These are unusual times, and the state of affairs can change quickly. Please check the latest travel guidance before making your journey. Our writers visited these hotels pre-pandemic.
Whether you’re looking for a posh pad to call home for three nights or three months, we’ve rounded up some of the best serviced apartments in London for a self-contained holiday – from design-led digs and plush pied-à-terres, to smart studios and cool condos. Expect beautiful interiors, five-star service, facilities such as gyms, lounges and swimming pools, and on-site restaurants, in locations including The City, Aldgate, Kensington, Chelsea, Bermondsey and Bethnal Green.
Cheval Three Quays
The City, London, England
Cheval Three Quays is known to have some of the best serviced apartments in London for its spectacular location – right on the Thames, next to the Tower of London and Tower Bridge, and directly opposite HMS Belfast and City Hall, with The Shard also towering over the South Bank. The look inside is thoroughly contemporary, with clean lines and simple colour schemes, and oak-effect flooring and white lacquer finishes in the apartments. Living spaces feature an L-shaped sofa, flat-screen television and binoculars (for making the most of those views) plus dining areas and white kitchens replete with wine fridge, cookbook of the month and an Abel & Cole welcome hamper.
From
£
241
per night
Rates provided by
Booking.com
• The best hotels in London
Locke at Broken Wharf
The City, London, England
An aparthotel like no other, with considered design, competitive prices and, best of all, a location on the north bank of the river, overlooking some of London’s top sights (Millennium Bridge, St Paul’s, Tate Britain, Shakespeare’s Globe). All 113 studios are done in a sagey mint, with accents of butterscotch and burnt orange. The kitchenettes are marble and birch ply, and full of Hay utensils. They have a single hob, toaster, kettle and fridge. Bathrooms come with power showers, good lighting and full-size Kinsey Apothecary shower gel, shampoo and conditioner. Rooms are blissfully quiet, owing to the fact that this part of London is not very busy in the evenings.
From
£
80
per night
Rates provided by
Booking.com
The Moorgate
The City, London, England
Accommodations in this mahogany-infused Grade II-listed corner building in London’s Square Mile are some of the prettiest luxury serviced apartments in London. White walls contrast with dark-wood parquet flooring, cupboards and door frames, which are elevated by pastel-coloured, mid-century-modern style furniture including millennial-pink beetle dining chairs by GUBI, a ‘drinks cart’ side table, herringbone-patterned rug, hanging lights by Flos, plus faux-fur rugs thrown over crisply dressed king-sized beds. Heritage features have been preserved where possible (cornicing on walls and ceilings, of which some are lovely and high, and beautiful iron fireplaces), while mod cons provide everything you need for a short-long stay.
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Town Hall Hotel
Bethnal Green, London, England
Housed in what was once the civic headquarters for the borough of Bethnal Green, the Town Hall Hotel is an engaging blend of historic architecture and contemporary verve. There is a fitness centre and a swimming pool, and guests can dine in the Corner Room (for sublime small plates in sophisticated surrounds) or order room service. With these facilities, plus good service, evening turndowns, and in-room L’Occitane toiletries, robes and slippers, this is a good option for those seeking hotels with apartments in London, rather than self-contained suites, though they do have fully equipped kitchenettes. Note that internal noise can sometimes be an issue.
From
£
122
per night
Rates provided by
Booking.com
The Stratford
Stratford, London, England
The Stratford, named for the neighbourhood in which it resides, is a vision for ‘vertical living’: the mixed-use set up not only includes the hotel, but also apartments and long-stay lets, so expect a constantly busy ground-floor bar and brasserie, and people coming and going at all times. It’s located within E20’s shiniest skyscraper, which cuts an interesting shape on the East London skyline. Service throughout the hotel is friendly and helpful, and particularly smooth at dinnertime at both Allegra and The Brasserie. There’s also a 24-hour gym and a separate studio (offering pilates and yoga classes for a fee). Valet parking is available.
From
£
111
per night
Rates provided by
Booking.com
Leman Locke
Aldgate, London, England
A millennial-friendly design with mid-century modern elements by New York-based interior designers Grzywinski+Pons permeates this 22-floor aparthotel on the eastern edge of London’s Square Mile. From the lobby and restaurant/bars with exposed polished concrete, marble features, tangly potted plants and industrial-style geometric light fixtures, to the lilac-hued, space-savvy suites with open-plan kitchen and living rooms, the look is design-led and aesthetically pleasing. Floor-to-ceiling windows give onto impressive views of the city. There’s a gym with weights and machines, as well as free weekly yoga sessions, running clubs and meditation classes.
From
£
89
per night
Rates provided by
Booking.com
Cheval Gloucester Park
Kensington, London, England
Cheval Gloucester Park offers luxury apartments in London for short stay travellers seeking the comfort and privacy of a home with the convenience and service of a five-star hotel. The 24-hour concierge team is friendly and helpful, welcoming a large number of regular guests and assisting with bookings, grocery deliveries and tourist advice, and there’s a communal living room, small cinema, fitness area and a VIP Green room. Apartments – all stylish timber floors, Lee Broom pendant lights, and Hermes fabrics – are self-catering (with kitchens), but a limited welcome hamper including croissants, crisps, biscuits, Nespresso pods and tea bags is provided.
From
£
336
per night
Rates provided by
Booking.com
SACO The Cannon
The City, London, England
You’d be forgiven for thinking this urbane accommodation is more suited to business travellers given its location, but it’s not. Down the road in one direction, the Tower of London is less than 20 minutes’ walk; in the other direction, Covent Garden is a 15-minute bus ride along the Strand. The sleek and functional serviced apartments come with all the conveniences of a fully equipped functional living space. There’s a 24/7 lounge downstairs with magazines, books, board games, daily newspapers and tea and coffee-making facilities, and guests get access to hi-tech gym facilities, a bike room, and a laundry room with complimentary detergent. A small welcome pack is provided.
From
£
85
per night
Rates provided by
Booking.com
• The best nightlife in London
The Apartments by The Sloane Club
Chelsea, London, England
If you’re looking for serviced apartments to rent in London (whether that’s one night or one month) that feel more like a posh hotel stay, these glamorous Art Deco-inspired studios and apartments by Chelsea members’ club, the Sloane Club, are sure to impress. The apartments are self-catering, but with the option of calling on room service (excellent menu), a concierge or a porter, and daily house-keeping services the difference is small; guests can even use the club’s spa. On arrival, a small gift hamper from Partridges (tea, biscuits, jam etc) acts as a welcome starter pack and breakfast hampers are delivered each morning.
From
£
235
per night
Rates provided by
Booking.com
Go Native Monument
The City, London, England
This is another of Go Native’s small blocks of former offices which have been converted into 41 well-designed and convenient apartments aimed primarily at those staying for business reasons, but also useful for tourists who want more space and flexibility. With well-equipped kitchens and compact but comfy bedrooms, it makes an ideal City base, a minute’s walk from Monument and close to sights such as the Tower of London and St Paul’s Cathedral. The style theme is a contemporary take on Art Deco, with velvet soft furnishings and a blue, grey and copper colour-scheme. The public areas are neutral and functional, and there are no communal rooms or facilities.
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South Point Suites
Bermondsey, London, England
In the heart of Bermondsey Street, a vibrant and artisanal filament of London Bridge’s undulating bulb of activity, this modern aparthotel is all about the patterns, industrial-style lights and comfy furnishings. The Pantry and lounge is a lovely place to relax and offers what is essentially a wall-to-wall minibar (coffee and tea is complimentary) along with cards, board games and books to borrow. Downstairs, there’s a state-of-the-art gym and a laundry room with washing machines, dryers and detergent, which are all free to use. There’s a corner by reception with an iMac and printer for guests’ use, bike racks outside, and a luggage storage room with lockers.
From
£
80
per night
Rates provided by
Booking.com
Jade Conroy, Rachel Cranshaw, Kaye Holland, Simon Horsford, Charlotte Johnstone & Nick Trend