The 9 Best Hotels in Belgravia

Peek behind the golden drapes of this family-owned hotel for a lesson in luxury. Exotic wallpaper sets the scene in the lobby, with its depictions of paradisiacal worlds and heraldic unicorns and lions. Beyond that, the private plant-filled garden is the perfect place for a quiet stroll, and the cosy fireplaces help ward off the winter chill. Meanwhile, rooms are sumptuously furnished with plush mustard-velvet cushions, fringed curtains and marble bathrooms lined with deluxe Asprey toiletries. The Michelin-star Dining Room keeps things very British with delectable national dishes sourced from around the country; tuck into its signature eggs drumkilbo.

There are plenty of reasons to stay at this gorgeous hotel, not least restaurant Ametsa, with its New Basque dining and intriguing Spanish twist on afternoon tea. The restaurant gets its unusual name from father-and-daughter duo Juan Mari and Elena Arzak, whose San Sebastian venture has three Michelin stars. Once you’ve made light work of Ametsa’s tantalising tapas, you can spend evenings in the peaceful sanctuary of immaculate white rooms, complete with deep-forest-green ottomans, fox-brown sapele veneers and touch-screen consoles for controlling the lights without leaving the snug comfort of your bed. Don’t miss an Asian-inspired treatment in the COMO Shambhala spa, and explore the surrounding Hyde Park and Knightsbridge with the help of the hotel concierge.

The Berkeley’s spa sets it apart from other London hotels. Its temple-like swimming pool opens onto a secret rooftop garden where guests can enjoy a range of treatments surrounded by lavender. What better way to follow this than with a tantalising Angel Scent cocktail in the periwinkle cocoon of the Blue Bar? Amenities are top-notch – think rooms filled with fresh flowers, cosy Tolly McRae his-and-hers blankets and Burberry coats available to loan during your stay. The neutral-toned suites are flooded with natural light, with french doors leading to a balcony lined with perfectly manicured flora; it’s a romantic setting to enjoy all year round.

The Capital Townhouse is a stylish home from home with plenty of elegant touches, from hand-stitched bed frames to pillowy Savoir mattresses. Each of the 12 bedrooms has been uniquely designed so that no two stays are the same, establishing laid-back luxury with its use of crimson-velvet sofas, oceanic-blue headboards and Persian-style throws. Dining underneath the crystal chandeliers of the restaurant is an elegant affair, where you can tuck into traditional dishes such as the tender new season lamb with smoked aubergine.

A fitting homage to the neighbouring royalty of Buckingham Palace, this five-star hotel oozes classical elegance. Rooms cleverly mirror the regal elements of the crown – featuring a palette of jewel tones, with gilded detailing even in the executive suites. Further opulence adorns upgraded rooms, channelling aristocratic grandeur with pinstripe walls, ornate gold-framed portraits of nobility, crystal chandeliers and floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook the Royal Mews. If you get hungry, treat yourself to afternoon tea in the ruby-red setting of the Palace Lounge, or feast on a pre-theatre dinner fit for the Queen at The English Grill restaurant.

Luxury is spun into every fibre of this boutique hotel, situated in the middle of top London sights such as Buckingham Palace, St James’s Park and the Gothic architecture of Westminster Abbey. Featuring zebra-print and chequerboard cushions, the rooms are elevated with 1920s Art Deco-inspired decor and gold accents. Sleep under the stars in the Conservatory Suite or escape for a soak in the hot tub to pamper yourself with Floris bath products. Complimentary treats such as fresh fruit and popcorn are served all day in the Executive Lounge, which – with its mahogany walls and vintage globes – looks like it could be straight from the set of an Indiana Jones movie.

Infused with elements of its Regency-period roots, the palatial 19th-century townhouse that houses The Lanesborough mimics the grandeur of neighbouring Buckingham Palace. The old-fashioned Library Bar stocks a medley of vintage cognacs and single malts in its cosy confines – sip on your tipple of choice in the velvet comfort of emerald chairs while listening to the melodies of a piano once played by Lionel Richie. Plush rooms covered in florals range from homely superiors to signature suites complete with four-poster beds. If you’re feeling achy, head down to the gilded spa for some self-care in the form of a Queen of Green Beauty Tata Harper treatment.

Moments from the stately gates of Buckingham Palace, The Hari sets itself apart with a contemporary take on traditional British luxury. Each of its 85 bedrooms combines shades of ruby red and deep purple with ambient lighting to create a cosy atmosphere. Marbled tiles line bathrooms with walk-in rain showers and Noble Isle toiletries, while Nespresso machines and fully stocked mini bars ensure there’s a drink to suit your every mood. If you’d like to do your drinking elsewhere, saunter down to the Art Deco setting of the bar and garden terrace for an evening spent sipping on negroni sours.

The crisp white backdrop of Belmond Cadogan Hotel’s lobby serves to highlight the stunning detail of the Greek-inspired mosaic floors. You can either take a rustic wooden staircase to get to your room – take care as you walk beneath the artfully placed cherry blossom branches – or step through the bronzed-bookcase exterior of the lift and get there twice as quick. A regular haunt of literature great Oscar Wilde, the hotel honours its roots with a library boasting a rich array of books. Meanwhile, a wander into the botanical garden will feel like you have plunged into your very own enchanting story.