The Best Hotels to Book Near Shakespeare's Globe Theatre

French interior designer Dorothee Meilichzon designed the Henrietta’s 18 bedrooms, whose stylish decor nods towards art deco and modernism. The hotel is in the heart of bustling Covent Garden (one of the liveliest areas of central London, surrounded by theatres, museums and food markets) and some rooms have views out towards the London Eye observation wheel. Da Henrietta restaurant offers seasonal, authentic Italian food influenced by the area around the Tyrrhenian Sea (think fresh, colourful dishes like a spring tomato salad with almond and lovage or smoked courgette purée), with many more restaurants within a short walk offering any cuisine your heart desires.

This independent boutique hotel is full of character and design-focused touches, with plenty of luxury weaved in along the way. Its Covent Garden location is a huge draw, and the hotel is proud to point out the many cultural hotspots nearby, such as the Royal Opera House and historic arts complex Somerset House. Rooms are colourful and classy, while the acclaimed Indigo restaurant and gorgeous Lobby Bar are destinations in themselves. There’s also an extensive wellness and fitness area in The Health Club, featuring a large pool, sauna, steam room, 24-hour gym and spa treatment facilities.

If you like your finger kept firmly on the pulse, this hotel, inspired by the aesthetic of 1920s transatlantic travel, is a fine choice. It’s a super-chic venue directly overlooking the River Thames and surrounded by more great stuff than you could possibly pack into most holidays: the globally acclaimed Tate Modern art gallery, the National Theatre, Royal Festival Hall, London Eye and of course the Globe are all within walking distance. But schedule in time to enjoy the hotel itself, too; rooms are cool and contemporary, and there are great options if you want to splurge, including an ivy-clad Patio Room and suites with river views. Elsewhere, there’s a glossy spa, an in-house cinema and regular events from DJ nights to comedy shows, some even held on the rooftop terrace.

Despite being just a street away from Shakespeare’s Globe, this apartment-hotel retains an impressive sense of peace due to its location in a quiet, tucked-away road. This former Victoria tea warehouse still a hint of industrial-chic styling to the apartments, which range from simple Crash Pads to a duplex two-bedroom option. Foodies will appreciate the proximity to Borough Market, where you can nourish yourself at some of London’s most popular artisan eateries and producers, such as the Bread Ahead bakery and Monmouth Coffee.

Set just north of the Thames, in the area of London known fondly as the Square Mile (and still only half a mile from Shakespeare’s Globe), the Vintry & Mercer combines the sharp aesthetics of a modern art gallery with all the comfort and features of a forward-thinking boutique hotel. The design-led rooms are eye-catching and elegant, and there are unmissable on-site dining and drinking spots. These include Vintry Izakaya, an Asian tapas restaurant that taps its own wine from barrels lining the walls and a speakeasy-style basement bar named DND (Do Not Disturb) that oozes vintage glamour. Don’t forget to also pencil in a trip upstairs to the Mercer Roof Terrace, a restaurant serving British cuisine with a contemporary twist and sweeping views of the London skyline.

Put yourself at the heart of the South Bank action in this smart hotel, where you’ll be a short stroll from the cutting-edge art of Tate Modern, the OXO Tower Restaurant (offering incredible city views and innovative cooking) and the UK’s biggest cinema screen at BFI IMAX. Back at the hotel there’s a heated indoor swimming pool, a business centre and meeting facilities for working travellers, a restaurant serving a bottomless brunch at weekends and a Mad Men-esque bar – The Distillery – which boasts a huge gin menu and makes its own cocktail bitters, saluting the building’s former life as a distillery.

Make life simple by basing yourself near some of London’s major transport hubs (Southwark Tube station is almost next door, Waterloo Rail and Tube station are a stone’s throw away, and London Bridge Rail and Tube aren’t much further), giving yourself easy access to major city sights like St Paul’s Cathedral and the Old Vic theatre in the process. Unwind afterwards in the hotel sauna or by taking a dip in the heated pool. Satisfy even more senses by paying a visit to the colourful on-site restaurant, Jamboree, for a cocktail or craft beer.

This hip apartment-hotel has the feel of a Scandi coffee shop, with just the right balance of cool and cosy thanks to soft colours and lots of greenery. All apartments have high-spec Smeg kitchens, even the compact Micro Studio. But if you want something for a special occasion, try the envy-inducing suites with panoramic river views. A buzzy co-working space will be a welcome addition for many travellers, as will the attached bar for when it’s time to close your laptop. Location-wise, you’ll never be bored here, with the Museum of London and brutalist arts landmark the Barbican Centre a short journey north, plus the many shops and Michelin-starred restaurants of central London nearby.