"Different" Luxury Hotels in London

[wrencho]

Wife's Big Birthday incoming....thinking about a trip to London sans kids and live like we were 30, except with a (moderate) pot to piss in now.

Any recommendations for luxury hotel, preferably with spa, that are a bit different, maybe a bit more boutique than the gargantuan ones. We are fairly relaxed so nothing too stuffy and formal...

[Vixpy1]

We stayed in the Shard for a couple of nights last year and really enjoyed it, far more so than the Grovsner house we stayed in the year before

[Louis Balfour]

wrencho said:

Wife's Big Birthday incoming....thinking about a trip to London sans kids and live like we were 30, except with a (moderate) pot to piss in now.

Any recommendations for luxury hotel, preferably with spa, that are a bit different, maybe a bit more boutique than the gargantuan ones. We are fairly relaxed so nothing too stuffy and formal...

Browns is good. The best massage I have had, anywhere.

[Mastiff]

You could try The Hari?

[yellowjack]

No spa, but you could do worse than try a stay at Hotel 41 on Buckingham Palace Road. It's literally opposite the Royal Mews (side entrance to Buckingham Palace) and is housed in the old ballroom of the hotel below it. It occupies the top floor but has it's own entrance at ground level... https://41hotel.com/

My wife treated us to a stay there for my birthday a few years ago. It's utterly fabulous.

I also enjoyed the St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel, which does have a spa, gym, and indoor pool (although we didn't use those facilities when we stayed so I can't comment on them)... https://www.marriott.co.uk/hotels/travel/lonpr-st-...

Both are in beautiful old buildings with lots of original features, which is probably why me and my wife like then so much. Another great thing about them is that there is (or at any rate was when we stayed) really great food "on tap" all day. Hardly a moment goes by when there isn't something available to eat in the lounges.

[KevF]

Have stayed at the Nobu Hotel on Portman Square a number of times. Under ground car park next door, fantastic restaurant on site and luxury rooms and treatment.


https://london-portman.nobuhotels.com

[Stephanie Plum]

The Baglioni is nice and next door to the Royal Albert Hall, close to Kensington Palace, Gardens etc.

[psi310398]

The Lost Poet in Notting Hill might be worth a look as a slightly alternative option, and the Laslett has a good low key but luxurious rep.

[Carl_Manchester]

wrencho said:

Wife's Big Birthday incoming....thinking about a trip to London sans kids and live like we were 30, except with a (moderate) pot to piss in now.

Any recommendations for luxury hotel, preferably with spa, that are a bit different, maybe a bit more boutique than the gargantuan ones. We are fairly relaxed so nothing too stuffy and formal...

Option 1 (ticks all boxes apart from size):

On the basis that its not stuffy or formal, the hotel look and feel also doesnt look like it was ripped from a Dubai holiday brochure. It is one of a small handful of hotels that has a decent sized indoor pool.

https://www.landmarklondon.co.uk/

Option 2

The Berkerley (ticks all the boxes but its a bit more formal). On the plus side it does have a rooftop pool so whilst the missus is getting her mud pack done you can get lagging in the pool. They do actually serve you directly into the pool here so the opportunity to get fully loaded is good.

https://www.the-berkeley.co.uk/

[projectgt]

Great suggestions so far.

Safe bet is The Ned, go for a nice suite and get access to roof top pool, gym, members bars and many restaurants to choose from - book these ahead of your stay. Live music most nights and a short ride to many theatres etc.

[Mammasaid]

Surely the answer is The Lanesborough.

https://www.oetkercollection.com/hotels/the-lanesb...

Take a look at the Amazing Hotels on the BBC

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m0014t71/ama...

[okgo]

Wanting a spa narrows things drastically, and realistically they're all either a bit , or very similarly high end and russian, not really quirky - and to be frank, they're all st compared to one outside of London like a Pennyhill Park or similar just because there isn't the space.

If you're going in summer I'd say the Ned is probably a good shout, obviously full of absolute weapons but it will be a bit different to everything mentioned in the thread at least.

Or look at the below and work backwards perhaps if it must have a spa.

https://thetinytravellerstopten.com/2013/08/15/top...


If not then Chiltern Firehouse or possibly https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/eu... might work or The Standard looks quite smart and a little more relaxed too. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/eu...

Edited by okgo on Wednesday 23 February 09:57

Edited by okgo on Wednesday 23 February 09:58

[abzmike]

Mammasaid said:

Surely the answer is The Lanesborough.

https://www.oetkercollection.com/hotels/the-lanesb...

Take a look at the Amazing Hotels on the BBC

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m0014t71/ama...

I was about to suggest that having seem the programme last night. It looks lovely, but quite 'stuffy and formal' that the OP doesn't really need. The butler bowing as he left after delivering tea would do my head in.

[HJG]

Check out the Exhibitionist in South Kensington.
The splash suite has a huge bathroom with a hot tub. The whole hotel is a little quirky.

[Xenobian]

Blakes Hotel in Chelsea is often considered the original of London's luxury boutique hotels, and is a great place. Quirky, small, special. It's owned and designed by the legendary yacht (and interior) designer Anouska Hempel - https://www.blakeshotels.com/

Other really excellent ones I have stayed at are (not in any particular order):

Hazlitt's, Soho, loads of quirky historical charm - https://www.hazlittshotel.com/
The Gore, Kensington, cosy elegance - https://collezione.starhotels.com/en/our-hotels/th...
Chiltern Firehouse, Marylebone, retro luxury, but of a celebrity/media personality haunt - https://www.chilternfirehouse.com/
Batty Langley's, Spitalfields, historic Georgian-era luxury (This one is my favourite, if you don't mind being a bit further away from the West End) - https://www.battylangleys.com/
The Zetter Townhouse, Marylebone - Victoriana eccentric luxury (My favourite in the West End area) - https://thezetter.com/townhouse-marylebone/

I think any of the above would make for a really special and memorable stay, far more so than most of the obvious big hotels.

[wrencho]

thanks for the tips. The ned was on the list but I understood membership was required for the rooftop pool. Is access included with a suite?

[Xenobian]

wrencho said:

thanks for the tips. The ned was on the list but I understood membership was required for the rooftop pool. Is access included with a suite?

The Ned is a great hotel but iirc you cannot access the pool as a hotel guest, you need membership for the Upstairs Club spaces (terrace and pool). Hotel guests can use Ned’s Club Gym, Spa and Ned's Friends spaces (Millie's Lounge and Library Bar). The Vault (Ned's Club downstairs) is also members-only.

[Louis Balfour]

Xenobian said:

Blakes Hotel in Chelsea is often considered the original of London's luxury boutique hotels, and is a great place. Quirky, small, special. It's owned and designed by the legendary yacht (and interior) designer Anouska Hempel - https://www.blakeshotels.com/

Other really excellent ones I have stayed at are (not in any particular order):

Hazlitt's, Soho, loads of quirky historical charm - https://www.hazlittshotel.com/
The Gore, Kensington, cosy elegance - https://collezione.starhotels.com/en/our-hotels/th...
Chiltern Firehouse, Marylebone, retro luxury, but of a celebrity/media personality haunt - https://www.chilternfirehouse.com/
Batty Langley's, Spitalfields, historic Georgian-era luxury (This one is my favourite, if you don't mind being a bit further away from the West End) - https://www.battylangleys.com/
The Zetter Townhouse, Marylebone - Victoriana eccentric luxury (My favourite in the West End area) - https://thezetter.com/townhouse-marylebone/

I think any of the above would make for a really special and memorable stay, far more so than most of the obvious big hotels.

Yep, Blake’s is good. If you are ok with being that far out.

[NDA]

The Goring Hotel is pretty good. No spa though.

[psi310398]

NDA said:

The Goring Hotel is pretty good. No spa though.

According to my late great uncle, the Goring is where a chap takes his mistress, not his wife!