BY JESSIE PETTIT
Discovering the best London hotels is an adventure in itself, and in this exclusive roundup, Jessica, your trusted guide, unveils some of the city’s finest gems. Each hotel selected stands as a testament to London’s eclectic charm and elegance. From the tranquil havens tucked away in serene neighborhoods to the decadent establishments that mirror the city’s illustrious history, Jessica’s selections are a diverse showcase of what the best London hotels have to offer. Whether you’re in search of a homely boutique experience or the lavish comforts of a contemporary setting, this guide is your gateway to the exceptional.
1. The Corner London City
This modern, quirky hotel operates on convenience and green-ness. Check-in was a piece of cake through their systems that allow you to enter your details on one of their check-in screens and viola! you’re given a key card and on your way. As for green-ness, the hotel stands boldly with its urge to help the planet. The Corner prides itself on being the greenest hotel in London, having achieved 41% less water consumption than other UK hotels, and 67% less CO2 emissions, which is pretty impactful!
As you make your way to your room, you’ll find communal tea and coffee machines where you can enjoy a warm beverage before settling in. I loved this little feature as it allow you more space in your room without the hassle of additional appliances whilst also creating less waste.
In your unique room, you’ll find cool, quirky, artistic furniture created from re-purposed pieces such as reclaimed wooden desks and lamps created from old hosepipes. There was also a reused bottle of filtered water placed in the room for environmental and guest convince.
I absolutely loved The Corner London City’s mission to be a leader for the best London hotels with a dedication to a more sustainable and environmentally-friendly future by taking initiative to use organic supplies and products along with reducing water and energy consumption whilst still providing quality and comfort to guests during their stay.
https://www.thecornerlondoncity.co.uk
2. Lime Tree Hotel
In the heart of Belgravia, this little boutique hotel can be spotted just on the corner of a trendy street hosting some of the best coffee shops in the city.
The Lime Tree Hotel is not your average hotel in London. It holds some great history, being almost two centuries old with heavy efforts taken to preserve its original character. Each room holds unique characteristics and design, giving a cozy townhouse atmosphere rather than a typical hotel chain. The space itself is also conveniently located between Westminster and Chelsea, placing you in the center of everything you could need with museums like the V&A and landmarks like Buckingham Palace awaiting just outside of your doorstep.
Venturing further into the hotel, you’ll first be greeted by the accommodating staff that bare the guest’s experience in-mind. Upon entering the cozy, spacious rooms, you’ll feel at home at you sink into the soft beds and turn on your large tv with fully access to all the streaming services you have at home.
Though the beautiful design of Lime Tree is something to speak highly of, I cannot go without giving great compliments to both the servers and chef at The Buttery, Lime Tree’s highly sought after breakfast and lunch spot. Getting a reservation at this restaurant on the weekend didn’t come easy, but it was certainly worth the wait. Opting in for their famous avocado toast, an oat cappuccino and freshly made juice, I knew I was starting my morning right, as the meal was placed in front of me. The presentation of each item delivered with just as delightful to the eye as it was to the stomach.
The service, and meals at Lime Tree were certainly worth raving about. I would highly recommend the hotel to those looking for a unique, cozy, and inviting experience away from home where some of the best sites of London are a short walk away.
https://www.limetreehotel.co.uk/
3. Foxhills
Tucked away in a quaint forest setting, just an hour outside of the city, you’ll find a hidden gem designed for a luxury, cozy weekend by the fire.
As my taxi drove along the winding road, surrounded by beautiful countryside I began to see the gorgeous Victorian-style hotel nearing. Signs guided us through the wooded areas uncovering the large golf course, and walking trails available to guests during their stay.
Upon entering Foxhills, I was greeted by a warm atmosphere, and elegant decor. A sweet holiday spirit filled the air as the parlor room just beyond reception held decorations and lovely melodies whilst a fireplace warmed the Manor Lounge. Cozying up on the plush seats, I ordered myself a warm cup of tea in preparation for my upcoming High Tea.
Afternoon Tea was served fabulously in The Fox Dining Rooms; one of the restaurants available on the premise. This is also where I indulged in an extravagant dinner composed of a Chestnut mushroom velouté starter, Pan fried sea bream as a main, which was ever so tenderly cooked and lightly coated in cider sauce and saffron. I ended my meal with a Passionfruit parfait, which was equally as exciting as my starter and main. Each dish was composed with delicacy and an outstanding flavour range that was exciting to experience.
Naturally, I wanted to indulge in all of the amazing amenities the property had available for guests. These were located in the next building a stone throw away from the reception. Here is where you could find the spa facilities, swimming pool and onsite gym. As I was still jet-lagged from recent travels, time did not allow me to take advantage of this area fully, but I was shown around the space by the lovely staff and am convinced I will be back again.
My only regret was not staying at the retreat longer! I had a wonderful experience at Foxhills and wish I was able to take full advantage of all of the amenities and trails on site. Though, it gives me a great excuse to return again for another amazing stay.
4. 100 Queen’s Gate Hotel
Located in South Kensington, this stunning hotel draws attention from its beautiful exterior and even more beautiful and fascinating interior. The hotel started out as former home of Explorer, William Alexander who left behind eclectic pieces from his journeys, including some unique art from his collection.
The alluring atmosphere of the hotel is full of wonder, as the design changes during your journey throughout the building. I was fortunate enough to get to stay in one of the enchanting suites at the property which contained two floors. The first floor was designed as a living room space, complete with glamorous oddities and intriguing design. It was completed with a large, comfy sofa placed in front of a fireplace, bringing the phrase “home away from home” to a whole new level.
On the second, spacious floor, you could find your bathroom, bedroom and substantial amount of closet space for those who don’t pack light! I took full advantage of the cozy robes provided, along with the luxury Sage Molton Brown products.
In the evening, I was escorted to the ESQ Bar where live music on the grand piano filled the room. Mr. Alexander’s roots continued through the decor provided in the luxurious space. Greeted by the wonderful staff, we were served a variety of tapas-styled asian cuisine that was hand-selected by the staff. The variety of flavour and dish presentation was very fitting to the them of the hotel and did not disappoint. The food was well presented and served in portions perfect for a group setting.
This hotel was truly exciting to explore. I cannot wait to return for both the phenomenal dishes and further exploration of Mr. Alexander’s previous grand estate, as you simply can’t get through all of the exciting rooms throughout the building in one day!
5. Room 2 Chiswick
Tucked away in west London, this “hometel” brings a cozy, yet chic vibe to the area.
Walking through the door, I was immediately greeted by the friendly staff who helped me to my room. Along the way, our host Christian made us aware that the very carpet we were walking on through the lobby was made from recycled fishnets. Talk about a cool way to recycle! This place is all about sustainability. The rooms hold recycling & compost bins, and the building operates on a “less-water” strategy along with powering their properties through solar panels and heatpumps. Their initiative to take on change toward a sustainable hotel approach drew my attention.
Stepping into room felt like stepping into a cool, modern apartment. It had everything you needed for your “home away from home” experience. The room was filled with little extras like a market basket for shopping, kitchen supplies, card games, and even a few ciders in the fridge.
After dinner, I was delighted to head to the cocktail bar in the lounge that served some delicious pre-mixed cocktails. I went for the classic old-fashioned and was in for a delight!
The following morning, I started my day in the boutique-like gym on-site which had a good range of equipment for all types of gym-goers (yoga mats, weights, rowing machines and peloton bikes).
I finished my stay with a freshly brewed coffee in Room2’s welcoming lounge containing biophilic designs that actually clean the air and improve creativity. I can certainly say I left the property feeling refreshed and recharged and will be making an appearance again.
6. Mama Shelter London Shoreditch
This hotel is made for those looking to add flare to their trip! Filled with not only the basic essential amenities like a great gym for those who like to start their morning or end their evening with a workout, and a great lobby/restaurant space for both those looking for a formal dining experience as well as remote workers looking for a communal desktop space to finish their remote work while enjoying some nibbles and drinks; it also has some fun, quirks that make it a stand-out from your average hotel, like a unique global-inspired menu and Karaoke room, inclusive to those that sing like Adele, and the… not so in-tune casual vocalists.
Mama Shelter had a fun, bold atmosphere that felt extremely welcoming and also productive during the day for remote workers in the lounge.
In the evening, the creative energy from Shoreditch trickled in, giving a great, youthful energy to the hotel that filled the experience with a good balance of work and play.
The next morning was followed with a fabulous breakfast that had a broad selection of food for meat-eaters and veggies alike.
Mama Shelter was a particularly great spot for freelancers working away from home, while also getting to explore the creatively inspired, east side of London.
7. Citadines Islington London
Looking for all of the comforts of a home away from home, with the added bonus of staying in a clean, spacious, and perfectly located serviced apartment? This is your perfect space.
Citadines Islington is placed just a skip away from all of the major train stations (Euston & Kings Cross) whilst also being surrounded by an unlimited amount of local eateries and shops when you step outside of the building.
In the mood for fitness? The building itself contained a fully-equipped gym with yoga mats, which you can also choose to bring to the comfort of your room while playing Yoga tutorials through Chrome-cast available to guests. The nearby park, Highbury Fields, also hosts a free 5K park run every Saturday morning.
Those simply looking to take in nature without a sweat can head to the award-winning Culpeper Community Garden. With its organic garden, vegetable plots, flowerbeds, ponds and a wildlife area, it is one of Islington’s most relaxing hidden gems.
The Apart-hotel conveniently offers a space for your fluffy friend along with offering guests a weekly housekeeping service and laundry facilities, as well as providing a Business Corner and Resident’s Lounge. The vast lounge space, coffee and tea machine, along with communal printer makes for the perfect space for remote workers looking to complete tasks and meetings in a quiet area during their stay.
Citadines Islington was the perfect, minimalist yet spacious spot for a short (or long-term) escape.
Got any other favourite places to add to our list of best London hotels? Let us know in the comments below!
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