One of the world’s most fast-moving, exciting, trend-setting capital cities, London plays amiable, sexy host to some 30 million visitors each year. Its thriving hotel scene reflects the visitors that it welcomes, from hostels acting as home to wide-eyed backpackers, design-focused boltholes for the savvy business traveller, to palatial grande-dames opening their doors to visiting royalty and celebrity.
The city has changed dramatically in recent years – the East End has received an achingly hip makeover, while out West things are even more high-end than usual with a new arrival on Park Lane and the refurb and refits of some of the city’s longest-standing luxe hotels.
After much deliberation, and consulting our friends in the worlds of events, PR and blogging, we’ve finally reached our verdict. And what with this being Resource, our countdown of London’s finest hotels includes 12 rather than the normal 10.
We’ve been to them all, eaten in each, stayed mid-week and at weekends, stayed in disguise, and enjoyed our home town from a visitor’s perspective – and we’ve got to be honest, she’s looking pretty damn fine.
Ladies and gentlemen, allow us to introduce our Top 12 – in no particular order, although some entries are there for a reason.
- Claridges
- myhotel Chelsea
- Four Seasons Canary Wharf
- Blakes
- The Bingham
- The Hempel
- The Halkin
- The Hoxton Hotel
- Fox & Anchor
- Boundary
- The Metropolitan
- Haymarket Hotel
Full reviews of all of our Top 12 hotels will be live soon. The list could have gone on. And on. Those worthy of further mention include: St John Hotel, 45 Park Lane, The Dorchester, The Savoy, Zetter Townhouse, Corinthia Hotel London, Four Seasons Park Lane, Rough Luxe and the Dean Street Townhouse.
Thanks to our guest reviewers for their input and ideas. London, you rock.
Resource Magazine 
My favourite London hotel is The Connaught – I love the design, its intimacy and the Coburg Bar is just fabulous!
The new Corinthia Hotel is proving a big hit with our clients though – the rooms are all rather large for city hotel and the spa is spectacular.