Top 12 Cool and Unique Hotels in London

A city of true originality, quirkiness, and English eccentricity, London is also my home and I may be a little biased but I honestly think some of the hotels here are seriously spectacular!

From large and modern to intimate boutiques here are my favorite trendy spots that reflect the city’s taste for the extraordinary and the impeccably designed…

1. nHow Hotel

I loved this trendy lifestyle hotel! Located near buzzy Angel Islington, the design is fun and fashionable, and the vibe is playful and youthful, with fun staff to match!

The lobby is seriously wow-inducing, and my guest room was spacious for a city hotel room. It was a riot of colour with a high-end style mixed with graffiti-style art and pop art! It also came with comforts like satellite channels and an espresso machine.

Other stand-out features include an on-site restaurant serving meat-free options and a great breakfast, a zen-like garden, a stylish bar, and an onsite gym. I’d recommend taking advantage of the bike loans they offer so you can explore the city! 

• To book, check prices or dates for nHow Hotel

2. Mama Shelter

I was a big fan of this affordable boutique! Located in hipster-friendly Shoreditch, the design is creative, funky, and friendly—and —bonus—affordable, too!

I loved the details, such as the chalkboard ceiling, metal dog sculptures, bejewelled Darth Vader masks, and retro arcade machines.

My modern room featured flat-screen TVs and minifridges, and there’s also a hip onsite restaurant, a strikingly gorgeous – and fun – garden bar, and even Japanese-style karaoke rooms!

If you’re a beer fan, I’d recommend trying their very own blond ale beer and hot espelette pepper, which are delicious! Come to Mama, I promise you won’t regret it!

• To book, check prices or dates for Mama Shelter

3. The Exhibitionist 

I found it like a communal art gallery, home to rotating installations and set art pieces. I loved the gigantic marble bull guarding the door and an imposing mannequin/lamp in the bar!

It’s located in the upscale central location of the stylish shopping haven Kensington (only a 4-minute walk from South Kensington tube station and a 6-minute walk from the Victoria and Albert Museum and opposite the Natural History Museum). 

Other amenities include flat-screen TVs, iPads, free Wi-Fi, elegantly styled bathrooms with underfloor heating and rainfall showers, a swish onsite restaurant, a fashionable bar, and a (non-exhibitionist!) spa.

If you can afford it, I highly recommend booking a penthouse suite, as you get your own patio or jacuzzi! 

• To book, check prices or dates for The Exhibitionist Hotel

4. Yotel

I’m a big fan of this futuristic, highly rated, 4-star, trendy hotel. It is eco-friendly, high-tech, and ultra-modern, with a strong Japanese influence.

It’s located in the creative and buzzy, sought-after Clerkenwell neighbourhood, which is filled with great bars and restaurants. It’s about a 16-minute walk from St. Paul’s Cathedral.

In this version of the hugely successful chain, there are 212 minimalist ‘cabins’ or larger guest rooms which feature innovative technology, their signature SmartBed™, Wi-Fi, smart HDTVs, rainfall showers and a clean, chic white design.

Some rooms offer gorgeous city views and added seating areas, too. I’d recommend families book the Premium Triple room for the extra space and beds. 

Also on site, I found the Komyuniti, a hip but laid-back bar and restaurant serving street food-inspired cuisines, cocktails and craft beers, a funky co-working space, and a 24-hour gym. Breakfast is also available onsite.

Alternatively, you can opt for the newly opened Yotel Shoreditch in one of the city’s most hipster-friendly spots – so quite a choice! 

• To book, check prices or dates for Yotel Clerkenwell

5. The Standard Hotel

I’m a big fan of this hotel with impeccable credentials (the same hotelier who founded the Chiltern Firehouse and Chateau Marmont) and where the bold and beautiful flock in droves! 

The exceptionally rated 5-star hotel is in the increasingly gentrified and lively Kings Cross area, just 10 minutes from Central St.Martins. 

Inside I found this place to be a dream, a fun, striking, and Instagrammable kind of dream. There’s a funky retro-inspired design, rooftop open-air baths (yes!), a library, a trendy sound studio hosting regular live music, and a 24-hour gym. I’d recommend trying my favourite feature, a windowless “deep listening” room that rejuvenates you during the day! 

The guest rooms feature Bang & Olufsen Bluetooth speakers, outdoor bathtubs, and minifridges containing vegan protein balls and truffle crisps—small details count!

Other amenities include casual eats and beer in the on-site bar, small-sharing plates at Isla, and Michelin-starred delights on the trendy top-floor restaurant overseen by top chef Peter Sanchez-Iglesias. 

• To book, check prices or dates for The Standard Hotel

7. Sunborn Yacht Hotel

This is my favourite spot for a classy, unique, and elegant city stay! Moored in the Docklands, it’s located across from the ExCel London convention centre and connected to the city centre via the Docklands Light Railway, a 20-minute train ride (and is also close to the O2 Centre and Canary Wharf).

High-tech and high-spec, the Sunborn has luxurious interiors with an elegant and nostalgic Art Deco feel – think shiny brass railings, lashings of teak, a showy spiral staircase, and sparkling chandeliers.

Classic rooms/cabins can be spacious and feature en-suite bathrooms, flat-screen TVs, Wi-Fi, touch-pad room controls, air conditioning, and my favourite – the cute pot-holes! 

There’s also a sleek bar and a modern-day spa, and prices start from only £100 a night, so it’s not bad at all! The views from the deck are worth a stay in themselves, and its peaceful location while still being very accessible to the city centre was another bonus for me!

Before leaving, I’d suggest having a signature cocktail (or mocktail) in the Sundown Bar; the views at night are very romantic! 

• To book, check prices or dates for Sunborn Yacht Hotel

8. Sea Containers

This gorgeous upscale hotel on the River Thames is a true Instagrammer’s dream! The 5-star, exceptionally rated Sea Containers Hotel is an ultra-chic and very large design hotel located in a privileged position in the vibrant South Bank district just a short walk from the Tate Modern and overlooking the River Thames.

On my visit, I fell for its unique design inspired by the decor of 1920s transatlantic liners but with a modern twist. The cruise ship-inspired hotel also has 359 contemporary guest rooms, which feature custom furnishings and original art. It’s a special spot with a hip, buzzy vibe filled with well-dressed, fashionable types – this is the place to hang out and be seen! 

In-room amenities include flat-screen TVs and free Wi-Fi, plus rainfall showers. Opt for an upgrade, and then the rooms will feature patios and gorgeous river views. I’d strongly suggest booking the superior room if available as you get beautiful views of the city skyline.

My personal highlights include a glamorous spa, a high-tech 24-hour gym, a cinema room, upscale dining options, an onsite cocktail bar, outdoor seating, and a rooftop lounge with spectacular river views and DJs at the weekend. 

• To book, check prices or dates for Sea Containers Hotel

9. The Hoxton, Shoreditch

With a funky urban lodge style – think open fireplaces, classic leather furniture, squashy sofas, exposed brickwork, and a buzzy atmosphere, I love that this place epitomises the urban trendiness of Hoxton/Shoreditch itself (a hip neighbourhood area of the city only a short tube or bus ride from the city centre) but with surprisingly competitive prices.

The ethos here is simple: the rooms are a base from which to either work or play and are stylish, intentionally fuss-free—but always with a playful eye for details. Design and vibe are essential here. My room, for example, had sleek dark walls, striking retro-style herringbone wood floors, a well-stocked minibar, and a lush rainfall shower.

Some rooms are less spacious, so opt for these if you require a funky base rather than a leisurely stay. All the rooms can have breakfast delivered to your door every morning. 

I personally loved that this hotel doubles as a social hub in Shoreditch for either remote workers or trendy bar-seekers.

All the goings-on are centred around the cosy lobby and the popular on-site Hoxton Grill on the ground floor. If you’re staying for a while, I’d recommend heading to the co-working space in the lobby, as it’s very easy to meet other travellers.

• To book, check prices or dates for The Hoxton Hotel

10. NYX Hotel Holborn by Leonardo

This is a new design hotel with vibrant, creative, and chic styling and a great central location in Holborn, just a 10-minute walk from Oxford Street, trendy Soho, and Covent Garden.

In addition to being an exceptional location, I found it to be filled with lashings of color, fun, and pop art. Think bright, quirky art, neon signs, panes of glass in all the colors of the rainbow, and retro-modern furniture galore! 

The funky rooms – in various sizes – feature funky and unique decor, teak floors, trendy Smeg fridges, floor-to-ceiling windows, eco-friendly toiletries, Wi-Fi, and flat-screen TVs. Upgraded rooms also have plush sofas in separate sitting areas.

My favorite hotel highlights include a trendy rooftop bar with fabulous views, tequila and craft cocktails, two modern restaurants, one with a DJ booth, and a relaxing lounge offering afternoon tea. I would recommend trying the spa before you leave. It’s a sublime art-adorned spot with a large swimming pool and a modern gym.

• To book, check prices or dates for NYX Hotel Holborn by Leonardo

11. Zedwell Piccadilly

This beautiful, unique, new, and ultra-trendy centrally located hotel provides a holistic, zen-like experience. The superb central location is just off Shaftesbury Avenue in the centre of the West End, near all the theatres, popular restaurants, entertainment galore, and Covent Garden too.

I’m a big fan. This place is something quite different and the decor emphasizes natural materials and is geared towards sustainability.  The 700 unique minimalist rooms are known as – and feel just like – “cocoons” and are soundproofed and air-purified too! The lack of distractions like TVs, electronics, and windows ensured I experienced a very different stay away from the norm. 

Other highlights include a holistic studio, a modern gym, and a Lounge serving natural and nourishing food and drink, reasonable prices, and sumptuous mattresses. I’d recommend booking a personal training, yoga or pilates session as this is not something you can get in every hotel! 

• To book, check prices or dates for Zedwell Piccadilly

12. The Good Hotel

Good by name, good by nature! I loved this innovative, affordable, ultra-trendy 4-star, highly-rated floating hotel! Moored at Royal Victoria Dock outside the Good Hotel, it is a striking sight—it looks like a giant floating black shipping container (but one with an astroturfed roof!). 

Inside, it has sleek, trendy industrial chic decor and quirky details, a design world away from its neighbouring average-looking chain hotels. The staff are former unemployed locals who aim to train 15 new people every three months.

The communal areas are open-planned and relaxed, drawing in hip-looking overnight guests, remote workers, and locals. The guest rooms are cute and cosy, with a trendy design and river views through a small square window. Its location is a 6-minute walk to the nearest station.

Although it is not centrally located, the Royal Victoria light rail station is a 20-minute train ride away, connecting you to all the city centre attractions. 

Before leaving, I’d suggest heading up to the rooftop terrace, complete with a lush lawn, and having a drink in the friendly bar there. The water views are gorgeous! Overall, I personally think it’s a very “Good” all-rounder! 

• To book, check prices or dates for Good Hotel

13. The Pilgrm

 

I loved this gorgeous, cute, and personal boutique-style hotel located in a fabulous central location!

If you’re not a fan of substantial impersonal hotels, then The Pilgrim Hotel is the antidote! It’s located in a Victorian building, in charming Paddington, very near restaurants, cafes, and Paddington underground tube station, which will quickly take you to Regents Park, Marylebone, Oxford Circus, and Hyde Park.

I thought it offered exceptional value and affordable rates but still with a touch of luxury. The stylish boutique-style pet-friendly rooms are chic, and although some are very compact, they offer a home-away-from-home oasis in an otherwise bustling area. Upgraded rooms offer city views and flat-screen TVs.

I was also a big fan of the sociable and friendly vibe, the fantastic breakfasts (I’d suggest trying their incredible French Toast, which comes dripping with Nutella and honey!), the original art, the free loaner bikes, the onsite plush lounge bar servicing craft cocktails, freshly pulped juices, organic coffee, and international cuisine, and the cute cafe with trendy exposed stone walls, quirky details and wood furnishings.

• To book, check prices or dates for The Pilgrm Hotel