Bryan Mayes

Need a place to stay in London? We’re here to make it easy for you. Even now, a wealth of new hotels are opening – which we reckon is a testament to the fact that London remains one of the most desirable places to visit in the world. Many of the hotels listed below are incredible enough to have made it straight into the Time Out top 20, but our hand-picked list of the best hotels covers locations right across the capital, and every category from blowout luxury (including having your own butler, might we add) to budget basic and brilliant.We’ve listed everything from five-star hotels in Mayfair to incredibly affordable hotels in some of London’s very best neighbourhoods. Plus you’ll be able to check out one or two of the capital's many Michelin-starred restaurants because yep, loads of them call London hotels their home. But if spending a small fortune on food isn’t your bag? There’s also an ever-increasing number of good-value food options for budgeteers, too. Throw great design and architecture into the mix, plus superb bars, world-class hospitality and the opportunity to have a home-from-home in the best city in the world and, well, you’re laughing. Basically, you’re totally spoilt for choice. So, read on, decide where to stay in London, and ready yourself for a hotel visit like no other. Enjoy! Looking for even more options? Check out London’s best Airbnbs. Keen on a steamy night in? Check out London's best hotels for sex. Who makes the cut? While we might not stay in eve

London is full of glitz, glamour, and very swanky places. And if you want to stay somewhere with character and individuality, give the chain hotels a day off and head to one of London’s gorgeous boutique hotels. There are plenty of brilliant smaller hotels in London to suit everyone’s taste, from cosy hipster hangouts to extravagant, super-central lodgings that give London’s five-star institutions a run for their money. With artfully designed rooms, well-considered service and quirky extra touches, London’s best boutique hotels are all about being a little less fusty and a lot more on-trend.  Looking for more options? Check out London’s best Airbnbs. Who makes the cut? While we might not stay in every hotel featured, we've based our list on top reviews, hosts and amenities to find you the best stays. This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines.

With blockbuster exhibitions like ‘Marina Abramović’ at the RA and ‘Diva’ at the V&A, massive new shows including ‘My Neighbour Totoro’ and ‘A Little Life’, and the reopening of both Young V&A and the National Portrait Gallery, 2023 really feels like the year London’s arts and culture scene finally got over the lingering effects of the panny d. Got a culture-obsessed bestie who’s always on the way to the next big opening? Treat them to something from here. Looking for more inspiration? Check out our seriously cool Christmas Gift Guide

It’s that time of year again – time for the legendary, heroic and what some are calling era-defining Time Out Christmas sandwich taste test. Our team have tirelessly trawled London’s high streets, foodie markets and bakeries for the mightiest seasonal sarnie of the year, leaving no chiller cabinet unturned. After all, the true meaning of Christmas is surely all about putting some vaguely festive fillings between two slices of bread. Let battle commence. RECOMMENDED: For more festive fun here’s our guide to the best Christmas markets in London.  And don’t miss the best Christmas events, either. 

One of my greatest pleasures in life is watching documentaries in the bath. Laptop on the toilet seat, boiling hot water (I bring the kettle), candles and a cheap glass of wine. And Icon: Music Through the Lens is top of my bath-time greatest hits list. I discovered it when I randomly woke up at 4am. My mother-in-law was asleep in the living room of our one-bedroom flat, so I had no choice but to go hang out in the bathroom and see what I could find on Now TV. Icon is a six-part docuseries where each episode is dedicated to a different discipline of music photography. Album covers, live photography, backstage: it pretty much covers it all. The one that spoke to me most tackled the art of magazine covers but, frankly, they’re all utterly compelling. It was reassuring to hear that these prestigious photographers have had to deal with the same problems I have in my job. Musicians don’t all like having their photo taken. They don’t always want to smile, they’re often late and you don’t get much time with them. Listening to how different people approach these problems is fascinating. Although some of them have reached the holy grail of becoming mates and going down the pub with the stars afterwards, a lot of these photographers have had to do things to ‘get the shot’ that mean the subject doesn’t really like them at the end. The latter sounds more familiar. I mean, I’m pretty sure John Boyega thinks I’m a dick.Overall though, it’s just great to hear the stories behind the photogr

Situated on a quiet corner of Belgravia, The Hari offers laid-back luxury that’s a stones throw from the opulence of Knightsbridge and Sloane Square. Upon entry you’re welcomed by friendly staff and a stylish reception area that immediately lets you know you’re in good hands.  There’s a bit of a mid-century feel to the bar area, with cool and cosy fixtures and fittings. The wide collection of books covering the walls and tables is genuinely inviting and well curated. It’s warm, cosy and, frankly, makes you crave a cocktail immediately.  The rooms have a lighter, brighter feel, and as you’d expect from the hotel’s five-star rating, they want for absolutely nothing. We found a nicely stocked minibar, thoughtful treats for the kids and plenty of room to swing a cat… or child…. or lots of Harrods shopping bags, depending on your preference. Il Pampero, The Hari’s restaurant, is probably the highlight of any stay. It’s got a lovely trattoria vibe and when you’re at your table it in no way feels like a hotel. Dark green wood-panelled walls, cafe curtains, tasteful lighting and lots of cosy curved little booths for two, give it a warm and romantic feel. The kind of place you’d walk past, stop, peep through the window and then go in for a try.  Neighbourhood The hotel is nicely situated for exploring the central-west part of town. Ten minutes walk north and you’re in Hyde Park, for views of the Serpentine, art, great playgrounds and peaceful strolls. Ten minutes south and you’re in K

Whether you’re a family travelling from far-flung east London like ourselves, or a history buff out-of-towner looking to immerse yourself in some Tudor vibes, The Mitre is an ideal place to stay. Situated across the road from Henry VIII’s former gaff Hampton Court, you literally couldn’t be closer. Let’s be honest, you’re only really in this neck of the woods for one reason and that palace is bloody massive, so when you’ve finally found your way out of the maze, having this place a zebra crossing away from the main entrance is a blessed relief. Especially when you have two kids in tow, one of which ‘can’t walk anymore’ and needs to be carried.  The Mitre is a truly charming spot. Situated on the Thames, it has the comforting feel of a lovely English country hotel, while still having the convenience of red double-decker buses chugging past at five minute intervals. Historically, the building is centuries old, built in 1665 and was first used as a place to stay for folk who weren’t quite high enough on the social ladder to be staying within the walls of The Court. Perhaps the modern day equivalent would be knowing someone with a Soho House membership, but not actually having one yourself. The interior design and overall vibe plays into the building's history just enough without hitting you over the head with it. Subtle hints and cutely named rooms, rather than making you feel like you’re staying in some tacky mediaeval knights tourist trap. It has a wonderfully warm feel to it.

Photographer Aaron Parsons has been taking shots on London’s tube network as he’s used it during lockdown. The resulting series, ‘London’s Lonely Underground’ is a beguiling – sometimes unnerving – view of some of the busiest places in the capital empty of people. He explains how it came about, and what it means to him and to London. I keep hearing how this latest lockdown has been tougher for people than before. There were elements of the first one that I think some people actually embraced. The world stopping for a while: planes were grounded and our skies took a breather. Personally, my photographic eyes were opened to the simpler things in life on the walks that were in the close vicinity. Spring was springing and you had a proper chance to watch it bloom. But in complete polarity, this darker, winter lockdown has been a real challenge both in terms of mental health and for general photographic inspiration. I’ve been lucky enough to still have some work coming in and I’ve been involved in socially distanced shoots on location as well as capturing products in my home studio. For some of these shoots, I’ve had to travel on London Underground. This is a system, a world deep below the bustling capital, that I have always admired, both visually and in terms of its industrial prowess. However, travelling on the tube during a national lockdown proved an entirely different prospect so I decided to capture what I saw.  ‘London’s Lonely Underground’ is a photographic series documen

Ah, working from home. 'WFH' as some would have it. Sometimes it's alright. And sometimes it's absolutely unequivocally not alright. Never before have so many Londoners spent all their time behind the same four walls. A few months ago South London photographer Sam Mellish decided he wanted to dedicate a whole project to this bizarre yet historic phenomenon. We caught up with him and asked him to talk us through some of the photos. 'Created over five afternoons in late January, 'Home Work' is an observation of people working from home, taken from an outside perspective,' says Sam. 'Starting out from my home in West Norwood, I would spend about three hours wandering and on average capture about three images during that time. Having had newborn twins in the first lockdown, and keen to take them on daily walks, I began noticing more and more people, often sat in isolation by a window with a laptop or desktop, eyes glued to their screen. Lockdown has shifted the way people work and I wanted to document this moment.'  Photograph: Sam Mellish 'Jacob Alplund works in finance and proceeded to apologise for not wearing a suit when he answered the door. Captured in Tooting, 2021.'   Photograph: Sam Mellish 'Chloe Turner is working from home for the NHS track and trace team. Before lockdown, Chloe was working as a theatre stage manager. Dulwich, 2021.'   Photograph: Sam Mellish  'DJ working from home as a social impact investor in Dulwich. January, 2021.'   Photograph: Sam Mellish

While you've been sitting around in your pants having an existential crisis, London's fine illustrators have been... drawing pictures of themselves sat around in their pants having an existential crisis. Yes, many of the talented artists Time Out works with have spent the past year capturing the intricacies of lockdown in bright technicolour and embarrassing detail – and, to be honest, we're here for it. Nothing is more cathartic than seeing a pandemic habit you thought was weird, disgusting and unique to you, reflected back at you as a widespread trend. And for that we're very grateful. That's why we've decided to use our platform to give a shout out to some of our favourite London doodlers. We asked them to send over a piece of work they’ve made during lockdown and the results are bloody wonderful. Take a look through and if you like what you see chuck ’em a follow on Insta. We love them and we can’t wait to work with them again.   Kieran Glennon ‘This illustration sums up everyone’s boredom and impatience with the pandemic. Personally, I was looking forward to the introduction of 2021 but now I see that maybe I was a little naive. It isn't all doom and gloom though. The image was made whilst being excited about the future and what life could be after boring, old COVID.’ Follow Kieran on Instagram here.     Naomi Anderson-Subryan ‘My illustration is about the days which turn rapidly into nights, and before you know it you find yourself uttering those familiar words alm