The 13 Best Hotels in London's West End

As with all Firmdale hotels, the Covent Garden Hotel incorporates a sunny, breezy atmosphere with vibrant interiors: expect bold prints, bright colour schemes and the signature dressmaker’s mannequin in every room. This is the perfect option for those who love to lounge – you can watch the world go by from the downstairs brasserie which offers a fresh, seasonal menu and is perfect for a spot of lunch or pre-theatre cocktail. Loved by local professionals as much as by its residents, you can soak up the electric after-work buzz in the bar, where champagne and weekend vibes are always flowing.

The light-filled rooms of Victory House are the real draw of this hotel which mixes art deco simplicity with luxe detailing – think charcoal bathroom fittings, burnished gold lights, crisp white linens and smooth wood panelling. Contemporary and central, Victory House’s location is stellar – right on the doorstep of Leicester Square, which makes it perfect for theatre-hopping. Enjoy a hearty breakfast down in the bistro before heading out for the day.

A neon sign in the bar of the W Hotel Leicester Square reads “normal gets you nowhere” and this ideology is exemplified in the design of the hotel, with its disco balls, regular DJs and a thriving party scene all drawing in a hip, city crowd. Managing to hit the sweet spot between modern flair and luxury minimalism, mirrored walls, window drapes and colourful prints feature in all the rooms, giving them a bright, open feel. If you’re hitting the London party scene, this is the perfect spot to stay – sitting right in the heart of Soho among some of London’s most notorious clubs and bars. If you’re staying in a suite be sure to book the Mega Bar service – a mixologist will bring a mobile bar to your room to kickstart your night.

Z hotels offer affordable luxury in some of the best locations in London and Z Covent Garden is no different. It’s just a stone’s throw from Covent Garden’s famous market, shops, restaurants and theatres, with room options to suit a variety of budgets. Blackout blinds, sound-proofed windows, power showers, luxury bath products and comfortable beds are standard whichever room you choose. There’s a real attention to detail throughout in the use of materials and available technology, which makes dimming lights or opening blinds as simple as flicking a bedside switch. The lobby doubles as a communal café where guests and locals can hang out swapping stories.

Named for the famous Romantic essayist who lived here, Hazlitt’s is something of a Soho institution and has built its impeccable reputation on word-of-mouth. You’d never guess the hotel was right in the thick of city life – the library and bedrooms are gloriously peaceful and every corner pays homage to the old-fashioned charm of the building’s heritage. Curl up in front of the fire with Sir Godfrey – the resident cat – a book from the hotel’s collection of signed first editions and a drink from the honesty bar, available to all guests. Upstairs each bedroom is slightly different but all feature a cushy four-poster bed, velvet armchair and roll top bath. For special occasions, book the Duke of Monmouth suite which boasts its own private terrace.

Right in the heart of – you guessed it – Bloomsbury, this hotel reflects its arty neighbourhood perfectly. My Bloomsbury is bookish, understated and smart. A hub for the nearby literati, the bar’s slouchy leather sofas, anglepoise lamps and ample foliage all make for a relaxed working atmosphere, while the guest rooms offer up design details in the form of marble bathrooms, cool carpentry and bold colours. A great spot for romantic getaways, enjoy a room service breakfast from neighbouring Gail’s bakery or an express facial from Jinja, the mini-spa, before hitting the surrounding streets.

The best way to describe The Resident in Soho is cool, calm and collected – everything from its monochromatic colour palette to its demure staff gives off an energy of easy efficiency. This is the hotel you need when you’ve got serious work to do or are looking to escape the chaos of the city streets. Cold nights are made warmer by the signature sheepskin throws you’ll find on every bed, and the generous bathtubs in each bathroom. For an added luxury breakfast can either be brought to you in bed or enjoyed in the restaurant’s dining room. If you’re not sure what to go for, the bacon roll is the breakfast that hungover dreams are made of.

The Piccadilly London is on iconic Shaftesbury Avenue, so if you’ve come to London with theatre tickets in hand you couldn’t get much closer to the action than here. Rooms are decorated in a plush combination of gold and black, with some even featuring star-studded four-poster beds. Perfectly placed for exploring the West End, there are plenty of reasons to stay indoors – the extensive treatment list, indoor jacuzzi and sauna to name but a few. With knowledgeable, multilingual staff on hand, and a cracking breakfast buffet, it’s got all the right ingredients to have you raring to explore the city around you.

Given that it’s the brainchild of famous hotelier André Balazs (the man behind Hollywood’s infamous Chateau Marmont) it’s not surprising that the Chiltern Firehouse – tucked away on a leafy Marylebone street inside a former fire station – has been such a huge hit with London’s elite. With the air of a sprawling Georgian townhouse, this hotel and brasserie has more velvet-clad corners and opulent fireplaces than you can shake a stick at, and enough seasonal Anglo-American plates (created by Michelin starred chef Nuno Mendes) to satisfy even the most ravenous customers. Rooms are decorated with a timeless charm, comfortable armchairs and ample drinks bar, making it the perfect retreat from the London chatter.

One of the mainstays of Piccadilly Circus, Hotel Café Royal is famed for its opulence and nod to French neoclassicism. It also just happens to be home to one of the best spas in the city. Akasha is cavernous, incorporating an 18m (60ft) pool and nine treatment rooms featuring hammam and hydrotherapy. If you’re looking to make the most of London’s theatre, you’ll love the central location and though it sits right in the middle of one of the city’s busiest areas, once you’re inside the quiet and calm of this luxury bolthole takes over. Rooms are minimalist and modern, with Carrara marble bathrooms and an integrated Bang & Olufsen entertainment system, and downstairs you can enjoy an afternoon tea fit for royalty in the Oscar Wilde Lounge.

Nestled between Oxford Street and Tottenham Court Road, this charming boutique hotel offers rooms that are modern, compact and quirkily decorated. Each one has a different theme and pays whimsical homage to nature, whether that’s through an animal-themed cushion or floral wallpaper. A basic breakfast of toast and cereal is on offer to all, but you can choose to upgrade to something heartier should you wish – there’s a full English and eggs benedict for the seriously hungry. Whatever your plans for your stay, you’re certainly well placed here – St Paul’s Cathedral, Big Ben and Buckingham Palace are all within a 30-minute stroll.

If you’re worried that the super busy location of Assembly – between Leicester and Trafalgar Square – will lead to sleepless nights, don’t be: each of the simple and quirky rooms at this 24-hour hotel has been soundproofed, meaning you can enjoy both the central location and peace and quiet. With its contemporary décor (think neon signs, oversized cushions and cartoonish sculptures) there’s an undeniably youthful atmosphere, and most of the clientele is made up of young travellers. Egyptian cotton sheets, power showers and super speedy wifi all add to the feeling of luxury but without the hefty price tag of other urban hotels.