The Best London Hotels – For Under £200 A Night

Staycations and mini-breaks in the capital don’t have to come with a mega price tag. The newest breed of London hotels offers modern design, must-visit restaurants and stylish social spaces – all for under £200 per night. Here are 12 of the best that won’t break the bank.

Ace Hotel London Shoreditch

Shoreditch’s coolest hotel gave its open-plan, communal Lobby Bar a makeover over the summer, extending to create more room for dining events, exhibitions and DJ sets. This is just one of the reasons to make a night of it at Ace Hotel. A hub for galleries, theatre and design, Shoreditch is home to Brick Lane, famous nightclubs and artists from around the world – and Ace Hotel is right at the centre. As well as the slick lobby bar, the property features cool restaurant Hoi Polloi, an in-house florist and a rooftop event space. Bedrooms on offer include stripped back suites, lofts and smaller bedrooms – with all the essentials – which come in at under £200 a night.

100 Shoreditch High Street, Shoreditch, E1 6JQ; from £170

Visit AceHotel.com

Artist Residence London

This is one seriously cool hangout. An intimate offering but one that doesn’t lack in style and sophistication, Artist Residence is a beautiful ten-bedroom boutique retreat in the heart of Pimlico. With impeccably styled retro bedrooms, delicious food and a subterranean cellar serving up some of the coolest cocktails around, we wouldn’t say no to a one-night stopover in this surprisingly affordable hotel. Taking influence from its flagship artist-designed venue in Brighton, this chic London outpost – the third of the collection – retains the same sense of eclectic style. Everything is small, glam and well-curated with reclaimed woods, industrial lighting, unique artwork and bespoke, quirky furnishings to guarantee that winning Instagram money shot.

52 Cambridge Street, Pimlico, SW1V 4QQ; from £180

Visit ArtistResidenceLondon.co.uk

Assembly Hotel

Embracing a ‘get up and go’ mantra, this new urban hotel is designed to connect guests to the heart of the city. A perfect space to re-charge, the rooms are stripped back, focusing on everything that really matters; super comfy beds, soft fluffy pillows, a walk-in power shower, incredible sound proofing, air conditioning and super-strong wi-fi. All this is offered in lieu of unnecessary amenities like overpriced mini bars, intrusive bedside telephones and oversized TVs, redundant in an age of streaming. Best of all, Bourne & Hollingsworth’s newest venue has just opened up on the roof: B&H Garden offers panoramic views of the West End and delicate floral cocktails.

27-31 Charing Cross Road, Covent Garden, WC2H 0LS; from £110

Visit AssemblyHotels.com

Boundary Project

The Boundary Project is located on fashion hotspot Redchurch Street in Shoreditch. Housed within a converted Victorian warehouse, the building consists of a small boutique hotel with 17 individually designed bedrooms, three restaurants, two bars and a grocery, bakery and deli. At ground-floor level you’ll find Albion, an all-day British cafe, bar and grocery, and in the basement, TraTra, a buzzing subterranean bar and bistro. Head to the trend set’s favourite al fresco hangout at the Boundary’s rooftop terrace: the terrace basks in the Shoreditch sun by day, but evening is when the rooftop really comes to life, with blankets, log burners and fairy lights twinkling above. After drinks, guests can head to one of the spacious bedrooms, each individually designed and representing an iconic designer or movement, from Young British Designers to the Bauhaus.

2-4 Boundary Street, Shoreditch, E2 7DD; from £121

Visit Boundary.London

The East London Hotel

Less than a minute from Bethnal Green underground station, this newcomer is all about location. With Paradise Row’s selection of popular restaurants and bars on The East London Hotel’s doorstep and nearby Columbia Road Flower Market, vibrant Brick Lane and leafy Victoria Park within easy walking distance, the hotel is ideal for a weekend break or staycation. Each of the 161 rooms is well appointed, with bespoke Millbrook mattresses made with a blend of cashmere, silk, lamb’s wool and soft cotton; Nespresso machines; amenities by Rituals; and smart TVs. The independent hotel also features informal bar and restaurant Due East, which offers a range of delicious coffees, cocktails, craft beers and locally sourced dishes, in partnership with local heroes Grind Coffee, E5 Bakery, East London Bagels, Red Church Brewery and The East London Liquor Company.

309-317 Cambridge Heath Road, E2 9LH; from £85

Visit TheEastLondonHotel.com

High Road House

High Road House is a members' club and hotel, located on the site of the historic Foubert's Hotel in Chiswick. Occupying a Georgian townhouse, this stylish spot – from the Soho House Group – offers 14 bedrooms for non-members. White wood-panelled bedrooms feature chic, vintage interiors and have flat-screen TVs, free wi-fi and, and include either rainfall showers or in-room claw-foot baths. Downstairs there's a lounge/restaurant specialising in modern brasserie dishes, and an all-day coffee/cocktail bar, both furnished with mid-century pieces and a plethora of contemporary British art.

162-166 Chiswick High Road, Chiswick, W4 1PR; from £135

Visit HighRoadHouse.co.uk

The Hoxton Holborn

Both the original Hoxton Hotel in Shoreditch and its newer spot in Holborn come with ample space for socialising and entertaining. Its commanding lobby offers a great space for locals and guests to work, rest and play, with coffee and cocktails available round the clock. Part of the Soho House Group, expect a stylish space filled with modern art, covetable furnishings and comfy sofas galore. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are provided by both Hubbard & Bell and Chicken Shop. Bedrooms come with comfy beds, modern bathrooms, fast wi-fi, a coffee machine (with an accompanying mini-fridge full of milk) and a free daily breakfast bag, delivered each morning.

199-206 High Holborn, Holborn, WC1V 7BD; from £169

Visit TheHoxton.com

The Laslett

Inspired by the legacy of its famous neighbourhood, The Laslett – named after the original founder of Notting Hill Carnival – captures the cultural essence and grit of Notting Hill, with a sprinkling of west London style. Converted from five former Victorian terraced houses, The Laslett’s stylish digs are both elegant and eclectic, with plush, modern interiors contrasted by hordes of curious antiques sourced from nearby Portobello Road. A hotspot for creative types, The Laslett is a cult favourite amongst west London locals. Hole up in the swanky cocktail bar before turning in for a decent night’s sleep in one of their cosy rooms. Staying during the week? Head down to the hotel’s ‘Turntable Tuesday’ sessions, where guests will learn to spin their own choice of records from home or selected from The Laslett's covetable in-house vinyl library.

8 Pembridge Gardens, Notting Hill, W2 4DU; from £169

Visit Living-Rooms.co.uk

The Pilgrm

Sensitively restored, Paddington newcomer The Pilgrm offers a modern stay for a modest price. Bedrooms here are stripped back and vintage-inspired, but has striking design features, such as the original 200-year-old parquet flooring that beautifully frames the bed and bedsides. For a budget stay, we’d opt for one of the small rooms which features a double bed, reclaimed cast iron radiators, a beautiful selection of books and magazines, real plants and original art work. The utilitarian shower room is complete with Egyptian cotton towels and 100% natural toiletries. What’s more, the hotel has teamed up with bacon sandwich specialists, Le Swine, for breakfast. The menu now features soft-boiled duck egg, pig trotter soldiers and homemade ketchup; eggy bread with poached peach, crispy bacon, crème fraiche and fruit syrup; plus middle bacon with caramelised red onion sausage, Stornaway black pudding, roasted mushroom, fried duck egg, slow-roast tomato, toast and bacon butter.

25 London Street, Paddington, W2 1HH; from £119

Visit ThePilgrm.com

South Place Hotel

There’s not one but two pretty terraces within this City hotel. The first is part of its Michelin-starred seafood restaurant Angler, where pre-dinner G&Ts are a must (a retractable roof and blankets make an appearance if the weather turns). In the very centre of the hotel, you’ll find its secret courtyard. The surprise oasis is filled with waterfalls and palm trees, and specialises in Champagne, cocktails and cigars. When it comes to bedrooms, the smallest – the South Place Lofts – are located on the hotel’s top floor with full-height windows and views over the City’s rooftops. Each features a queen-size bed at the centre, extensive wardrobe space, a desk and a walk-in slate shower. At the weekend, the signature, South Place King bedrooms come down in price. All have a super king-sized beds, extensive wardrobes, floor-to-ceiling windows and marble bathrooms with deep bathtubs (big enough for two).

3 South Place, Moorgate EC2M 2AF; from £185

Visit SouthPlaceHotel.com

Town Hall Hotel

Set in a former Edwardian town hall and right in the heart of London’s vibrant East End, this award-winning chic hotel mixes modern design with art deco and period details. Individually designed rooms offer sheepskin rugs and one-off vintage pieces, free wi-fi, iPod docks, TVs and DVD players, and loan of the hotel's goldfish (on request). If dogs are more your thing, you’ll be pleased to know there are dog-friendly bedrooms, plus there’s a resident greyhound. Elsewhere, there’s a pool, gym and room service from in-house restaurant the Corner House, a 30-cover, light-filled restaurant that serves up approachable French cooking.

8 Patriot Square, Bethnal Green, E2 9NF; from £126

Visit TownHallHotel.com

The Zetter Hotel

An award-winning, independently owned hotel with bags of personality, The Zetter Hotel occupies a contemporary, converted Victorian warehouse in Clerkenwell. Set among cobbled streets, historic churches, hidden gardens and some of the best restaurants in town, The Zetter also offers short walks to Exmouth Market, Smithfield Market and the Barbican. Ranging from well-appointed to decidedly spacious, each of the hotel’s seven recently renovated rooftop hotel rooms come with their own private terrace with panoramic views across London. Don’t forget to pop over the road to Seymour’s Parlour at the Zetter Townhouse for a well-turned cocktail or two.

St John's Square, Clerkenwell, EC1M 5RJ; from £127

Visit TheZetter.com

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