The 7 Best Hotels in Knightsbridge
There are plenty of reasons to stay in Knightsbridge, whether it’s to taste your way through the best local brunch spots or to explore neighbouring Chelsea. Here’s Culture Trip’s guide to the best hotels in one of London’s most lavish neighbourhoods.
Famed for its swanky Victorian architecture and iconic department stores (Harrods, Harvey Nichols and the like), Knightsbridge attracts an affluent crowd. The uniform streets brim with designer shops, and Hyde Park – arguably the best known of London’s Royal Parks – provides a green and pristine backdrop for the many grand hotels long associated with this upmarket neighbourhood.
1. The Capital Townhouse
Boutique Hotel
A stone’s throw from the cultural delights of the museum district, this welcoming townhouse hotel exudes a romantic air – deep rose-pink velvet furniture is found in the homely rooms and a winding staircase wraps around a cascade of bewitching floral lighting. There are thoughtful touches throughout, from the hand-stitched bed frames and Savoir mattresses, to the Egyptian cotton sheets and bathrooms with underfloor heating. The hotel restaurant serves rustic British cuisine such as the tender sirloin of beef with purple sprouting broccoli, best paired with a Pinot Noir from the extensive wine list.
2. The Berkeley
Spa Hotel
This suave and stylish five-star hotel epitomises London luxury with a palette of pale gold and crisp white, elevated by ambient lighting. There’s plenty to delight guests, from the catwalk-inspired Prêt-à-Portea afternoon tea to Out Of The Blue – a cocktail experience exploring how sensory stimulation can alter the perception of flavour. Unwind at the seventh-floor pool and spa with views of the London skyline, and tantalise your taste buds dining at the two Michelin-star restaurant Marcus, with refined British dishes such as the dry-aged Galloway beef fillet with glazed onion.
4. The Bulgari Hotel London
Spa Hotel
The immaculate dollhouse-style exterior of the Bulgari Hotel speaks volumes for what awaits through its sleek glass doors. Honouring its Italian roots, the lavish interior is a blend of rich chocolate leathers, glistening chandeliers and velvet drapes. Rooms are finished with a palette of silver tones set against polished mahogany, complemented by baroque details and luxury touches such as Nespresso coffee machines and 42-inch plasma TVs. Soak in the black marbled tub of your en-suite bathroom – or enjoy a dip in the hotel pool – then treat yourself to an hour or two of supreme relaxation in the award-winning spa.
5. Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park
Spa Hotel
6. The Hari
Hotel, Luxury
Beyond the manicured green thicket that frames its doorway, the Hari is steeped in alternative elegance. A patchwork of studded metal makes up an Art Deco bar, while a vintage American flag hangs over the lobby’s exposed brickwork, adjacent to a curious wall of belts. Upstairs, you’ll find white leather-furnished rooms and marble bathrooms stocked with luxurious Noble Isle toiletries, while outside the ivy-lined garden terrace is a perfect setting for sipping Haritini cocktails. There’s a 24-hour health and fitness centre too, and the hotel is located just a stone’s throw from Buckingham Palace.
7. Belmond Cadogan Hotel
Luxury
Famous for being the site of Oscar Wilde’s 1895 libel arrest, the Belmond Cadogan Hotel is full of plush details, welcoming sophisticates and bohemians into a palatial setting of crimson leather and immaculate white walls. The Victorian exterior is cleverly complemented by Georgian grandeur inside – dine on native lobster under large glass chandeliers in the Adam Handling restaurant, or climb up the classic wooden staircase to recline on pillowy king-size beds. The real gem in the hotel’s crown is the verdant garden: a labyrinth of paths lead out into an enchanting jungle of flora and fauna canopied by wandering branches. Sit under dappled sunlight in the summer – board games and deckchairs are provided.
This article is an updated version of a story created by Alex Jordan.
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip 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 — and this is still in our DNA today. 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 certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.