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 London Chic Hotels
Readers of this website may have divined that while we love hip, stylish hotels, we have an aversion to posey ones, where the main point for guests is to try to be as ice cool as the hotel's artfully arranged interior. Hence, there are some high-profile hotels you may be surprised not to find on our Chic London list. On the other hand, the following recommendations are ones that make you look and feel good, but welcome you and make you comfortable too. In short, well-run hotels, open to all, that have that extra beautiful buzz. The hotels are listed by price category, and their order bears no reflection on our preference.
 Reviews by Fiona Duncan |
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| Luxury: Media friendly, always trendy in the heart of Soho |
| Location: Soho, just off Dean St, close to West End shops and theatres. Nearest tube: Leicester Square |
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| Sister to Covent Garden (and Charlotte Street) the Soho Hotel displays owner/designer Kit Kemp’s most eclectic interiors to date, from the giant Botero cat in the lobby, to the red leather and cowhide cinema seats, cerise pink drawing room and dashing motoring mural in Refuel, the hotel’s excellent restaurant. The highest standards in hotel-keeping irresistibly mixed with film-crowd fun and glamour. |
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| Luxury: Traditional elegance meets contemporary style with star studded results |
| Location: Monmouth St, Covent Garden, close to West End shops and theatres. Nearest tube: Covent Garden |
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| The Firmdale group of hotels run by husband-and-wife Tim and Kit Kemp epitomize the sort of sexy yet welcoming city hotels that we love. The Covent Garden, located in the very heart of things, their first West End hotel and perhaps still our favourite, is a perfect mixture of traditional elegance and modern style, beautifully run, and with plenty of chances for star-spotting. |
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| Luxury: Grand hotel meets intimate bolthole with unbeatable results |
| Location: Basil St, Knightsbridge, almost next to Harrods. Nearest tube: Knightsbridge |
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| Forget the big five-star hotels: the diminutive, privately owned Capital has all the lavishness and service, plus a two-Michelin star chef (Eric Chavot) of much grander establishments, and an unbeatable sense of intimacy. The luxurious, generally spacious rooms are traditional but stylish, while the contemporary restaurant makes a suave place to dine. |
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| Luxury: Seriously chic, seriously seductive, seriously good hotel |
| Location: Knightsbridge, close to Harvey Nichols and Hyde Park. Nearest tube: Hyde Park Corner |
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| The ultimate chill-out hotel, Italian style: white marble bar, charcoal grey and chrome corridors, muted earth-tone bedrooms with bedside control panels, lovely flattering lighting, fresh flowers, fine linen on huge beds, exceptional bathrooms. Plus service with style and grace, and no snootiness in sight. And Nahm, serving Michelin-starred Thai food with a twist. |
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| Mid Price: A great addition - stylish, friendly, affordable, with garden |
| Location: Cromwell Rd, near High Street Kensington. Nearest tube: Gloucester Rd |
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| Beautifully designed new townhouse hotel in a busy location, but handy for central London as well as Heathrow. Calm, stylish, bedrooms have quality oak fittings and the latest plasma TVs and wireless internet, while the courtyard is a bonus in warm weather. Best of all is the intimate, elegant restaurant and bar, where delicious, imaginative dishes are served. Charming service, excellent value. |
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| Mid Price: A hip hotel in happening Clerkenwell |
| Location: Clerkenwell Rd on edge of the City, a 10 min taxi ride from West End |
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| A brilliant addition to London's hotels, putting the spotlight on happening Clerkenwell and providing hip, stylish but nevertheless warm and welcoming accommodation with a friendly smile and affordable prices. From the vending machines to the matching hot water bottle covers and bed throws, to the excellent Mediterranean cuisine and the amusing Zetter cocktails, this is a fun and happy place to be. |
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| Mid Price: Undemanding yet stylish City hotel with all-round appeal |
| Location: London Bridge, opposite the station, close to City, Bankside, Tate Modern. Nearest tube: London Bridge |
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| This stylish, independently owned hotel elicits praise, both for its welcoming ambience and – for a hotel that appeals as much to people on City business as to tourists – its intimacy. The enticing lobby sets the scene, while rooms are cooly decorated with neat black-and-white bathrooms. It's much larger than you think: there's a gymnasium and three restaurant/bars. An excellent address in an interesting area. |
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| Mid Price: Popular South Kensington bolthole with a chic new makeover |
| Location: Chelsea, between Kings Road and Fulham Road |
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| In Sydney Street, plumb between the shops of the Kings and Fulham Roads and the museums of South Ken, a townhouse hotel that's been given a stylish makeover by its new owners. You'll find pale pistachio walls, blonde wood floors, recessed lighting, flat screen TVs and deliciously comfortable beds with Frette linens. Rooms are compact but prices fair – look out for special offers. Cool, but cosy. |
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