In London, hotel rooms can be genuinely small. Even when the bed, wallpaper, and bathroom appear beautiful in photos. That's why I look beyond interior design when choosing a hotel: location, walkability, and space for your suitcase matter too.
For this selection of boutique hotels in London, I’ve put together ten addresses I can recommend for your city trip. From small townhouses in Notting Hill and Pimlico to a hotel with a rooftop bar near Oxford Circus. They vary in size, atmosphere, and amenities. What they have in common: a unique character and a location that offers a clear reason to book there.
This is a carefully curated selection, not a random list. Below you'll read what distinguishes each address and what kind of weekend I would choose it for.
My Favorite Boutique Hotels in London
1. The Laslett: A Townhouse in Notting Hill
The Laslett is spread across five grand Victorian houses on Pembridge Gardens, near Notting Hill Gate tube station. You’re here on the south side of the district: convenient for a stroll towards Portobello Road, but also for Kensington Gardens.
Inside, it’s all about art, books, and an interior that resonates with Notting Hill’s creative history. Downstairs is The Henderson Bar & Kitchen, a spot where locals also gather. This makes the hotel appealing if you prefer a place you can return to throughout the day and don't need to leave in the evening.
I’d choose The Laslett for a weekend where you want to explore Notting Hill in depth without being inconveniently far from the rest of London. Do check the room type: a Spare Room Double is quite different from a Master Bedroom Suite in both space and price. Check prices and availability here.
2. The Portobello Hotel: Unique Rooms in Notting Hill
At The Portobello Hotel on Stanley Gardens, you’re not just choosing a hotel, but essentially a specific room. The decor varies with rich fabrics, striking colors, and some rooms have a freestanding bath. The most famous room even has a round bed. It’s not for everyone, but it’s certainly distinctive.
The hotel is situated on a residential street, within walking distance of Portobello Road and the shops and restaurants of Notting Hill. It's perfect if Notting Hill should be your home base. Check prices and availability here.
3. Mimi’s Hotel Soho: Compact Rooms, Vibrant Locale
Mimi’s Hotel Soho is located on Frith Street. This is a good reason to book here if you enjoy dining out in the evenings and want to walk back to your hotel. Restaurants, bars, and theaters are at your doorstep (hello Barrafina and Bar Italia). For a quiet residential area, choose another hotel from this list.
Inside, dark colors, velvet, and an atmosphere more reminiscent of a classic salon than a sleek city hotel. But more importantly, some rooms are particularly small, and there are rooms without windows.
A Tiny Single measures just six square meters. It calls for modest luggage, and likely a modest morning routine too. I’d primarily choose Mimi’s for its location.
Find more tips for the area in my article about Soho London.
4. Henrietta Experimental: Covent Garden at Your Doorstep
Henrietta Experimental is located on Henrietta Street, close to Covent Garden’s market square. Here, you can shop, dine, and catch a show without constantly needing to hop on the tube.
The hotel, right in the heart of Covent Garden, has forty rooms (a bit larger), featuring curved headboards, color blocks, and furniture that gives the interior its unique identity. It’s part of the Experimental Group, known for hotels, restaurants, and cocktail bars. Downstairs is Restaurant Henri.
This hotel is perfect for a weekend filled with theater, restaurants, and exploring the city center. Some rooms offer a terrace or views towards the London Eye.
5. Page8: Between Trafalgar Square and Covent Garden
At Page8, the location is outstanding. It's situated on St Martin’s Place, near Trafalgar Square and the National Portrait Gallery. Covent Garden, Leicester Square, and Soho are within walking distance.
The interior is understated. Fewer prints and dramatic details, more serene colors, and a well-maintained, modern design. The reception area flows into Page Common, the café on the ground floor.
I’d choose Page8 for a first-time visit to London, where you want to combine many centrally located sites. It’s also practical if you like to return to your room during the day. You can expect a city hotel feel; the intimate atmosphere of a small townhouse is more likely at Artist Residence or Lime Tree. Check prices and availability here.
6. The Hoxton, Shoreditch: For a Weekend in East London
The Hoxton on Great Eastern Street is the original and first Hoxton hotel, fully renovated in 2025. It's larger (210 rooms) than the boutique hotels in this list but has a distinctive Hoxton vibe, with a lively lobby and rooms featuring wooden floors and warm materials.
The main reason to choose this hotel is Shoreditch. You're staying on the east side of the center, with Spitalfields, shops, restaurants, and streets full of street art in the vicinity. This neighborhood is truly worth it. It gives your weekend a different feel than staying near Trafalgar Square or in Belgravia.
I’d book here if you really want to spend time in East London. The hotel also has a charming Italian restaurant and a Peruvian rooftop. Check prices and availability here.
7. Treehouse Hotel London: Views Near Oxford Circus
Treehouse Hotel is located on Langham Place, close to Oxford Circus. From here, you can explore shops around Regent Street in combination with Marylebone, Fitzrovia, and Soho. The location is fabulous.
The treehouse concept is visible in the usage of wood and natural materials. You’re not staying in a small London rowhouse, but higher up above the city. That makes Treehouse particularly interesting if a view adds something to your stay.
At the top, there’s The Nest, the rooftop bar overlooking London. A good reason to spend time at your hotel, rather than just using it for sleeping. Do try not to book a room directly below, as it might be noisy. Check prices and availability here.
8. Lime Tree Hotel: A Garden in Belgravia
Lime Tree Hotel on Ebury Street is a small townhouse hotel in Belgravia, near Buckingham Palace. Inside you'll find homey decor, with fabrics, colors, and classic details. There’s a lounge and a walled garden downstairs, plus café-restaurant The Buttery.
This combination makes it an appealing address if you’re looking for a hotel where you can also have a quiet breakfast or take a break. The Buttery is also accessible to non-hotel guests. Check if breakfast is included in your room rate; it’s also available separately.
Victoria is nearby, as are shops and restaurants around Elizabeth Street. I’d choose Lime Tree for its combination of a residential neighborhood and good connections. Do note that rooms in such a historic townhouse can be compact. Check prices here.
9. Artist Residence London: Ten Rooms in Pimlico
Artist Residence London has only ten rooms and is located on Cambridge Street in Pimlico. Its small size is a big part of its charm. The decor combines artworks with vintage furniture, wooden floors, and exposed brickwork in some areas.
There’s also a restaurant and cocktail bar where you can enjoy a delightful brunch. This makes it a hotel where you can spend an evening without needing to find another place.
I’d choose Artist Residence if you enjoy staying in a smaller hotel and Pimlico appeals to you. Victoria station is nearby, but you’re not right in the middle of the West End’s theaters and shops. Check prices and availability here.
10. Charlotte Street Hotel: Color and Fabrics in Fitzrovia
Charlotte Street Hotel is the more luxurious address in this selection, yet very charming. Located on Charlotte Street in Fitzrovia, just north of Soho, it offers 52 rooms and suites.
The interior is vibrant, from the headboards behind the beds to the art on the walls. Downstairs, there’s a library and a drawing room for guests.
Restaurant and bar Oscar give you a reason to linger. There’s even a private cinema with its own program. Choose this hotel for a special weekend. Compare current rates and availability here.
Which Hotel in London Suits Your City Trip?
For a weekend primarily spent strolling through Notting Hill, I’d consider The Laslett and The Portobello Hotel. The Laslett offers a more subdued feel; The Portobello is more expressive and requires some extra attention when choosing a room.
If restaurants and theaters on foot are a priority, look at Mimi’s, Henrietta Experimental, and Page8. Mimi’s is all about the location, Henrietta about its small scale combined with Covent Garden. Page8 is practical for connecting different central areas on foot.
Lime Tree and Artist Residence are my picks for a smaller hotel near Belgravia and Pimlico. Lime Tree benefits from its garden, Artist Residence from its ten-room size and artistic interior.
For East London, choose The Hoxton, Shoreditch. Treehouse is worth considering for the view and location near Oxford Circus. I’d reserve Charlotte Street Hotel for a weekend where you can spend more time enjoying the hotel itself.
What to Consider When Booking a Boutique Hotel in London?
In delightful London hotels, the room type makes a significant difference. Check the square footage, the presence of a window, and the bathroom layout. A freestanding bath, terrace, or unique view often belongs to a specific category.
Also consider your plans. A hotel can suit your taste but not the places you want to visit. Mark a few critical addresses on the map and see the distances from your hotel. This reveals more than the word ‘central’ in a description.
Finally, I purposely do not mention fixed starting prices: rates vary by travel date, room type, and availability. An attractive offer is only appealing if the room suits your needs.
Keep My London Addresses Handy
Chosen a hotel? In my London Google Maps guide with e-book, you’ll find my selection of restaurants, cafes, shops, pubs, and other spots. This way you can immediately see what’s around your hotel and which places you can visit in a day.
You can find the map and e-book in my shop. Saves you a night with twenty open tabs.
