The Best Hotels to Book Near the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

In the heart of central Kew is this elegant B&B, which is traditional in size but so much more in stature. Hosts Ragini and Scott pride themselves on ensuring that their guests have a perfect stay. As well as sleeping incredibly comfortably in one of the three luxurious bedrooms, guests can request picnic baskets and blankets to take to Kew Gardens with them or even stay longer for a health retreat, booking in some Ayurvedic cookery classes with Ragini.

In the centre of the West London neighbourhood Acton, just 20 minutes away from the Royal Botanic Gardens, the Kings Head Hotel sits above a bright and airy public house decked out in Victoriana. With a range of modern, smart bedrooms ideal for a workation, this well-located spot guarantees to keep you well-fed, with the pub downstairs offering pizza, pasta and excellent Sunday roasts.

This decadent luxury hotel is presented in a fabulous Georgian townhouse on the edge of Richmond Park – a favourite spot among Londoners seeking a dose of nature, for its sweeping grasslands, duck-filled ponds, flower fields and famous herds of deer. In the hotel itself, the bedrooms and dining spaces are decorated in luxurious, patterned textiles, beaded chandeliers and hanging plant pots – but it’s the hotel spa that puts the cherry on the cake. With an indoor heated pool, outdoor hot tubs, a sauna, a gym and therapists offering natural and holistic treatments, Richmond Harbour Hotel is guaranteed to bliss you out before or after your visit to Kew Gardens.

Another elegant Georgian heritage property in Richmond Park, this hotel is a fantastic example of a renovation that’s not only respectful of period features but also draws attention to them. The lovely rooms, full of antique furniture, are light and spacious – as is the gorgeous bar area, decked out in 50 shades of blue, from duck-egg walls to deep-teal velveteen bar stools and dinky turquoise lampshades. Downstairs, at 144 On The Hill, the AA Rosette-award-winning dining hall, it’s all about “destination dining”. You can even order picnic baskets to go, packed with finger sandwiches, poppy-seeded sausage rolls, fine patisserie pastries or butter-rich scones.

This long-established, well-loved pub in West London’s Hanwell neighbourhood offers five bright bedrooms that are beautifully presented and spacious. There’s plenty of great grub to choose from downstairs, with a mouth-watering burger menu and hard-working pizza oven leaving guests feeling well looked after. And it’s only 20 minutes from the Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew.

With Xanadu-themed decor – think Mongolian and Silk Road vibes, with deep reds and candles galore – this hotel has rooms and suites that are smart, sleek and soothing. Hotel Xanadu fosters a strong focus on wellbeing by promoting its partnership with a luxurious neighbouring gym and spa. Guests can take advantage of a wide range of steam rooms, a sauna and a swimming pool, all in the convenient location of Central Ealing. You can even do a Zumba or yoga class at the group fitness studio.

This exquisite Georgian terrace has recently been renovated by a mother-and-daughter duo, who opened Bingham Riverhouse as a hotel, exclusive members club and dining room. Weekend dinners are served from a delectable tasting menu presented by Master Chef winner Steven Edwards, specialising in seasonal produce. Expect line-caught fish, foraged mushrooms and British cheeses showcasing the best of what’s available locally. The 15 bedrooms are just as much of a treat. Request a standalone bath or riverside view, all of which give a nod to the fascinating history of the property, which was home to poets in days gone by.

This gorgeous gastropub has been a Shepherds Bush favourite since it opened as a gin palace in 1829. Oil paintings and Victorian illustrations of birds, beetles and butterflies adorn the walls, and delicious food graces the tables – as well as 100 varieties of gin, in celebration of the building’s boozy past. Five boutique rooms, which are as cleanly designed as the pub downstairs, have blackout curtains and egyptian-cotton bed sheets to ensure the most comfortable night’s sleep possible before you depart on the short ride to Kew Gardens the following day.

This stunning hotel in Richmond Park first opened in 1865 and is something of an architectural marvel. It was designed by architect John Giles, famous for his grand hotels in an Italian neo-gothic style. The tower, balconies and a grand staircase all scream Victorian London with a Tuscan twist. Head to the in-house restaurant for fine dining that wouldn’t be amiss in Rome, although pizza and pasta are swapped out for modern British fare like lamb rump with tenderstem broccoli and dover sole served on the bone. Gazing out across Petersham meadows to the river, the dining space has arguably the best view of the Thames in Richmond.