London has gone wild for the crown this summer as Her Majesty The Queen celebrates her Platinum Jubilee of 70 years on the throne. While festivities were at their peak during the Jubilee Weekend in June, the city will be abuzz with picnics in the park, culture trippers spilling out of theatres, galleries, and museums, and streetside dining all summer long.
Looking for the perfect places to soak up the atmosphere? We’ve handpicked the best boutique hotels in London for a royally good city break – think Henry VIII-themed bedrooms, Queen Victoria-inspired afternoon tea, and James Bond martinis.
1. The Mitre Hotel, Hampton Court
Taking up prime position on the waterfront opposite historic Hampton Court Palace – the ancestral home of Henry VIII – The Mitre Hotel draws on its royal connections and guarantees an English country house-style experience just a short train journey from London’s city centre.
Indulge in one of the Royal rooms – the Catherine Parr suite (pictured above) perhaps, named after Henry VIII’s last wife – and delight in details like copper roll top baths, four poster beds and expansive river views.
Hungry? King Henry pops up again as the inspiration behind the all-day café and wine bar Coppernose, while tables at 1665 Riverside Brasserie overlook the Thames.
2. The Franklin, Knightsbridge
The luxury stores and world-renowned museums of Knightsbridge are just a hop, skip and jump from The Franklin’s front door, and this grand English townhouse is a most welcome refuge from the hustle and bustle of London life.
With high ceilings and full-height windows looking out onto the lovely Egerton Gardens, the elegantly styled Garden Suites are oases within an oasis, where relaxation reigns from the snug library to the Hempel-designed hammam.
Bringing Fido? Four-legged friends will also be given top notch treatment at this pet-friendly property, where small, well-behaved dogs are welcomed with luxury dog beds and bowls.
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3. Vintry & Mercer, City of London
St. Paul’s Cathedral, Tower Bridge, and the shimmering Shard – Vintry & Mercer opens up to the London skyline with plenty of nods to the City’s heritage – think bespoke fabrics inspired by merchant tailors of centuries past, and historic navigation maps and photographs on the walls.
The rooftop Mercer terrace is made for alfresco dining and drinking in the cityscape above the City’s twinkling lights, with London-inspired cocktails and the Guilds of the City Afternoon Tea based around the historic trades, guilds and merchants that once used to line the banks of the River Thames, as far back as 1394.
4. The Prince Akatoki London, Marylebone
For a Japanese take on West End London, The Prince Akatoki is a tranquil space which feels a world apart from the buzz and bustle on the streets outside. With a name meaning ‘dawn’ or ‘sunrise’, interiors are minimalist in style – an invitation to pause, stretch out and relax.
Say sayõnara to any traditional sense of afternoon tea at TOKii Restaurant which fuses authentic Japanese flavours with homegrown produce from suppliers around London, resulting in an afternoon tea with an oriental and original twist.
Scones appear alongside the likes of chicken teriyaki buns, prawn tempura rolls, and tamagoyaki, which can be experienced in the elegant Malt Lounge & Bar on the ground floor of the hotel.
5. The Ampersand Hotel, South Kensington
There’s more than a hint of Victorian whimsy about The Ampersand Hotel – filled with vintage curiosities and oozing contemporary elegance, it takes its design cues from London’s most famous museums (with the V&A, Royal Albert Hall and the Natural History Museum for neighbours).
Rooms are intimate and stylish, while the upper floor suites have intricate interiors inspired by geometry and ‘Mary Poppins’ views of the city skyline from the large windows. Sit down to a Science Museum-themed afternoon tea in the delightful drawing room for a family-friendly take on this quintessentially English tradition.
See also: Talking Travel With… Suzanne Delahunty, LUXE London Resident Editor
6. DUKES LONDON, St. James
A sophisticated home-away-from-home in the heart of the city, the pretty red brick Victorian exterior of DUKES LONDON evokes a time when artists and writers rubbed shoulders with royalty in fashionable St. James.
Make like a modern aristocrat and book The Duke of Clarence Suite for grand views over Green Park, or treat yourself to the Duchess Room Service which is specially designed for solo female travellers. Borrow a bike from the hotel and cycle around St. James’s Park to visit the royal palaces with a behind-the-scenes private tour led by a hotel guide before shaking things up at the James Bond-approved martini bar or the MarTEAni Afternoon Tea served in the elegant Drawing Room.
7. The Academy, Bloomsbury
Tucked away in the literary and intellectual heart of the capital is the Grade-II listed Academy Hotel. From the outside, this London townhouse seems straight from a Georgian period drama. Yet step inside the door, and you’ll discover contemporary interiors by New York-based Champalimaud design.
The outdoor courtyard is a West End hidden gem, a sun-soaked spot to enjoy the hotel’s quintessential afternoon tea or a tipple from the extensive drinks list of speciality gins and bespoke cocktails. On a summer’s day, you’re just a short stroll away from London’s oldest garden square – picnic blanket and champers hamper at the ready!
London calling? Arm yourself with a copy of the LUXE London guide!
The full version of this article first appeared on Small Luxury Hotels of the World™ (SLH) and has been republished with permission on LUXE City Guides.
