London
19 hotelsLondon is the place for grand historic hotels, afternoon tea and the royal parks on foot. It suits couples marking an occasion, theatre-goers and shoppers, and families who want a pool in the middle of the city.
Luxury Hotels in the United Kingdom
The United Kingdom does grand hotels with a sense of occasion: Edwardian and Art Deco interiors, afternoon tea served in a foyer, cocktail bars with decades of history and, at some addresses, a perso…
- Best overall
- Pan Pacific London
- Spa & wellness
- Milestone Hotel Kensington
- Design
- The Dorchester
- Romance
- Corinthia London
Tripplo’s selection · Founder: Axel Hernborg · Updated 28 September 2026
Ranking updated 28 September 2026
19 hotels compared · How we choose hotels · No paid placements
Ranked across the whole country: the same score as on the destination pages, scaled to the United Kingdom as a whole.
9 Recommended Hotels
Indoor Swimming PoolSpaFitness CentreFree WifiFamily RoomsRestaurant+3 more
Why this position: The highest-ranked hotel in the United Kingdom from London, where it is #1 on the destination page. Leads the ranking: the same guest score as #2, on a larger body of reviews (1,639 to 1,402).
Outstanding, attentive staff
Spacious rooms with floor-to-ceiling views
Indoor infinity pool and spa
Welcoming to families with small children
Handy for Liverpool Street station
Not in the West End
Busy entrance and slow check-in at peak times
Breakfast and bar food fall short of the rest
Indoor PoolSpaFitness CentreFree WifiRestaurantBar+3 more
Why this position: Level with #1 on the guest score (9.5) and on the reviews behind it. #2 on the London page.
Opposite Kensington Gardens and Palace
Genuinely kind, professional staff
Character and original features
Much-praised afternoon tea and breakfast
Small, cosy scale
Some rooms are small and dated
Stairs in split-level rooms
Compact gym and pool
Indoor PoolSpaSaunaFitness CentreFree WifiRestaurant+4 more
Why this position: Scores higher than #2 (9.6 to 9.5), on a smaller body of reviews (291 to 1,402). #3 on the London page.
Warm, highly attentive staff
Large, thoughtfully equipped rooms
Indoor pool, spa and gym
Central location near Buckingham Palace
Bar with city views and a strong breakfast
Steep prices
Lobby lounge divides opinion
Small service details can lag
Free WifiSpaFitness Centre3 RestaurantsBarAfternoon Tea+3 more
Why this position: Rests on more guest reviews than #3 (539 to 291), at a slightly lower score (9.5 to 9.6). #4 on the London page.
Polished, personal service
Park Lane address overlooking Hyde Park
Very comfortable beds in renovated rooms
Excellent breakfast and dining
Elegant interiors and fresh flowers daily
Spa pool and sauna are next door
Smallest rooms feel tight for the price
Restaurant service can be uneven
Indoor Swimming PoolSpaFitness CentreFree Wifi7 RestaurantsBar+3 more
Why this position: Scores higher than #4 (9.7 to 9.5), on a smaller body of reviews (185 to 539). #5 on the London page.
Exceptionally attentive, personal service
Central Mayfair address
Outstanding breakfast
Three much-loved bars
Immaculate, carefully kept interiors
Compact rooms in a historic building
Very high prices
Fine dining divides opinion
Indoor PoolSpaFitness CentreFree WifiBarRestaurants+4 more
Why this position: Rests on more guest reviews than #5 (1,439 to 185), at a slightly lower score (9.4 to 9.7). #6 on the London page.
Opulent Edwardian and Art Deco interiors
Warm, attentive staff from the front door on
Central location on the Strand
Famous bars, restaurants and afternoon tea
Indoor pool with a swim machine
High prices and costly extras
Some rooms are small or face a service yard
Occasional slips in the details
Indoor Swimming PoolSpaSaunaFitness CentreFree Wifi4 Restaurants+4 more
Why this position: Scores higher than #6 (9.5 to 9.4), on a smaller body of reviews (232 to 1,439). #7 on the London page.
Restored Old War Office with a history tour
First-class, attentive service
Elegant rooms and very comfortable beds
Spa and indoor pool
Walkable location on Whitehall
Breakfast does not always match the rest
Housekeeping can slip
Value for money draws mixed views
Butler ServiceIndoor Swimming PoolSpaFitness CentreFree Wifi2 Restaurants+4 more
Why this position: Level with #7 on the guest score (9.5) and on the reviews behind it. #8 on the London page.
Personal butler and attentive staff
Regency interiors with a classic British feel
Excellent breakfast and afternoon tea
Hyde Park Corner location
Free access to the club and spa
Some rooms are on the small side
Restaurant cooking can be uneven
Value rated below the rest of the stay
Indoor Swimming PoolSpaSaunaHot TubFitness CentreFree Wifi+4 more
Why this position: Rests on more guest reviews than #8 (398 to 209), at a slightly lower score (9.4 to 9.5). #9 on the London page.
Central yet quiet Westminster location
Friendly, thoughtful staff
ESPA Life spa with indoor pool
Excellent breakfast and food
Comfortable, well-proportioned rooms
High prices
Street-side rooms are less quiet
Occasional service slips
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Compare the hotels
| # | Hotel | Stars | Guest rating | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pan Pacific London | 5★ | Booking9.5· 1,639 reviews | Best overall |
| 2 | Milestone Hotel Kensington | 5★ | Booking9.5· 1,402 reviews | Spa & wellness |
| 3 | The Peninsula London | 5★ | Booking9.6· 291 reviews | — |
| 4 | The Dorchester | 5★ | Booking9.5· 539 reviews | Design |
| 5 | The Connaught | 5★ | Booking9.7· 185 reviews | — |
| 6 | The Savoy | 5★ | Booking9.4· 1,439 reviews | — |
| 7 | Raffles London at The OWO | 5★ | Booking9.5· 232 reviews | — |
| 8 | The Lanesborough | 5★ | Booking9.5· 209 reviews | — |
| 9 | Corinthia London | 5★ | Booking9.4· 398 reviews | Romance |
More hotels we recommend in the United Kingdom, by destination
Every destination's best hotels outside the country ranking above. Each destination page ranks its own list in full.
Weather & sea temperature — United Kingdom
Right now: 18°
7°
Jan
10°
Feb
12°
Mar
16°
Apr
20°
May
23°
Jun
25°
Jul
24°
Aug
20°
Sept
16°
Oct
11°
Nov
10°
Dec
Avg daytime max (°C)Warmest months
Data: Open-MeteoTripplo's luxury hotel selection in United Kingdom — in numbers
19 verified luxury hotels in total19 five-star among the verified
13,422 reviews behind Google and Booking ratings
Most common facilities
- Free WiFi (19 of 19)
- Bar (19 of 19)
- Restaurant (19 of 19)
- Parking (18 of 19)
- Gym (18 of 19)
- Spa & wellness (17 of 19)
What these hotels do best
- Service (19 of 19)
- Dining (15 of 19)
- Location (11 of 19)
- Spa & wellness (10 of 19)
United Kingdom: which destination suits you?
Not every place suits every trip. Here is how the destinations differ, with the hotels we list in each and the guides that narrow the choice further.
Cities1
Hotel Selection Criteria
How guest ratings, hotel class and facts inform our selections.
Read our methodologyFrequently Asked Questions
London is where Britain's grand hotel tradition is easiest to experience: historic hotels in Mayfair, Knightsbridge, Westminster and on the Strand, within walking distance of the royal parks, the museums and the West End theatres. It is also the country's main gateway, with direct flights from across Europe and Eurostar trains into St Pancras, so it makes a natural first stop.
Late spring to early autumn gives long, light evenings and the parks and gardens at their best, and summer is the busiest season. May, June and September often feel a little calmer. In December, London is lit up for Christmas and the hotels serve festive afternoon teas. The weather is changeable all year, so a light raincoat is sensible whenever you travel.
History and ritual. Many occupy landmark buildings, such as the Old War Office at Raffles London at The OWO or the former Port of London Authority headquarters at Four Seasons Hotel London at Tower Bridge. Afternoon tea, classic bars such as the American Bar at The Savoy, and butler service at The Lanesborough are part of the experience. The flip side is that rooms in older buildings are often compact.
The currency is the pound sterling, and cards, including contactless payments, are accepted almost everywhere. Restaurants often add a discretionary service charge to the bill; if it is there, you do not need to tip on top, and you can ask for it to be removed if the service fell short. In hotels, a small tip for porters or housekeeping is appreciated but never expected.
London has direct flights from most major European cities, arriving at Heathrow, Gatwick and the city's other airports. Eurostar trains run from Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam to St Pancras International in central London. The United Kingdom is outside the EU, so bring your passport and check whether you need an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) before you travel.