Guide to the best boutique hotels in London

Boundary, a place to eat, drink and sleep in the beating heart of Shoreditch, houses 17 rooms, all based on a legendary designer or movement of the 20th century, from the Bauhaus and Eileen Grey to David Tang and more. The rooftop here is the star of the show and is especially lovely in the warmer months when you can enjoy sun-kissed views of London’s skyline. The menu at The Rooftop changes based on the seasons; think Mediterranean in summer and Alpine-inspired eats in the colder months. It’s open rain or shine for lunch, dinner and late-night drinks.

Don’t be fooled by Treehouse London’s grey office-like exterior; inside, it’s a design-lovers retreat. This trendy hotel in the city centre has been designed to evoke the nostalgia of climbing a tree as a child, with exposed wood juxtaposed against lush greenery. Sleek, chic rooms come with enormous windows for epic city views. The restaurant Madera serves Mexican fare made with high-quality ingredients, open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

This boutique hotel is set in a quintessential London townhouse and is home to only ten rooms, each individually designed and kitted out with vintage furniture, parquet flooring and modern amenities that make a stay that little bit more comfortable. On the lower floor, you’ll find an all-day brasserie serving seasonal dishes and signature cocktails. There's also a late-night speakeasy cocktail bar in the cellar for after-dark drinks.

Located on one of Covent Garden’s most famous streets, this 18-bedroom boutique bolthole offers a peaceful stay for any trip to the Big Smoke. Designed by the renowned Dorothée Meilichzon in an elegant, contemporary fashion with terracotta tiles from France, velvet and leopard print fabrics and a hand-painted ceiling with a featured giant tiger. Da Henrietta by Italian Supper Club serves a menu that pays tribute to the Tyrrhenian Sea, including regional favourites and seasonal picks.

18th-century Georgian palace meets modern luxury at Betty Langley’s, an eccentric hotel smack bang in the centre of the east end’s liveliest area. The 29-room and suite hotel feels like a home-away-from-home (a stately home at that) and took around 20 years to build from start to finish, thanks to the time it took to source all of its original Georgian fittings and antiques. Rooms are individually styled, so each is totally different and named after key historical figures from the era. Although there aren’t any on-site restaurants and bars, you really don’t need them as you’re a stone’s throw from some of the best restaurants in London and moments from Liverpool Street Station, linking you to the rest of the city.

This sophisticated hotel on buzzy Dean Street is located in a beautiful Georgian townhouse with 39 bespoke bedrooms. Rooms come in various sizes, from tiny to larger rooms for those requiring extra space, and are decorated in a rustic fashion, with dark wood and antique furniture. The restaurant is decked out with red leather booths and chequered flooring and serves an all-day menu of British dishes, such as Yorkshire roast chicken and Dover sole.

The Mayfair Townhouse is spread across a whopping 15 Georgian townhouses dating back to the 17th century and is located right around the corner from Hyde Park and Green Park station. It oozes elegance and sophistication with mid-century modern touches paired with classic British style and design reminiscent of the artists, writers and creatives of the 19th century. The Dandy’s Bar serves a curated list of fancy cocktails and a menu for dining at any time of the day.

If you’re an art aficionado, you’ll like this boutique hotel in Soho, designed by British interior designer Kit Kemp, known for her use of bold, bright colours, patterns and textures, which is immediately apparent upon entering. All of the rooms are individually designed, with fabric wallpapers, scents from Kemp’s range of bath and body collections, and floor-to-ceiling windows boasting views of the scandalous streets of Soho. Enjoy modern European dishes at Ham Yard restaurant, which includes a vegan menu and a reasonably-priced afternoon tea.

This independently-owned 13-bedroom hotel is set in a Georgian townhouse in Farringdon and is The Zetter Marylebone's edgy younger sibling. The style is eccentric; think funky furniture and decor from various eras. There are 13 rooms and suites with mismatched furniture, huge mirrors and a comforting colour scheme. Its cocktail bar Wilhelmina's Lounge draws crowds from all over, especially on the weekend, but if you're after a substantial meal, you'll have to venture across to The Zetter, where they serve a menu of homely dishes.

For a cool stay in the East End, The Hoxton is the place to be. If you can peel yourself away from the comfort of your hotel, you’re surrounded by independent boutiques, excellent coffee shops and incredible nightlife. Rooms come in three categories, differing in size, all decked out stylishly; think geometric rugs, velvet armchairs and marble coffee tables. The Hoxton Grill is open seven days a week and serves American comfort food, like Philly cheese steaks and mac n cheese with truffle lobster.

This five-star sanctuary in Fitzrovia offers an excellent base for exploring everything the capital offers. It’s an independent arts hotel housing 32 bedrooms and suites, each designed creatively and kitted out with modern amenities such as Marshall radios. The restaurant YOPO takes English ingredients and gives them a Latin American twist, while a lighter tapas menu is available at the Juerma terrace. Thirsty? Try the Waeska bar for botanical cocktails.

Great Northern Hotel is an excellent option for those who want to be right in the middle of King’s Cross, an area known for its buzzy restaurants, bars and creative scene. The hotel is decorated elegantly, with plenty of artwork by a range of different artists. Eighty-eight rooms come in three styles, all decorated timelessly in a slightly different fashion. RAILS Restaurant & Little Bar’s menu offers modern British dishes with a slight nod to French cuisine.

This luxurious Soho hotel is a five-star spot on Regent Street in Piccadilly and combines modern luxury with traditional touches. There's a spa and a range of bars and restaurants in-house, serving everything from cocktails and small plates with the option to dine-in-room if you prefer. There's also a Van Gogh-themed afternoon tea which is enjoyed in The Grill Room, decorated in gold and elegant details.

NoMad transformed the storied 19th century courthouse it occupies in the heart of Covent Garden Through understated luxury and vintage American elegance, NoMad transformed a historic 19th-century courthouse in Covent Garden into a welcoming haven. The boutique hotel in the heart of the city offers 91 rooms and suites with tasteful furnishings, hardwood floors, flat-screen TVs, and other modern amenities – some even feature a clawfoot bathtub.

Henry's Townhouse, though modest in size with only six rooms, is a haven of luxury and relaxation. Drawing inspiration from Jane Austen's brother Henry and the 18th century, this boutique hotel in Marylebone is a showcase of opulence and British elegance. It features an array of sumptuous fabrics, curated art and antiques, personalised service, and artisanal products. Henry's Townhouse also encompasses various reception areas for dining, socialising, working, or simply enjoying a drink.