Top London Luxury Hotels in Best Locations

London has always been known for 5-star luxury hotels like the Savoy, the Dorchester and Claridge’s, but today there are dozens to choose from in locations all over the city. Whether you want to be in Knightsbridge or Covent Garden, Oxford Street or Holborn, close to Harrods or Hyde Park for the top London shopping, there’s a deluxe hotel to choose from.

Here are just some of the top luxury London hotels, with a note of their locations and their special features:

Berkeley, Wilton Place, Belgravia

Top London chef Marcus Wareing cooks here and it’s one of London’s best dining experiences. There’s luxurious décor throughout, screaming opulence, and the whole is topped by an amazing penthouse pool.

Brown’s, 30 Albemarle Street, Mayfair

Brown’s has been a top London hotel since it opened in 1837. It has 117 rooms spread through 14 town houses close to Berkeley Square in Mayfair. Expect tastefully antique luxury.

Claridge’s, Brook Street, Mayfair

It may date back to 1812 but Claridge’s keeps up with the times and has a fashionable bar, not to mention Michelin-stared chef Gordon Ramsay’s onsite restaurant adding to the cachet.

The Connaught, Carlos Place, Mayfair

5-star luxury and Michelin-starred chef Hélène Darroze are just two of the reasons for choosing the Connaught, which wins accolade after accolade every year and is regularly in the lists of the world’s best hotels.

The Doubletree Hotel Courthouse, 19-21 Great Marlborough Street, Soho/West End

This atmospheric old hotel just off Regent Street has been given a stylish modern makeover to produce one of the new class of luxury London hotels. It has a classy roof terrace, indoor pool, spa, gym, and a great restaurant.

Covent Garden Hotel, 10 Monmouth Street, Covent Garden

Also centrally located in, yes, Covent Garden, this chic 1990s conversion of an old hospital building now attracts movie stars and theatre actors, as well as artists and fashion designers. It quickly became one of The London hotel addresses.

The Dorchester, 53 Park Lane, Mayfair

The Dorchester’s 1930s style has never dated, and it’s a top choice for visiting celebrities, who appreciate the jogging (and photo) opportunities of Hyde Park, right across the street. The Grill restaurant also has acclaimed chef Aiden Byrne in the kitchen. (Here’s a review of Aiden Byrne’s cookbook.)

The Draycott Hotel, 26 Cadogan Gardens, Chelsea

Five-star luxury with a chic Chelsea address, and also a fairly chic celebrity clientele. Complimentary drinks three times a day are a feature here, not normally found in even luxury London lodgings.

Knightsbridge Hotel, 10 Beaufort Gardens, Knightsbridge

Close to Harrods and some of London’s priciest shops and restaurants, as well as museums and not far from Hyde Park, the Knightsbridge has a great location on a quiet square

The Langham, 1c Portland Place, Marylebone/West End

Formerly part of the BBC’s buildings in central London, the Langham was transformed into a luxury hotel in the 1990s. It retains the classic British historic feel but has modern facilities like a spa, sauna and health club.

Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, 66 Knightsbridge, Knightsbridge

The Mandarin name is usually a sign of quality, and that’s the case here with an 1880 building that is the ultimate in luxury inside. Upper floors have outstanding views over Hyde Park and Harrods and other top London shops are a stroll away.

One Aldwych, 1 Aldwych, Holborn/Covent Garden

Historic exterior, cool and classy interior, One Aldwych was ahead of the game when it opened, and aims to keep it that way. It has a spa and a health club with a stunning pool

The Ritz, 150 Piccadilly, St James’s

On busy Piccadilly but also overlooking Green Park, the Ritz first opened its doors in 1906 and is still one of the London landmark hotels over a century later. Tea at the Ritz is still an (expensive) institution, and a recent overhaul has kept the facilities up to modern standards.

The Savoy, Strand, West End/Holborn

The historic Art Deco Savoy Hotel re-opened in fall of 2010 after a multi-million make-over. It’s ideal for London’s theatre-land, and of course has its own Savoy Theatre.

Sheraton Park Lane, Piccadilly, West End/Mayfair

Overlooking Green Park and convenient for Hyde Park, Oxford Street and most of central London, the Art Deco Sheraton is undergoing a program of slow and sympathetic upgrading, without losing its classy British 1920s ambience.