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My favorite highlights…
Enjoying a mushroom arancini and spring vegetable risotto in their The Lands End Restaurant while gazing the Thames – the gentle movements of the lapping waves added to the whole dining on a yacht experience! 8. Sea Containers
My short video of outside the SeaContainers Hotel…
Riverfront glamour defined this 5-star South Bank hotel, where ocean-liner design cues — copper-hull details, curved walls, walnut panelling, and rope lighting — created a polished, cruise-ship feel which Instagrammer’s loved!
I stayed in a River View Balcony Suite with slate-grey panelling, oak floors, magenta velvet accents, and brass finishes, then caught a Curzon screening of La La Land, ordered Forest Mushroom Orecchiette, and ended the night with a Smoked Negroni on the rooftop alongside live house-and-disco DJ sets. It’s not cheap, but it’s a fantastic splurge.
Location: South Bank | Nearest Tube: Blackfriars (7 min walk) | Price range: ££££ | Vibe: Glamorous, design-led, riverside
My personal highlights…
Indulging in their innovative signature Reparative Facial treatment which used the patented skin-care complex the NAC Y2 formula at their cocoon-like Luxury Spa by Agua! 9. The Hoxton
My short video of inside the Hoxton Hotel…
Creative Shoreditch energy defined this design-forward boutique, where exposed brick, wire shelves of books, mid-century sofas, and softly lit artisan spirits created a relaxed and very social atmosphere (so it also doubled as a local hangout)!
I stayed in a Cosy Double with pale sage panelling, a huge circular mirror, a tan leather desk chair, a powder-blue radio, and cone pendant lights, then ate basil-rich rigatoni and settled in by the open lobby fire with a Vespa Primo — unfussy, compact, and very well designed.
Location: Shoreditch | Nearest Tube: Old Street (7 min walk) | Price range: ££ | Vibe: Relaxed, creative, social-lobby feel
My highlights…
I thought the complimentary ‘Lite Breakfast Bag’—granola, fresh fruit, and orange juice delivered to my room each morning—was such a lovely personal touch!
10. NYX Hotel Holborn by Leonardo
High-energy and unapologetically glam, this Holborn hotel layered neon lighting, pop-art murals, velvet seating, and gold accents into a bold boutique-club atmosphere that I couldn’t get enough of!
I checked into a Superior Double with an inky abstract feature wall, deep plum curtains, a cherry-red SMEG minibar, and playful details like an arcade console and slogan light, then enjoyed a live DJ set on the rooftop, a swim in the art-lined indoor pool, and cute pistachio macarons with smoked-apple scones at afternoon tea.
Location: Holborn | Nearest Tube: Holborn (5 min walk) | Price range: £££ | Vibe: Urban-glam, high-energy, nightlife-leaning
My personal highlights…
Indulging in a fragrant Aromatherapy Massage which used a mix of sweet almond, jojoba and thistle oil in their Insta-worthy Rena Spa! 11. Zedwell
Minimalism was most definitely the point at this budget-friendly Piccadilly hotel, where tunnel-like corridors, pale birch timber, and amber lighting create a calm retreat inside the old Trocadero.
My unique Cocoon 2 sleep pod came with with a futon-style bed tucked into an oak alcove, purified air, blackout and soundproofing, and no TV or phone, then joined a Morning Flow yoga class and unwound with a quinoa–avocado bowl and turmeric tea in the lounge.
Location: Piccadilly Circus | Nearest Tube: Piccadilly Circus (1 min walk) | Price range: £ | Vibe: Minimalist, wellness-focused, sleep-centric
My highlights…
The wellness-focused details — the hypoallergenic Egyptian-cotton bedding and the supportive Hypnos mattress (designed to follow the contours of the body and alleviate pressure points) helped me drift into a very deep, blissfully uninterrupted sleep!
12. Ruby Lucy
Just steps from Waterloo Station, this 4-star boutique embraced a mischievous carnival aesthetic, with fairground lighting, jewel-toned velvet, guitars, and bold red accents that formed a relaxed, creative vibe.
My Wow Room featured floor-to-ceiling sheers, a cool floating bed, a weathered leather armchair, and a bicycle-wheel wall sculpture. I played music through the Marshall amp, used the in-room tablet, and spent time in the lively 24/7 bar and retro co-working space.
Location: Waterloo | Nearest Tube: Waterloo (5 min walk) | Price range: ££ | Vibe: Playful, retro-cool, laid-back luxury
My highlights…
Trying their innovative sleep-inducing “Lucy’s Lullaby” cocktail which was infused with chamomile and agave and helped me unwind before bed! 13. CitizenM
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