The Most Romantic Hotels in London

Oversized roll-top bathtubs, velvet curtains and four-poster beds all make for a romantic atmosphere at this Clerkenwell hotel. Each of the rooms in this boutique Georgian townhouse is individually designed, but for a truly intimate stay, book the Mary Lane, with its seductive red theme and four-poster bed. The location is just right for a romantic stroll through Clerkenwell – and if you come here in winter, you can look forward to roaring fires and great cocktails on your return.

What makes the Mandrake so special is its truly immersive atmosphere – guests enter through a dark tunnel and emerge into a rainforest lobby complete with a vaulted ceiling and showstopping chandelier. Book into a room here for an experience that will tantalise the senses with its rich colour palette. Enjoy the lounge and bar with a signature cocktail in hand – the White Witch (a riff on the Negroni) is particularly potent.

Thanks to interior designer Anouska Hempel, the rooms at Blakes have taken on an Asian elegance unrivalled by any other London hotel. It would be almost impossible not to have a romantic stay here – particularly in one of the signature suites, which are decked out in white muslin and bleached wood. Book a corner table at the hotel restaurant for an evening of gastronomic decadence, or pop into partnered South Kensington Club for a couples massage.

Claridge’s remains unparalleled for its timeless style, rich history and five-star service. Close to Bond Street, it sits among some of the most exclusive shops, restaurants and tourist spots that London has to offer, though you’d be forgiven for never making it past the top-hat-clad doormen – even standard rooms are divinely decorated. The world-famous afternoon tea and extensive spa menu are enough to keep you occupied for a whole weekend. No wonder it’s a royal favourite.

This cosy hotel in the heart of Covent Garden is perfect for social-media mavens looking for a romantic getaway. Choose the Henrietta room and you’ll be rewarded with charming interiors featuring velvet armchairs and brass lamps. There are plenty of excuses to enjoy a bath together, too, in the Instagrammable marble and soft-pink bathrooms. When you’re all dressed up, head down to the bar to sample the literary-inspired cocktails that pay tribute to the building’s former incarnation as a publishing house.

Instantly recognisable thanks to its red and white candy-striped awnings, Artist Residence London has become synonymous with cosy boutique charm. Wooden floorboards, brick fireplaces and bashed-up leather armchairs complement the impressive array of local artwork throughout the hotel, which feels like the perfect couples’ bolthole. In-house eatery Cambridge Street will get the day off to a good start, and the cocktail cellar serves up tantalising pre-dinner drinks.

Who knew having a bathtub in the bedroom could feel so decadent? At the Zetter Townhouse Marylebone, it does. This boutique hotel sits in one of London’s most exclusive and upmarket boroughs, so you’re well placed to enjoy a cultural weekend, with boutiques, galleries and delis right on your doorstep, and rooms all come with many romantic touches. Channelling the personality of the fictional Victorian owner, Uncle Seymour, the magic is in the details here – from the outdoor copper bathtub in Lear’s Loft to cocktail-making kits in each room.

Everything about the Kensington whispers romance – you’ll find midnight-blue velvet stools propping up the leather-bound bar and, up in the bedrooms, small vases of red roses brighten up each surface. Four-poster beds demand a lie-in, while roll-top baths are the perfect place to spend an hour or two with your significant other. Head down to the Viva Therapies spa for a relaxing massage before slipping into one of the armchairs at the Town House restaurant for a long conversation over a supper of seasonal dishes.

Owned by the Soho House Group, the Ned is guaranteed to impress your loved one. Rooms are Edwardian in style, with tasselled lampshades, deep-wood hand-carved tables and brass beds. Bigger rooms come with grand four-poster beds and baths big enough for two. Don’t pack any toiletries – all the rooms are kitted out with natural products made in the UK – and while it would be easy to while away your stay in the plush rooms, the hotel’s amenities shouldn’t go overlooked. You’ll have access to member-only areas such as the gym, spa and rooftop pool and bar. For dinner, be sure to book a table at one of the eight in-house restaurants, before finishing off with a nightcap and a live jazz session at the lobby bar.

In a city full of sky-high views, it’s rare to find one that stands out. But at Shangri-La at the Shard, it’s not just the skyscraper aspect that will impress. Occupying the 34th to 52nd floors of London’s tallest building, this glitzy hotel is bound to sweep you off your feet. When you eventually pry your eyes away from the sights below and onto your room, you’ll find classic furnishings with Art Deco touches and a massive marble-clad bathroom. The luxury factor is on a par with the epic view. Every room comes with a set of binoculars – you’ll feel like you’re working a shift in the world’s highest watchtower.