5 Best Hotels in Westminster, London

As packed with bohemian character as they come, this small boutique hotel oozes retro charm. The shabby chic decor lands somewhere between town house and artist's loft, with muted gray and stripped brick walls, reclaimed furniture, and distressed pine floorboards offset with irreverent touches like quirky art, milking stools, and antler chandeliers. The effect works beautifully, and it helps that the staff are so friendly. The café serves traditional English breakfasts and lunches with an emphasis on regional produce. There's a speakeasy-style bar in the basement with a concise but considered cocktail list. 

The London outpost of the exclusive Corinthia chain is design heaven-on-earth, with levels of service that make anyone feel like a VIP. There's an eye-popping lobby; the Northall restaurant is a treasury of soaring columns, Edwardian woodwork, and futuristic chandeliers; Kerridge’s Bar & Grill—designed by David Collins—references the chef's gastropub past with leather banquettes and a pewter-topped bar; and the elegant Crystal Moon Lounge wows with its stunning Baccarat chandelier. Guest rooms in cool tones have beautiful city views, and spacious bathrooms have underfloor heating, so even your toes will feel pampered.

With Buckingham Palace just around the corner, this hotel, built in 1910 and now run by third-generation Gorings, has always been a favorite among discreet VIPs—including Kate Middleton's family on the night before her marriage to Prince William in 2011. The vibe is quintessentially Belgravia: a luxurious and welcoming atmosphere, mixed with traditional Edwardian style including silk and embossed wallpapers, pearl-fringed curtains, patterned carpets, and brass and gilded fittings. If you can't stay the night here but still fancy a taste of the royally endorsed treatment, the Goring's traditional afternoon tea is excellent, and the glamorous bar serves surprisingly innovative cocktails. The beautifully uniformed and helpful concierge staff go above and beyond, with a knowledge of London that's second to none.

With faultless service, sumptuous designer furnishings, and a sense of fun to boot, this impeccable hotel breathes new life into the cliché "thinks of everything," yet the epithet is really quite apt. A "whatever, whenever" button on the bedroom telephone connects you with helpful, amiable staffers who provide exactly that. High-tech gadgets are everywhere in the beautifully decorated black-and-white rooms; some are split-level and all are gorgeously furnished with extraordinary pieces from every corner of the globe. Even the hotel entrance is unique: an elevator sweeps you up to the fifth-floor lobby, where you can relax on a buttery leather couch in front of the fire while you're checked in. Perhaps the most appealing thing of all about this place is how perfectly it balances real luxury with genuine warmth and hospitality.

The first Raffles hotel in the United Kingdom has finally opened in the former old war offices in Whitehall overlooking the Royal Horse Guards, and given the Raffles brand, it couldn't be more appropriately housed, with thoughtful, historic touches throughout including chandeliers, opulent upholstery, and grand marble staircases. Arrive through the main entrance on Whitehall, and you immediately know you're on hallowed ground—get there after midday, and you'll be greeted with a glass of Laurent Perrier Champagne. Many of the hotel's suites have historic names to match their pedigree. The Haldane Suite, named after the Secretary of State for War in 1906, was once used by significant military figures such as Lord Kitchener. The historic paneling and mantelpieces have been restored and preserved, enriched by red or green damask upholstery. Stay in the Churchill Suite (if you have a spare £20,000) and you can say you've slept in a room where critical decisions were made during World War II, including about the D-Day landings. There are several fine dining and afternoon tea options on-site, and with a huge swimming pool and London's first Guerlain spa, you would be hard-pressed to find a more elegant place to stay right in the heart of Whitehall.