With a host of instantly recognisable buildings dotted about the city, the London skyline is iconic. From the classically elegant silhouettes of Big Ben and St. Paul's Cathedral to the sleek outlines of The Shard and The Gherkin, as well as the constantly revolving London Eye, there's something to see in every direction. Rather than chasing such views from place to place, why not book yourself in at one of the following hotels to take advantage of the outlook at any time of day or night? From rooftop bars to swimming pools which seem as though they're on top of the world, we've got you covered when it comes to making the most of your stay in the city.
© White City House
Good Hotel London
It's not just the rooftop terrace that will bring you joy at the Good Hotel London – your journey there will likely be one of the most scenic that London can offer too. Eschew The Tube, jump on an Uber Boat by Thames Clippers, and cruise your way over to North Greenwich Pier. From here, hop on the IFS Cloud Cable Car to the Royal Docks for a 15-minute trip over the water, taking in stunning bird's eye views over the city which include the Thames Barrier and the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. For those arriving by plane, London City Airport is also just a stone's throw away. Located on the Royal Victoria Dock – literally – the main USP of this hotel is that it's afloat. Designed and built in The Netherlands, it has a compact, minimalist design, but you may not even notice that as your attention is stolen by the views. It's worth booking a 'Good Room on the Water' or 'The Best Room' to secure a watery outlook that every Londoner would love to wake up to, but for the widest-reaching views the place to be is the rooftop terrace. Head up in the afternoon for a coffee with friends or settle in for a romantic evening with locally brewed beers and signature cocktails, and take in views over the dock, the O2 and the London skyline. As if that wasn't enough, this view is courtesy of one of London's most affordable hotels!
© Good Hotel London
ME London
The ME London sits at one end of the Strand’s iconic Aldwych Crescent – in a building which was the first home of the BBC – and although the chain might be of Spanish descent, you’d certainly never guess that this hotel wasn’t British through and through. The property dates from 1904, but a full revamp has resulted in a shiny new extension with a nine-storey pyramid-style atrium, state-of-the-art bedrooms and decadent bathrooms. Head to the upper floors and one suite boasts a 360° degree outlook, while the top-level terraces offer unrivalled views. Perched at its peak, on the 10th floor, the Radio Rooftop Bar is a truly charming spot filled with plenty of comfy chairs and lush foliage. Open from 7am-11pm, the hotel bills this as the place to be from sunrise to sunset, with a bird’s eye view of the capital taking in everything from The Shard and St. Paul’s Cathedral to The London Eye and Big Ben. Watch the city wake over breakfast or sip on cocktails as you witness dusk fall.
© ME London
Raffles London at The OWO
Three MICHELIN Keys
Just over the road from Whitehall's Ministry of Defence building, you’ll find the affectionately named 'OWO' – an impressive Edwardian building that functioned as the Old War Office before it was retired in favour of the newer MOD premises. As you’d expect under the stewardship of Raffles, opulence is at every turn, but this is a building that also has plenty to show off in its own right thanks to a plethora of original features. On the top floor you’ll find Kioku by Endo, a sushi restaurant blending Japanese and Mediterranean flavours and boasting stunning 360° views across the city. There’s an equal amount of seating in the main room and out on the terrace, so pick your favourite spot and make the most of the views, which take in The Mall, Horse Guards Parade, Trafalgar Square, the River Thames and Big Ben. For an extra special occasion, book the private dining room, which is set in one of the building’s iconic turrets.
© Raffles London at The OWO
NEW City Guides:
The Berkeley
Two MICHELIN Keys
If you're looking for extreme comfort and personalised service, then The Berkeley is the hotel for you. Set beside Hyde Park, it offers the opportunity to lose yourself for a while in the city's biggest Royal Park, as you wander the rose garden or unwind beside the waters of the Diana Memorial Fountain. Back in the hotel, there's a pleasingly traditional English country house air, with spacious rooms providing the ultimate in classical comfort. Have afternoon tea in the Caramel Room, enjoy a drink in the art deco Blue Bar or take time for yourself in the state-of-the-art spa, then head for the best vantage point the hotel has to offer: the heated rooftop pool. Open from 7am-7pm for the exclusive use of hotel guests, this is said to be a favourite spot of none other than Madonna – and it's easy to see why! You can float in the pool while taking in the leafy outlook over Hyde Park, take up residence on a blue and white striped sun-lounger to enjoy views across Knightsbridge's rooftops, or sip cocktails in the open-air bar looking over the crescents of Belgravia.
© The Berkeley
The Stratford Hotel London
Since its rise to fame as the host of much of the 2012 Olympics, Stratford has put itself on the map as a neighbourhood worth both living and playing in. Easy to access, thanks to its location beside both The Tube and Stratford International railway station, this super-modern tower is inspired by New York and its loft-style living. This 'vertical community' takes in 42 storeys, 145 hotel rooms and 248 loft apartments available for lease for anything from a week to 3 months. When it comes to shared spaces there's a fitness centre, several work and events spaces, three bars and, best of all, three rooftop gardens offering panoramic views of London's skyline. Decked out with light-coloured wood, which forms a multitude of segregated seating areas that extend into raised beds filled with lush green shrubs, these are the perfect spots to either start the day or take in the last of the sun's rays. Glass screens allow high-level views out over the city and, with three different locations to choose from, there's always something new to look at.
© The Stratford Hotel London
Treehouse Hotel London
Cousin to the eco-centric '1 Hotels' brand, which originated in America, the Treehouse Hotel London sits in an enviable position just off Regent Street. After a long day of shopping, head for this unique spot which feels – just as you might have hoped – like you’re living in the trees. The public spaces come with wood-clad floors, walls and ceilings, which are punctuated by greenery, while the cosy bedrooms have quintessentially British touches such as stuffed Paddington Bears and yellow raincoats in the wardrobes. At the top of the hotel you’ll find the fittingly-named Nest, a bar that will make you want to find a perch, fluff out your feathers and settle in for the evening. The inside is filled with natural textures and colours, while outside you’ll become part of nature without even realising it – and with 360° views, you can switch seats every time you come to take in a different perspective. It opens daily from 12pm, with an over 21s policy after 5pm. There’s a £50 minimum spend, but this is somewhere you'll definitely want to "stay for just one more".
© Treehouse Hotel London
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Virgin Hotel London Shoreditch
The trendy East End quarter of Shoreditch plays host to the first London outpost of the well-known Virgin brand, which sits on a prominent corner site. While the hotel is a relatively new opening in the city, the red-brick warehouse itself has certainly stood the test of time, and the industrial-looking exterior provides a theme that continues inside with an industrial-loft aesthetic. When it comes to outstanding hotel spaces, this Virgin hotel certainly has one of the best in the city. The open-air pool and terrace is a truly stunning spot, a vantage point from which you can look out over the city in all directions. Start with a dip in the pool – come after 12pm, when it’s over 15s only – then dry off and find a seat on the surrounding terrace for a cocktail or two. The pool is open exclusively to hotel guests, as well as members of the Blue Marlin Ibiza London private members' club. After the sun’s gone down, head downstairs for Spanish tapas at BiBo, then on to the hotel's Ibiza-inspired nightclub. With everything you need under one roof, you might not even feel the urge to venture out the front doors!
© Virgin Hotel London Shoreditch
White City House
The white dots on the front of the iconic BBC Television Centre in Shepherd's Bush were once the background to many a TV programme and were recognised the world-over. With the building having opened for operation in 1960, just over 50 wonderful years later the BBC moved out, but its legacy lives on in the form of a part-protected development that includes homes, offices, restaurants and entertainment venues, as well as the White City House hotel which resides in the Grade II listed Helios Building. Part of the Soho House group best-known for its private members' clubs, the hotel has a mid-century, modernist style, as well as eclectic touches that have become the brand's hallmark. The bedrooms are situated in the old broadcast offices and an overnight stay grants you access to a host of facilities, as well as temporary membership of the members only club, which includes access to three screening rooms and various events and performances. The 1960s-inspired bar is worth a visit and the rooftop pool is a must. From the colours of the towels to the flowery patterns of the sun-lounger cushions and the shape of the parasols on this suntrap terrace, everything has a pleasingly retro-chic style that evokes the happiest of times from the era when this building first opened. Grab a drink from the bar, close your eyes and immerse yourself in the atmosphere as you set your imagination free.
© White City House
Hero Image: © Virgin London Hotel Shoreditch
