From interconnected townhouses to wizard-themed rooms and hidden Greek Masonic temples, you'll find the quirkiest features and most unique amenities in these unusual London hotels.
Treehouse Hotel London
Treat your inner child at the Treehouse Hotel London, designed with a real treehouse in mind. The hotel's modern yet bohemian rooms and communal areas fuse wooden features, skyline views and hanging plants, making for a playfully unique stay perched in the city.
Where: Marylebone (14-15 Langham Place, W1B 2QS)
Sanderson
Enter the whimsical world of Sanderson in the West End, with kitsch details including a Philippe Starck swan chair and Dalí-inspired lip sofa. Stop off at the hotel’s luxurious Long Bar for a nightcap you won’t forget, and don’t miss the Mad Hatter’s Afternoon Tea!
Where: Fitzrovia (50 Berners Street, W1T 3NG)
The Standard
Enjoy eclectic design at The Standard in King’s Cross, one of London’s coolest hotels. The grand brutalist exterior and eye-catching red lift isn’t the end, step inside to find playful 1970s-inspired decor that remains chic despite its experimentation with shape and colour. Head to The Rooftop to combine cocktails with breathtaking views of the city.
Where: King's Cross (10 Argyle Street, WC1H 8EG)
nhow London
Satisfy all the senses at nhow London with its eye-catching art and designer furniture, as well as the many cool spaces to eat, drink, workout and relax. Choose from one of the six room options on offer; from the cosy Superior room with quirky artwork splashed across the walls, to the flora-filled Penthouse oasis offering views across London with your own Brompton bike to use during your stay.
Where: Hackney (2 Macclesfield Road, EC1V 8DG)
Zedwell Tottenham Court Road
Venture below ground to Zedwell Tottenham Court Road*, where you can enjoy a stay in London’s first underground hotel. Sleek, minimal design promotes rest and relaxation beneath the excitement of the big city, and all the incredible experiences it has to offer.
Where: Fitzrovia (112 Great Russell Street, WC1B 3NQ)
The Mandrake
Unusual is an understatement at five-star The Mandrake*. Relax in your dawn or dusk-inspired room, before heading down to Jurema – an enclosed forest-like space that serves ethnobotanical cocktails and south American-inspired cuisine from its YOPO restaurant. Get stuck into one of the unique experiences on offer during your stay, from a Spiritual Wellbeing Concierge service to cocktail making.
Where: Fitzrovia (20-21 Newman Street, W1T 1PG)
Mama Shelter
Experience a stay at Mama Shelter that is as affordable as it is quirky. Spot the unusual trinkets placed around the hotel and the sharp attention to detail in the guestrooms, garden bar and Japanese-style karaoke rooms. Take advantage of the great transport links to nearby Shoreditch – one of London’s coolest neighbourhoods.
Where: Hackney (437 Hackney Road, E2 8PP)
The Ampersand Hotel
Book yourself into one of the rooms at The Ampersand Hotel, which are based around the five unique themes of botany, music, ornithology, astronomy and geometry. Relax in The Drawing Rooms or enjoy vibrant Mediterranean cooking at the in-house Apero restaurant and bar.
Where: South Kensington (10 Harrington Street, SW7 3ER)
The Zetter Townhouse Clerkenwell
The Zetter Townhouse Clerkenwell is housed in an old, converted Georgian townhouse – and is the older sibling of The Zetter Townhouse in Marylebone. Its quirky design is set around the tastes of its fictional owner and muse, Great Aunt Wilhelmina, whose supposedly eclectic tastes include a stuffed kangaroo brought back from a holiday in Australia.
Where: Clerkenwell (49-50 St John's Square, EC1V 4JJ)
The Exhibitionist Hotel
Choose from 37 individually designed rooms at The Exhibitionist Hotel, an art lovers paradise where quirky paintings, neon lights and sculptures line its converted 18th-century townhouse spaces. Meet fellow guests in the bar and lounge or explore the luxurious area of South Kensington.
Where: South Kensington (8-10 Queensbury Place, SW7 2EA)
Shangri-La The Shard, London
Stay at the highest hotel in the capital, Shangri-La The Shard, London, set across the 34th to the 52nd floors of Renzo Piano's iconic skyscraper. Plush rooms feature floor-to-ceiling windows with panoramic views and each boasts a Chinese tea set. Suites also come complete with personal butler service, and the hotel even features one of London’s highest infinity pools.
Where: Southwark (31 St Thomas Street, SE1 9QU)
Clink78
Formerly a courthouse, Clink78 is now one of the coolest, most unusual backpacker hostels in London. Spend the night in a real ex-prison cell, chill out in one of the old courtrooms that once saw The Clash stand trial or enjoy a cocktail in the ClashBAR.
Where: Clerkenwell (78 King's Cross Road, WC1X 9QG)
citizenM London Bankside
Renowned for its stylish and futuristic aesthetic, citizenM London Bankside’s cool touches include controllable mood lighting and rain showers in the modern bedrooms – token features of the hotel chain. Make yourself at home before wandering just two minutes along the bustling South Bank to Tate Modern for a spot of art and culture.
Where: Southwark (20 Lavington Street, SE1 0NZ)
Georgian House Hotel
Take in the traditional features at the Georgian House Hotel, located near Buckingham Palace. But don’t be fooled by the unassuming exterior, as you can find Wizard Chambers and Enchanted Chambers, complete with four-poster beds and cauldrons, and potion classes in the Pimlico Pantry. This themed Harry Potter London hotel is the perfect escape for budding wizards.
Where: Pimlico (35-39 St George's Drive, SW1V 4DG)
Andaz London Liverpool Street
Pick from 267 guestrooms at the Andaz London Liverpool Street, where quirky and unusual features include a Greek-style Masonic Temple. Built in 1912, the former venue for Freemasons lodge meetings is now used to host a variety of events.
Where: Liverpool Street (40 Liverpool Street, EC2M 7QN)
Hazlitt’s
Journey back to the Georgian era at Hazlitt’s. Tucked away in the bustling neighbourhood of Soho, the hotel is filled with chandeliers, four-poster beds and antique furniture scattered throughout. Cosy up next to the fireplace with a classic book after a day of exploring and you might just forget you’re living in the 21st century!
Where: Soho (6 Frith Street, W1D 3JA)
ROOM at The Beaumont
Sleep inside a work of art at ROOM at The Beaumont, a giant sculpture designed by Antony Gormley that offers a temporary escape from the buzzy capital. The simple yet mysterious bedroom design is paired with a bright and spacious sitting room and marble bathroom, that matches the hotel’s art deco design.
Where: Mayfair (8 Balderton Street, W1K 6TF)
Good Hotel
Cross a bridge at Royal Victoria Dock and step into the Good Hotel, a floating place to stay right on the water. Riverside views don't come much better than this! Enjoy contemporary Dutch design with contrasting wood and metal detailing at this quirky hotel in London.
Where: Royal Victoria Dock (Royal Victoria Dock, E16 1FA)
The Londoner
Enter the world’s first iceberg hotel, The Londoner, which houses a six-level basement within its 16 stories. Escape to The Retreat spa or make memories on the Japanese-style rooftop izakaya bar and terrace. Added to its trendy loft-inspired rooms is its very own club for guests, The Residence, which provides three uber-stylish hangouts for lounging, drinking and dining.
Where: Leicester Square (38 Leicester Square, WC2H 7DX)
Taj 51 Buckingham Gate Suites and Residences
Relish in a stay at Taj 51 Buckingham Gate Suites and Residences, which boasts its own butler service, Michelin-starred restaurant, spa and stunning courtyard. Film buffs will love the Cinema Suite with its 85-inch (2.1 metres) high-definition 3D television, while car fanatics can opt for the Jaguar Suite, of which the design was overseen by the car manufacturer’s design director.
Where: Victoria (51 Buckingham Gate, SW1E 6AF)
Sunborn London Yacht Hotel
Hop aboard a glamorous yacht for a unique London stay at the Sunborn London Yacht Hotel. Whether you choose a comfortable guestroom or opt for a more spacious suite with complimentary mini bar and private terrace, there is no skimping on luxury at this hotel, and ending your day in bed floating on Royal Victoria Dock will guarantee an unforgettable stay in the city.
Where: Royal Victoria Dock (Royal Victoria Dock, E16 1AA)
The Courthouse Hotel
Situated inside an old courthouse in a Grade II-listed building is The Courthouse Hotel, where John Lennon, Mick Jagger and Oscar Wilde all had cases heard. You can have dinner inside three of the original prison cells and look out for iron bars in the lobby!
Where: Soho (19-21 Great Marlborough Street, W1F 7HL)
Sea Containers London
Sea Containers London is a hotel of pure luxury housed within an iconic riverside building, with interiors inspired by the glamorous cruise ships of the 1920s. Pamper yourself at the agua Spa and dine on top-notch British-American food at the Sea Containers Restaurant, before grabbing a drink from the rooftop bar and gazing out over the Thames.
Where: Southwark (20 Upper Ground, SE1 9PD)
Chessington Safari Hotel and Chessington Azteca Hotel
Wake up and head out on safari when you stay at Chessington Safari Hotel and Chessington Azteca Hotel. Inspired by the African safari park next door as well as the mysteries of the Aztec civilisation, each room has plenty of wildlife inspiration. Enjoy dinner in the restaurant or a drink on the terrace as you look out over the African animal reserve.
Where: Leatherhead (Leatherhead Road, KT9 2NE)
W London – Leicester Square
Receive movie star treatment at the W London – Leicester Square*. The hotel reflects the glitzy location with studio-themed rooms featuring stylish dressing areas. Make your way to the Screening Room where you can enjoy films from one of the 38 luxury red-pillar seats, before heading to the AWAY Spa for a bespoke treatment followed by drinks in the glamourous Perception Bar.
Where: Leicester Square (10 Wardour Street, W1D 6QF)
Find more of the top accommodation options in London, including the best romantic hotels and family-friendly hotels, or explore where to stay.
