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

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 (motioned sensor Totos, Bang & Olufsen TVs) and of course, sustainability. Elsewhere, there’s plenty to entice you out of that robe.

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

2. Hotel Café Royal

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

3. Fleming’s 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. The guest’s focus is simple: savour and savour some more.

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. Flemings is an exquisite boutique experience through and through.

Find out more about Flemings Mayfair

4. The Lanesborough London

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

5. One Aldwych

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 nightcap at the Lobby Bar.

Find out more about One Aldwych

6. The Ritz London

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

7. The Londoner

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

8. Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane

The first Four Seasons hotel outside of its native Canada, this Park Lane property is understated compared to Mayfair’s more famous and ostentatious builds, exactly as their tasteful clientele desire. No lines of tourists doing selfies at the entrance logo here: guests strut through the marble lobby, are navigated by knowledgeable concierge, or zoomed out by towncar Bentley, with uninterrupted class. 

196 refurbished rooms and suites offer classic amenities, including 55-inch Smart TV, Nespresso, and Floris London products. A neutral palette with mirrored accents soothes wake up, and likewise, the transfixing Hyde Park lights before turndown are the body’s natural signal for slowing the pace: unless Pavyllon from multi-Michelin awarded Yannick Alléno is calling out. Since it was recently anointed with its own star, it’s not only an on-site dining option for guests, but a destination for all of London (and beyond). Stop by for a tasting menu to sample his sauces of wonder, and stay a while for an Ikigai cocktail at Bar Antoine.

Find out more about Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane

9. 100 Queen’s Gate Hotel London, Curio Collection by Hilton

If Central West is best as your base for exploration, make it a royal holiday at 100 Queen’s Gate, a former 1870s townhouse right by the South Ken museums, Hyde Park, and Royal Albert Hall. In other words, a sought-after postcode. The building is a shining example of a history a la mode. 

Outside, admire the impressive white Victorian Townhouse, once the home of renowned aristocrat William Alexander, and inside, British fantasies are realized. No two rooms are the same, but each offers a lavishly appointed space, with leather headboard king beds, USB connectivity, and Molton Brown amenities. Note each suite is named after a famous resident of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea and their past can be linked to the Blue Plaques found on entering them.

Amenities span a fitness centre, library lounge, ESQ bar with house-infused cocktails, and the signature Cento Restaurant & Bar. It serves fine Italian cuisine, from pizza to seafood risottos, and has a grand selection of European wines to accompany.

Find out more about 100 Queen’s Gate Hotel London

10. 45 Park Lane

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. Exclusive new 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

11. Shangri-La The Shard, London

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 L’Occitane 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

12. Claridge’s

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

13. Pan Pacific London

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

14. Kimpton Fitzroy London

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 of, 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

15. The Savoy Hotel

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

16. Nobu Hotel London Portman Square 

Marylebone’s quaint streets and independent boutiques ooze quintessential British charm, and Nobu Hotel London Portman Square is the base to explore them. 249 guest rooms and suites are touched with contemporary Japanese elegance that meets English garden joy, think light-filled oaks and white linens, traditional ceramics and calligraphy art, and pops of plant life in an urban oasis. Grown Alchemist products are the bathroom soothe, and you turn these taps on at the touch of a button.

The service is impeccable, and a knowledgeable concierge can suggest or create any desired itinerary. Factor a full evening in for dinner at Nobu Restaurant for the famed Miso Black Cod, and cap things off at the izakaya-style Nobu Bar with a passport of inventions. The hotel is also home to the world’s first Nobu Pilates Reformer studio, a space to discover effective sculpting classes and then restore and re-balance with a slew of treatment options.

Find out more about Nobu Hotel London Portman Square

17. Conrad London St. James

One word: sights. Conrad’s best placed for the biggies. The 19th-century building is walking distance of Big Ben and Buckingham Palace. The landmark property itself is the former chambers of Queen Anne. Marvel at her structural feat which houses artistic treasures like Tom Clark’s The Ladder To at the foyer, and a slew of esteemed dining options. They include upscale British restaurant The Pem; afternoon tea atrium, The Orchard Room; and Chef Sally Abé’s superbly British Blue Boar Pub serving excellent Fish & Chips.

Rooms and suites have a quaint midcentury feel, polished with the now. International media hubs and Chromecast, espresso machines, and contemporary chandelier lighting all feature. Marble bathrooms are a spa-style retreat, a post-gym reward. Bolster the five-star experience with Executive Lounge access where high tea treats are served. Although everything’s here, guests can venture farther with a ‘Best of British’ private tour via Mini Cooper.

Find out more about Conrad London St. James

18. Royal Lancaster London

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 The White Company products, and stunning city or garden views.

This is British sophistication at its best, and the service is always impeccable. Dining options include Nipa Thai and Tony Page at Island Grill, and spa treatments can be ordered to room thanks to the hotel’s partnership with London Serenity.

Find out more about Royal Lancaster London

19. Four Seasons Hotel London at Ten Trinity Square

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 tranquility that breathes . Neutral wall palettes, honey oak panelling, and natural light blend in harmony. Of course, all essentials are covered: iPad comms, signature soft FS amenities, and brew goods included. The bathroom’s winter-warmed with heated marble floors.

Two Michelin-starred restaurant, La Dame de Pic, offers unforgettable dining experiences. Helmed by one of the world’s most decorated female chefs. Alternatively, visit one of the best Chinese restaurants in London, Mei Ume, beloved 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 Ten Trinity Square

20. W London

If you’re familiar with the term detox to retox, W London’s the place to be. The 2011 opening beats like its prime Leicester Square location, from the flashy ground floor logo up to the penthouse. 192 guestrooms and suites ooze a bold luxe that marries theatre glitz with pop art, soft white beddings with bright red lounge chairs, and there’s always a mirror maze. No wonder there are so many capital letters. W’s mix bars, iPad tech, and signature MOMO products are just some of the amenities loyalists will recognize.

But what sets this W apart is the views soaring over the multicolouring of the square and adjacent Chinatown. Guests can also soak up Soho from The Perception Bar, a first-floor hangout for cocktails and/or immersive high tea; or seek wellness via the state-of-the-art gym and the 100-square-metre AWAY spa. Many treatments are designed to get you red carpet-ready—the premieres are right on the square after all.

Find out more about W London

21. London Marriott Hotel County Hall

Window watching doesn’t get any better when you book a Thames-side room at the London Marriott Hotel County Hall, situated right in front of city heavyweights, the London Eye, Big Ben, and Westminster Bridge. The Grade-II listed building itself is part of the postcard, opened in 1922 by King George V and Queen Mary as the HQ of local government. Guests today slumber in a contemporary space that provokes city thought—not just window side but across the London-mapped walls. 

Amenities include 25-metre indoor pool, a ground-floor gym, and a sweet selection of eats. Gillray’s Steakhouse & Bar has over 100 gins and locally sourced steaks (and it’s also where breakfast is served). Afternoon tea is held in The Library. Both face the Thames and all its landmarks. 

Find out more about London Marriott County Hall

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