19 Hidden Gem Hotels in London Voted on By Frequent Travelers
Every traveler is looking for hidden gem hotels in London; that perfect mix of affordable luxury that feels expensive but isn’t.
I surveyed a group of frequent London travelers to find the best hidden gem hotels in London that they come back to again and again, and this is what they said.
I also broke it down by budget to find out which less well-known luxury hotels are worth it, and which hidden gem hotels in london are the cheapest.
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Before we proceed, keep in mind London hotels are expensive. They just are, and it sucks. Here’s my breakdown of average cost and comparison to Airbnbs.
Best Hidden Gem Hotels in London
These are the hotels that the most people in the survey voted for. They gave me their reasons for returning to these hotels again and again during their years of traveling to London.
1. Clermont Hotel Charing Cross
“Clermont Charing Cross is a spectacular hotel. We stayed there in July and we will stay there again in December. Room was a great size with terrific views, beautiful hotel, staff friendly and accommodating, and convenient to tube and walk to all different sites, pubs and shops.”
-M.S.
“Really friendly staff – we could hardly get checked in for saying hello to them all!”
-J.M.
“Have stayed there on a number of occasions & back there in 2 weeks. Great location and amenities.”
-M,M.
The Clermont was by far the most mentioned hotel in the survey. London travelers flock to this hidden gem for the price point: it feels like a luxury hotel, but without the luxury price.
2. The Bailey’s Hotel, Kensington
From £162/night
“LOVE love love this place. Total hidden gem. So central, near the tube, great rates. We stay here every time we’re in London.”
-S.N.
The most affordable of all the hidden gem hotels in London – except for popular favorite Premiere Inn which we’ll cover later in the list – the Bailey’s gets rave reviews for the spectacularly low price point. Situated in a quaint 19th-century townhouse, this is a little boutique hotel for a Motel 6 price.
3. Park Plaza County Hall, Southbank
From £219/night
“We have been traveling yearly to London for ten years. We always stay at Park Plaza County Hall. It’s affordable, close to everything, clean, great hospitality, and more. Get a room with a view of the London Eye. You will be glad you did.”
-S.W.
The Park Plaza County Hall is a big and modern hotel on the Southbank, which is a great spot for families. Walk to Borough Market, Shrek’s Adventure, The London Eye, and so much more.
4. One Hundred Shoreditch
“Just stayed at the hotel 100 Shoreditch, brilliant hotel, could not recommend it highly enough, 10 minutes into Covent garden by Taxi, train stations nearby and bus stop outside, customer service 13 out of 10 will stay again.”
-G.L.
This super clean, modern hotel with fresh white linens is a total bargain at only £178/night. In the heart of Shoreditch, you can’t get a better location for great food, shopping, street art, and that I-live-in-London vibe.
5. The Cumberland, Westminster
From £251/night
“The Cumberland was the hotel I chose for over 20 yrs. It changed hands several times and is The Cumberland again. Perfect location right out to Mayfair and Hyde Park and on to Buckingham Palace. Nice choice.”
-P.G.
The Cumberland is a well-known music-centric venue in London, celebrating the city’s historic place in music history. You’ll stay in the heart of Marble Arch, near Hyde Park & Oxford Street. It’s a great location, and travelers return again and again for the kind staff and clean, well appointed rooms.
6. Home House
From £334/night
“A private members club with rooms open to non-members. Less ‘hotelly’ in terms of service but great public rooms to use when you are not out and about, that massively exceed the lobbies/bars of hotels for niceness.”
-G.F.
“If you want to feel like royalty in the Victorian era, stay here.”
-J.J.
It’s rare that a members club in London lets in non-members, but in the hotel of Home House, you can take a peek behind the curtain of what London’s rich and famous experience during their daily lives. This is one posh spot for a not-so-posh price.
7. The Strand Palace Hotel
“The Strand Palace every time! It’s perfect.”
-P.M.
“Strand Hotel has discounts if you stay 7 nights. Just returned from there and it was so central, quiet in the room, and very safe.”
-T.P.
“We usually stay at the Strand Palace. It backs onto Covent Garden, is convenient for a lot of stuff and it’s nice.”
-J.B.
The Strand Palace got just as many recommendations as the Clermont, so you know this is a true hidden gem. This hotel is right on The Strand – a prime West London location near theatres, museums, arts, and entertainment venues of all kinds. Stroll the river nearby, and enjoy 24 hour room service to soothe your jetlag.
8. Amano Covent Garden
From £173/night
“Stayed in Amano Covent Garden last two visits. Great hotel in perfect location. Lovely breakfast and rooftop bar. Close to Holborn and Covent Garden tube station.”
-I.H.
“We stayed for New Years and it was fantastic xx”
-J.H.
If I could stay anywhere in London, it would be Covent Garden. I love spending time there, and there’s so much to do!
Amano offers a concierge to book anything you want help with, 24 hour room service, comfortable rooms with aircon, and simply the best location money can buy.
9. Westbourne Hyde Park, Lancaster Gate
From £197/night
“You can get anywhere you want to go with the tube or by walking thru Hyde Park. Really fun to walk around the neighborhood and the staff is always great and remembers your name.”
-W.P.
“We always stay here because it’s the most affordable when we bring the kids. I like having a kitchen and a refrigerator to save money.”
-L.P.
The Westbourne is fantastic if you’re traveling to London with kids. Each room comes equipped with a full kitchenette, so you don’t have to worry about spending major pounds eating out for every meal. Plus you’re right near Hyde Park, with some of the best playgrounds in all of London.
10. Middle Eight
“I just stayed at Middle Eight and loved it. Great staff, couldn’t do enough for you. Lovely rooms. Very quiet. Walked to all the theatres. I’ll definitely go back there.”
-N.H.
“This is a fabulous hotel and often at a good price. It also has a great bar with live music in the basement.”
-A.H.
Frequent London travelers love Middle Eight for its fabulous location in the heart of Central London. Everything is walkable from here, and the rooms are stylish and feel much more expensive than they are!
Hidden Gem Hotels in London Luxury Options
London has no shortage of luxury hotels. You’ve probably heard of the big ones: The Savoy, Claridges, The Langham. But what about the ones you haven’t heard of, or the ones you didn’t think you could afford?
Here are hidden gem hotels in London on the luxury end, and you may be surprised that some are just as affordable as the others on this list.
11. The Waldorf, Covent Garden
“Just stayed at The Waldorf was a fantastic hotel-staff couldn’t do enough to make our stay special.”
-F.M.
Did you know you could stay at the Waldorf – a world-renowned luxury hotel brand – for under £300 a night? Because I didn’t.
Be right back…booking a night away from my kids.
12. One Aldwych, Covent Garden
From £580/night
“One Aldwych is my favorite hotel in London…worth every pence.”
-F.H.
“The most comfortable hotel I’ve ever stayed in. I felt like I had my own staff.”
-J.G.
Just as posh as the Savoy, One Aldwych has absolutely nailed the luxury hotel experience. Travelers splurge over and over again at this posh hotel because they’re made to feel like the only guest on the property – no request is too much for the accommodating staff. The beds also get a lot of excellent reviews, as well as the pool and spa.
If you want to splurge, this is the place. When luxury London hotels usually average over £1,000 per night, this one is much more affordable for the same level of impeccable service.
13. The Royal Horseguards Hotel, Westminster
“After many trips to London, many different hotel stays, I now only stay at the Royal Horseguards Hotel because it is perfection. The River Thames is behind it…it’s walking distance to Trafalgar Square, Big Ben, changing of the guards, Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey etc. Right beside it is the Embankment station and a Thames River taxi to easily get by boat to Tower of London and Borough Market. It doesn’t get any better then the Royal Horseguards Hotel.”
-B.M.
This reviewer has made this her only choice of hotel in London, and it’s easy to see why. It’s a luxury hotel with a prime location for a fraction of the price!
14. The Rosewood, Holborn
“If you have the money stay at the Rosewood. Just do it.”
-T.T.
Our friends stayed at this hotel over Christmas, and I agree with this reviewer wholeheartedly. You know how they say the very wealthy don’t dress in obvious designer brands? This is like the hotel version of that. It’s understated elegance; a luxury London hotel that is impeccable but not a big brand name.
If you have money but don’t want your hotel to scream ‘I have money!’, this is the place.
15. Kimpton Fitzroy, Bloomsbury
From £340/night
“If you haven’t stayed in a Kimpton hotel before you’re in for a treat. I love the Fitzroy because it feels like a small boutique hotel but with luxury service and amenities. Posh little bit of London neighborhood too.”
-R.A.
Besides the absolutely beautiful grade-listed building, the Kimpton has thought of everything with this hotel. Travelers with dietary restrictions love it because the chefs are really attentive, and remember what they can and cannot eat. Guests can truly relax here and have everything taken care of for them.
Hidden Gem Hotels in London Cheapest Options
Here are your best options for a comfortable, clean room in London for under £100 per night.
16. Premier Inn
“Premier Inns are the best, have used them for over 25yrs.”
-GB
Hidden gem hotels in london cheap? Premier Inn. There are several locations across the city, and travelers note that they’re clean, serviceable, and great if you’re on a budget and just need a place to crash.
You won’t find Premier Inn on hotel booking websites – you need to book directly with them. But if you do you’ll find a hotel room in London for under £100 per night.
17. Ibis Hotels
“IBIS is a chain so pretty standard in terms of comfort & cleanliness. Rooms a bit on the small side but perfect if you just want a base & sleep.
-M.M.
Ibis hotels, like Premier Inn, are great if you’re on a budget and want to save that money for sightseeing and attractions. If you don’t need much – and want to keep your nightly rate below £100- Ibis are a great option.
18. Holiday Inn
“Rooms are good size and clean and comfortable..”
NH
Another great budget option is the range of Holiday Inns in London. Travelers particularly like the Bloomsbury location and Camden location. You can get a great room for under £100 per night.
19. Point A Hotels
“Pointe A hotels are reliable and clean. I like the one in Canary Wharf.”
-P.T.
Travelers like Point A hotels for their convenient locations and clean and comfortable rooms. For under £100 night, this is another great option.
Hidden Gem Hotels in London: Final Thoughts
What is your favorite hotel in London and why? Do you know of a great hidden gem hotel in London that should be on this list?
Email me at Jen (at) London in Real Life (dot) com. I want to keep this list as complete as possible, so I thank you for your help!
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