The 11 best luxury hotels in London

When it comes to the height of luxury, you can't beat a royal seal of approval, which this Edwardian five-star received from Her Maj in 2013. The Goring even hosted Kate Middleton and co the night before her wedding (in the Royal Suite no less). First opened in 1910 by the Goring family – who still run it today – the decor remains classic, but contemporary. Dotted about the place, you'll find staff in red tailcoats, on-hand to help with anything and everything. Each of the 69 rooms are uber decadent, with walls covered in hand-woven Gainsborough Silks, bathrooms hewn out of white and black marble and a lighting system that can be set to ‘bright’, ‘cosy’ or ‘Oooh’. The restaurant is Michelin-starred (naturally), the hotel's garden is one of the largest private gardens in the capital and, due to a previous owner’s fondness for toy sheep, each guest gets a cuddly lamb to take home.

Best for English refinement. 

What's nearby? Practically neighbours with Buckingham Palace and only "a toss of a tote" from Knightbridge. 

Selfridges’ former garage was transformed into a sumptuous hotel back in 2014 and what a transformation. Gone are the concrete parking spaces to make way for lovely dark-wood panelling, curvy deco furnishings and Regency-style portraits on the walls: the effect is comfortable and clubby. The Colony Grill does old-world glamour to a tee, with rounded banquettes and country murals. The classic theme continues throughout Le Magritte Bar and Gatsby's Room, the latter of which boasts afternoon tea and a live pianist. If you’re really in the money, you may want to stay in Antony Gormley’s ROOM, a Lego-like, stone sculptural addition to the hotel with a wooden-clad room at its heart.

Best for cosy stays and old-money vibes.

What's nearby? A short walk to the iconic Selfridges and Hyde Park for a stroll by the lake, gardens and fields. 

Enter a world of shining art deco perfection matched with masterful modern touches at Claridge's five-star establishment. Its Reading Room oozes 1930s lounge vibes, there's after-dark glamour in the Fumoir and The Painter's Room flaunts flirty pastels and plump furnishings. Rooms continue the deco theme, with marble galore, pops of gold and sumptuous wood finishes. The spa employs ancient Japanese healing rituals, the afternoon tea looks like a work of art on a plate and, naturally, there are butler and chauffeur services. This is peak luxury.

Best for classic contemporary style.

What's nearby? A tube hop from Oxford Circus and Bond Street for the hight street fashion, high end retail and restaurants. 

It made a successful transition from Whitehall offices to a grand hotel, but the Corinthia wears its status lightly – see its statement spherical lobby chandelier, beneath a central glass dome, sporting one tiny little red crystal globe amid all the white ones. From the stunning, circular Northall restaurant to the high-tech rooms with super-soft furnishings, marble bathrooms – with under-floor heating and bathtubs with built-in TVs – and the peaceful subterranean pool in a spa complex that includes sleep pods and heated loungers, this place plonks you directly in the lap of luxury.

Best for life-size chess chess and rooftop views. 

What's nearby? A leap to the bustling Trafalgar Square, home of the National Gallery and a popular location for demonstrations. 

Boutique luxury is the mark of the Firmdale brand, of which Ham Yard is a part. Designer Kit Kemp’s trademark bold decor mixes are here in spades: dove greys with splashes of bright colours, traditional and contemporary, plain and patterns. Floor-to-ceiling windows bring in light and the whole effect is lovely and sumptuously comfortable. Ham Yard includes a whole central courtyard of curated independent shops, a 190-seat theatre and, on the roof, is a secret, leafy garden.

Best for British design flair and cosy luxury. 

What's nearby? Neighbours with the very swanky Mayfair, home of luxury fashion, restaurants and the very cool food hall Mercato Mayfair.

Foster + Partners drew up the plans for this hotel, so expect cutting-edge design. It starts with the sci-fi check-in, a sleek black and white atrium awash with ethereal projections and bubbly chilling, ready for your arrival. On the first floor, you step inside a black pyramid. Inside, you find yourself in an atrium: looking up nine floors, you’ll see a tiny triangle of light. Rooms are modishly luxurious, in black, white and grey, and public spaces are sleek. There’s something faintly James Bond-esque about the curvy white sofas in the Marconi Lounge. The Radio Rooftop Bar at the peak of the pyramid is also a fab asset.

Best for selfies and panoramas of London on the rooftop. 

What's nearby? Head to Neals Yard for pretty buildings, shops and bakeries.

Time Out tip: Take a tea break and grab a must-try cinnamon bun from Bageriet – a Swedish bakery tucked away in the heart of Covent Garden. 

This place is a stunner: contemporary style in a grand old structure (formerly the Morning Post offices). The striking double-height white lobby has floor-to-ceiling windows, framed in dark wood, and is home to the ever-popular Lobby Bar. Indigo – a Covent Garden mainstay – pays particular attention to independent producers and boasts a great selection of gluten- and dairy-free dishes. Guest rooms are quietly, comfortably luxurious, with original art, and the tranquil subterranean pool doesn’t only look beautiful, it’s also chlorine-free, thanks to a mineral cleaning system, and plays music underwater.

Best for the theatre district.

What's nearby? You're in the heart of it all with the likes of Soho, Piccadilly, Trafalgar Square and Mayfair all close by. 

The Ritz is all about old-school chintz and glamour. The grandeur of the public rooms is something else: the Michelin-starred Ritz Restaurant, where waiters wear pristine white gloves, is a riot of murals, ceiling frescoes, statues and drapes. The Long Gallery goes further, with chandelier-bearing statues, rococo mirrors, pillars and a lot of gilt. Guest rooms have a much-toned-down version of downstairs’ empire-style furnishings and decor, with relaxing pale colours. Needless to say, they are supremely comfortable. Afternoon tea is legendary.

Best for your very own royal affair.

What's nearby? Green Park is practically on your doorstep - the perfect excuse to grab a lime bike – while the British Museum is a stone's throw away.  

Restored to its full neo-Gothic glory, the Renaissance St Pancras oozes high Victorian style and imperial confidence. It boasts a grand staircase – famously featured in the Spice Girls’ ‘Wannabe’ video and 2005's Batman Begins – original arched windows, authentic fleur-de-lys wallpaper, painted ceilings and faux-medieval murals. Most of the guest rooms take a more restrained approach, opting for contemporary luxury. Tiled walls around the blissful underground pool, part of the hotel’s spa facilities, lend a Victorian-Moorish vibe.  

Best for unrivalled historic charm. 

What's nearby? Right by Kings Cross St Pancreas Station for the Eurostar, The Britsh Library for the bookworms and historians, and Coal Drops Yard for one-of-a-kind-boutiques and food stalls.

This hotel really is the Shangri-La of modern luxury. With a location on the 34th to 52nd floors of the Shard, peerless views are a given. Guest rooms – like the public spaces – have wraparound floor-to-ceiling windows (even in the bathrooms) and are furnished in glamorous contemporary Asian style with luxury materials like marble and silks. The indoor Skypool on Level 52 provides a tranquil, if surreal, spot for a swim. There are also four unique dining and drinking venues to choose from: GŎNG, Bar 31, TĪNG and Sky Lounge.

Best for the height of sophistication and sky-high amenities.  

What's nearby? Walk along the iconic London Bridge to enjoy views of the Thames or head to Tower Bridge (the blue one often confused for London Bridge), then Borough Market for great lunch spots and drinks and The Tate Modern for contemporary art exhibitions. 

With staff outnumbering guests by two to one, the boutique five-star Hotel 41 is about all-out indulgence. Given its proximity to Buckingham Palace (less than a five-minute walk along the same road), it’s also about privacy. Hotel 41 is residents-only, with a lift whisking guests from the discreet lobby straight to the fifth floor. At its heart is the clubby executive lounge, with mahogany panelling, glass-domed conservatory ceiling, books and leather armchairs. Here, complimentary snacks are served all day, with scones at teatime and supper-like dishes appearing later on. Luxurious guest rooms are more contemporary, styled in black and white.

Best for exquisite detail and distinct charm. 

What's nearby? If you fancy a historic detour, you're a short distance from the Imperial War Museum for the Churchill War Rooms, and the iconic Banqueting House for the gawkingly stunning Rubens' Ceiling.