A grand metropolis and one of the world’s greatest cities, London is an eclectic mix of many different cultures and pockets of true originality, quirkiness and English eccentricity.
As well as being huge London fans we are also very proud to call the city home, so after many hours exploring the UK capital we have selected our collective favourite cool, unique, and trendy London hotels (in no particular order) that reflect the city’s taste for the original, the extraordinary and the impeccably designed…
1. Treehouse Hotel London – for something truly unique, stylish, and special
Yes this is really a hotel inspired by a treehouse, but the finished product is seriously unique and stylish – this extraordinary 4 star London hotel is most definitely wow-inducing! At The Treehouse London, they aim to combine “adventure, independence, and a cozy space” mixed in with an intriguing collection of cleverly recycled objects, handmade details, and lashings of gorgeous greenery.
Throw in 95 guest rooms with rainfall showers and Nespresso machines, 12 gorgeous suites, an upscale Mexican restaurant, a cool cafe/wine bar, a penthouse restaurant, and a beautiful 16th-floor rooftop lounge offering spectacular 360-degree skyline views including of the London Eye, The Shard, Canary Wharf and you have a hotel quite unlike anything London has seen before.
The location is equally as special and is set just off historic Regent Street at Langham Place in the chic Marylebone neighbourhood. The hotel is located directly across the road from the BBC Headquarters and within walkable distance to Oxford Street and (equally as leafy) Regent’s Park.
2. nHow Hotel – a lifestyle concept and one of the most Instagrammable hotels in London
More of a very cool concept than a hotel, nHow started its well-received hotel chain in Berlin and quickly branched out into other major European cities. Easily one of the most Instagrammable hotels in London, the inspirational ‘lifestyle’ hotel wants you to experience music, art, fashion, and architecture all rolled into one!
Located in one of London’s most creative areas (just a 10-minute walk from Angel tube station), London’s version combines the capital’s oldest traditions and community values with its technological future and the result is something really quite special!
Expect trendy and colourful high-end style with graffiti-style art and funky rooms with flat-screen TVs, minifridges, and an onsite gym, restaurants, and even free bike loans.
3. Mama Shelter – reasonably priced quirky fun perfect for partying Millennials and Gen Z’s
The cool and quirky Mama Shelter Hotel brand began its life in Paris, it then quickly spread its wings internationally due to its huge popularity. It now has it’s very own English version and this trendy and highly regarded 4-star London hotel has quickly become one of the best unique accommodation options in the capital.
Both funky and friendly, Mama Shelter London is an eclectically decorated modern hotel with a vibrant, fun, and laid-back atmosphere.
Located near lots of cool cafes, pubs, and shops in an increasingly trendy part of town the hotel is based in an accessible location just 4 minutes away from a train station. The trendy rooms feature complimentary Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and minifridges and there’s also a trendy onsite restaurant, a lively bar, and even karaoke rooms! Come to mama, you won’t regret it!
4. The Exhibitionist Hotel – part art gallery, part trendy London boutique hotel
Set in a row of handsomely restored 18th-century townhouses, this is ultra-hip 5-star boutique hotel has a very elegant and luxurious design but is uniquely filled with an Aladdin’s cave of striking contemporary art pieces.
The Exhibitionist Hotel is like a communal art gallery of sorts, home to a mix of rotating installations as well as set pieces of art (including a gigantic marble bull guarding the door and an imposing mannequin/lamp residing in the bar).
Located in the highly sought area of the upscale central location of Kensington (only a 4-minute walk from South Kensington tube station and 6 minutes walk from the Victoria and Albert Museum and opposite the Natural History Museum), the trendsetting London abode also features colourful individually decorated rooms complete with flat-screen TVs, iPads and free Wi-Fi, as well as bathrooms with underfloor heating and rainfall showers.
Opt for an upgraded room and you’ll find balconies and/or whirlpool baths and the gorgeously plush suites have rooftop terraces and separate living rooms. Aside from the fabulously funky decor and the contemporary gallery, there’s also an onsite fashionable restaurant, a cool bar, and a (non-exhibitionist!) spa too.
5. Yotel – an eco-friendly futuristic Clerkenwell gem
Eco-friendly, high-tech, and ultra-modern, with a strong Japanese influence, the futuristic and highly rated 4 star London hotel is located in the creative and buzzy Clerkenwell neighbourhood about a 16 minutes stroll from St. Paul’s Cathedral.
In this version of the hugely successful chain (yet they really are popping up everywhere!) there are 212 minimalist ‘cabins’ featuring Wi-Fi and flat-screen TVs and some also come with gorgeous city views and added seating areas.
Also on site Yotel Clerkenwell is a bar combined with a cool co-working space and a 24-hour gym. Breakfast is available onsite but if you want to venture out there are many great eating options just on your doorstep.
6. The Standard Hotel – a hip London hotel and the place to party for those in the know
The Standard is one of the coolest hotels in New York, well now London is lucky enough to have its very own version. Housed in a Brutalist-style building 1970’s building, the retro/cool theme follows throughout the hotel and has quickly become the place to party (or just been seen!) for those in the know.
The hotel group was founded by the same hotelier who founded the Chiltern Firehouse and Chateau Marmont so its credentials are pretty impeccable.
The newly opened and already highly regarded Standard Hotel boasts a vibrant central London location (just across the road from King’s Cross Tube station) and the cool, hip guest rooms feature flat-screen TVs, Bang & Olufsen Bluetooth speakers, and minibars. Although if you opt for an upgrade you’ll be getting something extra special with polished suites, terraces and/or outdoor baths.
Onsite facilities include a cool lobby lounge complete with a library, a hip restaurant, a 24-hour gym, and a sound studio that hosts regular live music.
7. Sunborn London – a chic moored yacht hotel offering a unique upscale London stay
For a classy London stay that really is different from the norm, look no further the magnificent Sunborn Hotel. The four to five-star hotel/yacht is part of a new breed of yacht hotels that have been dotted over the world.
Their highly rated London version enjoys a privileged position moored in the Docklands just across from the ExCel London convention centre and connected to the city centre via the Docklands Light Railway and a 20-minute train ride (and is also close to the O2 Centre and Canary Wharf).
High-tech and high-spec, the Sunborn has impossibly sleek exteriors and interiors which are the epitome of luxury, with an elegant Art Deco feel – think shiny brass railings, lashings of teak wood panelling, a showy spiral staircase and sparkling chandeliers. Classic rooms feature en-suite bathrooms, flat-screen TVs Wi-Fi, and touch-pad room controls.
Opt for an upgrade and expect balconies and river views or splash out on a suite that comes with lounges, jacuzzis, saunas and some even have decks. All of this plus a cool sleek bar and a modern-day spa, yet prices start at only £100 a night, pretty fabulous really!
8. Sea Containers – this large glamorous cruise ship-inspired hotel is an Instagrammer’s dream
This upscale London hotel located on the River Thames is an Instagrammer’s dream. Sea Containers is an ultra-chic and very large design hotel in a gorgeous position in the vibrant South Bank district just a short walk from the Tate Modern and overlooking the River Thames.
The design is inspired by the decor of 1920s transatlantic liners but with a modern twist and the cruise ship-inspired hotel has 359 modern guest rooms which feature custom furnishings and original art.
In-room amenities include flat-screen TVs and free Wi-Fi, plus rainfall showers and opt for an upgrade and these rooms feature add patios and/or gorgeous river views. Upgraded suites offer a dining room and a wet bar.
The rest of the hotel is both creative and glamorous and attracts an equally glamorous crowd. There’s an onsite luxurious restaurant, an elegant spa, a 24-hour gym, a hip rooftop lounge, and a trendy bar.
9. The Hoxton Hotel – a cool and quirky urban country lodge located in a funky part of London
With a funky urban lodge style – think open fireplaces, classic leather furniture, exposed brickwork, and the occasional faux moose head – and an unbeatable buzzy atmosphere, the much loved and highly rated 4- star Hoxton Hotel Shoreditch epitomises the trendy urban cool of Hoxton itself (a hip neighbourhood area of the city only a short tube or bus ride from London’s centre) but with surprisingly competitive prices.
The ethos is simple: the rooms are a base from which to work and play in this lively part of the city and the modern hotel rooms are stylish, intentionally fuss-free, and functional – but always with a canny and playful eye for details. Our room, for example, had a funky Shoreditch-inspired bicycle emblazoned on the wall and we could also fill the minibar with beers and wines sold at supermarket prices at the front desk.
When we woke we found a small brown paper bag filled with breakfast treats left outside the door and other lovely touches included plush linens, zingy toiletries, and a rain shower in the bathroom.
Oh and that’s not forgetting the complimentary Wi-Fi is and an hour’s worth of local phone calls, for London that’s not bad at all!
10. NYX Hotel London Holborn by Leonardo Hotels – a sleek, hip and chic hotel with colourful eclectic decor
This is a new and cool design hotel in London, with vibrant, creative and chic styling. The NYX Hotel London Holborn located in elegant and centrally located Holborn just a 9-minute walk from Oxford Street. Funky rooms feature unique decor, wall-to-wall windows, Wi-Fi, and flat-screen TVs and if you opt for an upgrade then you’ll find plush sofas in separate sitting areas.
Other hotel highlights include a trendy rooftop bar, a choice of two modern restaurants – either Japanese or Mediterranean, a relaxing lounge offering afternoon tea, a day spa, a swimming pool and a gym. A chic and sleek hotel with looks set to become a huge hit with both visitors and locals!
11. Zedwell Piccadilly – a new minimalist new lifestyle hotel designed to help promote sleep, positive health and well-being in a central location
This unique and trendy hotel in the heart of London is dedicated to providing guests with a relaxing night’s sleep. Designed by architects Neri & Hu, the decor at Zedwell Piccadilly emphasizes natural materials and is geared towards sustainability.
The minimalist zen-like rooms are known as “cocoons” and are soundproofed and air-purified. The lack of distractions like TVs, electronics and windows are also geared towards sleep and wellbeing. The mattresses are likewise some of the most comfortable in the world, which is why the hotel has a policy allowing guests to extend their check-out time by a few hours.
The holistic studio and gym offers guests personal training in yoga and Pilates, and the Lounge likewise echoes the theme of wellbeing with natural and nourishing food and drinks.
12. The Good Hotel – a hip floating community hotel with trendy industrial-chic decor
Good by name, good by nature. This innovative and ultra-trendy floating hotel is unlike any other hotel stay in London.
Moored at Royal Victoria Dock, and only a 6-minute walk to the nearest station (the Royal Victoria light rail station which will connect you to all the city centre attractions via a 20 minutes train ride) the 4-star Good Hotel is already highly rated has a hip community vibe – all profits are ploughed back into the business which offers jobs to long-term unemployed people in the local area.
If that’s not enough of a reason to say (and in our books, it’s more than enough!) then the industrial style Dutch-modern decor, free WiFi, communal spaces which encourage social interaction, water views and cool rooftop terrace complete with a lush lawn and a bar will probably convince you. A real gem of a place and easily one of the coolest hotels in London!
13. Leman Locke – a unique and modern design-led aparthotel which offers a slice of London hipster life
From the moment you walk into 4-star highly ratedLeman Lockeyou know the owners have seriously good taste. Oozing luxury and style with bags of personality thrown in, this 22-floor chic London apartment hotel doesn’t just offer a place to stay, it offers a slice of the hipster London lifestyle into the bargain!
Located on the easterly edge of London’s Square Mile, within a stone’s throw of Aldgate East tube station (which will easily take you into the very centre via a short tube ride) and the most creative and vibrant areas of Hoxton, Shoreditch, and Hackney.
The design at Leman Locke epitomises its uber-trendy surroundings – here uplifting pastel pink upholstering and light wooden floors are beautifully juxtaposed with industrial-style furniture.
As always though, it’s the little details that count and I adored the high-spec kitchen (which even included a Nutrabullet – nice!), the floor-to-ceiling soundproofed windows, the 24-hour gym, the Purist cocktail bar,and even a yoga mat – yep, they’ve definitely thought of everything!
14. H10 London Waterloo – a trendy and popular modern high-rise hotel offering fabulous city views
One of the most popular cool hotels in the capital, this is a unique asymmetric high-rise hotel with sleek modern interiors and truly fabulous views.
It’s located just south of London’s Waterloo Station alongside the River Thames and only a mile from the London Eye. The stylish guest rooms at H10 London Waterloo are equally as impressive with floor-to-ceiling windows offering superb city views, iPods docks, flat-screen TVs, minibars, and free WiFi. Upgraded rooms feature living areas and Nespresso Machines.
H10 London Waterloo also features a spa with a beauty centre, a fitness room, sauna and a chic lobby bar. Although the biggest draw is the very trendy roof terrace complete with an upscale restaurant, perfect for sipping on cocktails and watching a hazy sunset over the cool British capital.
15. The Corner London City – an extraordinary, fun and quirky hotel set in hip Shoreditch
Is your usual hotel stay a little on the dull side? Well sleeping in a ‘Cubi’ will offer the perfect antidote! The long-awaited 3.5 star and now increasingly popular Corner Hotel has arrived in London hot on the heels of the popular Amsterdam original and turns a budget stay into a seriously fun and funky London hotel experience.
What’s a Cubi you may ask? Well, the cute looking ergonomically-designed cuboid sleeping station comes with a comfortable bed and a 32-inch flat-screen TV handily attached. Rooms also feature a modern shower room, black-out curtains, and even sound-proofing to ensure an undisturbed night’s sleep.
During our stay, we found ourselves based in the very in-vogue East central areas of Brick Lane and Shoreditch where there are hip cafés, bars, and restaurants galore (and yet still only a 15-20 minute tube ride to the centre for major tourist attractions). Oh, and it’s also one of the greenest hotels in London so you can stay here completely guilt-free, could this very cool London hotel get any better..?
16. Shangri-La Hotel The Shard – a ritzy upscale hotel housed in the iconic Shard building known for its incredible views
If you really want to impress then opt for the Shangri-La Hotel, the famous upscale hotel is located in the iconic Shard building in Southwark, a huge and very striking 72-storey skyscraper, designed by the Italian architect Renzo Piano.
The Shangri-La occupies the 34th to 52nd floors and the plush rooms feature floor-to-ceiling windows with seriously wow-inducing city views, as well as other luxuries such as free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, Nespresso machines and Chinese tea sets. Opt for an upgrade and you’ll find yourself with your very own butler!
Other hotel highlights include room service, in-room spa treatments an upscale Asian restaurant, a cafe, a fitness centre a bar which also offers incredible views and that all-important infinity pool – a London stay to remember!
17. The W Hotel – a very impressive trendy London hotel which attracts a host of celebrity events
The prestigious and much-loved chain brings its own brand of funky chic accommodation to central London. Set just off Leicester Square – in the heart of all the action – the 5-star highly rated W London promises luxury, glamour, and exceptional customer service as part of their exclusive Whatever/Whenever® service.
Outside the hotel is encased in a building fronted by an ultra-modern glass facade and is only a few minutes walk from Leicester Square underground station, Piccadilly Circus and Soho. Inside the furnishings are ultra-contemporary and innovative with lashings of colour thrown in – think mood lighting, floor-to-ceiling windows, flashy fittings, streaks of neon, and music spilling out from hidden speakers.
The contemporary rooms at this hip London hotel feature custom-made beds, flat-screen TVs, custom artwork, and iPod docks. Upgraded rooms feature DJ stations, whirlpool baths and/or cinemas. Head downstairs to find a sleek cocktail lounge, a Southeast Asian restaurant, a gorgeous spa, and even a nightclub complete with the W’s signature oversized mirrorball – a place to be seen!
To book, check prices or availability for W Hotel London
18. Megaro Hotel – a cool and funky intimate boutique hotel in the bustling Kings Cross neighborhood
I just loved this place! The fabulous and very cool 4-star Megaro Hotel is both reasonably priced and perfectly located for Kings Cross Station and easily exploring central London by a very short tube or bus ride.
On the outside I was greeted with a colourful mural emblazoned across its Victorian exterior, the reception had very funky decor and super-friendly staff and the rooms were spacious with a high standard of modern decor – which is sadly pretty unusual for London!
There’s an artistic eclectic boutique feel about the place and they also offer family-friendly rooms and larger apartments for longer stays. Expect the trendy rooms to feature large rain showers, free WiFi, and flat-screen TVs, and the apartments have additional kitchens.
The onsite chic restaurant and cool vintage-style bar – which specialises in fabulous cocktails – is another great reason to opt for this trendsetting London hotel. A fabulously funky, great all-rounder!
19. ME London by Melia – a gorgeous upscale centrally located hotel with quirky-chic modern decor
This beautiful upscale avant-garde hotel boasts both a very impressive design and a very impressive central location just a block from The River Thames, opposite Somerset House, and 6 minutes from Covent Garden.
The ME London by Melia is a unique place with modern rooms that feature white leather walls, soundproofing, Nespresso coffeemakers, and Egyptian cotton bedding. Some rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows, private balconies and suites feature in-room iPads and living areas and. Some suites even come with 24-hour butler service!
Other hotel highlights include a contemporary Italian restaurant, another stylish eatery, a 24-hour exercise room, a trendy lounge bar, and a hip rooftop bar, as well as a trendy lounge bar.
20. Blakes – one of the most beautiful luxury boutique hotels in London located in South Kensington
This gorgeous, unique, and ultra-creative boutique hotel was created by acclaimed interior designer and former James Bond actress Anouska Hempel. Blake’s Hotel is housed in a distinctive row of black-painted Victorian townhouses in sought-after South Kensington not too far from the Victoria and Albert and Natural History museums.
A beautiful 5 star boutique hotel, the opulent period-inspired interiors at this upscale hotel are just pure class with rich fabrics and decor from around the world. The guest rooms are equally as plush and feature Bang & Olufsen TVs, iPod docks, free Wi-Fi, and luxurious bathrooms.
Other amenities a stunning restaurant which serves east-meets-west cuisine, a Chinese room and bar, and a truly beautiful and very striking courtyard with bay trees and individual conservatories. Easily one of the most beautiful boutique hotels in London!
21. The Londoner – a new luxury 5-star hotel with sleek and sexy modern decor and a rooftop lounge located in lively Leicester Square
The Londoneris billed as a super boutique hotel, which is a boutique hotel but on a large scale. The 16-storey 350-room building in Leicester Square has a striking facade made up of blue faience tiles by New York-based artist Ian Monroe in collaboration with the artisans at the Darwen Terracotta company.
The West End location is close to everything – Covent Garden, the National Gallery, Trafalgar Square, Oxford and Regent Streets, Chinatown and Soho. Inside, guests will find understated elegance with a muted color palette and original artwork creating spaces for conversation and relaxation.
Guests have exclusive access to The Residence lounges with drinks and complimentary snacks. On site options for food and drinks include the rooftop lounge and Whitcomb, a French Mediterranean restaurant with food of decadent richness. Other gorgeous highlights of this hip London hotel include a swish cocktail bar, a spa with pool, a gym, a superfood clinic (yes really!) and a beauty salon. Not impressed enough? Then follow a secret passage to The Whisky Room!
22. Mandrake – a fashionable lifestyle boutique hotel housed in a centrally located redbrick townhouse
The Mandrake is a gorgeous and very elegant upscale lifestyle boutique hotel housed in a redbrick townhouse, just a two-minute walk from Oxford Street in central London. The interiors feature a bright, eclectic, and creative design, a beautiful central courtyard surrounded by hanging gardens of jasmine and passionflower, and a carefully curated private art collection.
There are a total of 30 stylish bedrooms, three luxury suites, and a penthouse to choose from, and all feature an equally unique design.
Other stand-out features include an outdoor dining restaurant and a trendy indoor restaurant serving a Latin American menu, a bar where guests can enjoy botanical-based house cocktails, a greenhouse terrace, a spa offering sound therapy, and a Members Only Bar at the hotel with live music and DJs on certain nights.
23. The Pilgrm – a trendy centrally located boutique-style hotel near Paddington Station
A cute and personal boutique-style hotel in a truly fabulous central location. The Westminster borough located a highly-rated 4-star hotel offers exceptional value but still with a touch of luxury, which is actually quite a tall order in London and is probably why it’s quickly become one of the bestselling hotels in the city!
The Pilgrm Hotel is housed in a chic Victorian building only a 1-minute walk from Paddington tube (and only 1 mile from Hyde Park), rooms are chic, cosy and compact offering a home-away-from-home oasis in an otherwise bustling area.
Upgraded rooms offer city views and flat-screen TVs and there’s an onsite plush lounge bar servicing up cocktails, freshly pulped juices, and international cuisine, and a cosy cafe with trendy exposed stone walls and wood furnishings. One of the best independent hotels in London offering relaxed but chic accommodation.
24. Ruby Lucy – a stylish quirky hotel inspired by historic carnivals and circuses close to the London Eye
With “Glamour, grit, and great British wit” this new cool London Hotel combines modern creativity with old-world charm. With vibrant decor inspired by historic carnivals, fairgrounds, and circuses this artful accommodation offers a unique place to stay in London. It’s located in Lambeth close to the London Eye, Big Ben and Westminster Abbey and Waterloo station is only a three-minute walk away.
Hotel highlights include a cool bar which serves up quirky cocktails, a healthy breakfast buffet, and barista brews, and the contemporary quirky guest houses which feature large comfy beds, rainfall showers, air conditioning, and even a Marshall amp for a light-hearted diversion!
25. AMANO Covent Garden – a fashionable hotel featuring a very Insta-worthy rooftop bar and fine city views
AMANO Covent Garden Hotelis the German AMANO Group’s first international location, close to the best theatres, boutiques, restaurants and pubs in a very popular central London location, beautiful Covent Garden.
The interiors have the signature AMANO look with clean, modern lines and colours, and unique touches like the Goldy Rooms with freestanding golden bathtubs with truly spectacular views over the city.
Other rooms are Cosy, Comfy and Roomy, and like the Goldy Rooms, they live up to their names. Many rooms have garden views and they all have mobile keys and tablets with a phone function. Guests can relax in Skybar on the 7th floor with its open terrace, or head to the basement for cocktails, music and dancing.
26. The Zetter – a romantic and hip hotel London stay located in fashionable Clerkenwell
Located in the heart of London’s trendy creative neighbourhood Clerkenwell (only a short distance from Farringdon Railway Station Barbican Tube Station – both of which have trains which will run you quickly into the centre), this contemporary and highly regarded 4-star boutique hotel caters to a hip design-loving crowd.
Once a Victorian warehouse, now The Zetterhouses 59 guest rooms individually designed in a romantic but bold retro-modern style.
Other unique details include a vending machine – which ejects everything from champagne to disposable cameras – on every floor and complimentary spring water taken from the hotel’s very own 1,500ft borehole (yes really).
The sophisticated London accommodation has also been commended for its eco-friendly ethos and dedication to providing state-of-the-art technology in every room, a gorgeous modern hotel with a heart – unusual indeed!
27. One Hundred Shoreditch – a chic and modern lifestyle retreat in a cool and vibrant part of London
This new hotel is your gateway to the creative and tech hub that is Shoreditch, with street art, restaurants, pubs, galleries and the famous East End markets at Brick Lane and Spitalfields. Located on Shoreditch High Street, it’s also well connected to the rest of the city by train and taxi.
Carefully chosen art and accent pieces in the public spaces and rooms add warmth and colour to the decor. The rooms at One Hundred Shoreditch range from studio singles and doubles to studio lofts and suites with bespoke and vintage furniture, but they all offer a comfortable retreat from the fast-paced excitement just outside the front door.
There are six restaurants and bars where you can get stylish cocktails, beer, wine, seafood, sandwiches and coffee, and even pizza.
28. The Andaz – a sleek and unique upscale celebrity haunt located in the heart of the funky East End
If you’re wondering where many an A-lister stays while they’re in town, then look no further than the seriously stylish and exceptionally rated five-star Andaz, a place often cited as one of the world’s best hotels.
Housed in a historic red-brick Victorian building (which shared the same architect as the Houses of Parliament) in the fabulous City of London location of Liverpool Street (close to the cool areas of Brick Lane and Shoreditch and only a short tube ride from London’s central tourist attractions) this wonderful contemporary London hotel combines sumptuous modern designs with ornate historical features and that’s not forgetting their city-wide reputation for impeccable and personal customer service.
Enter through the doors and affable staff will greet you and check you in with an iPad while you’re offered everything your travelled stomach desires. Then head up to your contemporary minimalistic rooms to find a flat-screen TV, an iPod dock, a deep eco-friendly bath, and a healthy organic mini bar so you can gorge yourself to your heart’s content completely guilt-free.
Oh, and if you throw in no less than seven excellent restaurants and trendy bars, specially curated exhibitions displaying artwork by local artists, yoga, bespoke dining events, random pop-up restaurants, and complimentary24-hour access to the Andaz Fitness and Health Club then it’s no wonder celebrities like Beyonce and Lil Kim are such huge fans!
To book, check prices or availability for Andaz London
29. K West Hotel and Spa – a fashionable and hip urban retreat in London
This cool celebrity haunt of a hotel is located in up-and-coming Shepherd’s Bush, not too far from the popular shopping centre Westfields and only a short tube or bus ride away from all London’s central attractions (Shepherd’s Bush tube station is just a short walk away). The former BBC office turned luxurious and popular 4-star hotel has a huge striking glass-fronted exterior which you really wouldn’t be able to miss.
Thanks to its close proximity to nearby music, film, and TV studios, many an A-list celebrity has also passed through its doors and partied in the K West Hotellounge bar.
Once inside this trendy London place you’ll find yourself in a world of chic contemporary interiors, spacious rooms with lots of mod cons, fine dining, and crowd-drawing DJ nights.
Although I think it’s arguably the ultra-modern spa which makes this hotel really stand out – as well as all the usual facilities, it features a hydrotherapy pool and London’s first ‘Snow Paradise‘ a cabin reminiscent of a snowdrift which is chilled to an immune-boosting -15*C which was seriously freezing but yet still somehow managed to be a fun experience!
30. The Courthouse Hotel – a trendy, stylish and fun-themed London hotel in the very cool Hackney neighbourhood
Set in a yep you’ve guessed it – a former courthouse, this is a gorgeous and quirky 5-star London hotel with an intriguing history and oodles of great design features. You’ll find the highly regarded Courthouse Hotel aptly located in the once gritty and fifties gangster-roaming area of London’s East End, which is now a very hip area full of cafés, restaurants, markets and wandering trendy hipsters.
It’s based just opposite Shoreditch Town Hall and only a 4-minute from Old Street Underground station (which will take you to London’s major tourist attractions in around 15 minutes).
Set across two Grade II Listed buildings, the old courthouse and police station built in 1903, it still retains some of the original features such as the juvenile courtroom now turned private member’s club and even the prison cells which once held the infamous Kray twins are set off by handsome contemporary furnishings.
The legal prison theme is tastefully followed throughout the hotel and you can also expect dark wood-panelled walls, chain-like light fixtures, and even a jail-themed cocktail menu.
All the chic rooms feature all the usual mod cons though and you’ll also find three cool bars (including one rooftop bar) to choose from as well as a cinema and a bowling alley, a spa area, a fine-looking indoor pool, and a gym. Stylish, quirky, and fabulous!
31. Moxy Stratford – fun, funky and hip London accommodation perfect for Gen Z’s and cool millennials
Moxy is an increasingly popular hip hotel brand and it now offers a London version in the form of trendy pet-friendly accommodation just nine minutes on a Central line Tube from Central London.
The vibe here at Moxy Hotel Stratford is fun, funky, and youthful with lashings of colour and creativity as well as plenty of unique features. Guests will enjoy a complimentary welcome drink on arrival at the 24-hour front desk and there’s also an onsite workspace, a library, and a trendy cocktail bar.
Guest rooms are modern with free Wi-Fi and flat-screen TVs. Family rooms have sofabeds. The location means you’re not too far from the popular O2 Arena, the London Stadium, and the increasingly hip Hackney Wick neighborhood.
32. Artist Residence – a trendy, individual, and very creative hotel located in leafy Pimlico
If you are artistically inclined, then like me you’ll be seriously charmed by the cool and hip 4-star and already very highly rated Artist Residence. Located in lovely Pimlico (a quiet upscale central residential area close to Tate Britain gallery and stylish Chelsea), the whole of this trendy London hotel exudes an eclectic but homely luxury.
The innovative owners have had their favourite urban, graphic, and street artists decorate each of the ten rooms and the result is a very impressive collection of creative and colourful bedrooms.
All are genuinely different from one another and are filled with rescued and repurposed furniture – think distressed-wood surfaces, hand-crafted beds and tea chests for bedside tables – and even the smallest rooms are adorned with original art.
Heading down to the basement we found a New York speakeasy-inspired cocktail bar serving up artistic drink delights such as Edvard Munch “The Scream” and Andy Warhol “Campbell’s Tomato Soup.” The Artist Residence is a place that breaks all rules, which in our book is just fabulous!
33. CitizenM Hotel – a fun, funky and full of colour full of quirky-chic modern decor
A chain hotel like no other this, this hugely popular Dutch hotel group brings its own brand of affordable luxury to London…and what a brand it is! Combining trailblazing technology, an easy-going atmosphere, and a quirky, colourful contemporary design you’ll never want to stay in a bland chain hotel again.
There are no less than three wonderful versions in London – the original is located in central London’s South Bank, only a 7-minute walk of the Tate Modern museum, Shakespeare’s Globe theatre and the Jubilee Line Underground station, The Tower Hill version is just a 7-minute walk from Southwark tube station and Borough Market and the other is based the trendy hipster East central area of Shoreditch is only 12 minutes’ stroll from Liverpool Street tube station (and all are equally as fabulous and highly regarded)!
We entered the front doors at the 4-star CitizenMBanksideand checked ourselves in at modern terminals where affable staff were on hand if we happened to press the wrong buttons. Next, we spotted a huge photograph of Andy Warhol, Penguin paperbacks, one or two skulls, some nudity and a pretty outdoor space.
Eclectic indeed. In our bedroom we found ourselves immersed in slightly futuristic surroundings, slumped on the huge comfy bed, gazed at the city views from the floor-to-ceiling windows, and then played around with our very own MoodPad – a touch-screen device which controls the room’s impressive array of electronics. Like us, you’ll probably never want to leave this hip London hotel!
34. Hux Hotel, Kensington – a fashionable boutique-style hotel with unique and eclectic decor located in upscale Kensington
Guests will find retro-cool reimagined in this trendy 4-star hotel, located near Kensington Gardens, and a short walk away from the Royal Albert Hall, the tube station and buses to Soho and the city center. Bright colors and quirky decorations make this Insta-worthy hotel perfect for Millennials and Gen Zs.
Rooms have whimsical artwork on the walls, and are well-equipped with espresso machines, work desks and 40-inch flat-screen televisions.
The cool hotel’s talented resident artisans offer guests unique experiences in fitness, art and music. Guests can enjoy the music and entertainment at the Live Lounge, one of London’s hotspots, and relaxing treatments at the Kensington MediSpa.
35. Hard Rock Hotel – London’s hotel version of the trendy music memorabilia chain
Unless you’ve been living under a rock the last couple of decades, you’ve no doubt heard of the Hard Rock chain! Well just to recap, Hard Rock Cafe Inc. started as themed restaurants way back in 1971 and became famous for covering their walls with rock and roll memorabilia.
Well fast forward to 2022 and one of London’s newest hotel offerings is the Hard Rock Hotel Londonwhich pays homage to former famous musical residents of London such as Jimi Hendrix and Bob Dylan as well as championing the best London’s new music scene has to offer.
The trendy hotel has the same warm vibe and cool decor as all the other chains but also has the added bonus of having a fabulous central London location (only a 2-minute walk from Hyde Park and Oxford Circus). The relaxed but chic rooms offer flat-screen TVs, Nespresso machines, and designer toiletries and upgraded rooms offer details such as private lounge access.
Yoga kits, record players, and even guitar rentals. Other onsite amenities include a chic lobby and cocktail bars, a cool cafe, a fitness centre, and a shop. There’s also a funky music memorabilia collection to peruse in any downtime moments!
36. Twenty Nevern Square Hotel – a charming and intimate London boutique hotel located in Earls Court
This immaculate and unique boutique Earls Court hotel flanks the tranquil gardens of Nevern Square in a sought-after area central area of (only a 4-minute walk from Earl’s Court Station on the District Line and near West Kensington).
Housed in a beautifully restored Victorian townhouse with hints of Far Eastern exoticism and lashings of a modern-colonial style, the well-travelled owner of the popular 4-star Twenty Nevern Square Hotelhas captured his fondness for all things far-flung and neatly packaged it into this real gem of a hotel.
It’s honestly about as far away from a sterile chain hotel as you can get with sleek marble bathrooms, elaborately carved four-posters, rich red drapes and dark wicker furniture (as well as all the usual mod cons).
Patios and a bright airy conservatory also make the most of the peaceful, green surroundings. One of the most popular Earls court hotels and with good reason!
37. Montcalm East, Autograph Collection – a high-end modern hotel near Shoreditch and Hoxton housed in a fabulous glass-fronted building
The stylish 5-star Montcalm East London which soars above London’s Tech City and the endless wonders of trendy Shoreditch is a popular and newly refurbished upscale hotel.
The Montcalm hotels are a group of highly regarded luxury London hotels and this one is located in a fabulously cool area but still within a very accessible distance to all London’s major attractions.
Outside, the venue serves as a new architecturally praised landmark in London’s skyline, and inside the interiors feature bright, tasteful with a retro-modern inspired decor, a lobby featuring wall to ceiling glass, good-sized rooms, an indoor pool, spa, and sauna, a superb 17th-floor restaurant, and impeccable customer service. If you think all this five-star luxury would come at a huge cost, the room rates might just leave you pleasantly surprised…
My first true adventure began as a six month voyage around South East Asia as a fresh faced backpacker and ever since I’ve lived a semi nomadic existence, clocking up visits to over 40 countries. I’m a lover of US Road Trips, deserted beaches bathed in warm glow of a sunset, Cuban mojitos, travel destinations far away from the tourist crowds and all things Scandinavian – from cloudberry liquors to Nordic noirs. When not wandering the world and running Global Grasshopper, you’ll find me walking my rescued Greek street dog in leafy South West London, strolling around the Brighton Lanes on random day trips, hunting for photogenic landscapes or daydreaming about my favourite places; Havana, Copenhagen, Italy, Laos, California and the surreally beautiful landscapes of a wintry Iceland.
These hotels have really touched on everything that I would expect from a hotel in London. They are very sleek, yet have an air of romance and of course many of them also feature Victorian architecture. When people go to London, I am sure many of them (especially tourists) want to feel like a king or queen; and of course they can get that if they choose the right place to stay. I myself really like the Rough Luxe. It just seems sort of grungy, but also Victorian in many respects.
An impressive list of places-have stayed at Hoxton and even if you can’t grab one of their £1 hotel offers you can get rooms for £29 or £59 booking in advance.
Zetter is the other place I have stayed and reviewed-beautiful hotel with lots of nice features especially their own bottled water, bit of a miracle given how poor water quality is in London…..
Have to bookmark your site and have a gander later…
Good luck to you! Our stay was this past Saturday and couldn’t have been better. It’s a great spot and it doesn’t hurt that the prices are so reasonable and the rooms so nicely decorated!
AMANO Covent Garden Hotel is the German AMANO Group’s first international location, close to the best theatres, boutiques, restaurants and pubs in a very popular central London location, beautiful Covent Garden.
What a beautiful collection of hotels. Thanks Becky for the article.I would like the Urban country Lodge. 🙂
The Hoxton is fantastic, good choice Marc we loved our stay there and such a cool area too!
I’d like to visit soho hotel because it looks more comfortable, includes more services and of course is more modern.
These hotels have really touched on everything that I would expect from a hotel in London. They are very sleek, yet have an air of romance and of course many of them also feature Victorian architecture. When people go to London, I am sure many of them (especially tourists) want to feel like a king or queen; and of course they can get that if they choose the right place to stay. I myself really like the Rough Luxe. It just seems sort of grungy, but also Victorian in many respects.
Good choice – it’s a very unique hotel!
An impressive list of places-have stayed at Hoxton and even if you can’t grab one of their £1 hotel offers you can get rooms for £29 or £59 booking in advance.
Zetter is the other place I have stayed and reviewed-beautiful hotel with lots of nice features especially their own bottled water, bit of a miracle given how poor water quality is in London…..
Have to bookmark your site and have a gander later…
Hello from Kash aka @budgettraveller
Great thanks!
interesting collection of hotels I’ll hopefully try one of them out when I visit London next.:))
Wow Becky, what a fantastic post!
I love the Hoxton Hotel and have been lucky enough to snag a £1 room again this round. Looking so forward to my stay!
Thanks for great ideas from all around town!
Kathryn @Travelfusion
Hey thanks Kathryn glad you like it! I’m impressed you managed to get a room in the Hoxton room sale. I’ve signed up now and hoping for the best!
Good luck to you! Our stay was this past Saturday and couldn’t have been better. It’s a great spot and it doesn’t hurt that the prices are so reasonable and the rooms so nicely decorated!
Fingers crossed you get a room in the next round!
Kathryn @Travelfusion
Thanks Kathryn I’m going to keep trying!