The Best Hotels to Book Near HMS Belfast, London

A three-minute walk from Tower Bridge and only a few more to HMS Belfast, this hotel enjoys an enviable riverfront location at the entrance to St Katharine Docks. The contemporary rooms are sleek and sophisticated, but play second fiddle to the view. If you didn’t manage to snag one of the bridge-view rooms, dine at Vicinity, or unwind with a drink at Xi Bar and Lounge, which enjoy the same backdrop.

If you’re a first-time visitor to London, you won’t need to bother with a sightseeing tour if you stay at the Vintry & Mercer. Dining al fresco on the roof terrace or enjoying a drink at the bar comes with a view of city landmarks such as St Paul’s Cathedral and the Shard. Rooms are glamorous, boasting oversized velvet headboards in rich teal, plum or gold. Nespresso machines, CO Bigelow Apothecaries toiletries and Marshall speakers add to the luxurious feel.

The Ned is located close to Bank station, at 27 Poultry, in the heart of the City. The owners spotted an opportunity when they clapped eyes on the empty building that once housed the Midland Bank HQ, and Edwin Lutyens designed this Grade I-listed property. The hotel’s Heritage rooms in particular reference the opulence and glamour of the building’s 1920s heyday, with velvets and silks, crystal chandeliers, walnut-wood panelling and marble fireplaces.

Located in trendy Aldgate, Leman Locke is as stylish as a boutique hotel – but, through its serviced studios and apartments, it offers more flexibility and privacy. This is as close as you’ll get to living in London as a visitor. You can binge-watch TV while eating takeaway from your L-shaped pink sofa or wander downstairs, where you might strike up a conversation over coffee or join a yoga class. Book floor 19 and above to maximise those London skyline views.

This riverfront hotel sits just east of the South Bank. The Thames Path links it to the Festival Hall, Oxo Tower and Tate Modern. This 359-room property takes its inspiration from the ocean-going liners of a century ago, but, when it comes to design and amenities, its interiors are firmly rooted in the 21st century. Book a Superior Patio Room to enjoy the ivy-clad patio with outside seating. If you’re keen to entertain, choose a loft or riverview suite.

H10 London Waterloo is an architect-designed, 177-room hotel located within easy reach of well-known capital landmarks such as Big Ben and Tower Bridge. The striking design of this 13-storey hotel incorporates a cut-back base to facilitate pedestrian access at street level. Its modern, well-appointed rooms boast floor-to-ceiling picture windows to maximise light. Head to the eighth-floor Waterloo Sky Bar, and soak up the view of the London skyline while sipping a cocktail.

This hip, Brick Lane pub with rooms takes its name from Sir Thomas Fowell Buxton, a social reformer and one-time owner of the nearby Truman Brewery. The 15 rooms are small but don’t feel poky, thanks to their predominantly white colour palette – just enough pops of colour ensure the vibe is stylish rather than clinical. The rooftop garden supplies some of the fresh produce used in the pub restaurant and also offers panoramic views over East London and the City.

Art takes centre stage at this Conran-designed property. Its 80 rooms are modish and original, enhanced with works from local art galleries and bespoke local maps by illustrator Emily Chappell. Comfort’s important, too, with amenities such as cashmere-wrapped mattresses, Nespresso machines and Bang & Olufsen televisions in all rooms. Don’t miss the Secret Garden, a tucked-away outdoor terrace with a retractable roof, should the weather be inclement.

Until 1968, the Lalit was a boys’ grammar school – and, if all you see is the red-brick exterior, it still looks like one. Step through the door, however, and you unlock a colourful, Indian-inspired interior. Contemporary decor breathes new life into redundant classrooms. Jewel-bright oranges, fuchsias and cobalt blues enhance the school’s good bones – herringbone floors, exposed beams and lofty ceilings. Some rooms have views of the Shard.