The Best Hotels to Book Near the Saatchi Gallery, London

This Georgian property in Kensington was built as two townhouses in 1829, but the Grade II-listed building was converted into a sleek hotel in the 1980s. Today, abstract art adorns the lounge walls, while rooms include Vispring beds and jet showers. The pick of the bunch is the fifth-floor room, complete with a private roof garden and views over Chelsea. The Saatchi Gallery is just a 12-minute walk away.

Physician Sir Hans Sloane is credited as the driving force behind the foundation of the British Museum, British Library and Natural History Museum. Since his death in Chelsea in 1753, he is suitably honoured around these parts. While this four-star hotel opened nearly 150 years later in 1900, it nonetheless bears his name and, seemingly, his passion for collecting. Each of the 100 rooms showcases artwork that wouldn’t look out of place in the nearby Saatchi Gallery.

The Union Jack flies proudly at the entrance of this grand hotel, occupying four red-brick townhouses moments away from Sloane Square. Black and gold tones provide the opulence one might expect from a property with this postcode, accentuated by four-poster beds, marble bathrooms and oil paintings. There’s a Victorian smoking-room vibe about the Library, with its floor-to-ceiling bookcase and complimentary copies of the Financial Times, while the gold-laden Mirror Room is a sight to behold.

The Draycott Hotel takes great pride in its afternoon tea offering, serving warm sultana scones alongside Scottish salmon finger sandwiches and a selection of home-made pastries. Refreshments can be traditional – with all manner of blends to choose from – or a fizzier variety, namely Billecart-Salmon rosé champagne. This family-friendly hotel also includes a number of touches for younger guests, including in-room teddy bears, a well-stocked games cupboard and even video game consoles on request.

The Italian Melpignano family has overseen this hotel since acquiring it from its previous French owner in 2005. It means there’s a cosmopolitan flourish amid the elegant Victorian styles, with its 19 individually designed rooms featuring royal gold-framed portraits, ornate rugs, sumptuous curtains and mahogany cabinets. During the summer months, tuck into a breakfast of fresh pastries and coffee on the rooftop terrace. The friendly concierge team is on hand to arrange everything from limousines to theatre tickets and restaurant bookings.

The Cadogan once welcomed the likes of Oscar Wilde and Lillie Langtry. Today, it still retains its sense of bohemian spirit – especially apparent in its secret garden, exclusive to guests and area residents, where you’ll find lush lawns, hundred-year-old trees and even tennis courts. Lounge in a deck chair, play a game of chess or tuck into a gourmet picnic put together by chef Adam Handling.

If you’re in the area to test the limits of your pocket money, then you’ll be in your element at this family-owned townhouse hotel in Knightsbridge. The likes of Tiffany & Co, Cartier, Prada, Chanel, Harvey Nichols and, of course, Harrods are but minutes away on foot. By the time you return, hotel staff will be waiting to serve you traditional English cream tea in the Italian-designed drawing room. The good news – after all that shopping – is that it’s on the house.

Harry Potter and Winnie the Pooh are among the collection of children’s books available for younger guests at this South Kensington hotel – it misses no trick in catering to families. Bedtime milk and cookies and even mini bathrobes keep the kids smiling, while the beautiful orangery and garden are a hit with all ages. Enjoy your breakfast here as the sleepy capital city awakens, with pastries, smoked salmon, organic porridge and a full English all on the menu.

There’s a wide range of rooms to suit all budgets at this aparthotel in Kensington. Choose from smart, compact single rooms to luxurious bunk rooms with outdoor dining areas. There’s a kitchenette in each room, featuring a microwave, a Nespresso coffee machine and a sink with a Brita filter tap. Although there’s no restaurant on-site, you’re comfortably equipped for short-term self-catering – especially when the hotel will stock your fridge with your chosen supermarket groceries before you arrive.

This stunning Regency property in Pimlico is superbly located for easy access to Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey and the Saatchi Gallery. If you’d rather check out lesser-known spots, the concierge can arrange a Secret London tour. Inside the hotel, book a signature room for a super-king bed, a rainfall shower and French doors looking out to the Georgian terraces below. Start your day with eggs benedict from the à la carte breakfast menu.