Chic & Discreet: The Best Central London Boutique Hotels

Photo courtesy Covent Garden Hotel

While the city’s almost always a-buzz, the best Central London boutique hotels offer a welcome respite from the crowds. Read Contributor Gina Baksa’s list of the most luxurious boutique hotel options in this popular tourist spot

Updated Nov 4, 2022 / Commissions may be earned from our affiliate partner links

Central London luxury hotels have raised the bar for leisure and business travellers. Transformed historic buildings are now home to stunning boutique hotels with quirky touches and elegant interiors offering discerning guests first-class service and amenities.

Proximity to London’s parks, theatreland, and great shopping is a given, as are beautifully appointed rooms and suites, spas, indoor pools, balconies and spacious guest areas. Many central London boutique hotels boast award-winning restaurants and bars: the perfect spot for a romantic supper à deux, after relaxing over a cocktail or two, as well as a traditional Afternoon Tea after a day’s hectic retail therapy.

Here are some of our favourite Central London boutique hotels.

The Top Central London Boutique Hotels

Covent Garden Hotel

One of the original central London boutique hotels, the Covent Garden Hotel on cobbled Monmouth Street lies in the heart of its namesake district within walking distance to the best shops, cafés, and restaurants – don’t miss Neals Yard – as well as the West End theatre and movie district.

Afternoon tea is a must here, but leave space for supper or cocktails at Brasserie Max. It’s open all day for breakfast, light bites and supper, with a delightful al fresco dining terrace.

Watch a movie in the screening room before a nightcap in the light-filled loft suite: a duplex haven with fireplace, drawing room, separate bedroom and dining area, and views over Covent Garden.

Reviews, Rates, & Reservations: For further details, visit Covent Garden Hotel

Charlotte Street Hotel

Conveniently located just a couple blocks north of Covent Garden, the trendy Charlotte Street Hotel is surrounded by cool cafés and award-winning restaurants.

Just a stone’s throw from Soho Square and London’s theatreland, the décor here reflects the nearby Bloomsburyintellectual vibe, with plush sofas, well-stocked bookshelves, and original artwork featuring the authors from the Bloomsbury set. Enjoy cocktails at the Oscar bar and restaurant before supper at this popular local hangout. The fresh, seasonal cuisine can be enjoyed outside on the street-facing terrace or in the smart dining room.

Reserve the tranquil Virginia Wolf suite and begin the novel you’ve been promising yourself to write.

Reviews, Rates, & Reservations: For further details, visit Charlotte Street Hotel

Dean Street Townhouse Hotel

A member of the Soho House group of hotels and townhouses, the Dean Street Townhouse Central London hotel lives up to the brand’s cool artistic vibe, located in a beautiful Georgian townhouse in the centre of Soho. A popular hangout of creatives and aristos since 1792, today’s incarnation offers guests a choice of 39 bedrooms, each uniquely designed and some with freestanding baths in the bedroom area.

The Bigger Bedrooms face Dean Street and boast 460 sq ft of luxurious furnishings with king beds, desk, and spacious lounge areas. Savour the British-style menu for breakfast and brunch with an all-day lunch and dinner menu. A luxury central London boutique hotel that is every bit as good as its reputation.

Rates, & Reservations: For further details, visit www.deanstreettownhouse.com

Haymarket Hotel

Boasting an enviable location on Haymarket, in the heart of London’s West End theatre district, the eponymous Haymarket Hotel is a short walk or taxi to shopping in Mayfair and Regent Street, and just steps from leafy St James’s Park.

This central London boutique hotel was designed by Firmdale Hotels’ Creative Director and Owner Kit Kemp in her signature English style and offers guests spacious and individually designed rooms and suites.

The guest areas are especially inviting: take your favourite book to the Library Terrace, Lobby, or Conservatory, the perfect spots to meet friends or spend time alone. Brummus bar and restaurant cooks up a storm with its fresh local provenance and a highly recommended afternoon tea. One of the best luxury hotels in London.

Reviews, Rates, & Reservations: For further details, visit Haymarket Hotel

Hazlitt’s Hotel

On any good list of luxurious, quirky hotels in London, Hazlitt’s Hotel enjoys a central Soho location on Frith Street, in the heart of the capital’s entertainment and theatre district.

Surprisingly quiet, this bastion of cool prides itself on its old-fashioned service and charm, alongside thoroughly modern amenities and an historic ambiance. Tall ceilings, wood panelled walls, a sumptuous library, cosy window seats are the backdrop to a selection of unique rooms and suites.

We love the spacious air-conditioned Duke of Monmouth Suite with its separate sitting room and even a garden replete with sliding glass roof. Perfect for English summers and one of the best hotels in London.

Reviews, Rates, & Reservations: For further details, visit Hazlitt’s Hotel

L’Oscar London

Award-winning L’oscar London hotel thoroughly deserves its reputation as one of the cool hotels London. Located in a Grade II listed former church, interiors by designer Jacques Garcia are sumptuously luxurious using sexy design elements and fabrics – think leather and velvet and centrepiece chandeliers – that reflect the grandeur of this Baroque-style building in buzzing Holborn.

In-house L’oscar Restaurant is helmed by Head Chef Allan Pickett and exudes a Parisian glamour and sophistication thanks to its oversize mirrors and rich colour accents. Take a seat at the illuminated onyx bar for late-night cocktails, then reserve a table in the dining room, before retiring to a sensual bedroom decorated in reds, purples and golds.

We love the duplex suite with floor-to-ceiling balcony views over London. Located close to Covent Garden, the West End, and the Thames, L’Oscar London is one of the best central London boutique hotels: perfect for romantic stays, anniversary celebrations and weekends away with family and friends.

Reviews, Rates, & Reservations: For further details, visit L’Oscar London

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Contributor Gina Baksa is a freelance lifestyle and features journalist with a focus on luxury brands and experiences. You can follow Gina’s travel adventures on @Travelscriber (Twitter), @ginabaksa (Instagram), www.ginabaksa.com, and www.ginabaksa.journoportfolio.com.