The best five-star hotels in London, England make every guest feel like royalty

We’ve already shared our favourite boutique hotels in London, but where do you head if you want a dose of luxe with lashings of exclusivity? Offering stunning interiors, tailored service, and amenities fit for royal consumption, here are the very best five-star hotels in London that you may not ever want to leave.

And if you’re visiting the capital, you may want to take a look at our guide to fun things to do in London for art and design fans or our trusted list of great restaurants to avoid disappointment too.

The best five-star hotels in London

1. The Dorchester | Mayfair

There’s no match in London for The Dorchester. This five-star stay reigns over every category: design, comfort, service, amenities, location. It’s glamour luxe in a way that isn’t ostentatious but rather takes the expectations of discerning clientele and unfailingly exceeds them. Guests enter the Park Lane palace and are greeted by a team who plan each perfect stay to the minuscule detail. Guest rooms and suites, all recently renovated, retain the 1930s allure that saw Elizabeth Taylor make this her home away from home, but with a contemporary uplift by way of technology and sustainability. 

Restaurants span the three-Michelin-star Alain Ducasse, China Tang, The Grill by Tom Booton, and The Promenade, famed for being in London’s afternoon tea trinity. The Vespa and The Artists’ Bars are the sophisticated spots for bubbles or a cocktail, and a wellness centre, tucked away in the basement, has healing remedies amped by cocooning MLX Quartx treatment beds. Checkout will be tough—you’ll empathize with Ms. Taylor.

Find out more about The Dorchester or Book through Booking.com

2. Hotel Café Royal | Soho

For over 150 years, Café Royal has welcomed notable names in history, from Princess Diana to Winston Churchill, so it’s only right that the hotel it has become today should house guests with equally discerning taste. Despite the historic exterior running along Regent Street right up to the bright lights of Piccadilly Circus, inside you’ll discover a beautifully modern contrast.

Sleek hallways infuse Far East Zen with British comforts, as key touchpads lead guests into contemporary rooms panelled in fumed English Oak, with Carrara marble bathrooms for the soaking. Dining options include Cakes & Bubbles by the ‘World’s Best Pastry Chef’, Albert Adrià, and a royal gold afternoon tea room, while the underground spa is a sanctuary in the heart of the city.

Find out more about Hotel Café Royal or Book through Booking.com

3. Fleming’s Mayfair | Mayfair

As one of the oldest family-owned hotels in the city, dating back to 1851 when it was converted from 13 Georgian townhouses, Flemings never stopped commanding prestige, not just in style but in its diligent guest service. From concierge to turn-down service to the recently Michelin-anointed Ormer Mayfair by Sofian, every interaction is flawless. 

129 rooms and suites are a chic blend of modern Art Deco style touched with Georgian elegance. Each is a plush Mayfair boudoir that truly feels all yours. Bespoke furniture in silver-stained fiddle-back sycamore, wireless and modern connectivity throughout, soothing grey slate bathrooms heated by marble mosaic floors, and The White Company essentials, are just some of the elements of the overnight experience. Studio suites and apartments have gin ‘honesty’ bars with premium gins, fine tonics, and bitters. Though, if you prefer a professional to do the mixing, swanky Manetta’s Bar is a top choice pre- or post-extravaganza at Ormer or afternoon tea in The Drawing Room. 

Find out more about Flemings Mayfair or Book through Booking.com

4. The Lanesborough London | Hyde Park Corner

This is the former home of Viscount Lanesborough given an Oetker Collection makeover. Breeze through hallways draped in fine art and lined with sculpture, right up to your boudoir which itself is an extension of the regal social spaces. Each room is outfitted with neo-classical touches, embroidery, and chandeliers for a fairytale stay. Smart TVs are cleverly concealed behind a framed painting to turn the room back in time once digital devices have done their job, and heated marble bathrooms remind you to give thanks to modern genius. 

The Lanesborough Grill is the revamped home of Exec Chef Shay Cooper’s exquisite British gastronomy. A huge wellness centre, located basement level, provides a sumptuous retreat for 360-degree R&R.

Find out more about The Lanesborough London or Book through Booking.com

5. Royal Lancaster London | Lancaster Gate

A brisk stroll from Kensington Palace leads visitors to an equally majestic sanctuary, the Royal Lancaster London. All 411 rooms and suites are recently renovated with a soothing classic palate alongside modern desk-side and bed-side tech, marble bathrooms stocked with bespoke Jo Loves products, and stunning city or garden views. You’ll want to be here when the festivities are on, for there’s no better view of Winter Wonderland.

This is British sophistication at its best, and the service is always impeccable, resulting in a guest list so loyal. Dining options include the long-running and deliciously authentic Nipa Thai, and spa treatments can be ordered to room thanks to the hotel’s partnership with London Serenity.

Find out more about Royal Lancaster London or Book through Booking.com

6. One Aldwych | Covent Garden

If a trip to theatreland is on the cards, make One Aldwych your base. The independent hotel sits in Covent Garden amidst London’s top West End theatre venues. Inside you’ll tunnel through a collection of over 400 contemporary art and sculpture pieces, before retreating to a recently renovated room or suite.

The best thing about these spaces is up for debate: it could be the lush blush pink and peach decor; it could be the high-tech bathrooms dripping in Mitchell & Peach; but for us, it’s the complimentary mini bar stocked with everything you need for a celebratory London toast. Pop into Indigo, the on-site restaurant for breakfast, afternoon tea, or dinner, and finish with a Diistil nightcap at the Lobby Bar.

Find out more about One Aldwych or Book through Booking.com

7. The Ritz London | Mayfair

When a hotel is as famous as royalty, you know it’s something special. The Ritz first opened its doors in 1906 and was considered one of the world’s greatest hotels. Today, that statement remains unchanged. 136 guest rooms and suites ooze opulence with antique furniture and gold finishes, whilst at the same time keeping up with modern-day needs.

Amenities like Asprey bath products, and plush blue slippers emblazoned with The Ritz logo, make it all the more a treat. Afternoon tea at The Palm Court is a bucket list-worthy sitting of Cornish clotted cream on baked scones and an exclusive Ritz Royal Blend, but if cocktails are your poison, try The Rivoli Bar, where a dazzling jewellery box of delights awaits.

Find out more about The Ritz London or Book through Booking.com

8. The Londoner | Leicester Square

Previously just a destination for film premieres, today the stars are staying beyond the promotional trail thanks to The Londoner. This boutique hotel towers with 16 storeys of regal navy facade. 350 rooms, six concept eateries and bars, a member’s club-style private area, cinemas, and an expansive wellness retreat are for guest pleasure.

Rooms are stylised in modern neutral tones with British touches. Enjoy twinkling views via an inviting chaise and a cup of East India Company tea, or roll the blinds up in the comfort of your handcrafted Vispring king bed.  Original pieces by Edd Pearman and The Connor Brothers add character. High-tech bathrooms (Totos and illuminated mirrors, no less) come with Miller Harris amenities. Whitcomb’s is a sexy Mediterranean escape for date night.

Find out more about The Londoner or Book through Booking.com

9. Four Seasons Hotel London at Tower Bridge | Tower Bridge

There are two choices of Four Seasons in London, one that suits a business-driven clientele, and one for travellers with pleasure on their minds. Ten Trinity leans on the latter, an example of sensory satisfaction. It stands across icons like the Tower of London and Tower Bridge within a grade II-listed building that’s brushed in Beaux-Arts style. Inside, a welcome air of tranquillity  breathes . 

Two Michelin-starred restaurant, La Dame de Pic, offers an unforgettable dining experience helmed by one of the world’s most decorated female chefs. Alternatively, visit one of the best Chinese restaurants in London, Mei Ume, for Peking duck. For those resisting a social, at least harness the benefits of the underground spa treatments, plus a vitality pool, sauna and steam, and a full gym.

Find out more about Four Seasons Hotel London at Tower Bridge  or Book through Booking.com

10. 45 Park Lane | Mayfair

The Dorchester Collection never fails to rise to the occasion when it comes to luxury, and 45 Park Lane meets every five-star need when in London town. 45 rooms and suites mean a boutique experience, with ample space to breathe. 

Each guest room overlooks Hyde Park and higher rooms enjoy panoramic views across the city for added air. This hotel was modelled on a private residence, so you get a distinct members club feel. Omakase, Sushi Kanesaka, transports guests to Ginza with Edomae-style creations served on Hinoki counter. There are just 13 prized seats at this, the first restaurant outside Asia Pacific by Michelin-starred sushi master Shinji Kanesaka, so book well in advance.

Find out more about 45 Park Lane or Book through Booking.com

11. Shangri-La The Shard, London | London Bridge

Occupying 18 floors of the tallest building in the capital, every room at the Shangri-La radiates with observatory-level views no matter what tier you fall upon. Select rooms and suites even feature window-adjacent bathtubs for the sexiest of soaks. Think postcard views of St Paul’s Cathedral and Tower Bridge as you lather in Jo by Jo Loves bubbles, or sip on the Laurent Perrier variety.

52 stories high is another wet deck in the clouds: the infinity Sky Pool, officially the highest hotel pool in Western Europe. It sits alongside a Sky Sauna and expansive gym. When hunger pangs their British-Asian restaurant, TING (level 35), and GONG bar (level 52), continue the feast for all the senses.

Read about our afternoon at Shangri-La The Shard, London here.

Find out more about Shangri-La The Shard, London or Book through Booking.com

12. Claridge’s | Mayfair

Mayfair’s legend, Claridge’s began life in 1856 and inevitably attracted the attention of royalty and A-list movie stars. Old-world glamour combined with impeccable British sophistication always makes this a ritzy occasion, whether you’re occupying a superior room or their signature Octagon Suite. Expect graceful deco designs, marble bathrooms with Totos, and minibars carrying Fortnum & Mason treats. 

For a little more sweet, perch at ArtSpace Café’s patisserie counter, or do it in style at The Foyer & Reading Room, where afternoon tea comes tiered. Claridge’s Spa, designed by André Fu, opened in 2022. Situated three floors below ground level, it brings a serene new swimming pool, steam rooms, sauna, and seven treatment rooms to the experience list. 

Find out more about Claridge’s or Book through Booking.com

13. Pan Pacific London | Liverpool Street

Opened 2021, Pan Pacific London’s a gleaming new tower in the heart of FiDi Square Mile. There are 237 guestrooms, including 42 suites and a signature Pan Pacific Suite, each basking in natural light and inspiring city views via floor-to-ceiling windows, which guests comfortably enjoy in the company of signature robes, Diptyque pamper products, and fine Chinese teas in equally fine tea sets.

All-Day dining restaurant, Straits Kitchen, celebrates the flavours from the Straits of Malacca—the soft shell crab brings out the theatrics. Meanwhile, The Orchid Lounge serves afternoon tea, and there’s a Ginger Lily Bar with an outside terrace. A dedicated wellness floor on level four is a tranquil escape—with an 18.5-metre infinity pool, treatment rooms, relaxation pods, studios, saunas, and steam rooms at your service. 

Find out more about Pan Pacific London or Book through Booking.com

14. Kimpton Fitzroy London | Bloomsbury

It’s plain to see where hotel designer, Charles Fitzroy Doll, coined the term ‘all dolled up’. This was the inspiration behind Titanic’s dining room, for which he too was responsible. At the entrance , guests tread zodiac mosaic as chandeliers trickle a spellbinding glow on stone pillars and marble walls.  334 rooms and suites are refurbed with Victorian heritage intact. The shapes are cubic, designed to conceal. Tech functionalities are seamlessly interwoven, including tiered mood lighting and multiple charging configurations. Mini bar treats are part of the package if the complimentary happy hour at Burr & Co downstairs left you wanting more.

There are four F&B outlets, including Gavin Bar & Grill, their fine dining destination, and Fitz’s, a cocktail den soundtracked with a live band, which, when paired with a disco ball, calls for at least a bop. There’s no spa, but a fully equipped gym and bikes are available on loan. 

Find out more about Kimpton Fitzroy London or Book through Booking.com

15. The Savoy Hotel | Covent Garden

With history dating back to 1889, there are stories echoing through every Savoy wall. This is the first hotel with electric-powered lights and elevators; where Claude Monet stayed to paint scenes from his balcony; and where the finale of Notting Hill was set. Indeed, an F&B experience is a timeless movie scene. Gordon Ramsey’s Savoy Grill is the talk of town: a sophisticated dining room and Wine Experience nook where a Beef Wellington and signature eclair tantalise; while the Beaufort Bar, the American Bar, and Restaurant 1890 offer equally alluring stops.

267 luxury guest rooms and suites are outfitted in Edwardian or Art Deco style, some with Monet-inspiring vistas over the Thames, some twinkling with street side lights. If views can tempt away from a Penhaligon’s bath time soak. The service is, as expected, impeccable. Two gym areas, an indoor pool, spa, and butler service complete The Savoy’s five-star setup.

Read our full review of The Savoy.

Find out more about The Savoy Hotel or Book through Booking.com

16. Great Scotland Yard Hotel | Westminster

London’s got plenty of big five-star hotels, but what we love about Great Scotland Yard Hotel is that it has the bells of a plush city icon but with an air of discretion. There’s no battling selfie-takers to get through the door here. It’s situated in a striking 1820s Grade II listed building, with 151 rooms and suites outfitted in a stylish yet simplistic tone that calls for relaxation. That really echoes from the marble bathrooms, with bathtubs or showers to pour delicious Jo Loves by Jo Malone amenities. 

When refreshed, head down to their ‘old Nordic’ restaurant, Ekstedt at the Yard, helmed by Michelin-starred chef Niklas Ekstedt; The 40 Elephants, a speakeasy bar; or The Parlour for afternoon tea. Or simply be inspired by the corridors; they are more storied than any other in the vicinity. This is the original HQ of the Metropolitan Police, where Jack the Ripper suspects were interviewed, Charles Dickens shadowed officers, and where Sir Arthur Conan Doyle based his detective tales. It’s a stay that captivates in every way.

Find out more about Great Scotland Yard Hotel  or Book through Booking.com

17. St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel London | King’s Cross

Spice Girls fans, your bucket list stay is revealed: remember the Wannabe music video stairs? They’re right here. For everyone else, the St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel London brims with personality and an old-world charm like no other in the vicinity, towering above the railway station in impressive 19th-century Gothic Revival architecture. 

Inside, those notes carry through, but with contemporary assistance. Rooms are delicately outfitted in ceiling-high drapes, Egyptian cotton linens, and L’occitane amenities in the bathroom. Some even have unique Eurostar platform views to train spot.

Those with access to the Chambers Club enjoy complimentary breakfast, beverages, and hors d’oeuvres, as well as an inviting space either to unwind or carry on business. While downstairs, The Hansom offers an all-day dining hang-out boasting a Laurent Perrier afternoon tea. The terrace by Booking Office 1869 is a must when the weather’s on side, serving oysters and further bubbles. A Victorian spa, fitness centre, and pool round-off amenities at this iconic hotel.

Find out more about St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel London or Book through Booking.com

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