The 15 Coolest Hotels in London

One of the coolest new openings in London, this ultra stylish addition to the already iconic Battersea skyline is top of many wish lists. Its as vibrant inside as it is outside with funky artwork and design running through the lobby to the bedrooms. We’re obsessed with the rooftop pool (who isn’t?) and there’s so much to do in the area that you probably won’t need to leave once you arrive for your stay.

The Cumberland is a 90-year-young landmark hotel, situated on the corner of Oxford Street and Park Lane – a stone’s throw from the beautiful and expansive Hyde Park and London’s busiest shopping district. You could be content with a hotel like this purely on the basis of its location, but what makes this one stand out (and what gives it the undeniable cool factor) is the music theme that runs throughout it. Sound is an excellent bar/diner on the ground floor with a roster of live performances that draw in non-guests as much as those that are booked in for a stay. Some rooms come with record players, vinyl albums and even electric guitars – thankfully with personal amps. Artwork, neat touches like drumstick lights and themed areas like the Backstage zone for premium guests make this an absolute must for music lovers.

One of the newest hotels in East London, the nhow is in a perfect location for anyone looking to explore this trendy part of town. There are a number of places to stay in Shoreditch, and this is very close to that area, but you’re also in a great place to head into central London if you want to try something a little more refined. The London motif is everywhere, from tube themed lifts to the sounds of the underground in the gym. If you are spending an extended period of time at nhow London, its worth getting an upgrade to one of the penthouse suites as there aren’t many rooms that offer this amount floor space in the city.

Denmark Street’s heritage positions it as a place where over the years publishers, musicians, studios and guitar shops have all gathered. Maintaining those traditions, this themed property is set over 16 buildings and has 55 session rooms and apartments. There is a sense of hedonism and playfulness throughout, which deliberately exuberant touches in every space giving everything a unique sense of style. Chateau Denmark can claim to be many things, but boring is certainly not one of them.

Home to a central courtyard filled with hanging jasmine and passion flowers, The Mandrake makes this list for being the most unique hotel in the capital. Named after a hallucinogenic plant, it’s a wonderland of ethereal music, living plants and lush decor. The fun starts at the front door, which conceals a tunnel to the spectacular lobby. Located right in the heart of the West End, it’s ideally situated for Soho’s culinary delights and the best theatre shows in town.

The Laslett is located in leafy Notting Hill and takes its name from Rhaune Laslett, the founder of the Notting Hill Festival (which would later become the world-famous carnival of today). The library, covered in tomes and objets d’art, is the perfect place for tea. The Laslett celebrates local artists and displays their work throughout its space, as a true champion of Notting Hill’s rich cultural heritage.

The Artist Residence brand has become synonymous with homely boutique charm, and its Pimlico outpost is no exception. Wooden floorboards, fireplaces and old leather armchairs are complemented by an array of local artwork and custom furniture. The hotel attracts everyone from well-heeled socialites to bohemian artists, making it one of London’s most culturally relevant hotels.

Opulent, exciting and mysterious, The Zetter Townhouse Marylebone is the former home of an eccentric fictional Victorian character. The more-is-more decor features candelabras, Union Jack flags, gilt frames and stuffed animals, while some rooms have dramatic, carved four-poster beds. Book Lear’s Loft for the copper bathtub on the terrace, and try your hand at mixing a cocktail with the kits provided in each room.

Aimed at digital nomads, citizenM offers affordable luxury in abundance. You’re just as likely to see a group huddled over MacBooks, flat whites in hand, as you are London residents enjoying an evening aperitif. There are citizenM hotels in Shoreditch and Tower Hill, but the Bankside branch on the city’s stunning and culturally vibrant South Bank is a favourite.

It’s hard to decide whether The Standard turns time backwards or forwards. Its ’70s Brutalist exterior – complete with a cherry red, pill-shaped elevator – is nostalgically futuristic, like it belongs on the set of Thunderbirds (2004) or Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997). Inside, tartan-inspired fabrics and modern furniture are undeniably vintage, while the curved, pod-like windows feel like they’re from another time to come (book the Queen of Queens for cinematic views of St Pancras station). Head to the retro Library Lounge to pour over books about space, science or psychology while sipping a classic cocktail, but the on-site restaurant, Decimo, deserves an entire evening of your time for its modern-Mexican fare (such as manchego cheese quesadillas and zingy aquachile, or ceviche) and dramatic skyline views through floor-to-ceiling windows.

Even though there’s no reception desk, The Pilgrm has made checking into the hotel simple – guests do it through their phones. However, if needed, there is someone available to answer questions. Inside, designers have given the reclaimed furniture from schools, hospitals and military facilities a contemporary update. Before heading out for the day, visit the street-level café, Workshop Coffee, for a selection of coffees, teas and sweet treats. Breakfast and brunch are also available in The Lounge.

Covent Garden’s curvaceous Henrietta Hotel is the most Instagram-ready in the city. Its 18 rooms blend Art Deco-inspired style with Italian design and millennial pink bathrooms that wouldn’t be out of place on a Wes Anderson film set. Henrietta Bistro serves equally pretty plates of food, with a fresh and vibrant menu inspired by southwest France, Corsica and the Basque Country. Literary-inspired cocktails recall the building’s former use as a publishing house, such as the Adventures in Two Worlds – a bucolic combination of single-malt whisky, lemon and vanilla-honey syrup.

Sometimes it’s better to stick with the original. The Hoxton has been something of a trailblazer when it comes to exporting East London’s aesthetic overseas. There are branches in Chicago, Portland, Amsterdam and Paris, to name just a few, but this Shoreditch branch – with its parquet floors and industrial details – was the first. Rooms come with Chesterfield sofas and minimalist back-lit mirrors, but you can also opt to hunker down in one of nine concept rooms designed by local artists. Its open-plan lobby and dining area is a hub of activity and the perfect spot to appreciate an impeccably made negroni.

Hazlitt’s is a Soho institution and offers an escape from the miasma of London. Its bedrooms are gloriously peaceful with cushy four-poster beds, velvet armchairs and roll-top baths. The library is a relaxing space where you can curl up in front of the fire with a good book, a drink from the honesty bar and the resident cat, Sir Godfrey. For special occasions, book one of the suites – the Duke of Monmouth has a private terrace.

Every playful room at the sky-brushing Treehouse Hotel has a view. The best can be found in the Skyline King rooms, where you can settle into a snug window seat and look out over Regent Street. Childhood- and forest-themed decor is scattered throughout; beds have carefully placed stuffed toys while bathrooms have tree trunks with cuckoo clocks. The rooms are designed to appeal to your nostalgic side but with all the hallmarks of an on-trend hotel (concrete walls, warehouse-style windows and plenty of plants). On the roof, you’ll find a clubhouse for adults; The Nest is a whimsical wooden bar that combines Turkish rugs, hanging plants and woodland trees with sweeping city views.