The most romantic hotels in London, ranked

What’s on for 2026? Claridge’s ‘Room For A Little Romance’ package (valid from February 1-28), includes a bottle of rosé champagne, romantic snacks and treats on arrival, breakfast for two and personalised Claridge’s Frettes bathrobes. 

What can you say about Claridge’s, really? That it’s historic, grandiose and imposing? That it’s grounded in tradition, baked into London culture and unremittingly uncompromising with regards to standards? Yes, to all of this. But you already know all that. How about this: Claridge’s might just be one of the most romantic hotel in London. And, it is good value (yes, really).

Unlike a lot of expensive hotels, Claridge’s pulls off high-end luxury with an alarmingly easy-going, joyful expression. Romance is everywhere here. The art deco glamour. The hushed corridors. The staff who’ve been here for decades, quietly turning every stay into a love story. It’s a place for champagne toasts, for late-night whispers in the bar, for the kind of indulgence that makes you want to propose on the spot.

The rooms – all 269 of them – are plush, elegant, and soft around the edges in exactly the right way. If you can snag one with a balcony, do it. Because drinking an espresso with your partner while gazing down at Bond Street is a memory that’ll stay with you forever.

The new subterranean spa (hand-dug, unbelievably) only adds to the fantasy. Think slow mornings, a couples massage, then slipping upstairs for lunch at the Foyer. Both the Foyer and the Claridge’s Restaurant are high-class but never stiff – just joyful, celebratory spaces where food, drink and service feel like part of the romance.

Yes, it’s Mayfair (very posh). But that’s part of the fun. Pop out for a leafy walk through Hyde Park (fifteen mins walk), or a dizzying night in Soho (ten mins away), then retreat back to your safe, wonderful hotel room. Claridge’s makes the outside world feel far away. This is a love story dressed as a hotel.

Address: 55 Brook Street, W1K 4HR

Price: From £930 per night

Nearest transport: Bond Street is a five-minute walk

What’s on for 2026? This year, Broadwick Soho is making things extra special, with a Valentine’s Day package that includes champagne on arrival, a rooftop bar tab, ‘Dame of Soho Love Oil’, breakfast for two and access to the posh lounge. Ooh-la-la.

If you’re after romance with a bit of razzle-dazzle, Broadwick Soho is it. Forget beige minimalism, this hotel is full-on fabulous. From the second you swing open that big pink door and step into a pastel doll’s house lobby, you know you’re in for something a bit extra. And extra, here, is seriously swoony. 

The rooms are dreamy. Expect jewel-box colours, muralled wardrobes, gilded telly frames and kitsch bathrooms splashed with leopard print wallpaper. It’s pure fantasy. Even the minibar looks hot. Sure, rates start at £455 a night, but if you’re planning to woo, this is money well spent. The Ortigia toiletries in the bathroom don’t hurt either.

Romance at Broadwick builds like a West End show, scene by scene. First stop, The Nook where there’s a roaring fire, vinyl on the decks and moody lighting. It is the ideal place for a couple of cocktails and a bit of people-watching. Then it’s onto Dear Jackie, the hotel’s sultry Italian restaurant. Crimson booths, loud jazz, scallops in champagne sauce make it a prime date spot. When you’re done, take the lift up to Flute, the rooftop bar where the ceilings are gold, the furniture’s leopard print, and the cocktails arrive like couture. 

The service at the hotel is faultless; staff anticipate your every move, which means zero faff and maximum time for staring into each other’s eyes. There’s no spa, no pool, no gym. But who needs a treadmill when Soho’s right outside? You’ll be too busy cosying up in a booth or sneaking kisses in the lift anyway. And if you do venture out, Chinatown, Oxford Street and Ronnie Scott’s are basically on your doorstep. 

Address: Broadwick Soho Hotel, 20 Broadwick Street, London W1F 8TH

Price: From around £455 a night

Closest transport: Tottenham Court Road tube station is a five-minute walk

If you’re looking to woo the old-fashioned way, it doesn’t get much more romantic than Kimpton Fitzroy. Designed by architect Charles Fitzroy Doll, Kimpton Fitzroy London was built as a tribute to a Renaissance chateau just outside of Paris back in 1900 – and it remains one of the most imposing buildings in London. Oh, and here’s a bit of romance: it’s original bronze dragon sculpture, George, sank with the Titanic in 1912 (Fitzroy Doll was also behind the first class spaces on the doomed ocean liner).

Here, you’re slap bang in the middle of cosy Bloomsbury, and once you step through the doors to the very impressiive hotel foyer (and gleaming red marble staircase, lit by gothic candles), you’ll feel a million miles from the madness of London. There are 334 guest rooms here, ranging from more snug singles to the epic suites. Of course, if it’s romance you’re after, it’s well worth going the extra mile for a suite, which come equipped with a four-poster bed and mangificent roll-top bath, with dreamy views of Russel Square. 

To dine on site, head to Fitz’s Brasserie, where you’ll see what’s left of the ornate columns and lavish ceiling which inspired the Titanic’s onboard first class restaurant. It does British classics, just with all the additional fancy trimmings (caviar, oysters and very nice cocktails). During the summer months there’s also The Terrace, a shielded outdoor space for sunlit cocktails, wine and aperitivo. But you’re in Bloomsbury, so it’s well worth getting out for dinner one night too. Nearby are romantic faves Cafe Deco and Noble Rot, with some great pub options for a pre-drink too – the Duke, The Lamb and The Dolphin are all within walking distance. 

The only thing you should be aware of when booking here? There’s no pool or spa. So it’s roll-top bath or you can check in to one of the local spas in the area. 

Time Out tip: Join the queue at cult bakery Fortitude, which is just round the corner, and make everyone you know incredibly jealous. 

Address: 1-8 Russell Square, Bloomsbury, London WC1B 5BE

Price: Starting from around £300 per night

Closest transport: Russell Square Underground station is directly outside the hotel 

We know Mayfair does hotels like nowhere else in London. There’s Claridge’s, The Connaught, The Berkeley: all big, glossy, old-world glamour. But The Twenty Two is different. It’s small. It’s sexy. It’s discreet. It is a club you want to be part of - but might have to fight to be let in.

Step off Grosvenor Square and you’re in an Edwardian townhouse that once housed a duke (and Oscar Wilde, briefly). Cloaked doormen sweep you in, the mirrored lobby twinkles, and staff smile like old friends, not gatekeepers. Welcome to Mayfair, but without the froideur.

But, boy is it romantic: and it is all in the tiny details. Each of the 31 rooms are dressed to the nines. Four-poster beds are wrapped in velvet. Chandeliers drip light across pale blue walls. Some rooms are riotous with wallpaper, while others quietly decadent. Toiletries come with bath salts, natural sponges and even a discreetly placed condom. The bathrooms have black-and-white marble with tubs built for two. Shut the heavy curtains and the rest of the world vanishes.

It’s a hotel that knows its history but plays with it too. Trompe-l’œil carpets make each step a pleasure. Slippers spell out “22.” Dinner turns the passion dial up further. In the restaurant, caviar-topped brioche and truffle-heavy mash get ferried past on silver trays. The member’s club dining room glows red and sultry, like a decadent boudoir (don’t worry hotel guests get access too). Afterwards, drinks in the Living Room feel conspiratorial: it is a bar full of dark corners, white-coated bartenders, and the strongest tequila.

Then, there’s the club downstairs: a red-velvet den where Mayfair’s glitterati have been known to dance until dawn. Tom Cruise, Kylie Jenner, Jeff Bezos: yep, they’ve all been here. You’ll be welcomed into their club too - if only for the duration of your stay.

But that’s the charm of The Twenty Two: it feels like Mayfair’s most romantic secret. It is intimate, theatrical, and more than a little bit exclusive. You could lose a night – or a whole weekend here – you'll never want to leave

Time Out tip: In the bar order the House 22 cocktail. Trust us.

Address: 22 Grosvenor Square, W1K 6LF

Price: The smallest rooms start at £695

Nearest transport: Bond Street is a seven-minute walk away.

Rosewood London is the kind of place that makes the city feel like it is on pause, just for you. There’s a sense of intimacy, from the moment you walk through the doors. The lobby is rich with dark wood and velvet tones, but softened by glimmers of gold and candlelight that make you want to linger, whispering over cocktails rather than rushing out.

Rooms are cocoon-like, with deep inviting beds and soft rugs underfoot. Warm lighting that makes even the simplest moment – a shared coffee in the morning, a book passed between you – feel cinematic. Bathrooms gleam, but it’s the small touches – artfully arranged flowers, plush robes, hidden chocolates that make you want to stay.

Even breakfast becomes a moment to steal a few quiet smiles over pastries and coffee, before the city wakes outside. Yes, dining at Rosewood is its own kind of flirtation.

Outside, the streets of Holborn beckon for a post-breakfast stroll, hand-in-hand through Lincoln’s Inn Fields, where London feels unexpectedly gentle. Rosewood London isn’t just a hotel; it’s a stage for romance, where every detail conspires to make you fall for the city – and for the person beside you – all over again.

Time Out tip: Scarfe’s Bar serves some pretty special black pudding scotch eggs (yes really)

Address: 252, High Holborn, WC1V 7EN

Price: £800 per night

Nearest transport: Holborn station is a three-minute walk

For a night that feels like running away to the forest, only with better cocktails and Egyptian cotton sheets, 1 Hotel Mayfair has got everything. Opened in 2023, it’s a nature-soaked hideaway in the middle of Mayfair, where 1,300 living plants, moss walls and the soft smell of cedar greet you at the door. The check-in desk is carved from a 200-year-old fallen oak tree, which is exactly the kind of detail that makes you go “nice” in a meaningful way.

Rooms are a zen-like mix of muted colours, squishy linen cushions, rope lampshades and floorboards from fallen trees. There’s a yoga mat for morning stretches, a pebble that politely tells housekeeping to get lost (“not now”) and a turndown service that wouldn’t be out of place in a Wes Anderson film – chargers coiled neatly, toiletries re-arranged like an art installation, and a sweet chalkboard message by the bed.

Date night? Book into Tom Sellers’ Dovetale restaurant. Order the English Wagyu carpaccio with hot chips. Pretend you’re the sort of couple who “shares plates” but actually keep the lamb with whipped yoghurt to yourself. End with the sundae trolley because you can. Then sink into Dover Yard, the hotel bar, for a couple of spicy margaritas on deep couches, or take them out to the fire-lit terrace that feels like the Hamptons but with fewer boat shoes.

In the morning, pancakes and crispy bacon are the only correct breakfast choice before strolling hand-in-hand through Green Park, which is basically across the road.

Yes, it’s a splurge. But it’s the kind of stay that makes the outside world feel a bit less urgent – and your plus-one a bit more brilliant.

Time Out tip: The hotel arranges a programme of events, classes and workshops you can check out too!

Address: 3 Berkeley St, London

Price: starting from £500 per night

Nearest transport: Green Park tube is a two-minute walk away

One of Battersea Power Station's newest additions is Art’Otel, designed by Spanish artist Jaime Hayon and opened in late 2022 with a spa, rooftop bar and infinity pool up top. Art’Otel’s 164 rooms are grand, artsy and full of colour, with lots of fun touches; a record player, a Roberts radio, more hanging art by Hayon. It’s all very Wes Anderson, but it doesn’t take itself too seriously. The staff are great, chatty and happy to help. The clientele is a mix too; couples in bathrobes, families, groups of friends celebrating a spa weekend. If your room has a view of the Power Station, even better.

For the full experience, get the lift to the rooftop. It’s spectacular by day or night. Deck chairs, a hot tub and the infinity pool make it easy to lose yourself with someone special. Floating in the pool as the sun sets over the Thames is one of those moments you’ll talk about for years.

Dinner at Art’Otel is equally romantic. Book ahead for Joia, a Portuguese and Iberian restaurant with views to match its premium menu. Seafood cataplana, Iberian tapas and a two-Michelin-starred chef – yes, please. For a more relaxed vibe, head to Tozi Grand Café. The cacio e pepe is served at your table in a giant cheese wheel. It’s playful, indulgent and just the right kind of messy for a date.

You can even spend your stay convincing your other half to finally get that rescue dog, since Battersea Dogs & Cats Home is right next door. 

Time Out tip: For a weekend activity, book a cooking masterclass at Joia with its two-Michelin-starred head chef Jose Jara. Classes cover seafood cataplana (a Portuguese fish stew), Iberian tapas and more for £120 per person. Yes, wine is included. 

Address: 1 Electric Blvd, Nine Elms, SW11 8BJ

Price: Starting from approximately £200 per night

Nearest transport: Battersea power station is a seven-minute walk

In many ways, Nobu’s Portman Square outpost is surprisingly refreshing – because although you’d not be too shocked to bump into Khloé Kardashian in the ladies’ loos, you swiftly learn that none of this is for show. Nobu’s not riding a wave of reputation at the expense of quality. There’s no unnecessary extravagance and the staff seem genuinely happy to help. Which, honestly, makes it way easier to relax with someone special.

Of course, the brand’s globally renowned lustre all harks back to its culinary history via the namesake chef Nobu Matsuhisa, so you’d be a fool to skip eating here. The menu boasts classics like black cod miso, Matsuhisa sashimi salad and A5 wagyu beef.

An open kitchen and sushi counter give the space a relaxed vibe; it is the perfect place to share plates. There’s also a bar and a heated concrete terrace, if you just fancy a tipple. There's cocktails, sake, wine (of course), and in this setting, drinking any just feels oh so romantic,

After eating your bodyweight in sashimi, you could do a lot worse than rolling into one of Nobu’s bedrooms. Calm, minimalist and cosmopolitan, the rooms have a waterfall shower, couple’s sinks, a big bath, a TOTO washlet toilet, large TV and an even larger bed with super-soft bedding. Basically, everything you need to stay in bed all day, whispering and laughing and occasionally napping.

Nobu Portman Square isn’t about glitter or flash. It’s about calm, quality, and enjoying time together – whether that’s lingering over sushi, sharing cocktails on a terrace or just luxuriating in one of London’s softest beds. It’s quietly, perfectly romantic.

Time Out tip: Book into one of Nobu’s world-leading pilates classes led by Marsha Lindsay. If you’re feeling like treating yourself, they even offer a ‘stretch and sushi’ package, where you can tuck into a fresh bento box to re-fuel right after your workout.

Address: 22 Portman Square, W1H 7BG

Price: £500 per night

Nearest transport: Marble Arch is a five-minute walk away

You can see just about everything from the Shangri- La. In the west there's the the glimmering terminals of Heathrow Airport (and who doesn't want to see them?) to the edges of Epping Forest in the east. On a clear day you expectations are pushed even further: it is almost like you could see as far as Birmingham. The floor-to-ceiling windows that wrap around each of the hotel’s 202 rooms are truly panoramic, and they’re quite literally everywhere you go.

That’s exactly what you’d expect from a hotel that sits on floors 34 to 52 of the Shard – the glass-and-steel spike that has come to define the south London skyline. And, because this is the Shangri-La, you'd better believe the interiors to be every bit as impressive as the views. The beds are like clouds; the armchairs are slick in squeaky brown leather, and the marble bathrooms shine like mini palaces. Yes, the windows follow you in there too.

Food is another highlight. Afternoon tea here is already one of the most in-demand in London, but the buffet breakfast is just as memorable. Think Borough Market-level produce – fresh fruit, flaky pastries, made-to-order eggs – all served with a side of skyline. Give yourself plenty of time to indluge and make the most of it.

Step outside and you’re in one of the most exciting corners of the capital. Borough Market is just around the corner, as are the Southbank Centre and the Tate Modern. Historic Tower Bridge and the Tower of London are right next door.

Book the 'Romance in the Clouds' package for an extra treat: flowers in your room, dinner with a bottle of fizz, and breakfast in bed. Pricey? Yes. Worth it for a stay that feels like you’re on top of the world? Oh absolutely.

Time Out tip: Get a room with a bathtub so that you can soak in those breathtaking views whilst submerged in bubbles.

Address: 31 St Thomas Street, SE1 9QU

Price: £770 per night

Nearest transport: London Bridge is a two-minute walk

Behind the unassuming facade of this Georgian townhouse is the eccentric ‘home’ of Wicked Uncle Seymour. Spoiler: he isn’t real. Regardless, at Marylebone’s Zetter Townhouse you’ll feel like you’re staying in the home of an eccentric aristocrat.

Seymour’s Parlour, the bar at the heart of the house, is romance dialled up to eleven. Dark red walls. Gilt-framed paintings stacked on top of each other. Cabinets crammed with antiques and oddities. The air thick with candle smoke and cocktail shakers. It feels like the Sir John Soane’s Museum, if it had a lock-in. Drinks are clever, a little wild and always potent. Order something strong before disappearing upstairs.

The bedrooms are made for indulgence. There are heavy four-poster beds, patterned wallpaper, bathrooms tiled for long soaks and minibars stocked with bottled cocktails from the bar below. Everything is designed to make you linger. Some rooms look out onto quiet mews, so you forget you’re minutes from Marble Arch.

If you want the ultimate seduction, book Lear’s Loft. A sprawling top-floor suite with its own terrace and an outdoor tub. There’s nothing more romantic than climbing into hot water under the open sky with a glass of champagne. The staff make you feel right at home, as if you’re guests in their own houses. It’s old-school, personal service. You can ever hot water bottles to take to bed with you (properly romantic right?)

Time Out tip: Reserve a table in the bar for pre-dinner drinks

Address: 28-30 Seymour Street, W1H 7JB

Price: £345 per night

Nearest transport: Bond Street is a five-minute walk

Escape to the countryside without leaving London at the Athenaeum. Perched above the treetops of Green Park, this Mayfair hotel feels like a city hideaway. Top-floor park-view rooms are the real showstoppers: floor-to-ceiling windows frame sweeping greenery, making mornings with coffee or evenings watching the sunset feel utterly private, and ridiculously photogenic. Rooms inside are like private conservatories, with mirrors amplifying the light and greenery, making every corner feel calm, bright, and intimate.

The interiors are quietly glamorous. Velvet Chesterfield headboards, subtle gold touches, and crisp light fixtures sit against crisp white walls, creating spaces that are sophisticated without ever feeling over-the-top. It’s the perfect balance for couples: stylish enough to impress, yet still cosy, intimate, and completely Instagram-worthy. Every detail seems designed to make you want to stay just a bit longer —from the soft lighting to the careful placement of mirrors that reflect the park outside.

Service at the Athenaeum mirrors its understated elegance. Staff are polished, warm, and unobtrusive, letting guests drift from breakfast to afternoon tea at a gentle pace. And afternoon tea is a treat: choose between sweet or savoury menus, featuring classic crustless sandwiches, scones, and indulgent creations such as quail nduja scotch eggs or smoked chicken eclairs. It’s a traditional ritual elevated into something decadent and fun, perfect for a slow, romantic afternoon.

Step outside, and Mayfair itself has its own quiet romance. Shepherds Market feels like a little Paris in the heart of London, with cobbled streets, buzzing pubs, and intimate eateries. Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens are ideal for hand-in-hand strolls. Notting Hill and Bayswater are just a short cycle ride away, offering charming streets to explore together.

With stunning views, refined interiors, and attentive service, the Athenaeum transforms a London weekend into a proper romantic escape. 

Time Out tip: Seriously, don't skip the parks. They are some of London's best. 

Address: 116 Piccadilly, W1J 7BJ

Price: Starts at £450 per night

Nearest transport: Both Green Park and Hyde Park Corner are around a six-minute walk away.

You can't get more romantic than a boutique hotel in Notting Hill (and we're sure Hugh Grant would agree). Down one of the area's residential streets, you’ll notice it by its outdoor terrace, which is lovely in summer but equally as lovely in winter, with little heaters and cubby holes to huddle into with someone special.

Inside, the vibe is low-key but chic. The entrance is unassuming, staff are friendly, and there’s a small restaurant to one side and a cosy lounge to the other. Dinner is perfectly fine, but breakfast is the one you’ll remember. Scrambled eggs with broad bean guacamole. Oozy deep-orange yolks. The kind of meal that makes you want to stay put all morning.

You’ll also find the Recharge Rooms downstairs, where there’s an intergalactic-looking Ozone machine (one of only two in London, apparently). It’s supposed to promote ‘strategic wellness’, but really it feels like stepping into a spaceship for a Kardashian-style steam-and-aromatherapy glow-up. Add facials and treatments to the mix and you’ve got yourself a mini spa day for two.

But the real romance is in the bedrooms. The minibar is stocked with Torres truffle crisps and prosecco. The bath comes with little hand-labelled salts that look like they’re out of Alice in Wonderland. There are ridiculously high ceilings, a big fluffy bed, and a Nespresso machine for lazy mornings. The shelves are lined with vintage Penguin books, and there’s even a little cubby corner with two armchairs facing the street. Thoughtful details. That’s its thing.

Time Out tip: Go for a proper Guinness at Notting Hill's classic gastropub The Cow, which also happens to do great food; think oysters, crab tarts, goats cheese salad and handmade pasta. 

Address: 8 Pembridge Gardens, Notting Hill, W2 4D

Price: prices start around £200 

Nearest transport: Notting Hill Gate is a three-minute walk

Most people stroll past Hazlitt’s without a second glance. Georgian facade. Frith Street. Nothing screams boutique hotel. Until you see the door. Step inside, and suddenly you’re somewhere else entirely. Four townhouses from 1718. Thirty rooms. Welcome to antique chaos done right.

It’s a timewarp. There are creaky staircases and four-poster beds that swallow you whole. Bathrooms somehow feel feel like a throne room and the armchairs are so cosy you could easily forget the outside world exists at all. Think Versailles meets Steptoe and Son. Think ridiculous. Think magical.

Want breakfast? Have it in bed. Always in bed (just call room service). Staff are lovely and accommodating. They’ll bag you theatre tickets, a table at Quo Vadis, or whatever else you fancy. Each part of the hotel feels steeped in stories. Anthony Bourdain described the Duke of Monmouth suite as “like staying at a potty English uncle’s when he is not at home.” You know what? He's spot on.

As for the location? Well it is Soho. Forever London’s finest neighbourhood for fun. Restaurants, pubs, theatres, bars are everywhere. With cobblestones, buzzing lights, that make the city hum. Walk to The Coach & Horses and pretend it’s 1975. Get the smoked eel sandwich at Quo Vadis, of course. Or why not enjoy a night of comedy at Soho Theatre? There's something for late night, early morning - and then more to repeat.

Romance is in the little things. The way the curtains fall or the sound of the floorboards.The city outside might be loud and bright, but you, tucked away in Hazlitt’s, feel safe in timelessness.

And okay, Hazlitt’s isn’t as flashy as some of the hotels on this list. But, it doesn’t need to be. It’s messy. It’s charming. It’s intimate. And yes, it’s one of the most romantic hotels in London. Fact.

Time Out tip Hazlitt’s atmospheric honesty bar feels like a particularly scandalous library. It’s open 24/7 and the perfect place to get plastered on port.

Address: Hazlitt’s, 6 Frith Street, London W1D 3JA

Price: From £329 per night

Nearest transport: Tottenham Court Road tube station is a five-minute walk

We all know Hilton knows what it’s doing. It is an international brand for a reason and has become know for its dependable reputation. Bankside is no different: it is very much a comfortable, easy place to stay. The first thing you’ll notice is the location. Just three minutes from the Tate Modern, and within strolling distance of Waterloo, Blackfriars and London Bridge, it’s almost sickeningly convenient.

The King One Bedroom Suite we stayed in had a simple look. Clean lines, minimal furniture, and not much in the way of artwork. But that’s the charm. The fuss-free design makes it feel calm and organised – an uncluttered base for a romantic city break. The luxury is tucked away in the details: a plush bed you’ll want to bury yourself in, huge windows that flood the room with light, a sleek walk-in shower, and plenty of space to spread out.

But what makes Hilton London Bankside a contender for one of London’s most romantic stays is what’s downstairs. Hidden in the basement is a 17-metre pool glowing under bold lighting, with loungers, a hot tub and gym facilities. It feels like a hidden hideaway that is almost cut off from the outside world. During our visit, it was blissfully quiet; the perfect spot for couples who want downtime together.

Head out and you’ve got excitement at every corner. Wander Bankside’s cobbled streets towards the pubs by the Globe, or west along the Southbank to catch a show at the National Theatre. If food is your love language, Borough Market is a ten-minute walk away, with stalls stacked high with everything from oysters to steaming curries.

Time Out tip: The Hilton London Bankside is a stone’s throw from the Globe. You can get standing tickets start from just £10. 

Address: 2-8, Great Suffolk Street, SE1 0UG

Price: Rooms start at £222

Nearest transport: Southwark tube station is a six-minute walk.

All aboard! Staying at Sea Containers London feels a little like a retreat on a glamorous cruise liner. And, best of all, you don’t even have to leave the South Bank to enjoy the ride.

Every corner of this place is influenced by the sea. You'll see staff in striped uniforms. Porthole-shaped mirrors let you glimpse the outside world. And of course there are curved edges everywhere. If you don't like boats, this one might not be for you.

But, guess what? Sea Containers is also romantic. Rooms are designed to offer proper indulgence for two. Huge windows frame the Thames. If you’re lucky enough to have a river-view balcony, it’s the perfect spot to watch the sun set into the water (pretty romantic if you ask us). Beds are queen-sized and impossibly comfortable. Rain showers and marble bathrooms make getting ready a pleasure. Mini-fridges come stocked with cocktails and snacks. Dim the lights, pour a drink, and watch the city drift by.

The suites are spectacular. Stand-alone bathtubs are waiting to be plunged into. Sofas provide a space to sprawl. Even the smaller rooms feel luxe and intimate. Every detail whispers romance.

Dining and drinks add another sparkling layer. The 12th Knot bar is dark, glamorous, and perfect for couples. Big sofas, a gold bar, and cocktails that you'll want to order twice set the scene. If your room isn’t enough, step out onto the rooftop terrace for to-die-for views of the Thames. Downstairs, the Sea Containers restaurant serves hearty, well-cooked food. The tables by the river are ideal for long, slow meals together.

Service is perfectly polished. Staff are attentive but never intrusive. And the hotel’s location is hard to beat. The South Bank is a five-minute stroll. Theatre, markets, and riverside walks are all on your doorstep. Try that for romance.

Time Out tip: Don't forget to visit the onsite Curzon Cinema; film listings are released in advance, so you can get your popcorn ready!

Address: Sea Containers London, 20 Upper Ground, London SE1 9PD

Price: From £200 a night

Closest transport: Southwark tube is a seven-minute walk

Pan Pacific London is probably best-known for bringing Singaporean cuisine and hospitality to the City. But if you’re looking for a romantic stay, head straight to the hotel’s infinity pool.

Picture this: you and your other half, floating in perfect synchrony, while stock market traders trudge below. What a joy it is to watch the rat race in a swimsuit!

The pool area has been decked out by luxury children’s brand Bonpoint, which sounds weird until you see the pink deckchairs, straw parasols and cherry motifs. It’s cute. It’s playful. And somehow, totally romantic. Dyson hair dryers and Diptyque toiletries are on hand for that post-swim glow-up.

Food and drink here are equally fun. Straits Kitchen serves authentic Singaporean dishes, from lobster laksa (£45, but worth every slurp) to the Shiitake Sayuran Rosette – a veggie mix so good it almost makes you forget you’re a grown-up paying London prices. The cocktail and wine menus are equally swoon-worthy, with Chinese wines rubbing shoulders with bottles from Sussex, Argentina and California. At ground-floor bar Ginger Lily, sip a Highball – green tea, lemon, whisky and honey – while stealing a quiet corner with someone special. Warning: the carb-to-alcohol ratio might make the morning after a little fuzzy, but isn’t that half the fun?

The neighbourhood is an added extra. A five-minute walk takes you to Shoreditch bars, Old Spitalfields Market and Leadenhall Market. Brick Lane is right there waiting for you to order bagels, do a bit of vintage shopping, and for you to revel in those Instagram-perfect East End vibes.

Pro tip: order breakfast to your room. The food trolley and white-cloth experience lets you live out your ‘Home Alone 2’ fantasies. If that isn’t instant couple goals I don’t know what is.

Time Out tip: The nearby Oranj is well worth a visit. It is a low-key wine bar that hosts food pop-ups throughout the year.

Address: 80 Houndsditch, EC3 A7AB

Price: From £395 a night

Nearest transport: two-minute walk from Liverpool Street Station

Wherever you go in The Churchill – in the bar, by the fireplace, even next to your bedside table – you get a strange sense that there’s someone watching you. Because there is. Winston Churchill’s likeness is a signature across the hotel. Paintings of him and copies of his artwork are dotted across the lobby, restaurant, bar and bedrooms, with themed mugs and cocktail books for sale in the on-site shop. There’s even a life-size statue of the ol’ chap at The Churchill Bar so you’ll never drink an Old Fashioned alone. 

Here comes the spoiler: the hotel doesn’t have any historical connection to WC. Its architect was a Churchill fanboy, making it more of a Disneyland for WW2 geeks and American tourists (including Barack Obama who stayed at the hotel during his pre-election campaign in 2008). Though, Churchill's family have donated a few original photographs and love letters he sent to his wife, Clementine. Staff are accommodating without being overbearing. While the rooms are simple and elegant, decorated with grey walls, white bedding, a sturdy wooden writing desk and a royal purple armchair. The jerk to the 21st century comes in the bathroom which has been fitted with a Millenium Falcon-esque smart-toilet – which makes a loo stop a lot more exciting than it should be. 

The food also stands on its own, with executive chef Carlo Martino serving up a British ingredient-driven menu at The Montagu Kitchen, featuring dishes like English asparagus with a spinach sauce, pea and shallots ravioli, as well as the quintessential Sunday roast. We think the British Bulldog would approve.

Time Out tip: Order the Maestra Bertha tequila cocktail at The Churchill Bar, one of its 12 ‘make do and mend’ drinks made from rainwater harvested from the roof and leftovers from breakfast. 

Address: 30, Portman Square, W1H 7BH

Price: Prices start around £400

Nearest transport: Marble Arch tube is a two-minute walk away