The Best Hotels to Book in Soho, London

Within a bow shot of the famous Eros statue in Piccadilly Circus, this upscale hotel sits at the junction of three of the most magnetic locations in the West End: Soho, Chinatown and the Theatre District. The 67 rooms and suites all have immaculate ensuite bathrooms with underfloor heating and Elemis toiletries, plus modern touches such as climate control and flat-screen TVs with satellite access. Communal spaces keep standards just as high, from the fitness centre to the boutique spa and on-site restaurant and bar.

London hotels in Soho and Fitzrovia rarely offer the opulence and character that this outpost of Edition Hotels does. The heritage building comprises 173 guest rooms and suites, filled with George Smith furniture, Hendrik Kerstens photography, oak floors and wood panelling; however, the communal spaces are perhaps even more luxurious. Berners Tavern serves Michelin-starred dishes such as eight-hour slow-cooked Cumbrian Herdwick lamb shoulder beneath an elaborate stucco ceiling, while the Punch Room reincarnates a 19th-century gentleman’s club.

The best thing about the Soho Hotel is undoubtedly the screening rooms and film club. Film aficionados can beat the crowds and watch the latest blockbuster and art-house releases from the comfort of their own lodgings, and the Refuel Bar & Restaurant offers modern, seasonal cuisine in a colourful setting. The upholstered bed frames and striking designer wallpaper also make this hotel stand out.

Sleek, stylish and minimalist, the Resident Soho sits in the heart of the neighbourhood. The interior – especially the enormous deluxe rooms with towering four-poster beds – will appeal to fashionistas and those with an artistic flair. Shuttered windows provide plenty of natural light during the day and make sure you get a good night’s sleep. You can request to have your fridge filled before you arrive, allowing you to make the most of the in-room mini-kitchen, complete with a Nespresso machine and a Brita tap filter. Service here is exceptional, and resident staff’s knowledge of the area is second to none, arming you with on-the-pulse recommendations for local hotspots.

The Mandrake is only a short walk from the heart of Soho. The hotel sits around a striking central courtyard with hanging gardens of jasmine and passion flowers, evoking a more exotic world. Here, the background noise of the city is replaced by the eerie soundscapes of French music producer Pierre-Arnaud Alunni. Find a quiet corner in the on-site Waeska Bar surrounded by the surreal artworks of Francesco Clemente, Jonas Burgert and Peter-John de Villiers, and settle in for a cocktail.

Designed to feel like a little village, Ham Yard Hotel has a theatre, a bowling alley, event rooms, a library and a gym, complete with a hypoxic chamber for altitude training. With so many activities surrounding the central tree-filled courtyard, it’s perfect for those who don’t like to stay still during their downtime. Inside the hotel itself, the Kit Kemp-designed interiors are quintessentially British – floral motifs contrast with geometric wallpaper and patterned headboards. The roof terrace is the best-kept secret in the city; only accessible to guests, it sits amid the Georgian rooftops in Soho and provides a perfect view to accompany a G&T.

This hotel seamlessly combines rock’n’roll-themed decor with the tranquillity of a Balinese haven. From the Jimi Hendrix-inspired stained-glass windows to the rooftop jacuzzi, this boutique hotel in Soho looks like something straight from an ’80s glam-rock music video. The party doesn’t stop in the common areas; rooms are full of fun touches, such as mirror-tiled columns. The loft suite features a free-standing bath illuminated by LED lights. The rooftop bar is a thriving space that fits right in with the frenetic nightlife in Soho, while the Wild Heart Bar & Shokudo serves Japanese street-food dishes.

The striking marble staircase with red lacquer walls is thoroughly contemporary, but the rooms at Mimi’s feel more like stepping back into the 1800s. With wainscot panelling on the walls in shades ranging from taffy pink to navy blue, marble bathrooms and stained-wood headboards, the rooms are sultry spaces that evoke a bygone era. Henson’s, the boudoir-like bar downstairs, serves up breakfast by the fireplace in the morning; however, it’s best visited after dark, when you can sink into one of the velvet couches for a post-dinner signature cocktail.