather than its amenities; three-night minimum stay sometimes required. | Rooms from: £350 | 65–73 Shaftesbury Ave., Piccadilly | W1D 6EX | 020/7871–6000, 866/891–7710 in U.S. | www.shaftesburyhotel.co.uk | 69 rooms | Breakfast | Station: Piccadilly Circus.
Brown’s Hotel.
HOTEL | Founded in 1837 by James Brown, Lord Byron’s “gentleman’s gentleman,” this hotel occupying 11 Georgian townhouses holds a treasured place in London society. Tongues wag, however, that even though it’s one of the priciest of hotels, neither the interiors nor the service really add up the way they used to. It’s another of those Forte Hotels buy-an-historic-hotel-and-gut-it disappointments. All the patina here was swept away for a hip “chic” and you might as well be in NYC’s SoHo. Guest rooms have office spaces and marble bathrooms equipped with high-end bath products; the staff is exceedingly professional and helpful—but in the end it becomes hard to overlook thin walls, flabby sandwiches, and very costly Wi-Fi. Pros: elegant space; attentive service. Cons: everything costs here. | Rooms from: £336 | 34 Albemarle St., Mayfair | W1X 4BT | 020/7493–6020, 888/667–9477 in U.S. | www.brownshotel.com | 132 | Breakfast | Station: Green Park.
Chesterfield Mayfair Hotel.
HOTEL | Deep in the heart of Mayfair, the former town house of the Earl of Chesterfield welcomes guests in wood-and-leather public rooms that match the dark-wood furnishings in the bedrooms—small, but like fashion magazine spreads, with bold designer wallpaper or tones of fawn and gray. There are bargains to be had if you book online in advance, and the service is excellent. Pros: laid-back atmosphere; attentive service; rooms with female-only staff and additional security for single woman travellers. Cons: prices rise sharply if you don’t get the cheapest rooms; some rooms are tiny; restaurant is old-fashioned and very expensive. | Rooms from: £240 | 35 Charles St., Mayfair | W12 5EB | 020/7491–2622, 877/955–1515 in U.S. | www.chesterfieldmayfair.com | 94 rooms, 13 suites | Breakfast | Station: Green Park.
FAMILY | Fodor’s Choice | Claridge’s.
HOTEL | The original art deco public spaces of this super-glamorous London institution are gloriously unspoiled (down to the grand staircase and elevator, complete with upholstered sofa). Guest rooms are soothing and suave, and spacious bathrooms have enormous showerheads. Enjoy a cup of tea in the lounge, cocktails in the stylish bar, or, better still, a meal in Gordon Ramsay’s famed restaurant. l£30 deals for lunch and early dinner here are among London’s best-kept secret bargains—check the website to see if they’re running. Perhaps Spencer Tracy said it best when he remarked that, when he died, he wanted to go not to heaven, but to Claridge’s. Pros: serious luxury everywhere—this is an old-money hotel; comics, books, and DVDs to help keep kids amused. Cons: better pack your designer wardrobe—guests in the hotel bar can be almost cartoonishly snobbish. | Rooms from: £390 | Brook St., St. James’s | W1A 4HR | 020/7629–8860, 866/599–6991 in U.S. | www.claridges.co.uk | 203 rooms | Breakfast | Station: Bond St.
Fodor’s Choice | The Connaught.
HOTEL | A huge favorite of the “we wouldn’t dream of staying anywhere else” monied set since its opening in 1917, the Connaught has many dazzlingly modern complements to its famously historic delights. These include up-to-date rooms done in smooth taupes and creams and—the ultimate sign of devil-may-care swagger—a swanky bar with patinum-plated walls. Chef Hélène Darroze runs the titual, Michelin-starred restaurant; alternatively, the afternoon tea (around £35) is a great splurge. Incidentally, as ever with blue bloods, the clue is in the name–this elegant hotel was named in honor of Queen Victoria’s son, the Duke of Connaught. Pros: legendary hotel; great for star-spotting. Cons: history comes at a price; bathrooms are small. | Rooms from: £400 | Carlos Pl., Mayfair | W1K 2AL | 020/7499–7070, 866/599–6991 in U.S. | www.the-connaught.co.uk | 92 rooms | Breakfast | Station: Bond St.
Fodor’s Choice | The Dorchester.
HOTEL | The glamour level is off the scale here, with gold leaf and marble public rooms and guest quarters awash in English country-house-style furnishings, with more than a hint of art deco—yet few hotels this opulent manage to be as personable as the Dorchester. Guest rooms have Irish linen sheets on canopied beds, acres of brocades and velvets, and Italian marble and etched-glass bathrooms with exclusive toiletries created by Floris. Three elegant-to-the-point-of-fussy restaurants include one helmed by Alain Ducasse that is always making headlines. Pros: historic luxury in 1930s building; lovely views of Hyde Park; top-notch star-spotting; lots of modern technology, including web TVs. Cons: traditional look is not to all tastes; prices are high; some rooms are rather small. | Rooms from: £365 | Park Lane, Mayfair | W1K 1QA | 020/7629–8888 | www.thedorchester.com | 195 rooms, 55 suites | Breakfast | Station: Marble Arch, Hyde Park Corner.
Dukes Hotel.
HOTEL | At this small, exclusive hotel in a discreet cul-de-sac, ample natural light brightens contemporary-style rooms decorated in shades of cream and chocolate. The hotel’s trump card is that, for such a central location, it’s remarkably peaceful. Pros: low-key ambience; peaceful setting. Cons: can be a bit quiet for some; price is still rather high for what’s available. | Rooms from: £270 | 35 St. James’s Pl., St. James’s | SW1A 1NY | 020/7318–6585, 800/381–4702 in U.S. | www.dukeshotel.com | 78 rooms, 12 suites | Breakfast | Station: Green Park.
Durrants Hotel.
HOTEL | Wonderfully old-fashioned Durrants is awash in old-English good taste and sits on a quiet corner, not far from the Wallace Collection, within premises that have served as a hotel since the late 18th century. Public areas are all wood paneling, leather armchairs, and patterned carpets, and guest quarters are genteel. Bedrooms at the back of the hotel are smaller than those at the front, but they are also quieter and air-conditioned. Pros: comfortable; relaxed base for exploring; Oxford Street and the smaller, posher shops of Marylebone High Street are just outside the door. Cons: not all rooms are air-conditioned; some rooms are small; breakfast is expensive. | Rooms from: £290 | 26–32 George St., Marylebone | W1H 5BJ | 020/7935–8131 | www.durrantshotel.co.uk | 87 rooms, 5 suites | Breakfast | Station: Bond St.
Four Seasons Park Lane.
HOTEL | A sexy departure for the Four Seasons, this hotel has an English clubhouse look with a dose of boudoir. Mannered paintings of horses dot the walls in the lobby, but instead of staid hunter green or beige, the walls are a bright lacquered red. In the restaurant, the saucy mix continues with zebra-print chairs bathed in low lighting. Upstairs, the palate shifts and becomes softer. Enormous black-and-white glamour shots from the 1930s and 1940s dominate the hallways, and rooms evoke an ocean liner from days gone by, with square hardware, brown walnut wood, and mirrored sliding doors. Plaid comes into play in armchairs and curtains giving the decor an appropriate Britishness. Don’t miss the spa on the top floor; in the treatment rooms, massive windows seem to hold all of Hyde Park inside a snow globe. Guests that arrive early should head to the 10th-floor lounge to breakfast and relax while peeking through the balcony’s binoculars at the London Eye in the distance. Pros: highly elegant rooms; excellent spa; lovely location next to Hyde Park. Cons: not for strict traditionalists; haute design comes with high prices. | Rooms from: £650 | Hamilton Place, Park Lane, Mayfair | W1J 7DR | 020/7499–0888 | www.fourseasons.com/london | 147 rooms, 46 suites | No meals | Station: Hyde Park Corner.
Gloucester Place Hotel.
HOTEL | Just a couple of blocks from Marble Arch and Hyde Park, this small, friendly hotel won’t win any style awards—its guest rooms are far from fancy—but, almost better, they are clean and comfortable. Each has satellite TV and air-conditioning, a rarity for most hotels in this price range. A buffet breakfast is included, or choose a heartier cooked option for just a few pounds extra. You can have a vegan breakfast, too. lCheck the website for special offers that can reduce the price by as much as two-thirds. Pros: great location; huge discounts for stays of four nights or more; free Wi-Fi. Cons: could use a face-lift; stairs to climb and no elevator; some rooms have shared bathrooms. | Rooms from: £149 | 55 Gloucester Pl., Mayfair | W1U 8JQ | 020/7486–6166 | www.gloucesterplacehotel.com | 19 rooms | Breakfast | Station: Marble Arch, Bond St.
InterContinental London Park Lane.
HOTEL | Overlooking busy Hyde Park Corner and the Queen’s back garden (much to her chagrin, allegedly), this hotel’s luxurious rooms are aimed at high-end business travelers. Comfortable and slightly masculine, they incorporating dark woods, with rich curtains and bedspreads. You will really feel treated like a king if you take one of the suites, where special guest services range from free snacks and a dedicated butler to a spin in an Aston Martin, should you feel like it. Pros: central location; business facilities. Cons: no park views with standard rooms; prices can shoot up in mid-summer; £15 a day charge for Internet access is a bit rich given the room rates. | Rooms from: £288 | 1 Hamilton Pl., Park Lane, Mayfair | W15 7QY | 020/7409–3131, 871/422–9200 | www.intercontinental.com | 447 rooms, 60 suites | Some meals | Station: Hyde Park Corner.
London Marriott Park Lane.
HOTEL | The ornate facade and beautiful public rooms of this swanky hotel date to 1919, though the sizeable bedrooms are standard Marriott fare, with neutral decor, comfortable mattresses, and lots of business accoutrements. The location at the Oxford Street end of Park Lane gives access to great shopping on Bond Street and lovely strolls through Hyde Park. The 140 Park Lane bar has its own cocktail, the Crantini 140, a heady mix of white cranberries, vodka, and Cointreau. Pros: great location; big bedrooms. Cons: a bit nondescript; very busy streets outside. | Rooms from: £449 | 140 Park La., Mayfair | W1K 7AA | 020/7493–7000 | www.marriott.co.uk | 148 rooms, 9 suites | Multiple meal plans | Station: Marble Arch.
The Montcalm.
HOTEL | This grand hotel at the edge of Park Lane might have a modern look, but the attitude toward providing solid comfort and luxury is decidedly old fashioned. Contemporary rooms, in tones of toffee and cream, have comfortable king-size beds. The bar, Barre Noire, is a good place to meet a few locals over a martini, and the Vetro restaurant specializes in Italian cuisine. The small spa (“wellness center”) has a workout pool and relaxing treatment rooms. Pros: great location off Park Lane; dedication to pampering and comfort. Cons: eye-wateringly pricey; old-fashioned approach might seem stuffy to some; marble bathrooms are not large, but they do have soothing rain showers. | Rooms from: £624 | 34–40 Great Cumberland Pl., Mayfair | W1H 7TW | 0207/402–4288, 877/898–1587 in U.S. | www.montcalm.co.uk | 143 rooms, 27 suites | Some meals | Station: Marble Arch.
FAMILY | No. 5 Maddox Street.
RENTAL | Just five minutes’ walk from Oxford Street, this is a great option for those who tire of traditional hotels: 12 luxury suites—some with balconies and working fireplaces—filled with everything you could ever need, including a handy kitchen. These are ready-stocked with everything from cookies to herbal tea, and if you don’t feel like fending for yourself too much then room service will deliver groceries or fetch meals from local restaurants. You can also borrow CDs, DVDs, or even a bicycle. Guests have access to a nearby health club. Pros: cozy and surprisingly quiet, considering the location; extremely attentive room service. Cons: WiiFi costs £10 per day; you can feel isolated, as there’s no communal lobby. | Rooms from: £319 | 5 Maddox St., Mayfair | W1S 2QD | 020/7647–0200 | www.living-rooms.co.uk | 12 suites | No meals | Station: Oxford Circus.
Marylebone
Fodor’s Choice | Dorset Square Hotel.
HOTEL | Reopened in June 2012 after extensive updates and refurbishment, this boutique hotel, in one of London’s most fashionable neighborhoods, occupies a charming town house. Rooms and suites have been individually designed anew with bold colors, handwoven carpets, eclectic artwork, and knick-knacks from around the globe. Amenities include flat-screen TVs, Tivoli radios, iPod docking stations, and marble bathrooms with Miller Harris products. The drawing room, with high ceilings, cozy fire, graceful windows, and honor bar, is a perfect spot to relax with a cocktail. English brasserie-style cuisine is served in the Potting Shed Bar & Restaurant, a smart, intimate neighborhood find. Pros: ideal location; lovely design; welcoming vibe. Cons: some rooms are small; no bathtub in some rooms; fee for Wi-Fi. | Rooms from: £260 | 39 Dorset Sq., Marylebone | NW1 6QN | 020/7723–7874 | www.firmdalehotels.com | 35 rooms, 3 suites | Breakfast | Station: Baker St.
Fodor’s Choice | Hyatt Regency London—The Churchill.
HOTEL | Even though it’s one of London’s largest hotels, the Churchill is always abuzz with guests smiling at the purring perfection they find here, including warmly personalized service and calmly alluring guest rooms. The shimmering lobby is in Robert Adamesque 19th-century style, the Locanda Locatelli is one of the city’s best Italian restaurants, and there’s a hip connections with the Frieze Art Fair. Guest rooms are lovely and modern, and suites are hung with cutting-edge art on loan from the Saatchi collection. No-nonsense business travelers and VIPs appreciate the highly convenient Portman Square location, and so will you. Pros: comfortable and stylish; efficient service; up to three can stay in one room. Cons: feels more geared to business than leisure travelers. | Rooms from: £260 | 30 Portman Sq., Marylebone | W1H 7BH | 020/7486–5800 | www.london.churchill.hyatt.com | 389 rooms, 45 suites | Breakfast | Station: Marble Arch.
The Landmark London Hotel.
HOTEL | A glass-covered, eight-story atrium sets the scene at this truly grand hotel, where the huge bedrooms are richly furnished and have marble bathrooms (odd-numbered rooms overlook the Winter Garden beneath the glass roof). Built by a wealthy industrialist to serve a planned channel tunnel rail link in 1899, the Landmark was the victim of atrocious timing twice in its life—first when the original tunnel was canceled, and again 40 years later when it was requisitioned by the army during World War II. Lavishly reborn in the late 1990s, it has been going strong ever since. Pros: amazingly luxurious; one of the few really posh London hotels that doesn’t make you dress up; good discounts are available. Cons: two-night minimum stay at certain times. | Rooms from: £285 | 222 Marylebone Rd., Marylebone | NW1 6JQ | 020/7631–8000 | www.landmarklondon.co.uk | 299 rooms, 47 suites | Breakfast | Station: Marylebone.
Park Plaza Sherlock Holmes Hotel.
HOTEL | In honor of the fictional detective who had his home on Baker Street, rooms here have a masculine edge with lots of earth tones and pinstripe sheets (along with hyper-modern bathrooms stocked with fluffy bathrobes). The bar has an appropriately clubby feel, with wood floors and leather furniture. Despite the name, this isn’t a theme hotel, although they do do run murder mystery nights once a month (£76 including dinner). Pros: nicely decorated; near Marylebone High Street; international electrical outlets, including those that work with American equipment. Cons: have to walk through the bar to get to reception; not well soundproofed from the noisy street. | Rooms from: £180 | 108 Baker St., Marylebone | W1U 6LJ | 020/7486–6161 | www.sherlockholmeshotel.com | 99 rooms, 20 suites | Breakfast | Station: Baker St.
Bed-and-Breakfasts
You can stay in small, homey B&Bs for an up-close-and-personal brush with city life (Parkwood Hotel; Arlington Avenue), or find yourself in what is really a modern guesthouse, where you never meet the owners (B&B Belgravia; The Main House). The main benefit of staying in a B&B is that the price is usually cheaper than a hotel room of comparable quality, and you receive more personal service. However, the limitations may be off-putting for some: although you can sometimes arrange for daily maid service, there’s usually no restaurant, bar, or room service. Prices start at around £60 a night, and in that bracket the grimmer places are legion, so make your choice carefully. Prices usually (though not always) go up for more central neighborhoods and larger and more luxurious homes. It’s a nice option, both for seasoned travelers who want a more authentic taste of London, and for those trying to travel well without busting their budgets.
Host & Guest Service.
Host & Guest Service can find you a room in London as well as in the rest of the United Kingdom. This a great source for bargains, and you know that all properties have been vetted by the agency, but the website functionality is a bit creaky. | 103 Dawes Rd., Fulham | SW6 7DU | 020/7385–9922 | www.host-guest.co.uk | Full payment in advance.
Radisson Blu Edwardian Berkshire Hotel.
HOTEL | In a dangerously good location for shopaholics, central to Oxford Street, this pleasant and well-run outpost of the Radisson chain offers a similar level of service to some of the more established hotels in the neighborhood, at a less eye-watering rate. Guest rooms are small but modern and well designed, with subtle, earthy, color schemes. lCheck the website for deals and special offers that can bring the price down considerably—especially in the off-season. Pros: great location; good restaurant; free Wi-Fi; worthwhile deals and promotions. Cons: walk-in rate is still quite expensive; small bedrooms. | Rooms from: £198 | 350 Oxford St., Mayfair | W1C 1BY | 020/7629–7474, 0800/374–411 toll-free in U.K., 1800/333–3333 toll-free in U.S. | www.radissonblu-edwardian.com | 145 rooms, 2 suites | Some meals | Station: Bond St., Oxford Circus.
Soho and Covent Garden
Soho
Fodor’s Choice | Dean Street Townhouse.
HOTEL | Discreet and unpretentious, but oh-so-stylish—and right in the heart of Soho—this place has a bohemian vibe and an excellent modern British restaurant, hung with art by, among others, Peter Blake and Tracy Emin. Inside, comfy sofas and heavy upholstered chairs jostle for space; and many beds are four-poster. It’s all very hip and au courant, which comes at a price—but here lies one of London’s best-kept hotel secrets: A single room, the teeny-weeny “Broom Cupboard,” costs £95 a night; you have to book and pay in advance, but it’s one of the hottest bargains in town. Pros: über-cool; resembles an upper-class pied-à-terre. Cons: full rate reflects location rather than what you get; some rooms are small; rooms at the front can be noisy, especially on weekends; occasional two-night minimum stay. | Rooms from: £188 | 69–71 Dean St., Soho | W1D 3SE | 020/7434–1775 | www.deanstreettownhouse.com | 39 rooms | Breakfast | Station: Leicester Sq., Tottenham Court Rd.
Hazlitt’s.
HOTEL | This disarmingly friendly place, full of personality, robust antiques, and claw-foot tubs, occupies three connected early-18th-century houses, one of which was the last home of essayist William Hazlitt (1778–1830). Traditional style and furnishings form a large part of its appeal, but it’s devoid of certain modern amenities—as the owners say, “In 1718 there were no elevators, and there still aren’t”. Nearby are more restaurants than you could visit in a year. Pros: great for lovers of art and antiques; historic atmosphere with lots of small sitting rooms and wooden staircases; truly beautiful and relaxed. Cons: no in-house restaurant; breakfast is £12 extra; no elevators. | Rooms from: £216 | 6 Frith St., Soho | W1D 3JA | 020/7434–1771 | www.hazlittshotel.com | 20 rooms, 3 suites | No meals | Station: Tottenham Court Rd.
The Soho Hotel.
HOTEL | At this redbrick, loftlike getaway, public rooms are boldly designed with bright colors and big artworks, while the large bedrooms are calmer, most with neutral, beige-and-cream tones, or subtle, sophisticated pinstripes, all offset by modern furniture. The bar and restaurant, Refuel, is consistently excellent, and there are movie-screening rooms downstairs (in case the wide-screen TVs in the bedrooms aren’t big enough for you). Pros: small and sophisticated; comfortable beds; great in-house restaurant. Cons: bar can be crowded and noisy on weeknights. | Rooms from: £355 | 4 Richmond Mews, off Dean St., Soho | W1D 3DH | 020/7559–3000 | www.sohohotel.com | 91 rooms, 4 apartments | Some meals | Station: Tottenham Court Rd.
Covent Garden
Fodor’s Choice | Covent Garden Hotel.
HOTEL | It’s little wonder this is now the London home-away-from-home for off-duty celebrities, actors, and style mavens, with its Covent Garden location and guest rooms that are World of Interiors–stylish. Done up in painted silks, style-anglais ottomans, and 19th-century Romantic oils, the public salons are perfect places to decompress over a glass of wine, and guest rooms use mix-and-match couture fabrics to stunning effect. For £35, the popular Saturday-night film club includes dinner in the brasserie and a film in the deluxe in-house cinema. Pros: great for star-spotting, super-trendy. Cons: you can feel you don’t matter if you’re not famous; setting in Covent Garden can be a bit boisterous. | Rooms from: £315 | 10 Monmouth St., Covent Garden | WC2H 9HB | 020/7806–1000, 800/553–6674 in U.S. | www.firmdale.com | 55 rooms, 3 suites | Some meals | Station: Covent Garden.
Fodor’s Choice | Me London.
HOTEL | One can only imagine the endless concept meetings that went into this shiny new luxury hotel at the end of the Strand, but the result—a happy mix of high fashion and futuristic hipsterism—is achingly on-trend. Pros: very fashionable; beautifully designed; full of high-tech comforts; excellent service. Cons: you may find it hard to relax if you don’t feel super-stylish yourself; design can sometimes verge on form over function. | Rooms from: £306 | 336 The Strand, Covent Garden | WC2R 1HA | 0845/601–8980 | www.melia.com | 159 rooms, 16 suites | Breakfast | Station: Temple.
One Aldwych.
HOTEL | An Edwardian building, with an artsy lobby and understated blend of contemporary and classic, provides pure, modern luxury in a great location for theaters and shopping. Guest rooms are equipped with feather comforters, Italian linen sheets, and ample elegance, and suites have such amenities as private gyms, kitchens, and terraces. The gorgeous swimming pool in the health club has underwater speakers that play music you can hear only when you dive in. Pros: understated luxury; ultracool atmosphere; kids stay free with certain packages. Cons: all this luxury doesn’t come cheap; fashionable ambience is not always relaxing; design sometimes verges on form over function. | Rooms from: £300 | 1 Aldwych, Covent Garden | WC2 4BZ | 020/7300–1000 | www.onealdwych.co.uk | 93 rooms, 12 suites | Breakfast | Station: Charing Cross, Covent Garden.
Fodor’s Choice | The Savoy.
HOTEL | One of London’s most famous hotels has emerged from a £220 million renovation, and the old girl is looking like a superstar again. Individually designed guest rooms are as cosseting as they were when they welcomed Elizabeth Taylor on her first honeymoon, and there is still no grander stage-set in London than the main stately-house lobby, or a more glamorous setting than the adjacent Thames Foyer, a dreamy salon done up in black-and-white chinoiserie and pink orchids: no wonder most of Hollywood stays here. Gadgets such as iPod docks and LCD TVs are oh-so-discreetly incorporated so as not to destroy the effect as you prepare for cocktails at the oh-so-iconic American Bar (where the first Martini was served in London). There are four superb restaurants: Simpson’s in the Strand, the Savoy Grill, the Thames Foyer, or the River (no prizes for guessing which has the best view). Pros: the best hotel in London, period; Thames-side location; less snooty than many others of its pedigree. Cons: everything comes with a price tag; bedrooms can be surprisingly noisy, particularly on lower floors; right off the super-busy Strand. | Rooms from: £375 | Strand, Covent Garden | WC2R 0ET | 020/7836–4343, 800/257–7544 in U.S. | www.fairmont.com/savoy-london | 268 rooms, 62 suites | Breakfast | Station: Covent Garden, Charing Cross.
The Trafalgar London.
HOTEL | This former 19th-century office building, retaining many original features, is in a superb location, and some guest rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows with extraordinary views of Trafalgar Square and The City. Twenty one rooms are split-level, with upstairs space for chilling out and sleeping space below. Bathrooms have deep baths, full-size toiletries, eye masks, and mini-TVs. Go up to the roof garden for spectacular views of the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, and the London Eye. Better yet, ask for Room 303 to enjoy these exquisite views in privacy. Pros: amazing location and views; spacious rooms; a fresh, contemporary hotel that defies the Hilton norm; good reductions on weekends. Cons: interior is somewhat austere; rates rise sharply from Monday to Friday. | Rooms from: £157 | 2 Spring Gardens, Trafalgar Sq., Westminster | SW1A 2TS | 020/7870–2900 | www.hilton.co.uk | 127 rooms, 2 suites | Breakfast | Station: Charing Cross.
Waldorf Hilton.
HOTEL | The location of this branch of the Hilton chain is grand enough from the outside that many passersby mistake it for just another of the West End theaters by which it is surrounded. Guestrooms present a much more modern vibe, with bold color schemes and contemporary furnishings, together with a few welcome extras such as plasma screen TVs. Rooms are a fairly decent size, given the London average. Befitting the address, the elegant in-house restaurant offers pre- and post-theater menus if you’re off to see a show. Pros: superb choice for theaters; well-equipped modern rooms. Cons: few discounts or deals; feels more chain-hotel than the grand exterior would suggest. | Rooms from: £167 | Aldwych, Covent Garden | WC2B 4DD | 020/7836–2400 | www.hilton.co.uk | 303 rooms | Breakfast | Station: Charing Cross.
Bloomsbury and Holborn
Bloomsbury
Alhambra Hotel.
B&B/INN | One of the best bargains in Bloomsbury is a stone’s throw from King’s Cross and the Eurostar terminal, and though rooms are very small and the neighborhood is still “edgy,” few places are this cheery and clean for the price. Television and Wi-Fi (“where service reaches”) are included, but that’s about it—you even have to ask for an alarm clock. Pros: low price, with breakfast included; friendly service; central location. Cons: zero frills; stairs to climb; some rooms have shared bathrooms. | Rooms from: £75 | 17–19 Argyle St., Bloomsbury | WC1H 8EJ | 020/7837–9575 | www.alhambrahotel.com | 52 rooms | Breakfast | Station: King’s Cross.
Arosfa Hotel.
B&B/INN | Simple, friendly, and pleasantly quirky, this little B&B, once the home of pre-Raphaelite painter Sir John Everett Millais, is on an elegant Georgian street within walking distance of the West End and the British Museum. Bedrooms are comfortable and well designed, double-glazed windows keep street noise at bay, and some rooms overlook a small garden. This is a clean, comfortable and friendly place to stay, and unless one of the bigger hotels around here is having a sale, you’d be very hard pressed to beat it for the price. Pros: friendly staff; check-in from 7 am; good location for museums and theaters; free Wi-Fi. Cons: some rooms are very small; bathrooms have showers only; few services. | Rooms from: £110 | 83 Gower St., Bloomsbury | WC1E 6HJ | 020/7636–2115 | www.arosfalondon.com | 15 rooms | Breakfast | Station: Goodge St., Euston Sq.
Celtic Hotel.
HOTEL | This is a solid, dependable budget choice in a pricey district (close to the West End and British Museum)—clean and comfortable, but with basic ameneties. Don’t be confused by the website—this really is the Celtic Hotel, now merged with the neighboring (and longer-established) St. Margaret’s. There’s no restaurant, but in the heart of Bloomsbury you’re spoiled for choice of places to eat. Pros: friendly staff; free Wi-Fi; good location close to the British Museum and the West End. Cons: no-frills approach means few extras; cheaper rooms don’t have private bathrooms. | Rooms from: £80 | 62 Guilford St., Bloomsbury | WC1N 1DD | 020/7837–6737 | www.stmargaretshotel.co.uk | 35 rooms | Breakfast | Station: Russell Sq.
Charlotte Street Hotel.
HOTEL | Modern flair and the traditional are fused together in this super-stylish Soho retreat, beautifully decorated with unique printed fabrics from designer Kit Kemp. Bathrooms are truly impressive, lined with gleaming granite and oak—with walk-in showers and flat-screen TVs, so you can catch up on the news while you soak in the deep tub. The restaurant, Oscar, is excellent for European cuisine, and the bar is a trendy (though pricey) local hangout, or you might want to indulge in afternoon tea by the fire in the spacious drawing room. They run a Sunday night film club here that’s excellent value: a three course dinner plus a movie in the plush private screening room for just £35. Pros: elegant, luxurious; great attention to detail. Cons: the popular bar can be noisy; reservations are necessary for the restaurant. | Rooms from: £300 | 15 Charlotte St., Bloomsbury | W1P 1HB | 020/7806–2000, 800/553–6674 in U.S. | www.charlottestreethotel.com | 46 rooms, 6 suites | Breakfast | Station: Goodge St.
Crescent Hotel London.
B&B/INN | On one of Bloomsbury’s grand old squares and wihin walking distance of many top attractions, this friendly, attractive B&B includes use the tennis courts and private gardens in the square—a great spot for picnics on a sunny day. Rooms are small and simply decorated in cheery colors and breakfasts are big and hearty—but although the overall effect is somewhat utilitarian, the basics are well covered. Pros: lovely, convenient location; friendly staff. Cons: price too high for what you get; needs a facelift; no elevator; bathrooms are tiny and some have only a tub, so if you want a shower, ask when you book. | Rooms from: £116 | 49–50 Cartright Gardens, Bloomsbury | WC1H 9EL | 020/7387–1515 | www.crescenthoteloflondon.com | 27 rooms, 10 with bath | Breakfast | Station: Russell Sq.
Grange Blooms Hotel.
HOTEL | In this white Georgian town-house hotel, just around the corner from the British Museum, rooms are not too tiny by London standards, and those in the back look out onto a leafy green garden. Service is excellent, with a concierge and porter always on hand to help. The public areas are a bit stuffy, with bright carpeting, curtains, and sofas, but only in a pleasant, traditional way. Pros: great location; overall good value; good prices if you book early through the website. Cons: bathrooms could use an upgrade; guests can be bumped to sister hotel if fully booked; no air-conditioning; street noise in some rooms. | Rooms from: £114 | 7 Montague St., Bloomsbury | WC1B 5BP | 020/7323–1717, 800/2247–2643 | www.grangehotels.com | 26 rooms, 1 suite | Some meals | Station: Russell Sq.
Harlingford Hotel.
HOTEL | The most contemporary of the Cartwright Gardens hotels offers sleek, quiet, and comfortable bedrooms and perfectly appointed public rooms. With space for four, the quad rooms are a good choice for traveling families. For those who tire of eggs and sausage every morning, breakfast includes a choice of fresh croissants and 10 kinds of cereal. Pros: good location; friendly staff; use of private garden; wider breakfast choice than many small London hotels. Cons: rooms are quite small; no elevator. | Rooms from: £120 | 61–63 Cartwright Gardens, Bloomsbury | WC1H 9EL | 020/7387–1551 | www.harlingfordhotel.com | 43 rooms | Breakfast | Station: Russell Sq.
Jesmond Hotel.
B&B/INN | This friendly little hotel is great value given the location: a short walk from the British Museum in one direction, and Soho and Covent Garden in the other. Guest rooms won’t win any design awards, but they’re comfortable and clean. Breakfasts are good and extremely filling (although there’s not much choice past the traditional “full English”). There’s a small guest lounge and even a little garden out back—unusual for a B&B right in the center of town. Pros: great location; friendly staff; free Wi-Fi. Cons: some rooms are very small; nearly half have shared bathrooms. | Rooms from: £85 | 63 Gower St., Bloomsbury | WC1E 6HJ | 020/7636–3199 | www.jesmondhotel.org.uk | 15 rooms | Breakfast | Station: Goodge St., Euston Sq., Warren St., Russell Sq.
The Megaro.
HOTEL | Directly across the street from St. Pancras International station (for Eurostar), the snazzy, well-designed, modern bedrooms here surround guests with startlingly contemporary style and amenities that include powerful showers and espresso machines. Rooms come in different sizes, with the more spacious ones on the upper floors, where huge windows take in the cityscape, such as it is. The new Karpo restaurant serves decent international cuisine. Pros: comfortable beds; great location for Eurostar; short hop on Tube to city center. Cons: neighborhood isn’t great; standard rooms are small; interiors may be a bit stark for some. | Rooms from: £160 | Belgrove St., King’s Cross | WC1H 8AB | 020/7843–2222 | www.hotelmegaro.co.uk | 49 rooms | Breakfast.
Morgan Hotel.
B&B/INN | Don’t expect many bells or whistles in this former Georgian house, but the rooms are sunny and attractive and it overlooks the British Museum and is close to West End theaters. Some of the guest rooms are quite spacious, some have floor-to-ceiling windows, and some overlook the museum. The little apartments (£150–£250) give you a bit more space to move around in and have a tiny kitchen. The small, paneled breakfast room downstairs can rightfully be described as “cozy,” and the family that runs the place could hardly be friendlier. Pros: friendly staff; double and triple rooms are large by London standards; good location. Cons: mattresses are quite thin, as are walls; no elevator. | Rooms from: £135 | 24 Bloomsbury St., Bloomsbury | WC1B 3QJ | 020/7636–3735 | www.morganhotel.co.uk | 15 rooms, 5 apartments | Breakfast | Station: Tottenham Court Rd., Russell Sq.
The Portland Hotel.
HOTEL | Around the corner from leafy Russell Square and an easy walk to the British Museum and Covent Garden, the Portland offers spacious and comfortable bedrooms, with large bathrooms, seating areas, and kitchenettes. It’s among several hotels on the same street that are owned by the Grange Hotels chain; this means that you might book here and actually end up staying in another hotel, and while the quality is comparable, not all amenities are the same—be clear with your requirements when you book. Pros: great location; large rooms; kitchenettes offer alternative to restaurants; staff is friendly. Cons: restaurant is in neighboring hotel, requiring a walk down the street to breakfast; prices rise hugely after cheap rooms are sold. | Rooms from: £91 | 31–32 Bedford Pl., Bloomsbury | WC1B 5JH | 020/7580–7088 | www.grangehotels.com | 18 rooms | Breakfast | Station: Holborn Rd.
The Ridgemount Hotel.
B&B/INN | Mere blocks away from the British Museum and London’s West End theaters, this handsomely fronted guesthouse has clean, neat, and plainly decorated rooms at a bargain. The welcoming public areas, especially the family-style breakfast room, resemble sweetly cluttered Victorian-style parlors. Breakfast (included in the price) is hearty and filling, and some room overlook a leafy garden. An interesting historical note: No. 67 was once owned by Elizabeth Stride, who later moved to the East End and fell victim to Jack the Ripper. Pros: good location for theaters and museum; helpful staff; family rooms (accommodating up to five) are excellent value. Cons: decoration is basic; no elevator; cheapest rooms have shared bathrooms. | Rooms from: £78 | 65–67 Gower St., Bloomsbury | WC1E 6HJ | 020/7636–1141 | www.ridgemounthotel.co.uk | 32 rooms, 15 with bath | Breakfast | Station: Goodge St.
Rough Luxe.
B&B/INN | Undoubtedly Bloomsbury’s most avant-garde hotel, this 19th-century building has been renovated with an appealing mix of shabby chic and modern comfort. Bits of old battered walls and remnants of the old, torn wallpaper are deliberately left in place next to elegant beds, claw-foot tubs, designer lighting, and original artwork (they’ve even been known to keep an artist-in-residence). The whole effect is so extraordinary that the hotel regularly features in designer magazines. Certainly the chutzpah is impressive, given that prices are high in relation to services offered. Pros: art and design lovers will be dazzled; free Wi-Fi. Cons: no restaurant or bar; cheapest rooms are booked up fast; in a neighborhood locals would describe as “dodgy”; some rooms share bathrooms. | Rooms from: £159 | 1 Birkenhead St., Bloomsbury | W1CH 8BA | 020/7837–5338 | www.roughluxe.co.uk | 10 rooms | Breakfast | Station: King’s Cross.
Sanderson Hotel.
HOTEL | At this this fashionable and surreal “urban spa” in a converted 1950s textile factory, the lobby looks like a design museum, bedrooms have sleigh beds and a mix of over-the-top Louis XV and postmodern furnishings, and amenities include holistic bath house and indoor-outdoor fitness classes. Those inclined to less exertion will enjoy the Asian-influenced restaurant, Suka, which merges Malaysian and British cuisine, and the Alice in Wonderland themed “Mad Hatter’s Tea Party,” a quirky spin on traditional afternoon tea. The courtyard is a lovely and romantic spot, especially by candlelight. Pros: popular with design mavens; your every whim gratified. Cons: “designer cool” can be self-consciously hip; bar and restaurant are so exclusive it’s hard to get in. | Rooms from: £325 | 50 Berners St., Bloomsbury | W1T 3NG | 020/7300–1400 | www.sandersonlondon.com | 150 rooms | Breakfast | Station: Oxford Circus, Tottenham Court Rd.
Fodor’s Choice | St. Pancras Renaissance.
HOTEL | Reopened in 2011 after nearly a century of dereliction, this stunningly restored Victorian landmark—replete with gingerbread turrets and castle-like ornaments—started as a love letter to the golden age of railways; now it’s one of London’s most sophisticated places to stay (bait-and-switch department: note that the guest rooms are modern and sleek). Originally built in 1873 to serve wealthy passengers for the adjacent St. Pancras rail station, the restoration has adapted the hotel’s original High Victorian features to huge effect, from the soaring, redbrick reception area to the sumptuous, gilt-trimmed bar and restaurant, a reworking of the old station’s booking hall. Guest rooms,alas, have no Victorian vibes at all. Done in minimalist grandeur, they are spacious and comfortable, with an understated elegance and a host of up-to-the-minute gadgetry: perhaps just the welcome relief one needs after all those 19th-century touches in the main salons. Pros: Victorian heaven (in parts); unique and beautiful; faultless service; just an elevator ride to the Eurostar. Cons: very popular bar and restaurant; streets outside are always busy. | Rooms from: £230 | Euston Rd., King’s Cross | NW1 2AR | 020/7841–3540 | www.marriott.com | 207 rooms, 38 suites | Breakfast | Station: King’s Cross St. Pancras. National Rail: King’s Cross St. Pancras.
Thistle Bloomsbury Park Hotel.
HOTEL | A block away from leafy Russell Square and a short stroll from the British Museum, the location of the Thistle Bloomsbury Park Hotel is outstanding, though once you get past the handsome frontage and gleaming lobby, everything seems decidedly more average—though not necessarily in a bad way. This is the kind of place where all the basics are covered, but little else, with decent service to boot. Guest rooms are simple and small, with mass-produced furniture. Pros: great location; family rooms cost only slightly more than doubles. Cons: only family rooms are a bargain, otherwise too expensive for what’s on offer; small rooms; looking tired in places. | Rooms from: £195 | 126 Southampton Row, Bloomsbury | WC1B 5AD | 0871/376–9007 | www.thistle.com | 95 rooms | Breakfast | Station: Russell Sq.
Holborn
Chancery Court Hotel.
HOTEL | So striking it was featured in the movie Howards End, this landmark structure (built by the Pearl Assurance Company in 1914) now houses a beautiful hotel with a clubby feel and extra-spacious guest rooms. Popular with business travelers, it features lots of leather and dark-red fabrics, with luxurious mattresses, and a day spa in the basement is a peaceful cocoon. There’s marble everywhere, from the floors in public spaces and the massive staircase to the bathrooms. The restaurant, Pearl, is known for its Modern European cuisine, and the bar, in an old banking hall, has elegant soaring ceilings. Pros: gorgeous space; great spa; your every need catered to. Cons: area is deserted at night and on weekends. | Rooms from: £212 | 252 High Holborn, Holborn | WC1V 7EN | 020/7829–9888 | www.chancerycourthotel.com | 342 rooms, 14 suites | Some meals | Station: Holborn.
SACO Serviced Apartments, Holborn.
RENTAL | Down a quiet backstreet, a 10-minute walk from the British Museum, these apartments are spacious, modern, and extremely well equipped, including a kitchen with dishwasher and washing machine. Those on the top floor have large terraces, ideal for a morning coffee or alfresco dining. A maid cleans the apartments once a week, and there’s a staffed reception area, but otherwise you’re pretty much left to your own devices to live like a Londoner. There are plenty of good restaurants and bars in the neighborhood, and a grocery store is a block away. Pros: more independence than hotels; pleasant and spacious accommodations; on-site parking. Cons: exterior is dated; you must provide own bedding for baby cots. | Rooms from: £256 | 82 Lamb’s Conduit St., Holborn | WC1N 3LT | 020/7269–9930 | www.sacoapartments.co.uk | 30 apartments (mixture of studios, and 1-, 2-, and 3-bedroom) | No meals | Station: Russell Sq.
London Chain Hotel Primer
England has a number of hotel chains worth considering. Some are moderately priced, others are luxurious. Here’s a quick rundown of our favorites:
easyHotel: One of the first chains to bring so-called “pod hotels” to London, the easyHotel chain specializes in very cheap (less than £50 a night for a double) rooms that are clean, secure and offer all the basics, but are teeny-tiny, and have no extras at all. | www.easyhotel.com.
Grange Hotels: This chain includes a good mix of large and small hotels, with reliable (if somewhat dull) neutral interior design, good service, and plenty of gadgets for business travelers. Prices vary, although most are moderately priced. | www.grangehotels.com.
Malmaison: With lavish, elegant small hotels around the country, this upscale chain offers luxurious designer style, good restaurants, and trendy bars. | www.malmaison.com.
Millennium: Similar in style to Premier Inns, Millennium (and its other brand, Copthorne) hotels are targeted at both business and leisure travelers. They offer well-designed rooms with plenty of gadgets and have frequent sales. | www.millenniumhotels.co.uk.
myhotel: A small chain of pricey boutique hotels, with a designer style, trendy bars, and a modern approach, myhotels offer reliable comfort and service, if you don’t mind the price tag. | www.myhotels.com.
Premier Inns: This widespread chain features medium-size, moderately priced hotels. They’re known for their attractive if bland look, and for frequent sales, which keep prices low. | www.premierinn.com.
The City
Apex City of London.
HOTEL | At this sleek, modern branch of the small Apex chain near the Tower of London, bedrooms are reasonably spacious, with contemporary color schemes and little sofas and desks that make life easier for the traveler. It’s worth checking out the website for good package deals and special offers, especially in the off sesason. Pros: great location; helpful staff; full of modern comforts; free Wi-Fi. Cons: geared more to business than leisure travelers; price can rise sharply during busy times. | Rooms from: £129 | 1 Seething La., The City | EC3N 4AX | 020/7702–2020 | www.apexhotels.co.uk | 130 rooms, 49 suites | Breakfast | Station: Tower Hill.
Crowne Plaza London—The City.
HOTEL | Don’t let the hotel’s all-business appearance and financial-district location put you off—it’s a polished operation, with stylish minimalist rooms and a Michelin-starred restaurant, and it’s just steps from a Tube station. The hotel occupies the shell of an old stationery warehouse, on the former site of Henry VIII’s Bridewell Palace, and rooms, in cool shades of gray and cream, have soundproof windows to block out city noise. The restaurant, Refettorio, serves high-quality rustic Italian cuisine by acclaimed chef Giorgio Locatelli. Pros: good prices available with advance booking; kids stay free; lots of amenities. Cons: neighborhood is super-busy during the day and graveyard-quiet at night—you’ll have to go elsewhere for a party scene. | Rooms from: £195 | 19 New Bridge St., The City | EC4 6DB | 0871/423–4828 | www.cplondoncityhotel.co.uk | 203 rooms, 3 suites | Breakfast | Station: Blackfriars.
Grange City Hotel.
HOTEL | With an eye on business, this sleek City hotel has everything the workaholic needs to feel right at home—chic bedrooms subtly decorated, modern furnishings, plenty of space (by London standards), and more. Women-only rooms have extra amenities ranging from more powerful hair dryers to extra-secure doors with peepholes and chain locks. Guests can exercise in the magnificent columned swimming pool, linger over sushi at the Koto Japanese Restaurant, or sip cocktails in the Isis Whisky Bar. Pros: good-size rooms; prices can drop considerably on weekends; women-only rooms are great for lone female travelers. Cons: a bit off the tourist track; some rooms overlook train platform; prices can soar midweek; online discounts tend to not allow changes or cancellation. | Rooms from: £142 | 8–14 Cooper’s Row, The City | EC3N 2BQ | 020/7863–3700 | www.grangehotels.com | 307 rooms, 11 suites | Some meals | Station: Tower Hill, Aldgate, Monument.
The London Mal.
HOTEL | This chic spot, on the edge of The City and handy for The Barbican, has stylish rooms that come with huge comfortable beds, bathrooms with tub and power shower, and plenty of amenities. Some rooms can take an extra bed for a child, and all have CD systems with a library of music on demand, as well as satellite TVs and free Wi-Fi. The hotel prides itself on fast, high-quality room service, so breakfast in bed can be a pleasure. Pros: luxurious rooms; excellent service; good weekend discounts and package deals. Cons: neighborhood is off the tourist track; area can be quiet at night. | Rooms from: £240 | 18–21 Charterhouse Sq., The City | EC1M 6AH | 0845/365–4247, 020/7012–3700 | www.malmaison.com | 95 rooms, 2 suites | Multiple meal plans | Station: Barbican, Farringdon.
Fodor’s Choice | The Rookery.
HOTEL | An absolutely unique and beautiful 1725 town house, the Rookery is the kind of place where you want to allow quality time to enjoy and soak up the atmosphere. Huge, wood-paneled bedrooms have heavy raw silk drapes, antique furniture, artfully scattered antiquarian books, and white marble bathrooms with deep claw-foot tubs big enough for two. The elegant, Regency-style drawing room has a well-stocked honesty bar, and the conservatory, with its small patio garden, is another relaxing place to unwind. There’s no restaurant, but room service is good-quality and reasonably priced. Breakfast, served in your room, features a large basket of freshly baked breads and pastries, juices and yogurts. Pros: helpful staff; free Wi-Fi; good deals in the off-season. Cons: breakfast costs extra; short Tube ride to tourist sites. | Rooms from: £144 | 12 Peter’s La., at Cowcross St., The City | EC1M 6DS | 020/7336–0931 | www.rookeryhotel.com | 30 rooms, 3 suites | No meals | Station: Farringdon.
Threadneedles Hotel.
HOTEL | The elaborate building housing this grand hotel in the financial district is a former bank, and the vast old banking hall—beautifully adapted as the lobby, with luxurious marble and mahogany panels—really sets the scene. Guest rooms are stylish and spacious, with modern bathrooms, big comfortable beds, and neutral coffee and cream colors, with dashes of deep burgundy. Given the location, it’s no surprise that this place looks as if it were custom-designed to please business travelers—the hotel even provides personalized business cards to all guests as a basic amenity. Pros: lap of luxury; excellent service. Cons: a bit stuffy for some tastes; neighborhood is quiet at night. | Rooms from: £210 | 5 Threadneedle St., The City | EC2R 8AY | 020/7657–8080 | www.theetoncollection.com | 63 rooms, 6 suites | Breakfast | Station: Bank.
Fodor’s Choice | The Zetter.
HOTEL | The dizzying five-story atrium, art deco staircase, and slick European restaurant hint at the delights to come in this converted warehouse—a breath of fresh air with its playful color schemes, elegant wallpapers, and wonderful views of The City from the higher floors. Thoughtful little touches, from the plethora of gadgets in every room to the exclusive, 1,500-foot borehole from which the hotel draws its mineral water (yes, really) raise this place to something truly special. Across the street is the 13-bedroom Zetter Townhouse, a sister hotel offering the same quirky style with a touch more intimacy–and an excellent cocktail bar too. Pros: huge amounts of character; big rooms; free Wi-Fi; gorgeous “Rainforest” showers. Cons: rooms with good views cost more. | Rooms from: £234 | 86–88 Clerkenwell Rd., Holborn | EC1M 5RJ | 020/7324–4444 | www.thezetter.com | 59 rooms | Breakfast | Station: Farringdon.
The East End
Andaz.
HOTEL | Swanky and upscale, this hotel sports a modern, masculine design, and novel check-in procedure—instead of standing at a desk, guests sit in a lounge while a staff member with a handheld computer takes their information. Guest rooms are sparsely decorated with designer furniture, intensely comfortable beds, and a color scheme of white walls, charcoal floors, and ruby-red touches. The 1901 restaurant is exquisite, with marble floors and modern chandeliers, and the Champagne bar is popular with city workers. Pros: nice attention to detail; guests can borrow an iPod from the front desk; no standing in line to check in; “healthy minibars” are stocked with nuts, fruit, and yogurt. Cons: sparse interior design is not for all; rates rise significantly for midweek stays. | Rooms from: £154 | 40 Liverpool St., East End | EC2M 7QN | 020/7961–1234, 800/492–8804 in U.S. | www.andaz.hyatt.com | 267 rooms | Breakfast | Station: Liverpool St.
Fodor’s Choice | The Hoxton Hotel.
HOTEL | The design throughout this trendy East London lodging is contemporary—but not so modern as to be absurd—and in keeping with a claim to combine a country-lodge lifestyle with true urban living, a fire crackles in the lobby. The chic but casual restaurant is packed with friendly youth; the comfortable guest rooms have Frette linen sheets and down comforters; the bar is popular with local office workers; and the Hoxton Grill combines American steak-house style with French bistro chic. Best of all is London’s best hotel deal, hands down: every night five rooms are priced at just £1. Pros: cool vibe; neighborhood known for funky galleries and boutiques; huge weekend discounts; way-cool restaurant; one hour of free international calls. Cons: price rockets during the week; away from tourist sights; £1 rooms sell out months ahead. | Rooms from: £90 | 81 Great Eastern St., East End | EC2A 3HU | 020/7550–1000 | www.hoxtonhotels.com | 205 rooms | Breakfast.
Ramada Hotel and Suites Docklands.
HOTEL | Many of the sleek and modern rooms at this hotel, dramatically set at the edge of the river in the rejuvenated Docklands area of East London, have water views, while others have views of the city. Large desks, data ports, personal voice mail, and other amenities are geared to business travelers. The hotel’s restaurants and bars are handy, although there’s plenty to choose from these days in the surrounding area. Pros: waterfront views. Cons: lacks character; area is tumbleweed quiet on weekends; about a 20-minute Tube ride to central London. | Rooms from: £129 | ExCel,2 Festoon Way, Royal Victoria Dock, East End | E16 1RH | 020/7540–4820 | www.ramadadocklands.co.uk | 224 rooms | Breakfast | Station: Old St.
Town Hall Hotel and Apartments.
HOTEL | An art deco town hall, abandoned in the early 1980s and turned into a chic hotel in 2010, is now a lively and stylish place, with the best of the building’s elegant original features intact. There’s wit, too—the “Town Hall Tea Lady” goes door to door in the early evening, offering cocktails from her cart. Guest rooms are bright and airy and bathrooms are visions of white and chrome, but some sacrifice too much in the name of design, with only a curtain separating them from the bedroom. Pros: beautifully designed; lovely staff; big discounts on weekends. Cons: though touted as “cool” and “cutting edge,” this is not a good part of town; a 15-minute Tube ride from Central London. | Rooms from: £174 | Patriot Sq., Bethnal Green, East End | EC2 9NF | 020/7657–8080 | www.townhallhotel.com | 98 rooms | Breakfast | Station: Bethnal Green.
South of the Thames
Fodor’s Choice | Church Street Hotel.
HOTEL | Like rays of sunshine in gritty South London, these rooms above a popular tapas restaurant are individually decorated in rich, bold tones and authentic Central American touches—elaborately painted crucifixes; tiles handmade in Guadalajara; homemade iron bed frames. Breakfast is a tasty combination of organic breads, pastries, and smoothies, much of it sourced from nearby Borough Market, and there’s an honesty bar with a great selection of Spanish and American bottled beers. Pros: unique and arty; great breakfasts; lovely staff; closer to central London than it might appear. Cons: a trendy but not great part of town (stay out of neighboring Elephant and Castle); would suit adventurous young things more than families; a mile from a Tube station (though bus connections are handier); some rooms have shared bathrooms. | Rooms from: £90 | 29–33 Camberwell Church St., Camberwell, South East | SE5 8TR | 020/7703–5984 | www.churchstreethotel.com | 28 rooms | Breakfast | Station: Oval St.
London Bridge Hotel.
HOTEL | Steps away from the London Bridge rail and Tube stations, and handy for the South Bank, this thoroughly modern, stylish hotel is popular with business travelers, but leisure travelers find it just as handy and appealing. The diminutive but sleek rooms have an understated, contemporary look, and there are three spacious two-bedroom apartments (£250–£400 a night) that come with kitchen, living room, and dining room. Pros: good location for visiting South Bank attractions; free Wi-Fi; good deals available online in the off-season. Cons: small bedrooms; prices rise by £100 or more midweek. | Rooms from: £132 | 8–18 London Bridge St., Southwark | SE1 9SG | 020/7855–2200 | www.london-bridge-hotel.co.uk | 138 rooms, 3 apartments | Breakfast | Station: London Bridge.
London Marriott Hotel County Hall.
HOTEL | This grand hotel on the Thames enjoys perhaps the most iconic view in the city—right next door is the London Eye, and directly across the River Thames are the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben. Until the 1980s this building was the seat of London’s government, and the public areas are suitably grand, full of pedimented archways, bronze doors, and acres of polished mahogany. All the businesslike bells and whistles you could ever want are available, and many of the warmly decorated, modern rooms enjoy that view. Pros: handy for South Bank arts scene, London Eye, and Westminster; great gym; good weekend discounts. Cons: interior design is overdone; breakfasts are pricey; rooms facing the river inevitably cost extra. | Rooms from: £266 | County Hall, Westminster Bridge Rd., South Bank | SE1 7PB | 020/7928–5200, 888/236–2427 in U.S. | www.marriott.com | 200 rooms | Breakfast | Station: Westminster, Waterloo. National Rail: Waterloo.
FAMILY | Premier Travel Inn County Hall.
HOTEL | The small but nicely decorated rooms at this budget choice share the County Hall complex with the grander London Marriott Hotel County Hall, and though they have none of the spectacular river views they share the convenient location—at a decidedly lower price. The staff is helpful, and best of all for families on a budget are the foldout beds that let you accommodate two kids at no extra charge. Pros: good location for the South Bank; bargains to be had if you book in advance, including very cheap breakfast and dinner rates; kids stay free. Cons: no river views; limited services. | Rooms from: £132 | Belvedere Rd., South Bank | SE1 7PB | 0871/527–8648 | www.premiertravelinn.com | 313 rooms | Breakfast | Station: Westminster, Waterloo. National Rail: Waterloo.
Premier Travel Inn Southwark (Borough Market).
HOTEL | This excellent branch of the huge Premier Travel Inn chain is a bit out of the way on the South Bank, but is convenient for visits to the Tate Modern, Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, and Borough Market. It sits on a quiet cobbled lane and offers the chain’s simply decorated rooms with 6-foot-wide beds (really two 3-foot beds zipped together) and a traditional-style pub-restaurant. Pros: ideally placed for visiting the Tate Modern or the Globe Theatre. Cons: small rooms; uninspiring building; limited extras or services; rooms near elevators can be a little noisy (ask for one farther down the hall). | Rooms from: £132 | 34 Park St., Southwark | SE1 9EF | 0871/527–8676 | www.premiertravelinn.com | 56 rooms | Breakfast | Station: London Bridge.
Kensington, Chelsea, Knightsbridge, and Belgravia
Kensington
Ampersand.
HOTEL | A sense of style rises like spritzed perfume from every surface of this sumptuous new hotel in the heart of Kensington—but the playful vibe stands in contrast to the cooler-than-thou atmosphere you’d often expect in this part of town. Standard guestrooms use old astrological prints as design accents on the otherwise minimalist walls, while the dark wood and leather furnishings add a clubby feel. Studio rooms come with half-tester beds and clawfoot tubs looking out over bay windows. Apero, the hotel’s restaurant, specializes in Meditteranean cuisine, or you can take afternoon tea in the rather neo-rococo Drawing Room Pros: flawless design; great service; good restaurant. Cons: ground floor rooms can be noisy. | Rooms from: £300 | 10 Harrington Rd., Kensington | SW7 3ER | 020/7589–5895 | www.ampersandhotel.com | 111 rooms | No meals | Station: South Kensington.
Ashburn Hotel.
HOTEL | A short walk from Gloucester Road Tube station and within walking distance of Harrods and the Kensington museums, the Ashburn is one of the better boutique hotels in this part of town. Guest rooms vary in size, but most are spacious enough, and flooded with natural light from elegant floor-to-ceiling windows. Downstairs is a charming, club-style bar with flocked wallpaper and heavy armchairs, where guests can drop in for a free glass of champagne in the evening. Meals are available in the bar or from room service. Pros: friendly atmosphere; free Wi-Fi; turndown gift (different every night). Cons: summer prices sometimes hike the cost. | Rooms from: £159 | 111 Cromwell Rd., Kensington | SW7 4DP | 020/7938–8970 reservations, 020/7244–1999 | www.ashburn-hotel.co.uk | 38 rooms, 3 suites | Breakfast | Station: Gloucester Rd.
Astons Apartments.
RENTAL | Three redbrick Victorian town houses on a quiet residential street are the setting for Astons’s comfortable studios and apartments. All are simple and small but well designed with tiny kitchenettes, and larger units have marble bathrooms and other extra touches as well. Some sleep families of four; others are barely big enough for two people. Pros: decent alternative to full-service hotel rooms; kitchenettes help save money on long stays. Cons: modern (if rather functional) blond-wood furnishings advertised as “designer” but look a bit cheap; few customer services; weekly discounts are hardly generous. | Rooms from: £250 | 31 Rosary Gardens, South Kensington | SW7 4NH | 020/7590–6000, 800/525–2810 in U.S. | www.astons-apartments.com | 43 rooms, 12 suites | No meals | Station: Gloucester Rd.
base2stay Kensington.
RENTAL | This near-budget option in a creamy white Georgian town house offers comfortable double rooms that have a stylish, modern look and tiny kitchenettes—and some even have bunk beds for traveling friends or children. Room service is available, and an “arrival base” system allows you to use a room before your check-in time for £15 an hour. And if you find yourself in need of your own wheels, ask reception to reserve you an eco-friendly electric car for just £4 per hour. Pros: great value alternative to hotel; attractive rooms; handy mini-kitchens; free Wi-Fi. Cons: bathrooms are small but well-designed; 15-minute Tube ride to central London. | Rooms from: £135 | 25 Courtfield Gardens, South Kensington | SW5 OPG | 020/7244–2255, 800/511–9821 in U.S. | www.base2stay.com | 67 rooms | No meals | Station: Earls Court.
The Bentley London.
HOTEL | Close to, but just far enough to be shielded from the bustle of Kensington, this opulent hotel, owned by Hilton, is an elegant escape within a creamy-white Victorian building. The lobby is a gorgeous explosion of marble, with high ceilings and chandeliers, and bedrooms are almost palatial in size, with silk wallpaper, golden furnishings, and fine marble bathrooms with whirlpool baths—some even have steam rooms. The restaurant serves modern British cuisine with Continental touches, and Malachite is a quiet bar for an after-dinner brandy. The marble Turkish steam room is a unique haven from the stresses of the day. Pros: luxurious rooms; gorgeous spa; great location. Cons: can be a bit stuffy; old-fashioned style won’t please everyone. | Rooms from: £240 | 27–33 Harrington Gardens, South Kensington | SW7 4JK | 020/7244–5555 | www.thebentley-hotel.com | 52 rooms, 12 suites | Breakfast | Station: Gloucester Rd.
Best Western Premier Shaftesbury Kensington.
HOTEL | These fresh and relaxing guest rooms, done in cool grays and earth tones and with firm queen-size beds, are just steps from Earl’s Court Tube station and offer a lot for your money. Bathrooms are small but well-designed, with modern bowl sinks, towel warmers, and big walk-in showers. Pros: good neighborhood; two-minute walk from the Tube; frequent online sales. Cons: small rooms; temperamental booking system, so make sure you bring your confirmation details; at the far edge of Kensington, farther from the museums than you might expect. | Rooms from: £137 | 33–37 Hogarth Rd., Kensington | SW5 0QQ | 020/7370–6831 | www.bw-shaftesburykensingtonhotel.co.uk | 144 rooms | Breakfast | Station: Earl’s Court.
Collingham Suites.
RENTAL | Most of the suites and small apartments in this attractive Georgian building have separate living rooms and kitchens and all rooms are tastefully decorated in contemporary style, with neutral carpets and a creamy pallet. The ambience is perhaps a little more geared to business than leisure travelers, but there’s plenty of space and a few handy extras, such as free Wi-Fi. Pros: more space than you usually get with a serviced apartment. Cons: a bit pricey for what you get; 2-night minimum stay; no in-house restaurant or bar. | Rooms from: £290 | 26–27 Collingham Gardens, Kensington | SW5 0HN | 020/7244–8677 | www.collinghamapartments.com | 26 rooms | No meals | Station: Gloucester Rd.
The Cranley Hotel.
HOTEL | Old-fashioned British propriety is the overall feeling at this small, Victorian town-house hotel, where high ceilings, huge windows, and a pale, creamy color scheme flood the bedrooms with light. Antique desks and four-poster or half-tester beds lend an air of historic authenticity, and even the bathrooms have traditional Victorian fittings (although the plumbing is completely modern). Afternoon tea and evening canapés, served with a glass of champagne, are complimentary—welcome after a long day of sightseeing. Pros: good-size rooms; attractively decorated; friendly staff; free evening nibbles are a nice touch. Cons: steep stairs into lobby; no restaurant; prices rise in mid-summer. | Rooms from: £140 | 10–12 Bina Gardens, South Kensington | SW5 0LA | 020/7373–0123 | www.thecranley.com | 29 rooms, 5 suites, 4 apartments | Breakfast | Station: Gloucester Rd.
easyHotel South Kensington.
HOTEL | London’s first “pod hotel” has tiny rooms with a double bed, private shower room, and little else, each brightly decorated in the easyGroup’s trademark orange and white (to match their budget airline easyJet). The reception desk can’t offer much in terms of service, and everything costs extra: £10 per day for room cleaning during your stay; £5 per 24 hours for a TV; £1 each for fresh towels. Wi-Fi ranges from £1 for 15 minutes to £30 for 30 days with various options between. The concept is a huge hit—it’s fully booked months in advance and several branches have opened (the website details locations). Pros: amazing price; safe and pleasant space. Cons: not for the claustrophobic; most rooms have no windows; six floors and no elevator. | Rooms from: £44 | 14 Lexham Gardens, Kensington | W8 5JE | 020/7216–1717 | www.easyhotel.com | 34 rooms | No meals | Station: Gloucester Rd.
The Gore Hotel.
HOTEL | Just down the road from the Albert Hall, this gorgeous, friendly hotel has a luxurious mixture of the comfortable and the extraordinary. The lobby evokes a wealthy estate from centuries past, and upstairs most rooms are spacious and beautifully decorated in calming neutral tones with rich fabrics. A few rooms are spectacular: One is a Tudor fantasy, with minstrel gallery, stained glass, and four-poster bed, and the Judy Garland Room, containing a sumptuous bed that the actress had flown over from America for her frequent stays here, is one of the themed deluxe rooms that recall other notable figures. Pros: gorgeously designed spacious rooms; outstanding and attentive service. Cons: prices rather high; Wi-Fi is not free; bar can be noisy. | Rooms from: £228 | 190 Queen’s Gate, Kensington | SW7 5EX | 020/7584–6601, 888/757–5587 in U.S | www.gorehotel.com | 50 rooms | Breakfast | Station: Gloucester Rd.
Holland Park YHA.
B&B/INN | Clean, bright, modern dorm rooms in the most celebrated (and certainly the most pastoral) of London’s super-cheap places to stay occupy a historic Jacobean mansion and overlook the wooded park, where peacocks strut around the Kyoto Gardens. High Street Kensington and all of its offerings are just a few steps away. Breakfast is included in the price—and if you’re really on a shoestring, the canteen serves inexpensive lunches and dinners, too. Pros: friendly and bright; beautiful setting. Cons: all but a small handful of accommodations are in same-sex dorms; youthful atmosphere can be boisterous. | Rooms from: £24 | Holland Walk, Kensington | W8 7QU | 0845/371–9122 | www.yha.org.uk | 200 beds | Breakfast | Station: High Street Kensington.
Kensington House Hotel.
HOTEL | A short stroll from High Street Kensington and Kensington Gardens, this refurbished 19th-century town house has streamlined, contemporary rooms with large windows letting in plenty of light, comfortable beds with luxurious fabrics and soft comforters. Rear guest rooms have views of trees and mews houses. The Tiger Bar, also flooded with natural light, is a pleasant and open space to enjoy a glass of wine or a snack. Pros: attractive design; relaxing setting; free Wi-Fi. Cons: rooms are small; bathrooms are minuscule; the elevator is Lilliputian. | Rooms from: £144 | 15–16 Prince of Wales Terr., Kensington | W8 5PQ | 020/7937–2345 | www.kenhouse.com | 39 rooms, 2 suites | Breakfast | Station: High Street Kensington.
London Marriott Kensington.
HOTEL | A big favorite for the business crowd, this pleasant, modern outpost of the Marriott megachain is just one of several big-name hotels in this prime location. An enormous plexiglass frontage enlivens (and neatly soundproofs) the otherwise cookie-cutter exterior, but inside everything seems very shiny and new. It’s so geared toward business travelers that the breakfast room empties by 8:30, but it’s also about as smooth and well run as you could hope for. Guest rooms aren’t huge, but they’re quiet and comfortable. There’s a good bar, but you’ll probably want to eat out. Pros: friendly, efficient service; good neighborhood; one-minute Tube ride to Kensington museums. Cons: “Could be anywhere in the world” business vibe feels impersonal; bedrooms are on the small side. | Rooms from: £162 | 147 Cromwell Rd., Kensington | SW5 0TH | 020/7973–1000 | www.marriott.com | 216 rooms | Some meals | Station: Earl’s Ct., Gloucester Rd.
Milestone Hotel.
HOTEL | This pair of intricately decorated Victorian town houses overlooking Kensington Palace and Gardens is an intimate, luxurious alternative to the city’s more famous high-end hotels, offering thoughtful hospitality and sumptuous, distinctive rooms full of antiques. You’ll be offered a drink upon arrival and can return to a snack in your room or leave for the park with a picnic basket. Many rooms have canopied beds, and each has a decorative theme—the Ascot Room, for example, is filled with the kind of elegant hats worn at the famous horse races. Pros: beautiful and elegant; big rooms, many with park views; excellent location. Cons: service can be a bit stuffy (it seems you’re not expected to do anything for yourself). | Rooms from: £354 | 1 Kensington Ct., Kensington | W8 5DL | 020/7917–1000 | www.milestonehotel.com | 44 rooms, 12 suites, 6 apartments | Breakfast | Station: High Street Kensington.
Millennium Gloucester.
HOTEL | With a Tube station opposite and Kensington’s many attractions nearby, this hotel is both convenient and alluring, its sleek and opulent lobby, with polished wood columns, a warming fireplace, and glittering chandeliers giving way to guest rooms with a traditionally masculine look. Neutral creams and earth tones are complimented by blond-wood desks and leather chairs. There are two bars and several restaurants, which means that you don’t have to go out if you’d prefer to stay in. Pros: good deals available if you book in advance. Cons: lighting in some bedrooms is a bit too subtle; bathrooms are relatively small but have all you need; public areas and restaurant can get crowded. | Rooms from: £150 | 4–18 Harrington Gardens, Kensington | SW7 4LH | 020/7373–6030 | www.millenniumhotels.co.uk/millenniumgloucester | 143 rooms | Breakfast | Station: Gloucester Rd.
Number Sixteen.
HOTEL | Guest rooms at this lovely luxury guesthouse, just around the corner from the Victoria & Albert Museum, look like they come from the pages of Architectural Digest, and the delightful garden is an added bonus. Chic yet homey, the guest rooms feature beautiful furniture and heavy fabrics, offset by nice little touches like piles of antiquarian books and flat-screen TVs set into the wall; bathrooms are clad in dark marble and polished oak. The staff is friendly, so lingering in the drawing rooms is a pleasure, and drinks are served in the leafy garden in summer. Pros: just the right level of helpful service; interiors are gorgeous. Cons: no restaurant; small elevator. | Rooms from: £285 | 16 Sumner Pl., South Kensington | SW7 3EG | 020/7589–5232, 888/559–5508 in U.S. | www.firmdale.com | 42 rooms | Breakfast | Station: South Kensington.
Fodor’s Choice | The Pelham Hotel.
HOTEL | One of the first and most stylish of London’s famed “boutique” hotels, this still-chic choice is but a short stroll away from the Natural History, Science, and V&A museums. At the end of a day’s sightseeing you can settle down in front of the fireplace in the gorgeous, wood-panelled drawing room with its honor bar or retire to the stylish, contemporary guest rooms by the doyenne designer of boutique hotels, Kit Kemp. Downstairs, Bistro Fifteen offers a modern take on British cuisine. Pros: great location for museum-hopping; gorgeous marble bathrooms; soigné interior design; lovely staff; good package deals for online booking. Cons: taller guests will find themselves cursing the top-floor rooms with sloping ceilings. | Rooms from: £252 | 15 Cromwell Pl., South Kensington | SW7 2LA | 020/7589–8288, 888/757–5587 in U.S. | www.pelhamhotel.co.uk | 47 rooms, 4 suites | Breakfast | Station: South Kensington.
The Rockwell.
HOTEL | Despite being on the notoriously traffic-clogged Cromwell Road, this excellent little place is one of the best boutique hotels in this part of London—and windows have good soundproofing. Bedrooms, done in earthy, slightly retro tones, are comfortable, well-designed, and very spacious by London standards; mezzanine suites have two levels. Out back is a pleasant walled garden where you can relax with a drink or join a summertime barbecue. Family rooms offer especially good value-for-money. The restaurant serves decent modern British food. Pros: large bedoooms; stylish surroundings; helpful staff. Cons: on a busy, unattractive road; 20-minute Tube ride to central London. | Rooms from: £180 | 181 Cromwell Rd., South Kensington | SW5 0SF | 020/7244–2000 | www.therockwell.com | 38 rooms, 2 suites | Breakfast.
The Sumner.
HOTEL | You can feel yourself relaxing the minute you enter this elegant Georgian town house. The interior design has a modern flair and guest rooms are painted in neutral tones with splashes of rich color. If the weather is good, relax in the small garden; in winter, warm your feet by the fire; in any season, take breakfast in the sunny conservatory. Pros: excellent location for shopping; small enough that the staff knows your name; attractive conservatory and garden. Cons: services are limited but prices high. | Rooms from: £180 | 54 Upper Berkley St., Marble Arch, Marylebone | W1H 7QR | 020/7723–2244 | www.thesumner.com | 20 rooms | Breakfast | Station: Marble Arch.
Think Earl’s Court.
RENTAL | These serviced apartments are a stone’s throw from Kensington High Street and a short walk from both Earl’s Court and Olympia. Each has everything you need, including a well-equipped kitchen with washing machine and dishwasher, plus cable TV and free Wi-Fi. There’s a 24-hour reception and the apartments are serviced once a week. Think also runs a second apartment complex near Tower Bridge. Pros: brand new building; self-catering offers greater independence. Cons: payment is made when you book; bland, officelike exterior. | Rooms from: £168 | 26A Adam and Eve Mews, Kensington | W8 6UJ | 020/3465–9100 | www.think-apartments.com | 133 rooms | No meals | Station: High Street Kensington.
Chelsea
The Cadogan Hotel.
HOTEL | This elegant and luxurious hotel is one of London’s most historically naughty hotels—once the home of scandalous actress Lillie Langtry (King Edward’s mistress in the 1890s), and where Oscar Wilde was staying (in Room 118) when he was arrested for “indecency” with a young man on April 6, 1895. Elegant creams and golds and postmodern guest-room design now prevail. The drawing room has rich wood paneling and deep, comfortable armchairs, and is a good place for afternoon tea and people-watching, as is the small, sophisticated bar. Breakfast includes healthy cereals and fruits alongside decadent pastries. Pros: luxurious but not stuffy; friendly staff; great location for shopping; good advance discounts online. Cons: rooms are quite small. | Rooms from: £234 | 75 Sloane St., Chelsea | SW1X 9SG | 020/7235–7141 | www.cadogan.com | 65 rooms | Breakfast | Station: Sloane Sq.
myhotel chelsea.
HOTEL | Rooms at this small, chic charmer—tucked away down a side street in an upscale neighborhood—are bijou tiny but sophisticated, with mauve satin throws atop crisp white down comforters. The beauty is in the details—the fire-warmed bar serves light meals and tea; there’s a relaxing spa; and the guest library lends DVDs and books. Tiny bathrooms are brightned by pale-pink granite countertops. The hotel claims to use feng shui principles in its design—good luck will be yours! Pros: stylish rooms made for relaxation; good neighborhood. Cons: price a bit high for what you get; tiny rooms; no restaurant. | Rooms from: £200 | 35 Ixworth Pl., Chelsea | SW3 3QX | 020/7225–7500 | www.myhotels.com | 45 rooms, 9 suites | Breakfast | Station: South Kensington.
Knightsbridge
The Beaufort.
HOTEL | The high-ceilinged, contemporary rooms at this gracious boutique hotel have muted, sophisticated colors and a plenthora of thoughtful extras—such as flowers, chocolates, free afternoon tea, and even free drinks in the evening. Beds in deluxe rooms are huge, and junior suites have little sitting rooms that feel like designer furnishing stores. Four of the rooms have wrought-iron balconies. Pros: gorgeous interiors; friendly staff. Cons: two-night minimum on some dates; standard doubles are much smaller than the price might indicate. | Rooms from: £281 | 33 Beaufort Gardens, Knightsbridge | SW3 1PP | 020/7584–5252 | www.thebeaufort.co.uk | 20 rooms, 7 suites | Breakfast | Station: Knightsbridge.
The Berkeley.
HOTEL | Convenient for Knightsbridge shopping, the very elegant Berkeley is known for its renowned restaurants and luxuries that culminate—literally—in a splendid penthouse swimming pool. The spacious rooms have William Morris prints, art deco flourishes, and lavish marble bathrooms. Chef Marcus Wareing’s eponymous, Michelin-starred modern European restaurant is outstanding, as is Pierre Koffman’s (also eponymous) less formal French bistro; the elegant Blue Bar is popular with celebrities; and at the whimsical Caramel Room, morning coffee and decadent doughnuts are served to well-groomed ladies who look as if they’ve never eaten such a thing in their lives. Pros: lavish and elegant; attentive service; prices aren’t quite as stratospheric as some high-end places. Cons: You’ll need your best designer clothes to fit in. | Rooms from: £390 | Wilton Pl., Knightsbridge | SW1X 7RL | 020/7235–6000, 800/637–2869 in U.S. | www.the-berkeley.co.uk | 103 rooms, 55 suites | Breakfast | Station: Knightsbridge.
The Capital Hotel.
HOTEL | Nothing is ever too much at this elegant hotel that was formerly a private house—mattresses are handmade, sheets are 450-thread count, bathrooms are marble, and everything is done in impeccable taste. There are fine-grain woods, original prints, and soothing, country-chic furnishings throughout, and service is understated. All the rooms are spacious, but ask for one facing the front to get more space. The Capital Restaurant is a famous gathering place of the rich and famous—its two Michelin stars mean that you’ll need to book your table well in advance. Pros: beautiful space; handy for shopping at Harrods. Cons: breakfast is expensive. | Rooms from: £315 | 22–24 Basil St., Knightsbridge | SW3 1AT | 020/7589–5171, 800/926–3199 in U.S. | www.capitalhotel.co.uk | 40 rooms, 10 suites | Breakfast | Station: Knightsbridge.
Egerton House.
HOTEL | Sensationally soigné, chicly decorated, and feeling like your own private London home, this option has some gorgeous pluses, including guest rooms lavishly decorated with luxurious fabrics in rich colors, a knockout white-on-gold dining room. Prints and posters by Matisse, Picasso, and Toulouse-Lautrec adorn the walls, and some rooms have pleasant views over the beautiful gardens in back. The two drawing rooms are good places to write letters or relax with a drink from the honor bar. Pros: lovely staff; great location; magnificent interiors; striking art. Cons: some style touches a little too frou-frou—but Toulouse-Lautrec would have approved. | Rooms from: £281 | 17–19 Egerton Terr., Knightsbridge | SW3 2BX | 020/7589–2412, 877/955–1515 in U.S. | www.egertonhousehotel.co.uk | 23 rooms, 6 suites | Breakfast | Station: Knightsbridge, South Kensington.
The Lanesborough.
HOTEL | A gilded cocoon for the seriously wealthy, this hotel exudes a spectacular richness and, when built by a Texan heiress, was the talk of the town, thanks to the magnificent 19th-century antiques, the personal butler service, and that 1770 cognac on the menu. Even perusing the wine list at the bar is like a history lesson—the 1770 cognac, by the way, is a snip at £5,000 (about $8,000) a shot. German superstar chef Heinz Beck opened his Apsleys restaurant here in 2009, quickly gaining a Michelin star for his troubles. If you’re willing to spend, spend, spend, this hotel is for you. Pros: lap of luxury; your wish is their command. Cons: prices are extraordinary; not everybody likes the constantly hovering service. | Rooms from: £495 | Hyde Park Corner, Belgravia | SW1X 7TA | 020/7259–5599, 800/999–1828 in U.S. | www.lanesborough.com | 52 rooms, 43 suites | Breakfast | Station: Hyde Park Corner.
The Levin Hotel.
HOTEL | This posh boutique hotel, created by the people behind the Capital Hotel, is owned by luxury-loving bon viveurs; expect duck-egg-blue walls, hyper-modern furnishings, and a champagne bar in every room. Yes, that’s right—each room has its own selection of pricey splits of bubbly, along with all the mixings (and directions) for making champagne cocktails. Downstairs, the relaxed Le Metro Bar & Brasserie serves French and English classics (steak frites, sausage and mash) paired with an outstanding wine list. Next door to Harrods, shopping locations don’t get any more prime than this. Pros: your own champagne bar; sauntering to Harrods. Cons: no elevator; few bargains to be had. | Rooms from: £275 | 28 Basil St., Knightsbridge | SW3 1AS | 020/7589–6286 | www.thelevinhotel.co.uk | 12 rooms, 1 suite | Breakfast | Station: Knightsbridge.
Fodor’s Choice | Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park.
HOTEL | Built in 1880, the Mandarin Oriental welcomes you with one of the most exuberantly Victorian facades in town, then fast-forwards you to high-trend modern London, thanks to striking and luxurious guest rooms filled with high-tech gadgets. Legendary British chef and “food alchemist” Heston Blumenthal oversees the restaurant, or there’s New York–based Daniel Boulud’s French brasserie, Bar Boulud. There’s a butler on every floor, should you, for example, need assistance with the pillow menu (yes, really). For the 99% of us who can’t afford to stay here, cocktails in the Mandarin Bar offers a glamorous (and surprisingly relaxed) taste of London high society. Pros: great shopping at your doorstep; amazing views of Hyde Park; excellent service. Cons: nothing comes cheap; you must dress for dinner (and lunch and breakfast). | Rooms from: £570 | 66 Knightsbridge, Knightsbridge | SW1X 7LA | 020/7235–2000 | www.mandarinoriental.com/london | 177 rooms, 23 suites | Breakfast | Station: Knightsbridge.
Belgravia
B&B Belgravia.
B&B/INN | At this modern guesthouse near Victoria Station, a clean, chic white color scheme, simple modern furniture, and a lounge where a fire crackles away in the winter are all geared to stylish comfort. Two rooms have a connecting door, effectively making a family suite. There are also nine self-contained studios and apartments, including compact kitchens, for around £100–£135 per night. Pros: nice extras like free use of a laptop in the hotel lounge; coffee and tea always available. Cons: rooms and bathrooms are small; unimaginative breakfasts; can be noisy, especially on lower floors. | Rooms from: £135 | 64–66 Ebury St., Victoria | SW1W 9DQ | 020/7259–8570 | www.bb-belgravia.com | 17 rooms | Breakfast | Station: Sloane Square, Victoria.
The Luna Simone Hotel.
HOTEL | This delightful and friendly little family-run hotel, a short stroll from Buckingham Palace, is a real find for the price in central London. Though rooms are on the small side, they are clean and comfortable, with queen-size beds and power showers; a few have balconies that look out over the bustling Georgian street. The home-cooked English breakfasts—included in the price—are delicious. Bus no. 24, which stops opposite the hotel, goes past several major sights, including Westminster Abbey, the Houses of Parliament, and Trafalgar Square. Pros: friendly and well-run; family rooms are outstanding value; superb location. Cons: dated style; tiny bathrooms; no elevator or air conditioning. | Rooms from: £120 | 47–49 Belgrave Rd., Pimlico | SW1V 2BB | 020/7834–5897 | www.lunasimonehotel.com | 36 rooms | Breakfast | Station: Pimlico, Victoria.
Studios@82.
RENTAL | A great little side operation from B&B Belgravia, these self-catering apartments represent fantastic value for money; they’re pleasant, contemporary spaces that have everything you need, plus a few useful extras such as free Wi-Fi. A Continental breakfast is included in the price. Pros: great price; lovely location; all the independence of self-catering. Cons: lots of stairs and no elevator. | Rooms from: £99 | 64–66 Ebury St., Victoria | SW1W 9DQ | 020/7259–8570 | www.bb-belgravia.com | 9 apartments | Breakfast | Station: Knightsbridge.
Notting Hill and Bayswater
Notting Hill
Lancaster Hall Hotel.
HOTEL | This cheap and cheerful choice just north of Hyde Park offers clean, simple rooms at a decent price, along with a good buffet breakfast. Even cheaper rooms (£54) are available in the “youth wing,” where you don’t have to be young to stay, but you do have to share a bathroom. Pros: decent, inexpensive, no-frills accommodations; excellent central location 5-minute walk from Hyde Park; short Tube or bus ride away from many sights. Cons: just the basics; only the Youth Wing has nonsmoking rooms; beds could be better; all double rooms have twin beds. | Rooms from: £90 | 35 Craven Terr., Marylebone | W2 3EL | 020/7723–9276 | www.lancaster-hall-hotel.co.uk | 180 rooms | Breakfast | Station: Lancaster Gate, Paddington. National Rail: Paddington.
Fodor’s Choice | The Main House.
B&B/INN | A stay in this delightfully welcoming B&B feels more like sleeping over at a friend’s house than in a hotel—albeit a particularly wealthy and well-connected friend. Each guest suite is spread across one floor of this converted Victorian townhouse. Guest rooms are spacious and uncluttered, with clean white linens, polished wood floors, modern furniture, and Asian art. There’s a little urban terrace, which is a lovely spot for retreating with a glass of wine or the morning paper. Guests enjoy special rates at a local gym, and get a discount for breakfast at the trendy Tom’s Deli nearby (owned by Tom Conran). Pros: unique and unusual place; charming and helpful owners. Cons: few services; two-night minimum stay. | Rooms from: £110 | 6 Colvile Rd., Notting Hill | W11 2BP | 020/7221–9691 | www.themainhouse.com | 4 rooms | Breakfast | Station: Notting Hill Gate.
Portobello Gold.
B&B/INN | This no-frills B&B, in the heart of the Portobello Road antiques area above the pub and restaurant of the same name, offers comfortable accommodations, in the tiny doubles where beds take up almost the entire room. The best option is the split-level apartment (£180; sleeps six) with roof terrace, small kitchen, and soothing aquarium. The casual restaurant serves international food and has a great wine list, all at reasonable prices. Pros: great location; friendly, laid-back atmosphere; free Wi-Fi, plus in-house internet café (£1 per half hour). Cons: “wet rooms” replace proper bathrooms (be prepared to shower by the sink); can be noisy; no elevator; if you want more than a Continental breakfast, you have to wait till 10am (and pay extra). | Rooms from: £95 | 95–97 Portobello Rd., Notting Hill | W11 2QB | 020/7460–4910 | www.portobellogold.com | 6 rooms, 1 apartment | Breakfast | Station: Notting Hill Gate.
The Portobello Hotel.
HOTEL | One of London’s quirkiest hotels, the little Portobello (formed from two adjoining Victorian houses) is seriously hip, attracting scores of celebrities to its small but stylish rooms that are decorated with joyous abandon. You’re likely to be surrounded by an assortment of antiques (including a royal four-poster bed from Hampton Court in Room 13), luxurious fabrics, statues, and bizarre bric-a-brac, such as the extraordinary Victorian “bathing machine” (in Room 16) that actor Johnny Depp is said to have once filled with champagne for former flame Kate Moss. Some rooms have balconies and claw-foot bathtubs. Pros: stylish; celebrity vibe; guests have use of nearby gym and pool. Cons: most rooms are quite small; may be too eccentric for some. | Rooms from: £174 | 22 Stanley Gardens, Notting Hill | W11 2NG | 020/7727–2777 | www.portobello-hotel.co.uk | 24 rooms | Closed 10 days at Christmas | Breakfast | Station: Notting Hill Gate.
Bayswater
Europa House Hotel.
B&B/INN | Don’t expect much more than the basics in this old-fashioned B&B near Hyde Park, but the small rooms are cozy and the owners, who have been running the place since the 1970s, are adept at directing visitors to the area’s best pubs and restaurants. Breakfasts are hearty enough that you may not have room for lunch. Pros: bargain price; close to two Tube stations. Cons: no extras; dated interior style; tiny bathrooms; no elevator. | Rooms from: £105 | 151 Sussex Gardens, Bayswater | W2 2RY | 020/7723–7343 | www.europahousehotel.org.uk | 20 | Breakfast | Station: Paddington, Lancaster Gate. National Rail: Paddington.
Garden Court Hotel.
B&B/INN | In this small hotel, formed from two 19th-century town houses in a quiet garden square, each room has a character of its own—some, such as those with original Victorian fittings, are nicer than others, but the elevator makes the upper floors more appealing. Breakfast comes in the form of a cold buffet, although you can have a cooked breakfast for a few pounds. The lush little garden is a lovely hideaway when the sun shines. Pros: lovely garden; lots of charm; 4-person family rooms are exceptional value. Cons: very basic amenities; some rooms much better than others. | Rooms from: £76 | 30–31 Kensington Gardens Sq., Bayswater | W2 4BG | 020/7229–2553 | www.gardencourthotel.co.uk | 12 rooms, 10 with bath | Breakfast | Station: Bayswater, Queensway.
Hotel Indigo.
HOTEL | Almost next door to Paddington Station, this glitteringly modern boutique hotel exudes cheerfulness, from the super-friendly staff to the bold, colorful design scheme with its futurist vibe. Public areas have a stark style that is playfully knocked off-kilter by touches such as rainbow-striped carpet in the guest corridors and arty oversized prints on the walls. Guest rooms are on the small side, but are better equipped than those in average chain hotels, with flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, and double glazing (a real plus in such a busy area). There’s also a very good bar and restaurant downstairs. Pros: friendly and well run; outstanding service. Cons: not a great area of town unless you have to be near Paddington; price rises sharply during the week. | Rooms from: £143 | 16 London St., Paddington | W2 1HL | 020/7706–4444 | www.indigopaddington.com | 64 rooms | Breakfast | Station: Paddington.
Fodor’s Choice | London House Hotel.
HOTEL | Set in a row of white Georgian town houses, this excellent new budget option in hit-or-miss Bayswater is friendly, well run, and spotlessly clean. The tone is set right from the gleaming white lobby and minimalist public areas. Guest rooms are modern and well-maintained, and you can choose which particular room you want when you book—helpful to those on a budget (rooms in the basement, unsurprisingly, are the best bargain—but also the most cramped). Pros: friendly and efficient; emphasis on value for money; good location. Cons: some public areas feel a bit too clinical; smallest rooms are tiny. | Rooms from: £105 | 81 Kensington Garden Sq., Bayswater | W2 4DJ | 020/7243–1810 | www.londonhousehotels.com | 100 rooms | Breakfast | Station: Queensway, Bayswater.
Parkwood Hotel.
B&B/INN | Just seconds from Hyde Park in one of London’s swankiest enclaves (the Blairs live a few doors away), this sweet little guesthouse is an oasis of value-for-money, with warm and helpful hosts and bright bedrooms. These are simply furnished with pastel color schemes and reproduction antique beds. One grisly piece of historical trivia: the Parkwood is built on the site of the “Tyburn tree,” an enormous gallows used to execute prisoners from the Middle Ages until the time of George III (and frequently referenced by Shakespeare). Pros: lovely hosts; free Wi-Fi; hotel guarantees to match or beat price of any other hotel of its class in the area. Cons: often booked up in advance; no elevator; front-facing rooms can be noisy. | Rooms from: £85 | 4 Stanhope Pl., Bayswater | W2 2HB | 020/7402–2241 | www.parkwoodhotel.com | 18 rooms | Breakfast | Station: Marble Arch.
Space Apart Hotel.
RENTAL | These studio apartments near Hyde Park are done in soothing tones of white and gray, with polished wood floors and attractive modern kitchenettes equipped with all you need to make small meals. The standard units are quite small, but premium studios cost only £20 more and give you much more space to play. Bathrooms are new and modern, although they are not large. Pros: especially good value for the money; the larger suites have space for four people; handy location. Cons: no in-house restaurant or bar; minimum two-night stay required. | Rooms from: £140 | 32–37 Kensington Gardens Sq., Bayswater | W2 4BQ | 020/7908–1340 | www.aparthotel-london.co.uk | 30 rooms | No meals | Station: Bayswater.
Stylotel.
HOTEL | Just around the corner from Paddington station, this funky-looking little place has small, functional rooms—done to death in contemporary style—and even tinier bathrooms, but it’s clean, cheerful, and perfectly comfortable. Underneath the rather camp exterior lies a smoothly run operation. Pros: bargain price; helpful staff; unique style. Cons: style will be too unique for some; small bedrooms and bathrooms. | Rooms from: £95 | 160–162 Sussex Gardens Sq., Bayswater | W2 1UD | 0207/223–1026 | www.stylotel.com | 40 rooms | Breakfast | Station: Paddington, Edgware Rd. National Rail: Paddington.
Vancouver Studios.
RENTAL | All rooms in this Victorian town house are similar to efficiency apartments, with mini-kitchens and microwaves, and you can even preorder groceries, which are stocked in your mini-refrigerator on arrival. Daily maid service as well as room service are also offered. Some rooms have working fireplaces, and one opens onto the leafy, paved garden. Pros: more space than a hotel room; unique little apartments. Cons: a bit out of the way; a bargain only if several people share the space. | Rooms from: £140 | 30 Prince’s Sq., Bayswater | W2 4NJ | 020/7243–1270 | www.vancouverstudios.co.uk | 45 studios | No meals | Station: Bayswater, Queensway.
Regent’s Park and Hampstead
Hampstead
Glenlyn Guest House.
B&B/INN | An excellent option for travelers who don’t mind being a long Tube ride away from the action, this converted Victorian town house offers a high standard of accommodation a few miles north of Hampstead. Bedrooms are spacious, with huge flat-screen TVs, and a conservatory breakfast room opens onto a garden. Pros: comfortable and friendly; you get more for your money than you would in central London; adjoining rooms can be converted to family suites; 5-minute walk from Tube station. Cons: you have to factor in the cost and inconvenience of a half-hour Tube ride to central London; no restaurant. | Rooms from: £85 | 6 Woodside Park Rd., North Finchley | N12 8RP | 020/8445–0440 | www.glenlynhotel.com | 27 | Breakfast | Station: Woodside Park.
Fodor’s Choice | The Hide.
HOTEL | This cozy, chic, little bolt-hole is exceptional value for money and exceeds virtually anything you could hope to find in central London for the price; the great downside is that the half-hour Tube ride into town can start to feel like penance at the end of a long day’s sightseeing. Guest rooms are quite compact but elegantly designed, with chocolate-and-cream tones, minimalist furniture, and a couple of thoughtful touches, such as flat-screen TVs and a small (free) minibar. Bathrooms are modern and well equipped. Pros: excellent value for money; great service; free Wi-Fi; close to Tube station. Cons: far from the center; dull neighborhood. | Rooms from: £100 | 230 Hendon Way, Hendon, Hampstead | NW4 3NE | 020/8203–1670 | www.thehidelondon.com | 22 rooms | Breakfast | Station: Hendon Central.
La Gaffe.
B&B/INN | The name of this simple B&B (located above an Italian restaurant) means “the mistake” in Italian but is also the punchline to the unlikely tale of how the original husband-and-wife proprietors met in the 1950s—but it also rather neatly chimes with the cockney term “gaff,” meaning a simple, cozy residence. Standard rooms are indeed tiny and have few amenities, though some have four-poster beds, and the honeymoon suite (a mere £30 more than a basic room) has its own Jacuzzi. There’s a summer patio in the enclosed courtyard and the restaurant itself serves good, traditional Italian food at reasonable prices. Pros: unusual place with a cheerful atmosphere; no shared bathrooms. Cons: few services; no elevator; outside city center. | Rooms from: £90 | 107–111 Heath St., Hampstead | NW3 6SS | 020/7435–8965 | www.lagaffe.co.uk | 18 rooms, 3 suites | Breakfast | Station: Hampstead.
Islington
Arlington Avenue.
B&B/INN | A find like this in London is as rare as hen’s teeth: an immaculate, friendly, Georgian town house B&B, full of character, just a bit far from the city center, and at a rock-bottom price. Alas, there are just two guest rooms, both renovated in bold modern color schemes with a smattering of art and antiques. Breakfast is served buffet-style in the kitchen. Oh, yes, the commute: it’s a 20-minute walk along the adjacent Regent’s Canal to the Tube station for the short hop into central London—or you could take the bus that stops outside. Pros: stylish and comfortable; quiet street; as cheap as you’ll find for a place like this. Cons: feels very much like a private house; shared guest bathroom; neighborhood is trendy but verging on not-so-nice. | Rooms from: £50 | Arlington Ave., Islington | N1 7AX | 07711/265–183 | www.arlingtonavenue.co.uk | 2 rooms | Breakfast | Station: Angel, Essex Rd.
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