As one of the world’s most popular cities for tourism, it’s little surprise that London caters to its visitors with a huge choice of accommodation – with the options growing all the time.
(Photo: Broadwick Soho)
London’s hotel scene includes everything from budget B&Bs through to some of the most luxurious properties you’ll find anywhere in the world. And like all major metropolises, the city refuses to rest on its laurels, with development continuing at a fast pace. Part of this evolution are regular additions to London’s accommodation offerings. We’ve picked out some of the best hotels to open across the city over the past year, plus a few due to arrive in the near future.
Broadwick Soho
Opened in November 2023, but several years in the planning, the Broadwick Soho instantly became one of London’s hippest hotels. Situated in the heart of buzzing Soho, the 57-room luxury hotel owes its distinctive aesthetic to acclaimed interior designer Martin Brudnizki, who has furnished the property with several striking touches inspired by the Jazz Age, the swinging 60’s and British eccentricity as a whole. As well as its eye-catching décor, there’s a cool and intimate lounge area, a swanky rooftop bar, a signature gourmet restaurant and a street-level bistro. Guest rooms all feature bespoke furnishings unique artwork, and large double-paned windows that shut out the Soho hubbub. London’s West End theatre district is a 5-minute walk away.
Raffles London at The OWO
(Photo: Raffles London at The OWO)
After eight long years of restoration, The Raffles London At The Owo reopened to guests in September 2023, becoming the first Raffles location anywhere in the UK – and a major historical landmark. Positioned in London’s Whitehall district, the epicentre of the UK’s governmental machine, the hotel is housed within an Old War Office building that contains the former office of none other than Winston Churchill. In its updated guise, the building itself still features eye-catching neo-Baroque architecture while the inside retains much of its former grandeur, including original chandeliers, a marble staircase, and mosaic hand-tiled floors. The 120 guest rooms and suites pay homage to avant-garde designer Thierry Despont. There are also a total of nine restaurants and three on-site bars, plus a spa with a gym and a 20-metre swimming pool. For more history-buff cat nip, Churchill’s War Rooms are just minutes from the hotel.
The BoTree
Any hotel that subs in a champagne bar for a reception area is going to score highly on its ‘quirky’ credentials. And that’s certainly the case at the The BoTree, another summer 2023 opening, located seconds from the retail mecca of Oxford Circus. Self-styled as offering what it describes as ‘conscious luxury’, the hotel delivers personalised service and beautifully designed guest rooms, plus a flagship on-site restaurant. In public areas, the décor merges refined design features such as marble floors, floor-to-ceiling windows and pristine glass surfaces with dashes of colour and flair. Notable tourist attractions nearby include the boutiques and buskers of Covent Garden.
The Peninsula
(Photo: The Peninsula / Courtesy Booking.com)
Set on Hyde Park Corner in Mayfair, one of London’s most prestigious districts, the Peninsula was the culmination of a decade of work when its curtain was raised late last year. A vast lobby complete with a grand piano hosts daily live entertainment, while aviation and automotive themes are dotted throughout the property, including vintage cars regularly displayed by the lobby area and a hot air balloon-themed elevator which transports guests up to the rooftop bar and restaurant, where they are greeted by panoramic views across the capital. The 190 guest rooms and suites combine elegance and functionality in perfect harmony, while on entering their rooms all guests discover delectable chocolates crafted in-house at the hotel. Other on-site amenities include a heated indoor swimming pool and an indulgent spa.
The Emory, Belgravia
In the height of summer 2024, while Londoners were enjoying the city’s sporadically fine weather, came the arrival of its first all-suite hotel. Overlooking the vast green expanse of Hyde Park, the hotel features a striking ‘sails’ structure on its roof that catches the eye of all who pass it. Inside, the design embodies modern style and luxury. Spread across nine floors, the 61 sumptuous suites come with floor-to-ceiling glass windows, and include a stunning penthouse. On the ground floor is the hotel restaurant, while The Emory Bar, also on the same floor, features an iridescent faceted glass canopy and a unique stained-glass installation. There’s also a tenth-floor rooftop offering 360-degree views of the cityscape and a cigar lounge.
No. 30 Knightsbridge
(Photo: No. 30 Knightsbridge / Courtesy Booking.com)
Chic West London wasn’t short of fancy hotels before No. 30 Knightsbridge landed on the scene last year – but the more the merrier, as far as the city’s tourists are concerned. This stylish 4-star property combines a plum spot with prices that won’t break the bank, adding to its appeal in a city where high-end hotel rates can hit hard. There’s a pretty garden area that’s ideal for relaxing and socialising – not to be sniffed at in such a condensed part of the capital – while some guest rooms offer scenic garden views. Nearby attractions and places of interest include Harrods department store, the Victoria and Albert Museum and the Royal Albert Hall, all of which are within walking distance.
The Newman, Fitzrovia
Scheduled to open at the tail end of 2024, The Newman in Fitzrovia will boast a contemporary Art Deco aesthetic inspired by the architectural style of its surroundings along with many of the notable characters who have left their intellectual and creative marks on the area down the years. Billed as being where Bloomsbury’s culture meets Soho’s style, it will feature 81 guest rooms, suites and apartments, including a lavish rooftop suite with a private terrace. Elsewhere in the hotel will be a European brasserie, a cocktail bar, and a spa complete with hot and cold experience cabins, an active salt therapy room, a hydrotherapy pool, and a meditation studio.
Opening late 2024
Six Senses
(Photo: Six Senses)
On the site of the erstwhile Whiteley Hotel will emerge Six Senses in early 2025, a fully-restored and renovated art deco emporium between Paddington and Notting Hill in west London. The revamp has made a great play of preserving many of the building’s original features, including its sweeping staircase, while the 109 guest rooms and suites will be joined by 14 fully serviced residences. Among the hotel’s most impressive amenities will be a cosy lobby bar and lounge, a restaurant offering all-day dining and an open kitchen, and a quaint courtyard area dotted with outdoor furniture. For more leisurely pursuits, there will also be an indoor swimming pool and a relaxation room. A few minutes away on foot, guests can find themselves ensconced in the tranquil environs of Hyde Park.
Opening early 2025