The best hotels in the West End

Age-old charm and Edwardian flair meets art deco style at this London staple but, be warned, this location is not for those on a budget. Fans who are happy to spend at least half a grand a night on a room (not including breakfast) return year after year for the super-luxe attention to detail, from the front desk to the bathroom fittings. Plus, the location looking out over the river on the Strand is far from a turn-off. As far as sustenance goes, you’ll be in good company: The Savoy Grill, now helmed by Gordon Ramsay, has hosted everyone from Marilyn Monroe to The Queen.

The location of this 82-room, seven-floor, no-frills hotel couldn’t be better if you want to be in the thick of it, flashing-lights and all. Thistle is slap-bang between Leicester Square and Piccadilly Circus and the rooms – which come with tea-making facilities, Nespresso machines, free fast wifi, free soft drinks in the minibar and good rain showers – are pretty sizeable given the price tag. Breakfast is included and there’s a small gym, while a restaurant provides no-fuss fare (pasta, pizza, burgers), which can also be ordered in advance and taken up to your room.

If you’re looking for contemporary glamour with a side of eccentricity, try this Firmdale hotel, which is perfect for Regent Street, Oxford Street and Soho shopping. It’s a big space that includes a clutch of boutiques and some contemporary apartments set around a central courtyard, which is busy in summer with alfresco drinkers and diners. Co-owner Kit Kemp’s imaginative use of colour is in evidence throughout, with eye-catching art and fabrics used to great effect. There’s also a library, theatre/cinema and even a bowling alley.

Like its sibling up the road just off Old Compton Street, this Z Hotel in Piccadilly offers simple but comfortable rooms for less than you’d pay elsewhere, along with the added quirk of free wine and cheese in the lobby every evening between 5pm and 7pm. Rooms are certainly cosy and don’t come with fridges, but they're cleverly designed, there are tea- and coffee-making facilities, TVs, free wifi and power showers in the en suite wetrooms. Really though, aside from the wallet-friendly price, the draw here is the location: quiet but super central.

Locations don’t get hotter than this. The Clermont is so close to Charing Cross Station on the Strand it's actually part of the train station’s historic architecture (once you clock it, you’ll realise just how many times you’ve walked past). Its superior location means you’re just down the way from Trafalgar Square and the National Gallery, plus a short stroll from Covent Garden, Soho, Chinatown, Somerset House and the entirety of Theatreland. In short, the variety of going-out options all day long are huge, but don’t forget to also enjoy what the hotel itself has to offer. The Clermont Restaurant and Bar, in particular, is a gorgeous maximalist haven of yesteryear glamour. Take your time over Afternoon Tea or head down after dark for a sip of their signature bourbon and Amaretto cocktail. The rooms, of course, are rather nice-looking too…

Named after William Hazlitt, an eighteenth-century writer, the hotel comprises four connected Georgian townhouses and oozes true traditional decadence. Luxurious touches include four-poster beds, freestanding bathtubs, working fireplaces, an honesty bar and a library, along with contemporary details such as iPod docks, REN toiletries and smart TVs. The knowledgeable front desk staff can help with theatre tickets, restaurant reservations and even club guestlists.

Despite claiming to be an illustrious home for aristocrats and artists to rest their heads since 1732, the prices are actually surprisingly affordable. Keep an eye on advance offers and you can get a room for under £150. They're a bit snug, but you're paying for the location. Dean Street is sandwiched between Oxford Street and Shaftesbury Avenue after all, where you'll find prime shopping, eating, theatre, cinema and nightlife. Its in-house eatery is the perfect spot for people-watching in the utmost comfort.

The London Edition is a sexy, fancy space: think plenty of marble along with ornate ceilings and a colossal silver egg-shaped objet d’art for a chandelier in the lobby bar. Rooms mix modern-day hunting lodge tropes (dark wood, warm lighting) with sensible, sleek practicality. Naturally, there's an on-site basement club called, well, Basement, while Michelin-starred Jason Atherton runs the Edition’s much-lauded restaurant, Berners Tavern.