25 Cool Hotels in London (2025)

London is one of the world's great cities — a real melting pot of cultures, fashion, design, and arts. It is no wonder then that the hotel scene is so diverse and eclectic. When choosing one of the best cool hotels in London the choice is wide and you'll find something for almost all tastes and budgets. Our hotel experts have compiled a collection of their favourites across the city including suave luxury stays, uber chic boutiques, and some great value options too. So why not browse through our collection to start planning your next city break?

For a design hotel

• For a fresh take on modern decor with bright statement walls and luxury accessories, The BoTree on trendy Marylebone Lane fits the bill. The theme is very much flower driven with plenty of pinks and oranges creating a cheerful vibe. Sustainability is at the heart of everything here from the vegan leather headboards to the Eucalyptus Tencel bedding. 
• St Martins Lane is a chic converted office block, designed by Philippe Starke, in the West End. Full of quirky, irreverent details like a speakeasy bar and a lounge that riffs on a formal British drawing-room — this is a design enthusiast's haven. The rooms are all-white affairs with floor-to-ceiling windows and great mood lighting. Very hip.

• From its colourful lobby all the way up to the rooftop, Art'otel London Battersea Power Station makes a bold statement. Expect quirky spectacle-mirrors above beds and well-chosen furniture pieces that add playful colour pops, plus a restaurant spread across the top three floors.
• Close to Liverpool Station, Spitalfields and the Barbican, the South Place Hotel looks quite ‘modern city hotel’ from the outside but inside it’s much quirkier with really cutting edge design throughout the 80 rooms. The lively rooftop bar, state-of-the-art gym, spa and Michelin-starred restaurant ensure an indulgent stay.

• An urban haven, Nobu Hotel, features beautifully designed rooms which are minimalist in style with floor-to-ceiling windows, large contemporary artworks and polished concrete floors. While the cavernous restaurant serves up that world-renowned Japanese and South American cuisine. A very sleek London offering.

For the views

• It’s easy to argue that the Shangri-La at the Shard has the best views of any London hotel and their floor-to-ceiling windows really make the most of them. The pool on the 52nd floor, the Gong Bar, and Asian restaurants are what really pull the crowds. However, the rooms are very sleek too.

• Sea Containers is a lively and hip hotel in an iconic Southbank building, evocative of a 1920s ocean liner. Rooms and suites are all finished in a contemporary style with continued nautical themes and selected pieces of designer furniture. A fabulous rooftop bar and terrace offer superb city views. A very hip choice.

For the location

• The Hoxton Hotel is cool in the way that swathes of East London are cool. Vibrant, stylish, fashionable and minimalist, with lots of unique details, the Hoxton is just like Hoxton, Hackney and Shoreditch. Expect bold wall colours, medieval fireplaces against bare brick walls, herringbone parquet, piles of books and vinyl — and the bar is cool too. Obviously. And it’s really great value.
• It says quite a bit about the state of Bethnal Green that its old Town Hall building has been converted into a cool hotel. Clever architects have done a great job with the 98 rooms, including the creation of six ‘feature rooms’, which are the stand-out ones, one of which is a conversion from the former mens' loos. Some rooms have their own small kitchens, there’s art by local artists, a pool, a spa, a glass top floor, and the Town Hall tea lady swings by every evening with a cocktail trolley.

• If you want to be close to Covent Garden, Somerset House, the BFI and The National Theatre, then One Aldwych will tick your boxes. The hotel has undergone a refurb and while it’s still elegantly classical on the outside it’s now chicer on the inside. The 18-metre pool in the basement with underwater music and mood lighting will not disappoint.
• Zetter Townhouse Marylebone offers a very central location but with a chic village feel. Expect individually designed bedrooms with an eclectic mix of antique furniture and curios, huge beds, luxurious drapes and deluxe bathrooms. The excellent food and cocktails are a real draw too.

• The Ned occupies an excellent spot right in the heart of the City of London. The design is historic cool with plenty of elegant Art Deco references while the rooftop bar and restaurant are a chic addition.
• In a fantastic South Kensington location, The Ampersand Hotel is elegantly cool, with a brightness and boldness to its decor that hotels in this particular part of London aren’t particularly known for. The rooms are all individually styled plus there’s a small library, an elegant Mediterranean restaurant, and the Drawing Rooms which serve a traditional afternoon tea. Classic yet hip.

For luxury

• The Mandrake is a hip award-winning luxury hotel in the heart of the West End, just off Oxford Street. With organic mattresses, roll-top baths, a trendy bar, funky art and fabulous cocktails, this is the place to be seen.
• COMO Metropolitan London is perhaps the hippest hotel in London. Set just across from Hyde Park, with a top restaurant, gym and spa and an A-list clientele. Expect fresh contemporary decor and spot-on service.

• For the ultimate party pad, you can't beat Chateau Denmark in the heart of Soho. Sumptuous interiors are a clever mix of sultry style and punk rock vibes with dark and moody tones done in a playful way. A fun and energetic place to stay. 
• Soaring moss walls, oak floors and feather art make 1 Hotel Mayfair a cool, luxurious choice. Just steps from Green Park and the West End’s best, it offers elegant rooms, a sultry cocktail bar, a stand-out restaurant from Tom Seller and a Bamford spa.

For a boutique

• The Megaro Hotel stands out from the crowd with its distinctive mural façade. The ethos of this family-run King’s Cross hotel is to offer a departure from typical corporate hospitality and welcome a more whimsical approach for guests. Ideally located for those who like a properly urban base.
• Brook Green Hotel has a pub-like façade and interior, with boutique rooms upstairs, a cool cocktail bar downstairs and a handy west London location. Friendly service and excellent pub food complete the picture. A good value option with easy access to all London has to offer.
• An exquisitely designed independent boutique hotel, Broadwick Soho merges a world of disco-chic with maximalist decor, Murano glass, rich fabrics, and bold prints. With a uniquely designed restaurant, plus a buzzing ground floor and rooftop bar, it's a supercool choice. 

For great value

• The Tommyfield is a fashionable pub with rooms in Kennington. There are just six rooms, all decorated differently, but they’re all bold and chic. With stand-out pub fare, regular evening entertainment, and a friendly price tag — what's not to love?
• CitizenM offers trendy, lux-for-less hipster pads which meet the demand for bijou rooms with all the mod-cons, trendy living, working, eating and drinking spaces. CitizenM Bankside is a favourite, in a fantastic spot for the Tate Modern and picking up last minute yard tickets to Shakespeare’s Globe or day seats at The National. The hotel itself has plenty of modern art, plus Vitra furniture and they serve food all day.
• Z Shoreditch is well located just a short walk from Old Street station. Contemporary interiors offer unfussy and light accommodation with minimalist design. Added touches such as complimentary cheese and wine in the evenings make this a stand-out choice for a central and affordable stay.
• Z Hotels at Gloucester Place is a collection of five townhouses located in London's smart Marylebone area. Cleanly designed minimalist rooms feature large sash windows, parquet flooring, and crisp white linen. Well positioned and very well priced, making this an attractive stay.

Still not sure where to book?

• Browse through our list of all the best places to stay in London.
• Expand your search to include our Gurus' collection of Quirky and Unusual Hotels in London, Cool London Hotels on a Budget, or even our Top London Chic hotels.
• Alternatively, you could contact one of our friendly Gurus for personalised advice.