Top London Hotels: Your Comprehensive Guide to Iconic and Opulent City Stays
London has some of the world’s most famous hotels, known for luxury, history and world-class service. From a 5-star palace to a celebrity-favorite hotel to a historic landmark, London has it all. From The Ritz to The Savoy, these legendary hotels have welcomed royalty, Hollywood luminaires and world leaders for centuries.
Whether you are planning on staying in any of London’s most classic hotels or just want to know which ones redefine the meaning of luxury, elegance, and grandeur, this guide walks you through the most famous London hotels.
WHY STAY AT A FAMOUS LONDON HOTEL?
✔️ Unsurpassed Luxury – Think 5-star service and a Michelin-starred dining experience, matched with extremely lavish suites.
✔️ Historic Charm – Most of these hotels have been welcoming guests for more than a century.
✔️ Great Locations — Stay in or near Buckingham Palace, Hyde Park, Mayfair or along the Thames River.
✔️ Celebrity Hotspots — Find Out Where Hollywood A-Listers, Politicians and Royalty Stay.
Now, let’s take a look at the top hotels in London!
The Ritz London – The Ultimate Indulgence
📍 Location: Piccadilly
⭐ Rating: 5-Star
💰 Price Range: £££££
Why It’s Famous:
The hotel opened in 1906 and is still one of the most luxurious hotels in the world.
Famed for its legendary afternoon tea, Michelin-starred dining and plush rooms.
Visited by royalty, movie stars and world leaders.
Must-Do Experiences:
✔️ Afternoon Tea at The Ritz – an iconic London tradition
✔️ Eat at the Michelin-starred Ritz Restaurant.
✔️ Check into the Royal Suite with stunning views over Green Park.
The Savoy – A Classic London Hotel for All Time
📍 Location: The Strand
⭐ Rating: 5-Star
💰 Price Range: ££££
Why It’s Famous:
Established in 1889 and a haven for icons like Winston Churchill, Marilyn Monroe and The Beatles.
The first hotel in London to boast electric lights and lifts.
Location of the famed Savoy Grill, formerly helmed by Gordon Ramsay.
Must-Do Experiences:
✔️ Have a cocktail at the world famous American Bar.
✔️ Sample the legendary Beef Wellington at the Savoy Grill
✔️ Sleep in a River View Suite facing the Thames.
Claridge’s – The Hotel of Choise for The Royal Family
📍 Location: Mayfair
⭐ Rating: 5-Star
💰 Price Range: ££££
Why It’s Famous:
A favorite of British and European royalty, in particular Queen Elizabeth II.
Renowned for its Art Deco interior and legendary service.
An impressive guest list: Audrey Hepburn, Cary Grant.
Must-Do Experiences:
✔️ Treat yourself to Afternoon Tea in the elegant foyer
✔️ Sleep over in one of the designer suites from Diors or David Linley.
✔️ Indulge in Davies and Brook, the Michelin-starred restaurant
The Dorchester – A Haunt for Stars
📍 Address: Park Lane, Mayfair
⭐ Rating: 5-Star
💰 Price Range: £££££
Why It’s Famous:
Famous for glamorous interiors, Michelin-starred restaurants, and luxurious suites.
Agnes Varda, 90, French filmmaker who addressed the subject of female desire in “Cleo From 5 to 7,” “The Gleaners and I” and more; hosted Elizabeth Taylor, Frank Sinatra and Prince Philip.
Housed in Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester, a three-Michelin-star restaurant.
Must-Do Experiences:
✔️ Savor world-class French fare at Alain Ducasse.
✔️ Book a spa day at The Dorchester Spa
✔️ Book the suite where Elizabeth Taylor spent her honeymoon: the Harlequin Suite.
The Connaught – Chic & Style
📍 Location: Mayfair
⭐ Rating: 5-Star
💰 Price Range: ££££
Why It’s Famous:
A mix of traditional British allure and modern-day luxury
The go-to hotel for artists, writers and fashion designers.
The three-Michelin-starred restaurant, Hélène Darroze at The Connaught.
Must-Do Experiences:
✔️ Grab a drink at the award-winning Connaught Bar.
✔️ Dine on Michelin-starred French cuisine in Hélène Darroze.
✔️ Book the Aman Spa Suite for a private wellness retreat.
The Langham – The Original Home of Afternoon Tea
📍 Location: Marylebone
⭐ Rating: 5-Star
💰 Price Range: ££££
Why It’s Famous:
The Langham, which opened in 1865, is one of London’s oldest luxury hotels.
Known for entertaining Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Oscar Wilde.
And the Artesian Bar, multiple times named the World’s Best Bar.
Must-Do Experiences:
✔️ Enjoy the original Afternoon Tea in Palm Court.
✔️ Have a cocktail at Artesian Bar.
✔️ Stay in a suite with Victorian-tinged elegance.
The Goring – A Royal Favorite
📍 Location: Belgravia
⭐ Rating: 5-Star
💰 Price Range: ££££
Why It’s Famous:
Royal Warrant from the Queen for State purposes, the only London hotel to have this.
Before her wedding to Prince William, Kate Middleton spent the night here.
Traditional British elegance with faultless service.
Must-Do Experiences:
✔️ For a real royal experience, stay in the Royal Suite.
✔️ Sample classic British fare at The Dining Room.
✔️ Enjoy a private garden afternoon tea experience
Brown’s Hotel – The Oldest Luxury Hotel In London
📍 Location: Mayfair
⭐ Rating: 5-Star
💰 Price Range: ££££
Why It’s Famous:
London’s first hotel, which opened in 1837.
The UK’s venue for Alexander Graham Bell’s first-ever phone call.
One of Queen Victoria’s and Agatha Christie’s favorites.
Must-Do Experiences:
✔️ Indulge in an afternoon tea at The Drawing Room.
✔️ Sleep in another era in an antique-furnished suite.
✔️ Challenging the world order: dine at the Charlie’s restaurant for modern British fare.
Final Thoughts – The Spell of London’s Legendary Hotels
It’s not just a luxe journey, however, as staying at a famous London hotel is an adventure in its own right, taking you into the world of history, sophistication and top-notch service. From royalty-approved suites and celebrity hot spots to historic grandeur, London’s iconic hotels deliver unforgettable stays.
💡 If you could only check into one of these legendary hotels, which one is it? Let us know in the comments!
