The best boutique hotels in London, reviewed by experts

Okay, we know The Hoxton is a chain. But, few hotel brands nail the sweet spot between slick design and genuine warmth quite like it. The Holborn outpost might just be its crown jewel. It’s got everything you want from a boutique stay; a buzzy, design-led lobby, an excellent in-house restaurant, and staff who seem like they’ve actually had a good night’s sleep. But what makes this Hoxton special is how effortlessly it feels like home, even when you’re sleeping above one of London’s busiest streets.

Inside, the aesthetic is all warm woods, leather headboards and exposed brick: it is mid-century modern meets Bloomsbury charm. Rooms range from teeny-tiny ‘Shoeboxes’ to more generous ‘Cosy Ups’, but all come with thoughtful touches: chic lighting, bespoke illustrations, and clever little details (the tray labelled ‘Old Bag’ for your teabags deserves a design award). Despite being smack in the middle of the city, the rooms are surprisingly quiet – a rare feat for central London.

Downstairs, Rondo is a low-key gem that could easily stand on its own. Expect British bistro classics done with flair: buttery scallops, truffle-laced asparagus, perfectly charred rib-eye, and breakfast that’s way better than your average hotel buffet. The avocado toast alone could start a cult following. Over at the Lobby Bar, the energy hums from morning laptops to late-night martinis (the dirty samphire version is the move).

Service is classic Hoxton: upbeat, relaxed, and refreshingly unstuffy. The team are local experts who’ll happily point you toward Holborn’s hidden corners, or sort you out with a jogging route that doubles as a sightseeing tour. With good vibes and great food, The Hoxton is the blueprint for how boutique hotels should feel.

Time Out tip: In the summer, The Hoxton runs  pop-ups in the coffee bar – when I visited, it was Scoupe, with killer ice creams, Roebuck sparkling wine and cocktails inspired by classic lollies, including a vodka-spiked take on a Solero.       

Address: 199-206 High Holborn, London

Price per night: Starting from £200 per night

Closest transport: Holborn tube is a two-minute walk away

Soho has never been shy, and neither is Broadwick Soho. This gloriously eccentric independent hotel is a riot of colour and confidence. Designed as a pink townhouse that’s packed with personality, a night in here feels like stepping inside the wardrobe of a very fabulous person with very expensive taste. Designed by Martin Brudnizki, the interiors are pure maximalist theatre: all velvet, gold leaf and leopard print, but somehow never too much. It’s Soho, after all, excess is the point.

From the pastel-pink lobby to the blue-leopard-print bathrooms, every inch of Broadwick Soho oozes playful sophistication. The rooms, which start from £450 a night, are like miniature stage sets: think floral rugs, muralled wardrobes and even gilt-framed TVs. Each feels unique, romantic and faintly surreal, as if Wes Anderson had been given a brief to design your dream boudoir.

The hotel’s dining and drinking options are just as over-the-top (in the best way). Start with a cocktail at The Nook, a resident-only lounge that feels like the sultry secret bar everyone in Soho wishes they knew about. Then descend into Dear Jackie, the ruby-red subterranean restaurant where champagne scallops and gorgonzola beef fillet meet a soundtrack of loud jazz and clinking martini glasses. Finish at Flute, the gold-ceilinged rooftop bar with skyline views and leopard-print furniture that somehow makes sense once you’re there.

Service is where Broadwick Soho truly shines. It is polished but warm, with staff who seem to anticipate your every whim. No spa, no pool, no problem: this is a place for eating, drinking, flirting and living gloriously large.

Soho’s heartbeat has always been loud, late and unapologetically fun, and Broadwick Soho bottles that spirit in hotel form. Boutique at its core, it’s bold and impossible to forget.

Time Out tip: You're in Soho so get out and get exploring. Bar Termini and The French House are just down the road. 

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 nine-minute walk

With a name like The Standard, you’d better be confident. And luckily, this King’s Cross icon has the goods to back it up. The first UK outpost of the global hotel brand (with siblings in LA, NYC and Bangkok), it’s a Brutalist beauty that’s bold, playful and effortlessly cool. Think design-led luxury with a sense of humour. This hotel swaps chandeliers for lava lamps and cigars for Torres crisps.

Set inside a lovingly restored 1970s Camden Town Hall annexe, The Standard London takes its cues from the building’s sweeping curves. Rooms are sleek and satisfyingly retro, all caramel tones, shag carpets and huge windows. The “King of Kings” rooms are the standouts; complete with deep-soak tubs, curved walls and knockout views across King’s Cross. The bathrooms alone deserve their own Instagram accounts: glowing mirrors, marble counters, and lighting so flattering you’ll wonder why your bathroom at home doesn’t flirt back.

Dining-wise, this place is stacked. Decimo, the tenth-floor Spanish-Mexican restaurant by Peter Sanchez-Iglesias, is a destination in itself, while Isla serves breezy breakfasts and low-key lunches in a sunlit dining room. For cocktails, there’s Sweeties, a glam bar-meets-nightclub that glitters like Studio 54 in the sky, and the Rooftop Bar, perfect for sunset negronis. Even the in-room dining is top-tier; the burger and martini combo is a solid shout.

The vibe is young, creative and effortlessly switched-on. There’s a gym with Peloton bikes and vintage VHS tapes, a plush library lounge for laptop lingerers, and staff who strike that rare balance between laid-back and laser-sharp.

With its cool-kid clientele and commitment to having a damn good time, The Standard redefines boutique luxury for a new generation. It’s bold, cheeky and utterly unboring – exactly what London needs.

Time Out tip: Should you be blessed enough to get a room with a free-standing bath, take full advantage. Fill up the tub, pull on one of the cosy in-room bathrobes, order a glass of Moët from the room service menu. 

Address: 10, Argyle St, WC1H 8EG

Price: From £500 per night.

Closest transport: King's Cross St Pancras is a two-minute walk.

The Laslett is basically Notting Hill in hotel form: polished but playful, elegant yet effortlessly cool. Housed across five white stucco townhouses just off Pembridge Gardens, it feels less like checking into a hotel and more like being handed the keys to a very stylish friend’s home. Everything here has been thought through, from the curated bookshelves to the local artwork. It shines in its little details. 

You’ll likely spot it first by the outdoor terrace, a cosy all-season hangout strung with lights and lined with heaters for chilly evenings. Inside, the vibe is low-key luxe: muted tones, plush armchairs, and friendly staff who make you feel instantly at ease. Breakfast is the real standout. The scrambled eggs are so rich they could fund their own trust, and a broad bean guacamole that tastes like sunshine in a bowl.

Downstairs, things take a wellness turn. The Recharge Rooms are home to an ozone therapy machine (one of only two in London), where you can sweat, steam and glow your way back to life. It’s the kind of LA-inspired treatment that could feel gimmicky, but it’s genuinely restorative – and Gina, the therapist, is a total gem.

The rooms, meanwhile, are what make The Laslett properly special. Think high ceilings, Nespresso machines, Penguin paperbacks and little bottles of hand-labelled bath salts perched by the tub. There’s a sense of quiet, literary romance – you’ll want to curl up by the window with a book and a glass of prosecco from the minibar (yes, it’s stocked with Torres crisps too).

And the location? Well, it is classic Notting Hill: leafy, lovely and just that little bit smug. You’re minutes from the farmers’ market, Portobello Road, and all the bougie pubs and brunch spots you could ever want. Boutique bliss, with brains and beauty to match.

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 £374 a night.

Closest transport: Notting Hill Gate is a one-minute walk.

Kettner’s has seen a lot in its 150-plus years – scandal, celebrity, champagne-fuelled nights – and since it came under the Soho House umbrella in 2016, it’s had the kind of glow-up most Londoners can only dream of. Once an opulent restaurant beloved by everyone from Oscar Wilde to Winston Churchill, Kettner’s is now a small but impossibly chic hotel that still hums with the same old Soho magic.

Spread across 15 Georgian townhouses (11 of them listed), it’s a labyrinth of polished floors, velvet upholstery and sultry lighting, with rooms ranging from “Tiny” to “Suite.” Each one of the 33 has its own personality, marrying art deco flourishes with that signature Soho House warmth; think brass fittings, dark woods, vintage mirrors and beds so plush they practically sigh when you climb in.

The hotel’s French bistro-style restaurant, meanwhile, is an institution in its own right. Gone are the days of overwrought fine dining; what’s on offer now is classic and confident – Terrine de Campagne, Côte de Boeuf, the kind of food you want to linger over with a glass of Burgundy and someone who makes you laugh. It’s elegant but never uptight: exactly what a Soho dinner should feel like.

Location-wise, Kettner’s couldn’t be better. Tucked just off Old Compton Street, it’s in the beating heart of Soho. Step outside and you’re surrounded by the neighbourhood’s best bars, buzzy restaurants, and a glorious jumble of shops that range from high-end fashion to unapologetic kink. You’re also minutes from both Tottenham Court Road and Leicester Square stations, though you might not want to leave.

Time Out tip: Make a Soho day of it. Grab tea and a pastry at Maison Bertaux, London’s oldest patisserie, then swing by The French House for a half pint and some people-watching.

Address: 29 Romilly St, W1D 5HP.

Price: Prices start around £335.

Closest transport: Leicester Square and Tottenham Court Road are both within a five-minute walk.

Battersea Power Station has always felt a little like stepping into an alternate London. It is gleaming, impossibly tidy, and undeniably Instagrammable. And right into this world lands Art’Otel, a bold, playful hotel from Spanish artist Jaime Hayon that opened in late 2022. With 164 rooms, a rooftop infinity pool, spa, and bar, it’s equal parts design playground and proper place to unwind.

The rooms themselves are unapologetically artsy, full of colour, texture, and quirky touches. There are record players, Roberts radios, and Hayon’s signature whimsical artwork. They feel like stepping into a Wes Anderson set without losing any practicality. Families, couples in bathrobes, and groups of friends all mix seamlessly, and if you’re lucky enough to snag a room with views of the Power Station, it’s a treat in itself.

For those who prefer to see and be seen, the rooftop is unmissable. By day, it’s all sun, deck chairs, and panoramic city views; by night, the infinity pool glows and the hot tub becomes the place to be. Dining is just as considered: Joia serves Portuguese and Iberian cuisine with views to match, while Tozi Grand Café offers buzzy, relaxed Italian; the cacio e pepe, flamboyantly prepared in a giant cheese wheel, is a definite crowd-pleaser.

And okay, Battersea Power Station is slightly off the beaten path. But maybe that’s the appeal? Wander down to the park, browse Battersea Dogs & Cats Home and there’s always the Uber Boat on hand to take you back to Central London via the scenic route. 

Time Out tip: Obviously don't skip the infinity pool. 

Address: 1 Electric Boulevard, Nine Elms, London SW11 8BJ

Price: Starting from approximately £200 per night

Closest transport: Battersea Power Station Underground Station is a seven-minute walk

Tucked away behind a Georgian façade on Frith Street, Hazlitt’s is one of Soho’s best-kept secrets. It is a boutique hotel that somehow manages to feel timeless, intimate and utterly magical all at once. Occupying four townhouses that date back to 1718, the hotel only opened its doors in 1986, and stepping inside feels like walking into a charmingly eccentric time warp. 

The 30 rooms are sumptuously decked out in antique splendour: four-poster beds stand central along with gilded mirrors, throne-style loos and creaky staircases. It’s like a small Versailles, with all the old-world drama dialled up. But don’t worry modernists, there’s a wink to the modern era, too: discreetly hidden flatscreen TVs are placed in every room.

Breakfast is a leisurely, decadent affair served in bed, and the absence of an on-site restaurant only adds to the sense of living like a Soho insider, with staff on hand to organise theatre tickets, dinner reservations or a discreet night out in the neighbourhood. Hazlitt’s has long been a celebrity favourite – Anthony Bourdain described the two-storey Duke of Monmouth suite as “like staying at a potty English uncle’s when he is not at home” – and it’s easy to see why: the hotel strikes a perfect balance between eccentricity, history and intimacy. 

Beyond the doors, Soho itself is endlessly entertaining. You’re moments from gems like The Coach & Horses or Quo Vadis, where the smoked eel sandwich is legendary. Hazlitt’s is a haven for anyone seeking a hotel that’s unapologetically characterful.

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

Closest transport: Tottenham Court Road tube station

There’s something deliciously unexpected about The Hoxton, Shepherd’s Bush. For one thing, it’s proof that west London’s coolest hotel hangout isn’t in Notting Hill or Kensington, but in Shepherd’s Bush. And, another, it’s a Hoxton hotel that feels genuinely different from its siblings. Sure, it’s got that familiar “Hox” warmth: the buzzy lobby, the eclectic design, the sense that everyone here is probably working on a screenplay. But this one has its own confident, retro swagger, too.

The lobby feels like a love letter to mid-century design: wood panelling, bold rugs by local makers Holmes Bespoke. Those deliciously curvy armchairs are perfect to sink into with a flat white. Upstairs, rooms are compact but beautifully thought-out, with playful scalloped headboards, soft lighting and a subtle nod to the area’s 1960s spirit. It’s intimate, in the best way: a cocoon of calm above the buzz of Shepherd’s Bush Green.

And then there’s Chet’s, the on-site restaurant that deserves its own fan club. The brainchild of LA chef Kris Yenbamroong, it’s part Thai, part Californian sunshine, and all-out flavour. Expect neon spice, diner aesthetics, and a menu that’ll make you giddy: the sticky wings are mandatory, and the fried pineapple rice (served inside a pineapple, naturally) might just ruin all other rice dishes for you. The interiors match the food; think soft pastels, chrome accents and the sort of cinematic symmetry Wes Anderson would absolutely approve of.

The hotel’s location seals the deal. There’s the market nearby, the Bush Theatre and the chaos of Westfield. You’re also a quick hop from Portobello Road or a stroll through Holland Park. The Hoxton slots right in: a little bit vintage, a little bit rock’n’roll, and a lot of fun.

Time Out tip: Did we mention we’re obsessed with Chet’s? For lunch, we love the fish sando. 

Address: 65 Shepherd's Bush Green, W12 8TX

Price: From £200 a night.

Closest transport: It's a four-minute walk to Shepherd's Bush Market station and an eight-minute walk to Shepherd's Bush station.

The lobby of One Hundred Shoreditch might feel like the HQ of a millennial start-up, with its house beats, large-scale art, and twenty-somethings tapping away on laptops. But step upstairs and the vibe shifts entirely. The rooms are a masterclass in Scandi-inspired serenity. The walls are pale (obviously) and feature tapestry hangings, pine accents, and the kind of curvaceous vases that look impossibly chic against sharp corners. Basically, they look like the spare room in the house of the coolest friend you know. There are natural textures, plush bedding, and thoughtful details, from cult DS & Durga toiletries to Jacu Strauss artworks.

Formerly the Ace Hotel, the building retains its social energy, with a rooftop terrace that’s a destination in itself. Cacti, pink-tiled bars, and skyline views make it perfect for cocktails at dusk or a lingering nightcap. On the ground, the neighbourhood beckons: head down to the nearby Manteca to feast on a ragu that you won’t forget fast, and Columbia Road Flower Market is a Sunday morning must. With 258 individually styled rooms and a range of food and drink spots, from early-morning coffee at Origin to botanical cocktails at the Seed Library, this is a hotel that feels personal, playful, and unapologetically of Shoreditch.

Time Out tip: Breakfast at One Hundred Shoreditch really can not be missed. It serves a collection of Japanese-Danish plates (you should try as many as possible) with fresh juice, coffee and tea.

Address: 100 Shoreditch High Street, E1 6JQ

Price: From £250 a night. 

Closest transport: Old Street Station is a 11-minute walk.

Bow Street Magistrates’ Court has seen its fair share of drama – the Kray twins, Oscar Wilde, Emmeline Pankhurst – but none of them had it as plush as you will at the NoMad hotel. Since taking over this Grade II-listed building in 2021, the NoMad has turned a once-grim court into a darkly glamorous, utterly Instagrammable playground. Think 1920s New York vibes: moody wood panelling, theatre-inspired artwork and a plant-filled atrium that makes you wonder if you’ve accidentally stumbled into a luxury jungle.

The rooms? Utterly, decadently comfortable. There are velvet sofas you could nap on for days, marble bathrooms that whisper indulgence, and, if you go big, in-room baths with views straight across to the Royal Opera House. Honestly, waking up here is basically the closest you’ll get to sleeping on stage without actually singing a note.

Food and drink at NoMad are just as swish. The main restaurant nails seasonal British classics – yes, that includes Sunday roasts that could end wars – while Side Hustle next door takes the vibe down a notch: dim lighting, leather booths, build-your-own beef short rib tacos and a tequila and mezcal cocktail list that will make you forget what time it is.

Location-wise, it doesn’t get better. Steps from the Royal Opera House, Neal Street’s shops, Seven Dials, and the Aldwych theatres, with Soho and the South Bank a pleasant stroll away. Fancy a story for your Instagram? The spa’s Signature Ricari body treatment happens in a cell once occupied by Vivienne Westwood; history and indulgence rolled into one.

Time Out tip: You might as well check out the Royal Opera House in the local area. See their webiste for what's on. 

Address: 28 Bow Street, WC2E 7AW

Price: Prices start at £480 per night

Closest transport: Covent Garden is a two-minute walk away.

In a part of London dominated by glossy grand dames – your Claridge’s, Connaughts and Berkeleys –The Twenty Two stands out for being something Mayfair rarely does: intimate. Set on the corner of Grosvenor Square in an Edwardian townhouse once home to a duke, this 31-room spot swaps stiff upper lips for velvet-clad charm. It is everything a boutique hotel should: small, stylish and deeply personal. 

The welcome alone sets the tone. Cloaked doormen swing open the doors like it’s a theatrical reveal, ushering you into a mirrored lobby that feels more members’ club than hotel reception. Of course that makes sense because The Twenty Two actually is part members’ club, with Mayfair’s elite dining and dancing downstairs. Still, the vibe upstairs couldn’t be more relaxed. Staff chat like old friends (within hours, you’ll be on first-name terms), and the whole place hums with a sense of mischief.

Every room is different. Some are drenched in wallpaper and chandeliers, others are calmer with pale blue walls and red velvet beds. You might find a cheeky life drawing above the desk, a trompe-l'œil carpet underfoot, or a bottle of bath salts waiting by a marble tub. It’s indulgent but not overdone; luxe with a knowing glance. 

The restaurant is equally seductive. There’sl truffle mash, glossy cocktails and gorgeously buttery pasta; and, if you time it right, you can slip into the member’s club for late-night escapades. But what makes The Twenty Two special isn’t the A-list clientele or the decadent décor; it’s the sense of belonging. Boutique in scale and spirit, this is a hotel that treats you less like a guest, more like part of the secret.

Time Out tip: If you want to party in the onsite nightclub, it is open Thursdays to Sundays.

Address: 22 Grosvenor Square, W1K 6LF

Price: Rooms from £725

Closest transport: Oxford Circus, Green Park and Marble Arch are within a 10-minute walk.