LUXURY HOTELS LONDON
London Luxury Hotels, Curated Properly.
Comparing London’s top hotels by location, service, and style.
Luxury Hotels in London: Reputation vs. Reality
Once you’re looking at hotels that charge £1,000 a night, price stops being much of a guide. Two rooms can cost almost the same and leave you with completely different impressions.
Not every expensive hotel feels equally luxurious. Some justify the price from the moment you arrive. Others rely a little too heavily on their reputation. That’s why it’s worth looking beyond the nightly rate before you book a luxurious hotel in London.
The Best Luxury Hotels in London
This isn’t every expensive hotel in London. These are the ones we would actually tell someone to look at.
Not every expensive hotel feels equally luxurious. Some justify the price from the moment you arrive. Others rely a little too heavily on their reputation. That’s why it’s worth looking beyond the nightly rate before you book a luxurious hotel in London.
Not every expensive hotel feels equally luxurious. Some justify the price from the moment you arrive. Others rely a little too heavily on their reputation. That’s why it’s worth looking beyond the nightly rate before you book a luxurious hotel in London.
The Emory
Location: Waterhead Bay, Ambleside, Cumbria (Lake District)
Price: ££
Address: Waterhead Bay, Ambleside LA22 0ES, United Kingdom
Best for: guests who want space and privacy over big-name buzz, and don’t mind a single dining option.
The Emory is technically attached to The Berkeley (same building, same owners), but it’s been built to feel like its own hotel entirely. Separate entrance, separate staff, and rooms so much bigger than its neighbour’s that staying at The Berkeley now feels a bit like choosing economy when business class is one door down.
With only 60 suites, the rooms combine minimalist wood and cream tones with floor-to-ceiling windows that flood the floor plan with light.
You get practical touches like proper walk-in wardrobes, Toto toilets, and responsive room controls. The park view is largely greenery and trees rather than sweeping London skylines, but the space feels bright and quiet.
Rates start around £2,000 a night for a junior suite, bundling in airport transfers, breakfast, and a restocked minibar with Krug champagne.
The four-story underground spa looks great, but the main pool is freezing, and the gym feels way too small for a hotel of this tier.
The Angel Inn
Location: Bowness-on-Windermere, Cumbria (Lake District)
Price: £££
Address: Helm Rd, Bowness-on-Windermere, Windermere LA23 3BU, United Kingdom
The Angel Inn in Bowness-on-Windermere offers dog-friendly family rooms with private bathrooms, tea and coffee facilities, and free WiFi, each with a work desk, TV, and wardrobe.
Barakat Lakes Escape
Location: Borrans Road, Ambleside, Cumbria (Lake District)
Price: ££££
Address: Borrans Rd, Ambleside LA22 0EN, UK
Barakat Lakes Escape in Ambleside is a spacious, dog-friendly holiday home with three bedrooms and three bathrooms, featuring a private entrance and a fully equipped kitchen with modern appliances.
The Ullswater Inn
Location: Glenridding, Cumbria (Lake District)
Price: £££
Address: A592, Glenridding, Penrith CA11 0PB, United Kingdom
The Ullswater Inn in Glenridding is housed in a charming, dog-friendly historic building, offering a unique and memorable setting for a relaxing stay in the heart of the Lake District.
Shundraw Cottage
Location: nr. Keswick, Cumbria (Lake District)
Price: £££
Address: Farm, Shundraw, St Johns-in-the-Vale, Keswick CA12 4RR, United Kingdom
Shundraw Cottage in Keswick is a spacious, dog-friendly holiday home with three bedrooms and a bathroom, complete with a fully equipped kitchen, washing machine, and free WiFi.
Exploring the Lake District with Your Dog
The Lake District isn’t just tolerant of dogs — it’s built for them. Many of the region’s best-loved walks, from gentle lakeshore paths around Windermere to the more demanding fell routes near Glenridding and Keswick, are well-trodden by dogs and their owners alike. Grasmere, Derwentwater, and Ullswater all have flat, dog-friendly circuits ideal for a relaxed morning, while more energetic dogs can tackle routes up Catbells or Loughrigg Fell.
A few things to keep in mind before you go:
- Livestock and lead laws – Much of the Lake District is working farmland, so dogs must be kept on a lead around sheep and cattle, particularly during lambing season (March–May).
- Lake access – Many lakes allow dogs to swim, but check local signage, as some areas near Windermere restrict access during busier summer months.
- Village life – Ambleside, Bowness-on-Windermere, and Keswick all have dog-friendly cafés and pubs, so a rainy afternoon rarely means being stuck indoors.
- Ticks and terrain – Fell walks can mean long grass and bracken, so it’s worth checking your dog over after longer routes.
Whether you’re after a lakeside stroll or a proper fell day out, the Lake District rewards dogs and owners who like to explore — and the stays above are all within easy reach of the best of it.