The Best Hotels in Islington, London

Islington streets like Camden Passage have a quaint, village vibe
Islington streets like Camden Passage have a quaint, village vibe | © Alex Segre / Alamy Stock Photo
Molly Codyre

This North London borough is a great place to stay next time you’re visiting London. Close to Angel and Camden, its location means you can easily explore the city as well as the local farmers’ market and boutique shops. Here’s our pick of the best hotels in Islington – bookable on Culture Trip.

The leafy borough of Islington can at times feel like a village within the city, located on the border of Zone 1 and technically just up the road from St Paul’s. Quintessentially London, it’s the perfect base from which to explore the UK capital.

1. The Rookery Hotel

Boutique Hotel, Hotel

Double room at the Rookery features a four poster bed and antique furnishings
Courtesy of the Rookery Hotel / Booking.com
Established in 1764, the Rookery Hotel certainly has the wow factor, with each of the guest rooms featuring opulent decor and luxurious touches. Whether you opt to stay in the Mary Lane, decked out in scarlet soft furnishings and enormous four-poster bed, or the Rook’s Nest, complete with a carved bed and Edwardian bathing machine, you won’t be disappointed. Make sure to make time to sit by the fire in the conservatory with a Sipsmith gin cocktail from the honesty bar. Warm and hospitable, elegant and traditional, this hotel nails the fine balance between old-world luxury and modern comfort.

2. The Alma Rooms

Serviced Apartment

Double room at the Alma Rooms has a kitchenette and a fan
Courtesy of the Alma Rooms / Hotels.com

Just a few minutes’ walk from Upper Street, Islington’s high street, the Alma Rooms offer serviced apartments in the heart of the Islington neighbourhood. These open-plan studios include modern kitchens kitted out with dishwashers, a hob and combi-oven, as well as comfortable beds and Wi-Fi. If you’re in London for a lengthy stay or just want somewhere that gives you the option to cook, the Alma Rooms have everything you need in a prime location. Decor is modern and simple and downstairs you’ll find an equally contemporary and buzzing pub complete with a long list of craft beers to enjoy. Feeling peckish? Head across the road to the local food market.

4. Nhow London

Chain Hotel, Hotel

Double room at Nhow London has modern decor, a Union Jack flag and wall decals
Courtesy of Nhow London / Expedia.com

Pop art takes centre stage at this newly opened hotel on the border of Islington and Shoreditch. Vivid colours abound in the industrial-style lobby, with graffitied concrete pillars, chandelier motifs and luminescent neon lighting. The bright and lively theme doesn’t stop there either – Big Ben appears to take lift-off in the hotel bar, the Queen finds herself graffitied in contrasting colours all over bedroom walls, while Union Jack rugs take pride of place in several rooms. A full-sized gym and flexitarian-focused restaurant make this newcomer a serious contender on the London hotel scene.

5. M by Montcalm Shoreditch

Boutique Hotel, Suite Hotel, Hotel

Double room at M by Montcalm Shoreditch London has simple furnishings and a work desk
Courtesy of M by Montcalm / Hotels.com

M by Montcalm is a slightly more millennial iteration of the luxury Montcalm hotel chain, yet effortlessly retains the level of detail the brand has become so well known for. Designed for the digital era, the rooms are sleek and high-tech with plush furnishings and full-sized workspaces where any digital nomad can comfortably set up for a few hours’ work. The exterior of the building reflects the interior’s tech theme – with cutting-edge steel and glass panelling positioned at a seemingly slanted angle, it brings to mind a very modern monochrome game of Tetris.

6. Z Hotel Shoreditch

Budget Hotel, Independent Hotel

Double room at Z Shoreditch has London city views and a wall-mounted TV
Courtesy of Z Hotel Shoreditch / Booking.com

These minimalist rooms offer all the facilities and amenities of a full-priced hotel room but at wallet-friendly prices. Located beside Old Street station, this Islington hotel puts you within easy reach of London’s finest museums, restaurants, cafés and pubs. If you’re averse to travelling too far, however, there’s plenty to keep you busy in the surrounding area. Shoreditch Grind offers a lovely coffee-induced boost in the morning, while Turkish restaurant Oklava is the perfect spot for an evening meal – and be sure to dip into Nightjar on your way home for a subterranean nightcap.

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