London, with its neon-lit markets, double-decker bustle, and endless creative pockets, also happens to be my home. I might be a little biased, but I genuinely think some of the hotels here are spectacular! From striking modern landmarks to intimate boutique gems, these are my favourite stylish stays that capture the city’s love for the extraordinary, the eccentric, and the impeccably designed…
1. Treehouse Hotel
This seriously Insta-worthy Marylebone boutique instantly won me over — eco-conscious, playful, and full of imaginative details like reclaimed timber, trailing greenery, colourful kilim rugs, and whimsical childhood nods!
My Superior Queen Room featured a raw concrete ceiling and a cosy window ledge made for people-watching, as well as charming touches like vintage stuffed toys and even a tiny birdhouse. I dined on Wild Mushroom Enchiladas Verde at the eclectic Madera Mexican restaurant before exploring the surrounding chic boutiques!
- To book, check prices or dates for Treehouse Hotel
Location: Marylebone | Nearest Tube: Oxford Circus (5 min walk) | Price range: £££ | Vibe: Playful, eco-minded, design-forward
My personal highlights…
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Sipping a neon-bright Homemade Blue Raspberry Tequila as the London Eye and The Shard shimmered beneath me in the trendy Nest Rooftop Bar!
2. nHow Hotel
Shoreditch energy ran through this bold lifestyle hotel — industrial interiors layered with neon signage, graffiti murals, and playful London references gave it a youthful, rebellious edge that I saw attracted a creative, digital-nomad crowd!
I stayed in a Deluxe Superior Room with a raw concrete ceiling, Union Jack–style rug, neon-green skyline wall, and “London Calling” artwork, then ate Peruvian cazuelas at Guilty before relaxing in the DJ-led lobby beside the hotel’s surprisingly calm garden area. It’s lively, so not the place for an early night.
- To book, check prices or dates for nHow Hotel
Location: Shoreditch | Nearest Tube: Old Street (8 min walk) | Price range: ££ | Vibe: Bold, creative, youthfully rebellious
My favourite highlights…
- Trying their “Tea Time” cocktail – a mix of Earl Grey-infused gin and botanical flavors in their trendy Bell & Whistle Bar and Restaurant!
3. Mama Shelter
Urban-chic and unapologetically playful, this design-led Shoreditch stay mixed peacock pillows, life-sized bronze dogs, and fringed jellyfish lampshades into a creative clubhouse atmosphere rather than a traditional hotel feel (which I loved)!
I stayed in a Large Double Room with cartoon masks, funky monochrome tables, and a doodle-covered chalkboard, then followed the vanilla-and-musk–scented corridors to the greenhouse-style bar for an Espelette Sunset cocktail made with the hotel’s own hot pepper — not one for traditional travellers.
- To book, check prices or dates for Mama Shelter
Location: Shoreditch | Nearest Tube: Bethnal Green (10 min walk) | Price range: ££ | Vibe: Social, quirky, artist-hangout energy
My personal highlights…
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All the entertainment — I played Pac-Man, challenged guests to foosball and Connect Four, and even belted out a slightly out of tune “Shake It Off” in the private karaoke room!
4. The Exhibitionist
Art took most definitely took centre stage at this 5-star South Kensington hotel, where rotating exhibitions, contemporary sculptures, and themed suites created a very fashion-forward, gallery-like stay!
My Trash City Suite felt like an immersive art installation, with exposed brick, Dotmasters neon, stencil street art, and I adored the quirky touches like the mannequin-lamp in the lobby. I capped off with the Urban Fragments exhibition and learning about their artist collaborations with a Cucumber Basil Smash in the cocktail bar!
- To book, check prices or dates for The Exhibitionist Hotel
Location: South Kensington | Nearest Tube: South Kensington (5 min walk) | Price range: ££££ | Vibe: Artistic, edgy, gallery-style luxury
My highlights…
- All the high-end touches such as the underfloor heating, the Kit&Kin eco-friendly designer toiletries, and the exceptionally silky high-thread-count Egyptian cotton sheets!
5. Yotel
I personally thought this tech-savvy 4-star Clerkenwell hotel nailed futuristic, airline-inspired design, with glossy neon accents and a soaring glass atrium that flooded the lounge with light.
My cabin-style room featured a SmartBed that flipped from sofa to bed at the touch of a button, hidden storage, and a spacious bathroom with YOTEL’s lavender toiletries. I worked in the co-working areas, sipped a Camden Hells in Komyuniti, and enjoyed a spinach frittata at breakfast.
- To book, check prices or dates for Yotel Clerkenwell
Location: Clerkenwell | Nearest Tube: Farringdon (6 min walk) | Price range: ££ | Vibe: Sleek, tech-savvy, efficient
My personal highlights…
- Their futuristic “Mission Control” station (aka the reception!) which had glowing purple lights, touchscreen kiosks, and instant key card pickup – it was both super quick and very sci-fi!
6. The Standard Hotel
Retro-futuristic design defined this King’s Cross boutique, where a former Brutalist building now features splashes of 1970’s colour, velvet seating, a vinyl-lined Library Lounge, and that iconic (but slightly hair-raising) bright red external lift!
I stayed in a Deluxe King Room with curved windows overlooking St Pancras, a cobalt-blue carpet, a walnut minibar full of truffle crisps, and a retro control panel to set the mood, then explored the hidden recording studio before smoked-paprika hispi cabbage at Decimo and a laid-back ambient DJ set.
- To book, check prices or dates for The Standard Hotel
Location: King’s Cross | Nearest Tube: King’s Cross St Pancras (1 min walk) | Price range: ££££ | Vibe: Retro-futuristic, creative, buzzy
My highlights…
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Taking the Insta-worthy pillar-box red capsule elevator up to the rooftop bar was a real thrill — and I celebrated with their signature St. Pancras Spritz!
7. Sunborn Yacht Hotel
Moored on the Thames, this floating 4-star hotel felt more like a luxury superyacht than a city stay to me, with nautical–Art Deco interiors finished in polished teak, gleaming brass, and statement chandeliers.
I opted for the Executive King Room with teak panelling, brass accents, touchpad controls, a marble-accented en-suite, and a balcony overlooking the Royal Docks — complete with round portholes — before enjoying a Chapel Down Brut in the glam bar, an Elemis detox wrap in the spa, and an easy DLR hop to Canary Wharf!
Location: Royal Victoria Dock | Nearest DLR: Royal Victoria (2 min walk) | Price range: £££ | Vibe: Nautical, indulgent, quietly glamorous
- To book, check prices or dates for Sunborn Yacht Hotel
My favorite highlights…
- Enjoying a mushroom arancini and spring vegetable risotto in their The Lands End Restaurant while gazing the Thames – the gentle movements of the lapping waves added to the whole dining on a yacht experience!
8. Sea Containers
My short video of outside the SeaContainers Hotel…
Riverfront glamour defined this 5-star South Bank hotel, where ocean-liner design cues — copper-hull details, curved walls, walnut panelling, and rope lighting — created a polished, cruise-ship feel which Instagrammer’s loved!
I stayed in a River View Balcony Suite with slate-grey panelling, oak floors, magenta velvet accents, and brass finishes, then caught a Curzon screening of La La Land, ordered Forest Mushroom Orecchiette, and ended the night with a Smoked Negroni on the rooftop alongside live house-and-disco DJ sets. It’s not cheap, but it’s a fantastic splurge.
- To book, check prices or dates for Sea Containers Hotel
Location: South Bank | Nearest Tube: Blackfriars (7 min walk) | Price range: ££££ | Vibe: Glamorous, design-led, riverside
My personal highlights…
- Indulging in their innovative signature Reparative Facial treatment which used the patented skin-care complex the NAC Y2 formula at their cocoon-like Luxury Spa by Agua!
9. The Hoxton
My short video of inside the Hoxton Hotel…
Creative Shoreditch energy defined this design-forward boutique, where exposed brick, wire shelves of books, mid-century sofas, and softly lit artisan spirits created a relaxed and very social atmosphere (so it also doubled as a local hangout)!
I stayed in a Cosy Double with pale sage panelling, a huge circular mirror, a tan leather desk chair, a powder-blue radio, and cone pendant lights, then ate basil-rich rigatoni and settled in by the open lobby fire with a Vespa Primo — unfussy, compact, and very well designed.
Location: Shoreditch | Nearest Tube: Old Street (7 min walk) | Price range: ££ | Vibe: Relaxed, creative, social-lobby feel
- To book, check prices or dates for The Hoxton Hotel
My highlights…
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I thought the complimentary ‘Lite Breakfast Bag’—granola, fresh fruit, and orange juice delivered to my room each morning—was such a lovely personal touch!
10. NYX Hotel Holborn by Leonardo
High-energy and unapologetically glam, this Holborn hotel layered neon lighting, pop-art murals, velvet seating, and gold accents into a bold boutique-club atmosphere that I couldn’t get enough of!
I checked into a Superior Double with an inky abstract feature wall, deep plum curtains, a cherry-red SMEG minibar, and playful details like an arcade console and slogan light, then enjoyed a live DJ set on the rooftop, a swim in the art-lined indoor pool, and cute pistachio macarons with smoked-apple scones at afternoon tea.
- To book, check prices or dates for NYX Hotel Holborn by Leonardo
Location: Holborn | Nearest Tube: Holborn (5 min walk) | Price range: £££ | Vibe: Urban-glam, high-energy, nightlife-leaning
My personal highlights…
- Indulging in a fragrant Aromatherapy Massage which used a mix of sweet almond, jojoba and thistle oil in their Insta-worthy Rena Spa!
11. Zedwell
Minimalism was most definitely the point at this budget-friendly Piccadilly hotel, where tunnel-like corridors, pale birch timber, and amber lighting create a calm retreat inside the old Trocadero.
My unique Cocoon 2 sleep pod came with with a futon-style bed tucked into an oak alcove, purified air, blackout and soundproofing, and no TV or phone, then joined a Morning Flow yoga class and unwound with a quinoa–avocado bowl and turmeric tea in the lounge.
- To book, check prices or dates for Zedwell Piccadilly
Location: Piccadilly Circus | Nearest Tube: Piccadilly Circus (1 min walk) | Price range: £ | Vibe: Minimalist, wellness-focused, sleep-centric
My highlights…
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The wellness-focused details — the hypoallergenic Egyptian-cotton bedding and the supportive Hypnos mattress (designed to follow the contours of the body and alleviate pressure points) helped me drift into a very deep, blissfully uninterrupted sleep!
12. Ruby Lucy
Just steps from Waterloo Station, this 4-star boutique embraced a mischievous carnival aesthetic, with fairground lighting, jewel-toned velvet, guitars, and bold red accents that formed a relaxed, creative vibe.
My Wow Room featured floor-to-ceiling sheers, a cool floating bed, a weathered leather armchair, and a bicycle-wheel wall sculpture. I played music through the Marshall amp, used the in-room tablet, and spent time in the lively 24/7 bar and retro co-working space.
Location: Waterloo | Nearest Tube: Waterloo (5 min walk) | Price range: ££ | Vibe: Playful, retro-cool, laid-back luxury
- To book, check prices or dates for Ruby Lucy Hotel
My highlights…
- Trying their innovative sleep-inducing “Lucy’s Lullaby” cocktail which was infused with chamomile and agave and helped me unwind before bed!
13. CitizenM
This tech-forward Tower Hill boutique impressed me a lot with its awesome smart rooms, floor-to-ceiling windows, bold colours, Vitra furniture, and contemporary art. The social atmosphere made it very popular with solo travellers and digital nomads.
My compact King Room with a huge window framing the Shard, an oversized bed, a red balloon-dog sculpture, and a MoodPad tablet that controlled the room, then ate at canteenM, browsed a Taschen London architecture book, and made the most of the lightning-fast Wi-Fi.
- To book, check prices or dates for CitizenM, Tower Bridge
Location: Tower Hill | Nearest Tube: Tower Hill (3 min walk) | Price range: ££ | Vibe: Tech-forward, social, design-centric
My personal highlights…
- Sipping on the light, elegant, and floral gin cocktail the London Rose in their rooftop bar while gazing at views of the Tower of London, Tower Bridge, The Shard, and Trinity Square.
14. The Good Hotel
A short video of my trip to the Good Hotel…
I was very impressed how both community and calm come together at this floating Royal Victoria Dock hotel, where raw concrete, exposed metal, reclaimed wood, and warehouse windows create a laid-back industrial look.
I stayed in a minimalist Double Room that felt like a cosy cabin on the water, with reclaimed wood, a porthole window, and simple metal shelving, then relaxed with a Hackney Brewery pale ale and dockside views from the rooftop deck chairs. It’s slightly out of the centre, but was peaceful and refreshingly different.
- To book, check prices or dates for Good Hotel
Location: Royal Victoria Dock | Nearest DLR: Royal Victoria (4 min walk) | Price range: ££ | Vibe: Calm, socially conscious, community-driven
My personal highlights…
- Learning that the friendly staff at the desk were actually former unemployed locals, trained as part of the hotel’s commitment to hire 15 new people every three months!
15. The Pilgrm
I adored how character and cosiness came first at this Paddington boutique, where restored Victorian townhouses feature mosaic floors, exposed brickwork, a grand staircase, and cosy mid-century touches throughout.
I booked into a pet-friendly Large Double with a bespoke wooden bed, fresh white linens, walnut parquet floors, and tall sash windows, then grabbed a vanilla bean cappuccino, tested out the Marshall Bluetooth speakers, and cycled over to Hyde Park on one of the hotel’s bikes!
- To book, check prices or dates for The Pilgrm Hotel
Location: Paddington | Nearest Tube: Paddington (2 min walk) | Price range: ££ | Vibe: Warm, characterful, home-from-home
My highlights…
- The social vibe – I found it was very easy to strike up a conversation with the friendly staff and fellow guests. My breakfast was also fantastic, especially the gooey French toast which came drenched in Nutella and orange blossom honey!
Author’s Note:
I live in London (when I’m not travelling) and have personally stayed in every hotel on this list and I took local photos and videos. All impressions, and details come from my own visits — nothing is sponsored!
Wow, I love the look of all these hotels especially the nHow hotel!
Love this post, some of the designs of these hotels are seriously beautiful! I love 3 and 6 best!
Wow some of these hotels are seriously stunning, I love the look of the Hoxton and nHow hotel!
What a beautiful collection of hotels. Thanks Becky for the article.I would like the Urban country Lodge. 🙂
The Hoxton is fantastic, good choice Marc we loved our stay there and such a cool area too!
I’d like to visit soho hotel because it looks more comfortable, includes more services and of course is more modern.
These hotels have really touched on everything that I would expect from a hotel in London. They are very sleek, yet have an air of romance and of course many of them also feature Victorian architecture. When people go to London, I am sure many of them (especially tourists) want to feel like a king or queen; and of course they can get that if they choose the right place to stay. I myself really like the Rough Luxe. It just seems sort of grungy, but also Victorian in many respects.
Good choice – it’s a very unique hotel!
An impressive list of places-have stayed at Hoxton and even if you can’t grab one of their £1 hotel offers you can get rooms for £29 or £59 booking in advance.
Zetter is the other place I have stayed and reviewed-beautiful hotel with lots of nice features especially their own bottled water, bit of a miracle given how poor water quality is in London…..
Have to bookmark your site and have a gander later…
Hello from Kash aka @budgettraveller
Great thanks!
interesting collection of hotels I’ll hopefully try one of them out when I visit London next.:))
Wow Becky, what a fantastic post!
I love the Hoxton Hotel and have been lucky enough to snag a £1 room again this round. Looking so forward to my stay!
Thanks for great ideas from all around town!
Kathryn @Travelfusion
Hey thanks Kathryn glad you like it! I’m impressed you managed to get a room in the Hoxton room sale. I’ve signed up now and hoping for the best!
Good luck to you! Our stay was this past Saturday and couldn’t have been better. It’s a great spot and it doesn’t hurt that the prices are so reasonable and the rooms so nicely decorated!
Fingers crossed you get a room in the next round!
Kathryn @Travelfusion
Thanks Kathryn I’m going to keep trying!