19 best boutique hotels in London, for a stylish stay in the capital

The Standard London is the UK branch of the global hotel chain, which has outposts in all of the world’s sexiest cities – from New York to Bangkok. Opened in July 2019, it contains 266 rooms of varying types, two restaurants (Decimo and Isla), two bars (the Rooftop and Sweeties) and one bar-restaurant (Double Standard). It’s a Michelin Guide Recommended hotel, but it’s also got a lift that flies up and down the outside of the building like Charlie’s Great Glass Elevator. Inside the hotel – a former Camden Town Hall annexe, itself a Brutalist masterpiece preserved from the 1970s – the design principles are bold and graphic, informed by the outer curve of the building. Make sure you get out onto the Rooftop in the summer months – plus you can add a buffet breakfast at Isla as part of your stay. The gym is small but well-equipped, and there's also a plush downstairs common area, The Library Lounge, for working and taking informal meetings. 

Best for: A stay in King’s Cross: one of the best-connected in London. You can be in Soho in about ten minutes – but there’s also plenty of good stuff close by. The achingly contemporary Coal Drops Yard is great for shopping, and you’ll find great restaurants and occasional pop-up events at Granary Square.
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, and add ‘Queen of Sheba’ to your CV. 

5* boutique hotel, South Place Hotel, has a name that makes it sound like an arty Miami Beach transplant, and in some ways it is. The hotel hosts art residencies throughout the year, showcasing work from the likes of Real Hackney Dave. On the day of our visit, the lobby housed one IRL ‘love bomb’ - an eight-foot-tall bomb replica with ‘love’ painted in neon pink paint down its side. The bedrooms also cater to a creative crowd, with bespoke pieces in each of the 80 rooms. Ours was home to record-shaped artwork of 80s new-wave band Altered Images, as well as a rather regal portrait of a faun. There’s also a lot for tech nerds to get excited about, from the Bang and Olufsen TV to the Dyson hairdryer that’s lit up in a cupboard like a rare gem in a heist movie. The 5* touches come out in details like the vegan James Heely toiletries, an entire drawer dedicated to wine glasses and hotel room snacks from indie and eco-friendly brands like Two Farmers, Serious Pig, and Joe and Seph's. Then there's Michelin-starred seafood restaurant Angler, which offers a tasting menu that serves dishes like sea bass tartare and hand-picked Devon crab.

Best for: Setting up base in a major transport hub (Liverpool Street) that’s well-connected to the rest of the city and beyond. Close by, you’ll also find Eataly, a 42,000 square foot Italian food hall, and Spitalfields Market, which sells handmade gifts, vintage clothing as well as street food. 
Time Out tip: Tuck into the magazine selection in your room. The latest issue of Vogue ain’t cheap.

Few London hotels so boldly take inspiration from their surroundings as the Ampersand. Steps from Kensington’s Museums Quarter, this boutique riffs off the studies and research of nearby world-leading institutions like the Science Museum and Natural History Museum, combining it all with many of the bells and whistles of a luxury hotel. From ornithological wallpapers and artworks to complimentary galactic-themed macarons, everything at the Ampersand plays heavily into the hotel’s neighbours. Its ‘science’ afternoon tea spectacularly involves making your own lemonade (with wacky test tubes and all) plus dry-ice and space-themed treats. You’d be hard-pressed to criticise the style or function of any individual pieces within the Ampersand’s rooms, while the first three floors of Victorian ceilings are spacious and fresh. 

Best for: A South Ken stay that has character and plenty of history without being out-dated. The location also keeps you in the loop with many of the city's most significant sites. 
Time Out tip: If you can afford a room at the Ampersand with a standalone bath, get one. Few things make you feel more glam than having a bath, glass of wine in hand, watching a film on a massive telly.

Situated across the road from Henry VIII’s former gaff Hampton Court, The Mitre is a truly charming spot. Its Thames-side location gives it a comforting feel of a lovely English country hotel, while still having the convenience of red double-decker buses chugging past at five-minute intervals. The building is centuries old, and the interior design and overall vibe plays into the building's history just enough without hitting you over the head with it. Lots of nooks and crannies to explore; a beautiful library packed with books (and a jukebox) as well as the odd sitting room. We stayed in the Henry VIII suite on the top floor and what a delight it was. The main bedroom features a huge four poster bed, as well as a lovely sofa, tastefully large TV and views looking straight across at Hampton Court. The pearl in the oyster though was the massive brass bathtub.

Best for: Staying close to Hampton Court Palace and antique shopping at the Hampton Court Emporium. 
Time Out tip: Load up on the excellent breakfast buffet, as a pie with no mash, gravy or veg costs a hefty £15 in the Palace cafe. 

This is the first west London branch of the super-successful boutique chain The Hoxton, and impressively, it has a design sensibility that feels all its own, with flourishes that nod to the neighbourhood’s history and culture. Take, for example, the lobby; a retro-lover’s dream with an earthy wooden front desk offset by colourful mid-century armchairs and loud custom rugs by west London makers Holmes Bespoke. Everywhere you look there are soft textures and curved lines. The rooms feature dramatic wavy headboards by Bute, and warm rattan lampshades play off copper fixtures. It’s worth staying here for the restaurant alone. Chet’s is Thai food like you’ve never tried it, by cult Los Angeles chef Kris Yenbamroong. The restaurant is also the most beautiful space in the hotel, too, elevating a ’60s American diner with soft pastels and a Wes Anderson-esque attention to symmetry.  

Best for: Spending money out and about; you’ve got Shepherd’s Bush Market on your doorstep, and you’re also a short walk from Portobello Road Market and Notting Hill for even more shopping opportunities.
Time Out tip: Did we mention we’re obsessed with Chet’s? The restaurant isn’t just open for dinner. Stick around in the morning for brunch, where you’ll find surprising California-Thai hybrid dishes like chicken and roti waffles, or a Thai omelette with enoki mushrooms. 

A lot of thought has gone into The Laslett. The result? Not just any high-end hotel. Tucked into one of Notting Hill’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. You’ll find the Recharge Rooms downstairs, where there's an intergalactic-looking Ozone machine (one of only two in London, I’m told) which is supposed to promote ‘strategic wellness’. As for the rooms, the minibar is stocked with Torres truffle crisps and mini bottles of prosecco and the bath has little hand-labelled bath salts that look like they’re out of Alice and Wonderland. And sure, it’s got ridiculously high ceilings, a fluffy bed and a Nespresso machine, but the special part is the shelves lined with vintage penguin books and the little cubby corner with cosy armchairs looking out onto the street. Thoughtful details. That's its thing.

Best for: Living out your 'Notting Hill' fantasy, and being within walking distance of a number of attractions like Kensington Palace, the Natural History Museum and the Royal Albert Hall.
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. 

If you want to feel totally zen in busy London, look no further than this calm Japanese spot in a traditional townhouse in Marylebone. Tranquil and minimal is the aethetic here, with each of the 82 rooms kitted out with blonde wood furnishings, crisp white linen and artfully dried flowers. The glamerous wood-clad Malt Lounge and Bar which focusses on premium Japanese whiskey and sake is perfect for enjoying a quiet cocktail and you’ll find Japanese fusion dishes in the TOKii restaurant. There’s also a gorgeous on-site gym and guests can expect a Japanese breakfast in the mornings. 

Best for inner peace.

Believe it or not, The Mandrake is actually inspired by the plant it was named after and remodelled from a RIBA-winning building in Fitzrovia. Just a 2-minute walk from Oxford Street in central London, The Mandrake is in the prime location. Fancy shopping till you drop while you're here? Well this is the place for you. As for food and drink, The Mandrake has a terrace (the Jurema Terrace), an outdoor dining restaurant and YOPO Restaurant and Bar (serving up a Latin American menu).

Best for Instagram likes.

Tired of soulless luxury? Try this creaky Georgian townhouse smothered in period charm: open fires, four-poster beds, clawfoot tubs and brass shower fittings. It’s ye olde meets ye bouji, with a location in monied-but-still-artsy Clerkenwell. There’s no restaurant, but St John or Smiths of Smithfield around the corner are two of the city’s most reliably great eateries. Word to the romantic (and deep of pocket): the split-level Rook’s Nest suite, which has views of St Paul’s Cathedral, is perfect for popping the question.

Best for period charm in a cool (but not too cool) location.

Since its opening back in June 2006, this deserted car park turned trendy destination hotel continues to welcome guests with a vibrant, cosy atmosphere that's only befitting for its hip Hackney postcode. Consider the lobby your living room - with its comfy vintage chairs, exposed brick, mood lighting and loft-style ceilings the space lends itself to a place where you can hang out for a few hours with a book in hand, grab a coffee, or bang out some emails – the Wi-Fi here is on top form and so is the grub actually. Head up to the rooftop to enjoy comforting Peruvian dishes at the Llama Inn accompanied by a selection of natural wines and cocktails. To dine like an American in cosy leather booths, head downstairs to the popular Hoxton Grill – the best spot in town for stateside-inspired dishes.

Best for cosy hangouts and fabulous rooftop dining. 

A meeting of absolute style and convenience takes place at the Great Northern. Opened in 1854 to serve the the many passengers using the then-new King's Cross station, this glorious Victorian five-star provides some much needded tranquility away from the hustle and bustle of the mainlines and Eurostar, without having to walk more than a few feet. On the lower of five floors you'll find two bars and a restaurant, while each upper level contains its own pantry filled with tea, coffee and cake to make up for a lack of room service.

Best for a prequel to Eurostar’s first class.

There’s a lot to recommend here. First there’s the hotel’s location on Monmouth Street, the most attractive street in Covent Garden. Then there’s the decor: each of the 58 rooms displays designer Kit Kemp’s panache for comfort married with talking point interiors: pinstripe wallpaper with floral upholstery, oak and granite bathrooms. There’s a cinema, too, and a peaceful private library and drawing room. And that’s just inside. Bag a table out front and witness the masses strut by, saddled with shopping bags.

Best for a nap after a trip to the Royal Opera House.

Fun fact: It's believed that Johnny Depp and Kate Moss once filled one of the Portobello Hotel's bathtubs with champagne. But that's not all there is to this hotel. It has a cosy and homely vibe, with  luxury décor. As for the rooms, you can expect plasma TVs and wifi along with unique features like round beds and lovely Victorian freestanding bathtubs.

Best for old-school celeb antics.

With its abundance of exposed brickwork, parquet floors, cool bar and buzzing sharing-plate restaurant, Artist Residence is a little slice of Shoreditch in the sleepy-but-convenient environs of Pimlico. It’s the third in a ‘boutique chain’ (the others are in Brighton and Penzance), and offers great value and equally great fun. In an area that isn’t awash with original hotels, this one offers something new and different in a location that’s great for central sights – the river, Westminster Abbey, Tate Britain – as well as Victoria Station.

Best for a hip alternative to Shoreditch.

The Art Deco design of the Town Hall Hotel, combined with its unshakeable utilitarian air, is a truly charming combination and it really does feel like a night spent in a different century. In a world of tasteful blandness and design-by-committee there’s something invigorating about this place’s genuine eccentricities. Food and drink is handled by three separate venues including the Michelin-starred Da Terra and the more informal Brazilian/Italian joint Elis.

If individuality is your thing, look no further than Terence Conran’s Boundary hotel. Each of its 12 rooms and five suites have been uniquely designed, with handmade beds and original artwork. Even the other bits of furniture have their own personalities, having come from high-style brands including Eames, Mies van der Rohe and Le Corbusier. The ground-floor deli-cum-café Albion is lovely, but a touch overrated. We'd advise beelining for the rooftop bar instead, which is one of the East End’s finest spots on a sunny evening. And round the corner is Redchurch Street, which, with its plethora of almost-edgy international boutiques, oozes trendy money.

Best for post-shopping sun-worshipping.

Older Londoners will have fond memories of Kettner’s restaurant, opened in 1867 by Auguste Kettner, chef to Napoleon III, which has been incorporated into this gorgeous new townhouse hotel from the Soho House group. The massive restoration project involved 15 Georgian townhouses, including 11 listed buildings, plus Soho House Greek Street. The result? Thirty-three opulent rooms, from ‘cosy’ to suites, with both original features and twenty-first-century nods to art deco design.

Best for a trip down memory lane.

The first London outpost from the Paris-based Experimental Group, a collective of friends with a love of fine food, wine, cocktails and design. The hotel has 18 bedrooms and suites designed by Dorothée Meilichzon, all of them sporting the appropriate wow-factor: leopard-print wallpaper, marble skirting boards and zingy geometric floor coverings. The 80-seat restaurant is a modern Italian bistro and bar with a menu by Silvio Pezzana and Toto Dell'Aringa (founders of Italian Supper Club).

Best for some frankly OTT decor.

If you’ve come to town to party and shop, this Shoreditch branch of the Dutch chain Citizen M is hard to beat, just stumbling distance from the boutiques on Redchurch Street and Shoreditch’s busiest restaurants, bars and clubs. Non-fussy, ‘affordable luxury’ is what it’s all about, which translates into snappy decor (Vitra furniture in the lobby, mismatched everything) and a fair amount of free stuff too: films, wifi and everything in your fridge. Breakfast is extra, but food and drink (there’s a cocktail bar) are available round the clock. Other locations include Bankside and the Tower of London. 

Best for a bed in the heart of hipsterville.