For London’s best views, it’s a no-brainer. The Shangri-La inhabits floors 34-52 of The Shard, Western Europe’s tallest building, so on a clear day you can pretty much see the whole city (unless you book one of the cheaper, south-facing rooms). A less welcome aspect of the impressive floor-to-ceiling glass is that you can also see your neighbours in their room. Awkward! (Don’t worry, there are blinds for the timid.) Rooms are furnished in glamorous Asian contemporary style with luxury materials such as marble and silk, and they all contain binoculars, making it obvious that the star of the show was always going to be the vista.
Mood? Panoramic views all round.
Location perks? In the heart of Central with so much within easy walking distance.
Budget range? As spenny as you'd expect – but so worth it.
As in any world-class city, there’s no shortage of five-star hotels in London. In fact, there are close to 100, making it the city with the most five-star hotels and pipping Dubai to the post. But how much choice is too much choice? That's an awful lot of reviews to read through… Just as well, then, we’ve narrowed it down to the cream of the crop so you don't have to: ten luxury hotels with tip-top service, outstanding restaurants and plenty of creature comforts. There are famous London institutions such as The Ritz and Claridge’s on our list, but we’ve also included exciting newbies such as The Ned and Sea Containers London. So if you’ve got cash to splash, go spoil yourself at one of these high-flying venues for a superior London sleepover.
Looking for more options? Check out London’s best Airbnbs
Want the whole list? Try our full guide to the best hotels in London
Who makes the cut? While we might not stay in and review every hotel featured, we've based our list on our expert knowledge of the destination covered, editorial reviews, user reviews, hotel amenities and in-depth research 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.