6 Best Hotels in Covent Garden, London

A shiny fortress of luxury, ME brings a splash of modern cool to a rather stuffy patch of the Strand. Designed by Foster and Partners (the architects behind London's City Hall and the Reichstag in Berlin, among other buildings), the sleek, subtly lit public areas give way to bright and spacious bedrooms with modern gadgetry like custom-controlled mood lighting. The main on-site restaurant—STK—is fun and glittery, but the Radio Rooftop Bar is the real star. The view of the Thames, from the Shard in the east to the old Battersea Power Station in the west, is one of the best in town. Other on-site facilities include plenty of meeting spaces and a 24-hour gym.

One of London's most iconic hotels maintains its status at the top with winning attributes of impeccable service, stunning decor, and a desirable location on the Strand. There's still no grander entrance hall in London than the main stately lobby or a more glamorous setting than the adjacent Thames Foyer, a dreamy salon done up in black-and-white chinoiserie and pink orchids. Gadgets such as LCD TVs are oh-so-discreetly incorporated so as not to destroy the effect as you prepare for cocktails at the famed American Bar (first opened in 1893, it maintains a strict first-come-first-served policy, so who knows who you'll be standing in line with). There are four superb restaurants: the Gordon Ramsay–run Savoy Grill; a tiny tasting menu-only Restaurant 1890; the Thames Foyer; and Ramsay's the River Restaurant with its glorious panoramic views of the Thames.

One of London's hippest hotels sits opposite the famous Royal Opera House, and while a bit austere looking from the outside, inside it's all deluxe boho-chic, with dark mahoganies, worn rugs, velvet sofas, embroidered damasks, and hand-painted wallpapers. Set in the former Bow Street Magistrates' Court and Police Station and delightfully sprinkled with 1,600 pieces of art, be sure to take tea in the Library, enjoy craft cocktails in the subterranean Common Decency cocktail lounge, or sip agave-based cocktails in the hopping Side Hustle bar.

This art-filled former 19th-century office building, now part of the Hilton chain, is in a superb location, and some guest rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows with extraordinary views of Trafalgar Square, Nelson's Column, and The City. Twenty-one rooms are split-level, with upstairs space for chilling out and sleeping space below. Bathrooms have deep tubs, full-size toiletries, and mini-TVs. Go up to the roof garden for spectacular views of the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, and the London Eye. Better yet, ask for Room 303 to enjoy these exquisite views in privacy.

A fine Edwardian building, with an artsy lobby and an understated blend of contemporary and classic, provides pure modern luxury in a great location for theaters and shopping. Guest rooms are equipped with feather comforters, Italian linen sheets, and ample elegance, and suites have such amenities as private gyms, kitchens, and terraces. The gorgeous swimming pool in the health club has underwater speakers that play music you can hear only when you dive in.

Design-conscious travelers come to this Philippe Starck–designed spot positioned artfully between Trafalgar Square and Covent Garden. Giant Baroque mirrors, pink hydrangea-filled vases, and golden molar seats dot the lobby, while leopard print–carpet bedrooms are very modish with white-lacquer fittings, etched glass, and aluminum teardrop lights. Be sure to sneak into the secret Blind Spot speakeasy bar for late-night cocktails, hidden behind a fake tea counter and entered via twisting a creepy golden hand–shape handle.