7 Sublime New London Hotels For A Stylish Stay In The City
The London hotel scene has never been as magnificent as it is right now – from resplendent new classics to vibrant artistic hotspots. Here, KATIE BERRINGTON chooses seven of the best London hotels for a chic city getaway
The Emory
As a new sister to London legends Claridge’s, The Connaught and The Berkeley, The Emory – a recent opening from Maybourne Hotels – was always destined for greatness. Set in the heart of Belgravia, with views over Hyde Park, it is an all-suite hotel where leading interior designers André Fu, Pierre-Yves Rochon, Alexandra Champalimaud, Rigby & Rigby and Patricia Urquiola have bestowed their creative visions to imagine cool, contemporary spaces. The food is helmed by chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten, and there is also a private members’ club, Surrenne, sprawled across four floors, offering health, fitness and beauty services.
Mandarin Oriental Mayfair
London’s second Mandarin Oriental is a Mayfair outpost situated in Hanover Square – a bustling part of the city between Regent’s Street, Bond Street and Oxford Street, where the worlds of fashion, media, art and business collide. Mandarin Oriental Mayfair has added the brand’s sleek elegance and world-renowned service to this iconic locale, delivering an idyllic sanctuary spa space, and dining opportunities under the direction of Michelin-starred chef Akira Back – found beneath a statement centerpiece green-marble staircase.
Six Senses London
West London landmark The Whiteley becomes home to the city’s first ever Six Senses this year, delivering 110 guest rooms and suites, 14 residences, plus serene communal spaces – including a lobby bar and lounge, an all-day restaurant and courtyard garden. This is a hotel brand known for its sublime wellness offering, and the Six Senses spa will, naturally, be a highlight. Designed to evoke an old-fashioned London underground station (with the most tranquil of reimaginations), it features a swimming pool beneath arched ceilings, the Alchemy Bar, and a vaulted relaxation room. The building also introduces the concept of a social and wellness club for residents and members alike, offering lounges, co-working spaces, a restaurant and treatment rooms. Opening soon
Raffles London at The OWO
Another city first is Raffles London at The OWO – a magnificent outpost now occupying the storied, historic site of Whitehall Palace and the Old War Office. As distinguished as its address, the hotel’s design pays homage to its Edwardian aesthetic, with the grand building transformed into a thrilling destination for dining that boasts no fewer than nine restaurants and three bars. The Guerlain Spa is also a talking point, taking its place as one of the largest luxury hotel spas in the capital. Expect a 20-meter swimming pool under a double-height ceiling, a thermal spa suite, plus an expansive gym and yoga studio. Open now
Broadwick Soho
For a joyfully flamboyant addition to the city, with a spirit that pays homage to perhaps the most storied part of town, look no further than Broadwick Soho. Designed by Martin Brudnizki, along with creative director Andrea Gelardin, it is, unsurprisingly, a feast for the eyes, with a maximalist infusion that nods to disco glamour, Jazz Age opulence, English eccentricity and more. The rooftop Flute bar is particularly enticing, adorned with mirrored ceilings, cork walls and an onyx central bar, while a wraparound terrace takes in the buzz of the Soho streets below. Downstairs, the Italian-inspired Dear Jackie restaurant and Bar Jackie all-day bar are perfect for aperitivos, antipasti and a spot of people-watching. Open now
The Twenty Two
The Twenty Two has transformed a grand Edwardian manor on Mayfair’s Grosvenor Square into a lavish creative hub, comprising a hotel, restaurant and private members’ club where lingering is very much encouraged. Accommodation is spread across 31 opulently adorned bedrooms and suites (Natalia Miyar’s design takes influence from 18th-century French interiors), including a charming, secluded mews house. Its round-the-clock restaurant has already become a neighborhood hotspot, with a modern British menu elevated with Mediterranean influences. And there are some resplendent private spaces, too, which now play host to stylish soirees. Open now
1 Hotel Mayfair
An urban oasis nestled among the Royal Parks, 1 Hotel Mayfair offers a refreshing sanctuary in the heart of the capital. Built with the brand’s certified sustainability pillars at the forefront of construction, it was developed from two existing buildings and designed to reduce CO2 emissions. Lush, live green walls are now its signature: the property boasts 1,300 plants, shrubs and trees throughout its grounds, while the tranquil, minimal interiors let nature take center stage. Open now