8 Fun Hotels For A One-Night Stay In London
The Londoner, Leicester Square
It doesn’t get much more central than The Londoner, which is bang on Leicester Square. Step inside, and you’ll find calm away from the crowds outside. Well-placed for a luxe staycation or weekend treat, the property bills itself as the world’s first ‘super boutique hotel’, offering guests the personal touches you’d expect from a smaller property with the facilities of a much bigger one. Yabu Pushelberg (whose work includes the iconic Four Seasons hotel in Manhattan) is behind the design, so expect slick interiors with an NYC edge. There are 350 rooms and suites to choose from – all stocked with Alessi appliances, Roberts radios, Miller Harris products and binoculars for looking out over the National Gallery and beyond. There are also two restaurants (we loved the Asian-inspired rooftop) and a ground-floor tavern which hosts daily live music performances. On-site spa The Retreat is a relaxing space for a swim and offers treatments from massages to blow-dries and manicures.
38 Leicester Square, West End, WC2H 7DX
Visit TheLondoner.com
ANDREW BEASLEY
NIKOLAS KOENIG
London Edition, Fitzrovia
On the northern edge of Soho, the London Edition is a glamorous spot for a night away. Inside, guests will be greeted by the lively atmosphere in the Lobby Bar, which has a cool members-club feel. Michelin-starred Berner’s Tavern, overseen by Jason Atherton, is the place to be on Friday and Saturday nights for a glass of something cold from the champagne trolley and some classic British fare – we recommend the signature lobster macaroni cheese. For standout cocktails, head to the Punch Room (the gin-infused punch is an SL favourite). When you’re done downstairs, bedrooms are simple yet stylish: interiors mimic a luxury yacht – think oak flooring, walnut panelling and plush furniture – while the suites have generous living areas with great city views.
10 Berners Street, Fitzrovia, W1T 3NP
Visit EditionHotels.com
The Mondrian, Shoreditch
Earlier this year, the property that was once the cool Curtain Hotel was taken over by luxe hotel group Mondrian. Completely refurbished, Mondrian Shoreditch features 120 refreshed bedrooms, each redesigned with contemporary interiors and cool east London-inspired touches. Thankfully the rooftop pool – complete with lido restaurant – remains, as does the screening room and open music space. You’ll now find Dani García’s first restaurant in the UK, Bibo, which hosts an open-kitchen tapas bar and dining room. On the menu, expect some of García’s favourite dishes, such as pulled oxtail brioche with thin mushroom slices and rocket; and Russian salad with tuna belly, fried quail eggs and garlic chips. There’s also Christina’s, an all-day dining and drinking spot, focused on coffee, cocktails, natural wines and katsu sandos. Meanwhile Billy’s Bar is a late-night drinking den – the perfect spot for a nightcap.
45 Curtain Road, Shoreditch, EC2A 3PT
Visit SBE.com
The Henrietta, Covent Garden
Just two minutes’ walk from Covent Garden market, The Henrietta is a small, Italian-inspired boutique hotel. It’s the first London hotel from the Experimental Group, the cool French brand behind Paris properties Hotel Des Grandes Boulevards and Grande Pigalle Hotel and Verbier’s Experimental Chalet. Inside, there are 18 rooms decorated in Insta-worthy baby blues and pinks, where guests can make use of 24-hour room service, a small mini bar and luxury toiletries. The Covent Garden rooms (the most affordable in the hotel) have plush furniture and courtyard views, while the junior suites come with freestanding baths and views towards the London Eye. Guests can enjoy weekend brunches or book into Da Henrietta for freshly made pasta and a selection of west coast Italian wines.
15 Henrietta Street, Covent Garden, WC2E 8QH
Visit HenriettaHotel.com
The NoMad, Covent Garden
It only opened its doors this summer, but the NoMad London has already established itself as a go-to destination for celebrities and those in the know. Inside, the former home of Bow Street magistrates’ court and police station has been transformed into a sophisticated space offering everything you’d expect from a top hotel. New York-based design studio Roman and Williams is behind the interiors, while Ashley Abodeely leads the kitchen as executive chef. Rooms and suites are some of the most stylish on this list – we’ve got our eye on the Royal Opera Suite which overlooks the famous Royal Opera House and has a generous living area plus free-standing clawfoot bathtub. Guests can enjoy a leisurely breakfast in bed or have it in the library before making the most of the cultural highlights on the hotel’s doorstep.
28 Bow Street, Covent Garden, WC2E 7AW
Visit TheNoMadHotel.com
The Standard, King’s Cross
With hotels in Hollywood, Downtown LA, New York and Miami, The Standard’s 2019 King’s Cross launch marked the first international opening for this super-cool hotel group. Since it launched, the hotel has made a name for itself when it comes to fun nights out. Taking over the historic Camden Town Annex across the street from St Pancras Station, the ultra-modern hotel fuses brutalist architecture with warm, mid-century styling – making it a must for anyone who loves on-trend 70s Californian interiors. For the ultimate night in, look at booking one of the junior terrace suites, which come with their own bar, terrace and outdoor bath overlooking the capital. Another reason to visit is the hotel’s three dining options. Of the lot, we love Decimo on the top floor, a Mexican spot that serves the likes of caviar tortilla followed by Cornish lamb tacos with mole.
10 Argyle Street, King’s Cross, WC1H 8EG
Visit StandardHotels.com
The Mandrake, Fitzrovia
The Mandrake is home to one of the best rooftop bars in London, but it’s also a boutique hotel where those in the know like to escape to for a child-free stay. On Newman Street in Fitzrovia, each aspect of the hotel has been designed to offer an immersive experience, from the beautiful three-story flower walls in the middle of the building to an impressive art collection that includes works from Salvador Dali and Francesco Clemente. The Mandrake has 34 rooms, including three suites and an ultra-high-spec penthouse, each of which has its own style with eclectic interiors with bespoke furniture. Book a table at Yopo for South American-inspired dishes, the Jurema terrace for light dishes and don’t leave without trying one of the experimental cocktails at Waeska bar.
20-21 Newman Street, Fitzrovia, W1T 1PG
Visit TheMandrake.com
TIM CHARLES
The Hoxton, Southwark
With three sites across the capital, booking a stay at the Hoxton is always fun, but its Southwark location is an SL favourite. Inside, expect a stylish space filled with modern art, covetable furnishings and comfy sofas. Seabird, which serves South American dishes, is often rated one of the best rooftop restaurants in the city, while ground floor terrace Albie is the place to go for cocktails. If you’re looking to book a last-minute getaway this year, you might be pleased to learn about its ‘Festive AF Staycay’ package, where guests can enjoy two nights with breakfast in bed, a stocking filled with Hox and Trouva goodies, champagne and chocolates on arrival, dinner in Seabird, Christmas cocktails at the bar and a £50 Trouva gift card – all for £589.
40 Blackfriars Road, Southwark, SE1 8NY
Visit TheHoxton.com
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