Accommodation

5 April 2012

From the Savoy to the Sanderson, the London hotel scene has a long history of welcoming the world?s celebrities to its fine architecture, designer interiors and opulent service. Whilst we host a variety of gorgeous cottage-style family run hotels, we also offer the definitive luxury stopovers. Generally, you?ll find the most luxurious hotels around Mayfair and cheaper ones in Bayswater and Earl?s Court ? however both areas are very accessible. The last decade in particular has seen award-winning architects and interior designers stamp their mark on the capital, with the likes if Ian Schrager and Sir Terence Conran offering nothing but the best.
So whether you?re looking for luxury or budget, find a place to stay with This is London?s essential selection of the best luxury, moderate and cheap hotels.

LUXURY
Ritz
Keeping up with the times, the Ritz is still the classiest hotel in town. So if you want to treat someone to something really special, a night here is the ultimate romantic gift. Think rococo mirrors, marble bathrooms, chandeliers, silk sheets, two staff to each guest - there?s nowhere better.
Price: £358 single, £417-£499 double
Where: 150 Piccadilly, W1J, 020 7493 8181, 0 20 7300 2308 www.theritzhotel.co.uk
Tube: Green Park

Savoy
To stay at the Savoy is to experience London?s illustrious past. The 1889 hotel enjoys excellent views of the Thames and is bang in the centre of the West End so you?re near both shops and culture. Many of the 230 rooms still offer Art Deco features in the bedrooms and the American Bar exudes the sophistication of the £20s when the Savoy was at the forefront of the cocktail scene. In addition to the modern amenities, it offers traditional afternoon tea and the Savoy Grill ? known to some as the second House of Lords. Monet is said to have painted London from here; Pavlova has danced here, and Churchill has eaten here. So there!
Price: £341-£376 single; £405-£441 double; £582 + suite
Where: Strand, London WC2R 0EU, 0 20 7836 4343, www.savoy-group.co.uk
Tube/Train: Charing Cross, Embankment

Great Eastern Hotel
The rich and the famous stay here. Situated in the heart of the financial city and conveniently a stone?s throw from Liverpool Street train and tube station, Sir Terence Conran?s hotel is modern and stylish ? it even has an impressive modern art collection. There are 267 ultra-cool rooms, a Zen rock garden lounge and a restaurant with a stained-glass dome. If you?re wanting to see more of East London and its cutting-edged goings-ons then you?re in an ideal location. The downstairs bar is cool and exclusive and very popular with the in-crowd.
Price: £264 single; £305-£381 double
Where: Liverpool St, EC2, 020 7618 5000, www.great-eastern-hotel.co.uk
Tube: Liverpool St

The Metropolitan
The Metropolitan is to the hotel-world what The Ivy is to the restaurant scene ? an integral part of London?s celebrity-dom. Not far from the West End, Hyde Park and fashionable Bond Street, the trendy Metropolitan makes a sumptuous retreat. The design here is simple but cool, coaxing you with soft purples and olives. Consisting of 155 rooms, plus a penthouse with outstanding views, it is also home to London?s premier Japanese restaurant, Nobu, and celebrity hang-out the Met Bar. Treat yourself!
Price: £282 single; £282-£393 double; £522-£1,880 suite
Where: Old Park Lane, London W1, 0 20 7447 1000, www.metropolitan.co.uk
Tube: Green Park, Hyde Park Corner

Sanderson
Described by owner Ian Schrager as an ?urban spa? the Sanderson nestles comfortably between Regent?s Park and trendy Soho. Expect Dali?s red lip sofa and a 35-foot long Louis XVI style sofa on entering this Alice in Wonderland-esque interior. Inside, the rooms are extremely daring. But the style works. The 150 rooms boast cutting-edge furniture alongside silver leaf sleigh beds and silk transparent curtains. For relaxation, head to the Agua Bathhouse.
Price: £229-£317 single; £258-£347 double
Where: 50 Berners St, W1T, 020 73000 1400, www.schragerhotels.com
Tube: Oxford Circus or Tottenham Court Road

MODERATE
Harlingford Hotel
The Harlingford is a family run hotel in Bloomsbury. On a Georgian crescent, the hotel is conveniently situated for most places of interest, shopping and business areas ? you?re a short walk from bustling Tottenham Court Road and Soho. All rooms have varnished-wood bathrooms, television, direct dial telephone, tea and coffee making facilities.
Price: £70 single; £88 double; £98 triple
Where: 61-63 Cartwright Gardens, WC1, 020 7387 1551, www.harlingfordhotel.com
Tube: Tottenham Court Rd, Goodge St, Euston

Five Sumner Place
Near by the Natural history Museum and the Science Museum is South Kensington. In this quaint London village is a friendly little hotel where all the bedrooms have been individually designed and tastefully decorated with the emphasis on traditional period furnishings, (all have colour television, radio, telephone, and a refrigerator.) Every morning you will be able to take breakfast amongst the graceful shrubs and flowers in a magnificent Victorian style conservatory which leads to a paved patio, where, in the finer weather, you can relax after a hard day of business or sightseeing.
Price: £99 single; £150 double
Where: 5 Sumner Place, SW7, 020 7584 7586, www.sumnerplace.com
Tube: South Kensington

Swiss House Hotel
Swiss House gives the true impression of a country B&B. Its attractive facade is covered with trailing ivy and flower boxes. A warm ambience is created inside with displays of beautiful dried flowers and blue carpets, in a warm and relaxed interior. Rates include a continental breakfast, TV, direct dialing etc. There?s a £6 supplement for an English breakfast. This place is perfect for family because of the quad rooms.
Price: £48-£68 single; £85-£99 double; £114 triple; £128 quad
Where: 171 Old Brompton Road, SW5, 020 7373 2769, www.swiss-hh.demon.co.uk
Tube: Gloucester Road

CHEAP

Hampstead Village Guesthouse
Set just a little north of posh picturesque Hampstead is this bohemian family guesthouse. Since it was built in 1873, it has been home to generations of families and a variety of interesting people, including the infamous Colonel Roberts and the London Mozart Players. Now it?s home to Annemarie van der Meer and her family (and Marley, the dog). During the summer months, you can relax and take a leisurely breakfast in the garden. The room includes a small fridge; a kettle, with tea and coffee; direct-dial telephone; remote-control TV; hairdryer, hot water bottle, iron and ironing board.
Price: £48-66 single; £72-£84 double; £90-£150 studio (family?)
Where: 2 Kemplay Road, Hampstead, NW3, 020 7435 8679, www.hampsteadguesthouse.com
Tube: Hampstead
Rail: Hampstead Heath

Rushmore Hotel
Using individual fabrics and furnishings, each room has been refurbished with flair and originality, making the hotel unique in its category. All rooms offer cable colour television, direct-dial telephone, individually controlled central heating, hairdryer and complimentary tea/coffee tray. The en-suite bathrooms are equipped with showers and some also with baths. Many are finished in marble and have brass fittings. It has an enchanting breakfast conservatory with iron chairs and glass tables. This is a very stylish place for it?s price.
Price: £59-£69 single; £79-£85 double; £89-£95 triple; £99-£110 family
Where: 11 Trebovir Road, Earl?s Court, SW5, 020 7370 0274, www.rushmorehotel.co.uk
Tube: Earl?s Court

Garden Court Hotel
Set in a classy area near Hyde Park, the Garden Court Hotel is a bargain considering it?s an 1854 townhouse looking over a pretty Victorian square. Its 62 bedrooms proffer private balconies overlooking the courtyard. There?s also high speed internet access making it a convenient place to stay for people on business trips.
Price: £39-£58 single; £58-£88 double; £72-£99 triple; £82-£120 quad
Where: 30-31 Kensington Gardens Square, Bayswater, W2, 020 7727 2749, www.gardencourthotel.com
Tube: Bayswater/Queensway

ï‚· If you?re with another family why not self-cater? www.palacecourt.co.uk

ï‚· Or stay with a local? London Bed and Breakfast Agency, www.londonbb.com

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