London Hotels
Seven of the best hotels in London: Luxury stays to know
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Broadwick Soho, London
London has more high-end hotel brands than any other city in the world – and a new wave of openings is raising the bar. From the Waldorf Astoria at Admiralty Arch and Rosewood at the former American Embassy to Broadwick Soho’s Wes Anderson-style bolthole, these are seven of the best hotels in London
London’s first major hotel boom took place in the 19th-century around the boroughs of Paddington, Kings Cross and Marylebone. But the last few years have seen a surge in ultra-luxury newcomers, and the British capital now has more high-end hotel brands than any other city in the world. In the last few years, a raft of established international brands as well as smaller independent stays have opened their doors. From a riotous boutique bolthole in Soho to a new hotel with one of the largest wellness spaces in the city, here are seven of the most luxurious stays in London.
Waldorf Astoria – Admiralty Arch
The eagerly awaited historic Admiralty Arch property is now welcoming guests to its 114 rooms and suites, which offer iconic views of Buckingham Palace and Trafalgar Square. The building was commissioned by King Edward VII in memory of Queen Victoria and the hotel has an impressive portfolio of dining spots, with restaurants by Clare Smyth MBE and Daniel Boulud, who together hold seven Michelin stars. Fine-dining Coreus showcases the UK’s coastline and farms while French-leaning Cafe Boulud features both a restaurant and rooftop terrace.
Six Senses London
Occupying a heritage-listed building in West London’s Bayswater, this new urban oasis has reimagined London’s first department store The Whiteley into a restored 109-room hotel with one of the biggest wellness spaces in the city. The 2,300-square-metre subterranean spa features a 20-metre indoor pool, a traditional Turkish hammam, 13 treatment rooms, a flotation pod, cryotherapy, biohacking recovery lounge and a private members’ club. On top of that, the hotel’s signature Notting Hill Suite is a generous 215 square metres with two massive outdoor terraces and Art Deco interiors.
Rosewood The Chancery London
The ultra-luxurious Hong Kong-based brand has spared no expense at this all-suite property, which sits across from Grosvenor Square in Mayfair inside the restored former American Embassy. An eagle sculpture by acclaimed American artist and sculpture Theodore Roszak stands command over the outdoor terrace at rooftop bar The Eagle, while the underground spa features an indoor pool and gym with Technogym’s Artis Luxury range of equipment. There are eight places to eat and drink, including NYC steakhouse import Carbone and jewel-box-like afternoon tea venue Jacqueline, named after the former Kennedy.
The Peninsula London
Door staff dressed in the brand’s iconic white pageboy uniforms greet guests on arrival at this stay opposite Wellington Arch in Belgravia. Each room is appointed with valet boxes for discreet deliveries as well as various tablets that control everything from the TV to the curtains. Alongside a massive heated indoor pool, The Peninsula Spa offers tech-forward wellness, including its signature face and body-sculpting Ricari treatment, which uses Italian-made machines to stimulate the lymphatic system. A hot-balloon-inspired elevator takes guests to the eighth floor rooftop, where Brooklands Bar and two-Michelin-starred Brooklands by Claude Bosi boast slick masculine interiors inspired by the famous engine-maker Brooklands.
The Emory
It’s a certain calibre of property that provides guests not just with a Dyson hairdryer but the brand’s styler and straightener, too. This all-suite Belgravia property from the Maybourne brand is slick from the moment you arrive and your butler knocks on your door. Don’t be surprised if he or she shuffles off to get you an Oyster card for the London tube. Suites are lush with leafy views and walk-in wardrobes, the glossy enclosed rooftop bar features views to the London Eye, and abc Kitchens serves up the Ferrari of all English breakfasts alongside European-American fare.
Broadwick Soho
Original Andy Warhol artworks and sculptures from David Bowie’s private collection adorn the exotic wallpapered walls of this one-of-a-kind 57-room boutique hotel in Soho. The 1920s townhouse has been transformed into a whimsical toy box that wouldn’t look out of place in a Wes Anderson film. Brass elephant bar carts feature in the room alongside Ortigia amenities, and a small bottle of the hotel scent appears by the bed one night. Basement Italian restaurant Dear Jackie is a red riot, complete with ceramic plates on the walls, Murano lighting and elevated dishes.
Raffles London at The OWO
Set within the historic Old War Office in Whitehall where the likes of Winston Churchill addressed British generals, this 120-room stay is one of London’s most storied hotels. As well as its military past, it featured in numerous Bond films. Naturally, it’s offerings are a nod to its heritage, with the subterranean speakeasy Spy Bar a tribute to the spies that once worked here. The bar offers a tasting experience that includes access to the storage vaults where MI5 and MI6 mission reports were stored.
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