Visiting London? Affordable boutique hotels (that feel fancy)
Experience London’s boutique hotels without breaking the bank. Here's where to find rooms for under £200 per night
Affordable luxury at Hotel Amano, Covent Garden
Summer is here and it’s time to unwind. Whether you’re a local
looking to indulge in some downtime or an out-of-towner on a weekend
away, London is in no short supply of luxurious places to stay. Boutique
hotels are as much about character as they are comfort, and with trendy
interiors, quirky details, and world-class restaurants and bars housed
inside their walls, guests should prepare themselves for a one-of-a-kind
– often highly Instagrammable – stay.
Luckily, treating yourself to a night in one of London’s top hotels doesn’t always involve splashing out. With this selection of boutique hotels to book on a budget, all you need to do is to choose your favourite.
One Hundred Shoreditch, Shoreditch
Best for… cocktails with the cool crowd
On the site once home to hip, urban hang-out Ace Hotel is One Hundred Shoreditch, the latest opening from the Lore Group, which also manages the Sea Containers. Perhaps the most significant influence the company is carrying over from its South Bank hub is cocktail maestro Ryan ‘Lyan’ Chetiyawardana, of Sea Containers bar Lyaness. Mr Lyan’s mixology den Seed Library, in the basement of the 258-bedroom east London hotel, is where to head to sip his latest creations. But if you'd prefer your drinks to come with panoramic views and chic, airy surroundings, then head up to the Rooftop for cocktails and small plates in a a playful, Palm Springs-inspired setting.
A cluster of meeting and event rooms make One Hundred Shoreditch a hive of productivity, and these hireable quarters are also equipped to host private dinners and receptions.
Where: 100 Shoreditch High Street, London E1 6JQ
Rooms from: £168 using the 'cheers to summer' promotion
Hotel Amano, Covent Garden
Best for... eating, drinking, partying, repeat
The first international branch of the über-modern, Berlin-based hotel group, Amano Covent Garden is all about the nightlife, with a basement bar, roof terrace and promise of regular DJ sets. The rooms are relatively simple and minimalist, juxtaposed with a smattering of statement lighting. Some indulging is practically compulsory during a stay here, with Israeli-Spanish restaurant Penelope's jostling for your attention against Amano bar and its rooftop equivalent. The Drury Lane location makes Amano a great West End option for those hoping to catch some theatre, dance or an opera during their stay.
Where: Drury House, 34-43 Russell Street, London WC2B 5HA
Rooms from: £162
Rockwell East, Whitechapel
Best for… interiors inspo
Guests at Rockwell East, London’s first ‘design-led aparthotel’, can make themselves at home in their very own city-centre apartment. Designed by Waldo Works – the interiors firm behind the Laslett in Notting Hill – décor and furniture in bright yellows, bold blues and loud oranges stand out from the predominantly grey and white colour scheme. The minimalist interiors are combined with homely touches, and everything from cook books to the complimentary breakfast package provides you with what you need to settle into your home away from home.
Where: 99 Mansell Street, London E1 8AX
Rooms from: £159
Twenty Nevern Square, Kensington
Best for… feeling like royalty
This renovated Victorian townhouse might be one of London’s most charming boutique hotels. The running theme of the individually designed bedrooms is a mix of European and Oriental influences, and luxurious furnishings like hand-carved headboards, turquoise baths and golden silk curtains makes you to feel ‘as regal as a Sultan’. What’s more, Twenty Nevern Square has received the seal of approval from Condé Nast Johansens – an expert group which has been recommending luxury hotels around the world for over 35 years.
Where: 20 Nevern Square, Earl's Court, London SW5 9PD
Rooms from: £149
St Paul’s Hotel, Hammersmith
Best for… historic architecture
Designed by Alfred Waterhouse, the architect behind the Natural History Museum, St Paul’s Hotel is a good pick for any history aficionado. The 19th-century red-brick building first housed the largest school in England and during the Second World War, it was the location of the historic meeting of Eisenhower, Montgomery and Winston Churchill, when the trio were planning the D-Day landings of 1944. The hotel also became the set of Waris Hussein’s international cult film Melody in1971.
Where: 153 Hammersmith Road, Hammersmith, London W14 0QL
Rooms from: £149
Mimi’s Hotel, Soho
Best for… crawling back to after a night out in Soho
With an array of shops, bars, restaurants and theatres a mere stone's throw away, Mimi’s Hotel in Soho is on the doorstep of the best things London has to offer. There’s no need to leave the hotel grounds to experience the vibrant city vibe, however, as the hotel’s own Henson’s bar is a regular haunt for the local Soho crowd. Go for a ‘lux’ room if size matters and you're having a night in, while if the plan is to explore the city’s nightlife, a room in the category ‘tiny’ or ‘mini’ should do the job.
Where: 56-57 Frith Street, Soho, London W1D 3JG
Rooms from: £122
The Princess Victoria, Shepherd’s Bush
Best for… G&Ts
Gin-lovers, step this way: the Princess Victoria was formerly one of London’s oldest gin palaces, dating back to 1829. Now a 'pub with rooms', the hotel still houses a bar which offers over 100 different gins. If you end up having a tipple too many, worry not: the bedrooms are luckily only a short stumble away up the stairs. The five bedrooms are individually designed with bespoke gin-inspired artwork and named after classic gin cocktails, so you can request a stay in your favourite: Negroni, Bramble, Vesper, Gibson or Bronx.
Where: 217 Uxbridge Road, White City, London W12 9DH
Rooms from: £109
New Linden Hotel, Notting Hill
Best for… intricate details
Spread across three white, Victorian townhouses in London’s chic Notting Hill, New Linden Hotel is an instantly likeable hidden gem of the city's boutique hotel scene. The 51 guest rooms are individually designed with hand-carved furniture, and marble and limestone bathrooms, while silk and velvet fabrics are used generously across furnishings, setting you up for a good night’s sleep. Coming to London for the famous Notting Hill Carnival? The hotel is located only a stone’s throw away from Westbourne Grove, where the parade passes through.
Where: 59 Leinster Square, Bayswater, London W2 4PS
Rooms from: £135
The Westbridge Hotel, Stratford
Best for… seeing your favourite artist live
Situated outside the city centre, a stay at The Westbridge Hotel comes at a lower cost than at many of London’s boutique hotels. But its location is part of the appeal for many visitors: the hotel is within walking distance of one of the largest urban shopping centres in Europe, Westfield Stratford City, and only a short tube-ride away from the O2 Arena – which hosts some of the biggest names in music: from Ed Sheeran to The Rolling Stones. Interiors wise, guests can choose between timeless ‘heritage’ and contemporary ‘modern’ rooms.
Where: 335-337 High Street, London E15 2TF
Rooms from: £109
Althoff St. James's Hotel and Club
Best for... experiencing stately heritage
While stretching the £200 per night price cap, St. James's Hotel and Club earns its place on this list for its emphasis on tradition and olde-worlde luxury. New hotels open every year, boasting pan-European interiors and a chance to tuck into dishes from all over the world. But what St. James's Hotel offers, which will excite visitors from abroad in particular, is a chance to immerse yourself in stately British heritage. It's a five-star institution, boasting its own Michelin-starred restaurant, Seven Park Place, although here comes the twist because while executive head chef William Drabble uses 'Best of British' produce, his menu is in fact a showcase of fine French cuisine. Whether or not you dine there, a trip to the hotel bar is a must. Its cocktail menu is extensive, thorough and a cut above. The Toast of Mayfair, a riff on a spicy margarita turned green by the addition of parsley, is one of the best we've tried.
Where: 7-8 Park Place, St. James's, London SW1A 1LS
Rooms from: £253 (using 20% off summer deal)
Luckily, treating yourself to a night in one of London’s top hotels doesn’t always involve splashing out. With this selection of boutique hotels to book on a budget, all you need to do is to choose your favourite.
One Hundred Shoreditch, Shoreditch
Best for… cocktails with the cool crowd
On the site once home to hip, urban hang-out Ace Hotel is One Hundred Shoreditch, the latest opening from the Lore Group, which also manages the Sea Containers. Perhaps the most significant influence the company is carrying over from its South Bank hub is cocktail maestro Ryan ‘Lyan’ Chetiyawardana, of Sea Containers bar Lyaness. Mr Lyan’s mixology den Seed Library, in the basement of the 258-bedroom east London hotel, is where to head to sip his latest creations. But if you'd prefer your drinks to come with panoramic views and chic, airy surroundings, then head up to the Rooftop for cocktails and small plates in a a playful, Palm Springs-inspired setting.
A cluster of meeting and event rooms make One Hundred Shoreditch a hive of productivity, and these hireable quarters are also equipped to host private dinners and receptions.
Where: 100 Shoreditch High Street, London E1 6JQ
Rooms from: £168 using the 'cheers to summer' promotion
Hotel Amano, Covent Garden
Best for... eating, drinking, partying, repeat
The first international branch of the über-modern, Berlin-based hotel group, Amano Covent Garden is all about the nightlife, with a basement bar, roof terrace and promise of regular DJ sets. The rooms are relatively simple and minimalist, juxtaposed with a smattering of statement lighting. Some indulging is practically compulsory during a stay here, with Israeli-Spanish restaurant Penelope's jostling for your attention against Amano bar and its rooftop equivalent. The Drury Lane location makes Amano a great West End option for those hoping to catch some theatre, dance or an opera during their stay.
Where: Drury House, 34-43 Russell Street, London WC2B 5HA
Rooms from: £162
Rockwell East, Whitechapel
Best for… interiors inspo
Guests at Rockwell East, London’s first ‘design-led aparthotel’, can make themselves at home in their very own city-centre apartment. Designed by Waldo Works – the interiors firm behind the Laslett in Notting Hill – décor and furniture in bright yellows, bold blues and loud oranges stand out from the predominantly grey and white colour scheme. The minimalist interiors are combined with homely touches, and everything from cook books to the complimentary breakfast package provides you with what you need to settle into your home away from home.
Where: 99 Mansell Street, London E1 8AX
Rooms from: £159
Twenty Nevern Square, Kensington
Best for… feeling like royalty
This renovated Victorian townhouse might be one of London’s most charming boutique hotels. The running theme of the individually designed bedrooms is a mix of European and Oriental influences, and luxurious furnishings like hand-carved headboards, turquoise baths and golden silk curtains makes you to feel ‘as regal as a Sultan’. What’s more, Twenty Nevern Square has received the seal of approval from Condé Nast Johansens – an expert group which has been recommending luxury hotels around the world for over 35 years.
Where: 20 Nevern Square, Earl's Court, London SW5 9PD
Rooms from: £149
St Paul’s Hotel, Hammersmith
Best for… historic architecture
Designed by Alfred Waterhouse, the architect behind the Natural History Museum, St Paul’s Hotel is a good pick for any history aficionado. The 19th-century red-brick building first housed the largest school in England and during the Second World War, it was the location of the historic meeting of Eisenhower, Montgomery and Winston Churchill, when the trio were planning the D-Day landings of 1944. The hotel also became the set of Waris Hussein’s international cult film Melody in1971.
Where: 153 Hammersmith Road, Hammersmith, London W14 0QL
Rooms from: £149
Mimi’s Hotel, Soho
Best for… crawling back to after a night out in Soho
With an array of shops, bars, restaurants and theatres a mere stone's throw away, Mimi’s Hotel in Soho is on the doorstep of the best things London has to offer. There’s no need to leave the hotel grounds to experience the vibrant city vibe, however, as the hotel’s own Henson’s bar is a regular haunt for the local Soho crowd. Go for a ‘lux’ room if size matters and you're having a night in, while if the plan is to explore the city’s nightlife, a room in the category ‘tiny’ or ‘mini’ should do the job.
Where: 56-57 Frith Street, Soho, London W1D 3JG
Rooms from: £122
The Princess Victoria, Shepherd’s Bush
Best for… G&Ts
Gin-lovers, step this way: the Princess Victoria was formerly one of London’s oldest gin palaces, dating back to 1829. Now a 'pub with rooms', the hotel still houses a bar which offers over 100 different gins. If you end up having a tipple too many, worry not: the bedrooms are luckily only a short stumble away up the stairs. The five bedrooms are individually designed with bespoke gin-inspired artwork and named after classic gin cocktails, so you can request a stay in your favourite: Negroni, Bramble, Vesper, Gibson or Bronx.
Where: 217 Uxbridge Road, White City, London W12 9DH
Rooms from: £109
New Linden Hotel, Notting Hill
Best for… intricate details
Spread across three white, Victorian townhouses in London’s chic Notting Hill, New Linden Hotel is an instantly likeable hidden gem of the city's boutique hotel scene. The 51 guest rooms are individually designed with hand-carved furniture, and marble and limestone bathrooms, while silk and velvet fabrics are used generously across furnishings, setting you up for a good night’s sleep. Coming to London for the famous Notting Hill Carnival? The hotel is located only a stone’s throw away from Westbourne Grove, where the parade passes through.
Where: 59 Leinster Square, Bayswater, London W2 4PS
Rooms from: £135
The Westbridge Hotel, Stratford
Best for… seeing your favourite artist live
Situated outside the city centre, a stay at The Westbridge Hotel comes at a lower cost than at many of London’s boutique hotels. But its location is part of the appeal for many visitors: the hotel is within walking distance of one of the largest urban shopping centres in Europe, Westfield Stratford City, and only a short tube-ride away from the O2 Arena – which hosts some of the biggest names in music: from Ed Sheeran to The Rolling Stones. Interiors wise, guests can choose between timeless ‘heritage’ and contemporary ‘modern’ rooms.
Where: 335-337 High Street, London E15 2TF
Rooms from: £109
Althoff St. James's Hotel and Club
Best for... experiencing stately heritage
While stretching the £200 per night price cap, St. James's Hotel and Club earns its place on this list for its emphasis on tradition and olde-worlde luxury. New hotels open every year, boasting pan-European interiors and a chance to tuck into dishes from all over the world. But what St. James's Hotel offers, which will excite visitors from abroad in particular, is a chance to immerse yourself in stately British heritage. It's a five-star institution, boasting its own Michelin-starred restaurant, Seven Park Place, although here comes the twist because while executive head chef William Drabble uses 'Best of British' produce, his menu is in fact a showcase of fine French cuisine. Whether or not you dine there, a trip to the hotel bar is a must. Its cocktail menu is extensive, thorough and a cut above. The Toast of Mayfair, a riff on a spicy margarita turned green by the addition of parsley, is one of the best we've tried.
Where: 7-8 Park Place, St. James's, London SW1A 1LS
Rooms from: £253 (using 20% off summer deal)
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