The Best Hotels To Book In Clerkenwell London

Clerkenwell is a creative hub that’s close to Central London – and the birthplace of the first gastropub in the city. An afternoon of exploring will take you to cosy bars, hip cafes and indie boutiques. Book a night in one of these hotels in Clerkenwell, London – bookable on Culture Trip – to make the most of it.

Clerkenwell is abuzz with great interior design, tantalising food and historic buildings. Thanks to the many furniture shops, independent restaurants and pretty church greens, once you step onto the cobbled streets, you get the feeling you’ve entered a bookish, arty backwater. Close to Old Street, Shoreditch and St Paul’s, it’s also an ideal location from which to explore east London. Still not convinced about staying? Take a look at these hotels in Clerkenwell and you will be.

1. The Clerk and Well Pub and Rooms

Pubs with Rooms

A grey-toned room at the Clerk and Well Pub and Rooms, with grey-striped wallpaper, a pillowy bed and gold mirror

With all the cosiness you’d expect from an inn and the sleek service of a top hotel, the Clerk and Well Pub and Rooms offers the best of both worlds. It has all the hallmarks of a great British pub – a delicious seasonal menu and an ample selection of ales, as well as pretty floral hanging baskets outside – and the quintessential decor. Rooms are decked out in a country style but with mod cons such as Nespresso machines and king-size beds. Right on Clerkenwell Road, it’s a short stroll from the Barbican and Old Street.

2. The Zetter Townhouse Clerkenwell

Boutique Hotel, Hotel

A travel-inspired room at the Zetter Townhouse Clerkenwell, with images of elephants, a model ship and striped carpeting

This cooler sibling of the Zetter Hotel, with only 13 bedrooms, overlooks St John’s Square. This boutique hotel in Clerkenwell has enough character to keep you talking about it for weeks after your stay. Enter via the cocktail lounge, and you’ll be greeted by an eclectic collection of trinkets and treasures that could rival the apartment of Sherlock Holmes. The bedrooms are equally eccentric – four-poster beds canopied with Union Jacks are surprisingly tasteful, and bold walls are dotted with unusual artwork. Far from being old-fashioned, each room has a flat-screen TV, free wifi and a Bose speaker. It’s also stocked with free drinks, snacks and Ren toiletries.

3. The Rookery Hotel

Boutique Hotel, Hotel

An elegant red-and-gold room at the Rookery Hotel, with a four-poster bed, dark wood furniture, and heavy red drapery

This converted Georgian townhouse certainly makes for an atmospheric stay, especially when kitted out with antique furnishings and plush fabrics. Each room at the Rookery Hotel has a unique character, so whether you’re after the dramatic elegance of the bright red Mary Lane or the Edwardian-themed quirkiness of the Rook’s Nest, there’s a guest room to suit every taste. If you manage to drag yourself out of the roll-top tub or four-poster bed, you’ll find some of the best restaurants and bars in Clerkenwell on your doorstep.

4. Malmaison London

Hotel

A hip guest room at Malmaison London, with Union Jack accents, exposed brick and wood floors

A short amble from the bustling Smithfield Market, Malmaison is a characterful jumble of 1970s-inspired decor, with crushed-velvet bedcovers and claret-coloured details. The caged neon lettering and retro diner-style booths at the Chez Mal Lounge are an Instagram-worthy backdrop when you’re dining on dishes such as Cumberland sausage and mash. After dinner, it won’t take long to nod off when you slip into Egyptian cotton sheets and lay your head on a plump feather pillow. Executive suites are also generous with space and luxuries – upping the ante with an oversized bath and mirrored shelves lined with bottles of some of the most beloved booze in the nation.

5. The Zetter Hotel

Boutique Hotel, Hotel

A hip guest room at the Zetter Hotel, with a bright green blanket, a colourful patterned chair and plenty of storage

Sitting on the corner of Clerkenwell Road, the Zetter Hotel lavishes you with plush details in every room, including deep plum-velvet furnishings, bespoke floral upholstery and a selection of nostalgic Penguin books. The cool colour palettes are complemented by botanical artwork and geometric-patterned blankets – tuck yourself into the Egyptian cotton sheets and fall asleep to melodies from the stylish Marshall speakers at your bedside. To ensure your stay is a memorable one, don’t miss excellent seafood dishes such as the roast Gigha halibut, washed down with a glass of the finest fizz.

Chloe Byrne contributed additional reporting to this article.

Culture Trips launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes places and communities so special.

Our immersive trips, led by Local Insiders, are once-in-a-lifetime experiences and an invitation to travel the world with like-minded explorers. Our Travel Experts are on hand to help you make perfect memories. All our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.?>

All our travel guides are curated by the Culture Trip team working in tandem with local experts. From unique experiences to essential tips on how to make the most of your future travels, we’ve got you covered.