5 Hotels to Consider for a Long Weekend in London
Instead of picking a hotel based on star ratings alone, pick one based on what you're actually there to do. Here are five London hotels, each suited to a different kind of traveler, plus a countryside escape for when the city gets to be too much.
For Shows and Shopping
The Londoner in Leicester Square puts you right in the center of it all. You're steps away from the theatre district, so there's no rushing across town for curtain call, and the shops in the West End are an easy stroll away. The hotel itself becomes part of the experience, with a rooftop restaurant that comes alive at night and a pool that acts as your oasis from the bustling city.
For Old Glamour and Rich History
The Ned is a good match for anyone drawn to London's classic architecture, oldest history, and more indulgent pace. Housed in a former 1920s bank in the City of London, the hotel is part of the history, with marble columns, vaulted ceilings, and art deco details. And the many delicious dining options make it hard to leave!
For Buckingham Palace and Big Ben
If you want Big Ben lit up outside your window, the London Eye at your doorstep, and Westminster within walking distance, London Marriott Hotel County Hall, is the only option. It’s perfect if you want to spend a weekend walking around, ticking off the big-name landmarks, without ever needing the tube.
For '90s Nostalgia and Quiet Boutique Streets
If your version of London is Notting Hill's pastel houses, the Portobello Road Market, and small independent shops rather than big-name retailers, Portobello Hotel London fits the mood exactly. Notting Hill has a more residential feel than central London, with a strong dose of that 1990s film-set nostalgia and quaint, walkable streets lined with boutiques and cafés. It's the right choice for a long weekend spent wandering rather than checklist sightseeing.
For A Central But Calm Location
Set inside a grand Victorian building designed by the architect behind the Titanic's dining room, Kimpton Fitzroy London, gives you glamour and calm. It’s just far enough away from central tourist London to feel quieter, while only being a six minute drive from the Big Ben. With the British Museum a few minutes away, Russell Square's garden right outside, and walkable streets nearby, you’ll find yourself lingering over breakfast and strolling museum halls rather running from landmark to landmark.
Honorable Mention: A Countryside Escape
Cliveden House, a historic stately home turned hotel in Buckinghamshire, offering something the city simply can't: sweeping lawns that roll down to the Thames, formal gardens, and the kind of quiet that only comes with acres of countryside around you. The hotel is only about 40 minutes outside central London and 25 minutes from Heathrow, making it an ideal add-on for travelers who want one night away from the pace of the city. It would also make the perfect romantic long weekend getaway or book retreat.
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