Decadent dining, exceptional service and world-class comfort define these five luxury Knightsbridge hotels.
Luxury Hotels in Knightsbridge London
For some people, a hotel is no more than a place to sleep and recharge, but for those with more discerning tastes, it’s as important as the destination itself. London’s Knightsbridge district is home to some of the city’s most iconic five-star hotels, from historic spots like The Berkeley, to modern gems like The Bulgari. Whether you’re seeking a romantic getaway, a well-needed staycation or a stylish hotel that will welcome your family and furry four-legged friends, here are the best hotels in Knightsbridge.
Mandarin Oriental
The Mandarin Oriental hotel is housed in a grand Edwardian building overlooking the peaceful Hyde Park, and it’s the picture of luxury British hospitality. Rooms and suites in this five-star Knightsbridge hotel bring a splash of modernity to a historic building, having been recently renovated by the luxury interior designer, Joyce Wang.
The Mandarin Oriental is home to the popular concept restaurant Dinner by Heston Blumenthal, which serves a menu of historic British foods like Tudor-era ‘meat fruit’, and there’s a beautiful Ginza-style izakaya called The Aubrey. For something more traditional, the afternoon tea served at the hotel’s Roseberry Lounge is one of the most celebrated in the city.
Unique to this Knightsbridge hotel is the range of holistic therapies available at the spa. Here you can go beyond the usual facials and massages and align your chakras with calming reiki therapy, or activate your spiritual energy with cathartic Kundalini yoga.
The Egerton House
For a more intimate luxury getaway, The Egerton House in Knightsbridge is perfect. Housed across two picturesque flower-draped Victorian townhouses, this five-star hotel is boutique yet extravagant, homely yet otherworldly. All 28 rooms at The Eagerton are unique and brimming with character: you’ll find regal four-poster draped beds, marble bathrooms fitted with a television, and an eclectic selection of wallpapers that range from neutral stripes to maximalist red. One of the best things about The Egerton is that it’s dog-friendly, so you can truly make it your home away from home.
Afternoon tea at this Knightsbridge hotel is traditional and decadent, and it’s served in a drawing room that will have you feeling like a main character in a Jane Austen novel. It even has a ‘Dogtini’ Afternoon Tea, which serves fancy pooch-friendly treats like chicken consommé martinis and doggy canapes.
There is no gym on site at this small hotel, but guests are provided with complimentary access to the nearby Aquilla health and fitness spa, and Boxcentric gym.
The Franklin Hotel
The Franklin Hotel in Knightsbridge is where the old meets the new. From the outside, this boutique hotel looks traditionally Victorian, but step inside and you’ll be surprised by the moody, cool interiors. Dark charcoal walls and green leafy palm plants are found throughout the hotel, creating a vibe that is intimate and opulent. Rooms and suites at the Franklin are stylish and brooding, adorned with dark velvet upholstery, art-deco mirrored furniture and marble bathrooms stocked generously with fragrant Penhaligon products that will leave you smelling fantastic.
Michelin-starred Italian chef Alfred Russo leads the hotel restaurant, serving a modern Piedmont menu with dishes like poached wild lobster antipasti and ‘Anatra & Indivia Glassata’ – a roasted Gressingham duck breast glazed with lemon and chicory. The Franklin Bar is a gorgeous spot for an evening tipple. This art-deco bar looks like it could easily be on the set of The Great Gatsby, with its plush velvet seating, expertly-served cocktails and extravagant mirrored walls.
To decompress during your stay, there’s a lovely hammam in the basement of The Franklin, alongside a menu of in-room spa treatments like shiatsu massages, nail treatments and aromatherapy facials.
The Berkeley Hotel
The Berkeley Hotel is the prestigious sibling of Claridge’s and The Connaught, so it will come as no surprise that it’s one of the most well-regarded hotels in London. The lobby and dining areas of this five-star hotel are plush and glamorous, but the rooms and suites are surprisingly minimalist and calm with plenty of Zen-style wooden accents. If you’re the type of person who likes a room with a view, you will love The Berkeley. The Grand Terrace suite has a panoramic view of St John’s Church, while the Hyde Park Penthouse suite overlooks the luscious Hyde Park, which is breathtaking in all seasons.
Unusually for a Central London hotel, The Berkeley has a lovely rooftop pool with comfortable loungers, making it the perfect spot for a morning swim or to catch some rare London summer sun.
What stands out the most at this Knightsbridge hotel is the range of dining and drinking spots. The late-night Blue Bar is a glitzy drinking den that serves up picture-perfect cocktails alongside a decadent nibbles menu with everything from beluga caviar to angus beef sliders. For something more family-friendly, the fruit and flower shaped sweet treats at the famous Cédric Grolet pâtisserie are a feast for both the eyes and palate, even if they do look a little too pretty to eat.
The Bulgari Hotel
This modern marvel is one of the newest five-star hotels in Knightsbridge, and although it has a lot to contend with, it absolutely holds its place as one of the best. An ideal location for a spot of retail therapy, the Bulgari Hotel is less than a minute’s walk to Harrods, and it’s just a stone’s throw away from the fashionable Sloane Street. Rooms and suites at this Knightsbridge hotel are understated and elegant, but what really stands out here is the facilities.
The two-level Bulgari spa is one of the biggest spas in Central London, and it’s tastefully crafted from onyx, oak and Vicenza stone. A true urban oasis, this hotel spa has a 25m mosaic-lined pool, 11 private treatment rooms, and a gym that’s equipped with everything from callisthenics gear to an olympic barbel rack. For something a little more relaxing though, the hotel also has a stunning 47-seat cinema that’s available for guests to rent.
In terms of dining, The Bulgari is home to the famed Manhattan Italian restaurant, Sette, which serves less-common pasta dishes like agnolotti and scialatelli. For more New York-inspired revelry, there’s the lively Nolita’s cocktail bar on the lower floor, which has live music and DJs who will keep you on your feet until late.
Final Take
These iconic Knightsbridge hotels promise an experience that you’ll be daydreaming about for weeks after you’ve checked out. Whether you want to treat your four-legged friend to a pooch-friendly afternoon tea at The Egerton, or indulge in a romantic getaway at the historic Berkeley, these stunning hotels offer the perfect blend of luxury, enjoyment, and personalised service.
