The Best Hotels in London For Your Next English Adventure

"Drawn to modern modish maximalist interiors? Look no further than Ham Yard, the Kit Kemp-designed hotel smack in the middle of Soho. Rooms—all with floor to ceiling windows—either have a view of the London skyline or a tree-filled courtyard. There’s also a library, spa, gym, theatre, rooftop garden and a 1950s style bowling alley. . . adorned with vintage bowling shoes to boot."

"In the heart of Chelsea is The Cadogan Hotel, a collection of five connected townhouses where the doorman greets you in a bowler hat and the halls are filled with over 400 original artworks. (Including one Swarovski-encrusted peacock.) Like most London hotels, there’s quite a history behind it. This time, the stories are scandalous: one of the townhomes is the former residence of Lillie Langtry, a mistress of King Edward VII (at the time the Prince of Wales), and once upon a time, Oscar Wilde got arrested in room 118."

"Come to The Connaught for its five-star accommodations and service, stay for their unparalleled food and beverage offerings: restaurant Hélène Darroze has three Michelin stars, whereas a more casual eatery is by Jean-Georges Vongerichten. The Connaught Bar was officially named the world’s best bar. (Order from their traveling martini cart.)"

"From the moment you enter Rosewood London through its cast iron gates, you know you’re in for a sophisticated stay, from its black-and-white floors to its grand marble staircase that snakes throughout. Their afternoon tea takes inspiration from famous artists throughout history: currently, they’re serving a menu inspired by Yayoi Kusama, which includes tea cakes made to resemble her famous pumpkins."

"There is perhaps no more elegant boutique hotel in London than Brown’s, where Rudyard Kipling wrote The Jungle Book and Alexander Graham Bell made the city’s first telephone call in 1877. Rooms are adorned in English wallpaper and pops of color, and the restaurant, Charlie’s, serves a Sunday roast where roast beef comes by the trolley. The upscale shops of Savile Row are minutes walk away, as is Hyde Park."

"Claridge’s is perhaps the crown jewel of London hotels. The five-star Art Deco property, located in Mayfair, has hosted everyone from Audrey Hepburn, to Cary Grant, to Brad Pitt and Mick Jagger. (The Rolling Stones even filmed their music video for “Scarlet” here.) When you’ve been around since 1812, you’re bound to have quite the history."

"Acclaimed interior design firm Roman and Williams turned the former Bow Street Magistrates Court and police station into the elegant NoMad Hotel in Covent Garden. Inspired by the Victorian era and also New York’s Jazz age (an a propos nod to the hotel brand’s American roots), expect clawfoot tubs, gilded armoires, moody Lelièvre damask wallpaper, and marble fireplaces. Meanwhile, the former police yard has been turned into an all-day restaurant adorned with greenery."