Urban Chic: 10 Last-Minute Luxury Breaks In The City

No plans this weekend? If the thought of spending the next few days meandering at home fills you with dread, fear not – these last-minute breaks at some of London’s most luxurious hotels should prove all the distraction you need.

These reviews were taken from Great British & Irish Hotels 2025; all hotels have been visited and reviewed by the C&TH team.

Last-Minute London Breaks To Book Now

The Beaumont

Set on a quiet garden square a stone’s throw from bustling Oxford Street (near Selfridges) and Bond Street’s luxury boutiques, The Beaumont Mayfair has embodied the spirit of grand Art Deco hotels since it opened in 2014. Get ushered through the chequerboard lobby floor by the charming doorman, where walls are lined with early 20th-century paintings and cabinets showcase gleaming antiques – and enter one of the capital’s most wonderful hotels.

There are 101 rooms (a new 29-room wing was added in a recent refurbishment) including the presidential penthouse; The Roosevelt Suite, which has a private outdoor terrace and can be transformed into a luxurious five-bedroom suite; and ROOM, a unique, dark-fumed oak bedroom within a giant semi-abstract sculpture by globally renowned artist Antony Gormley. Each airy, light-filled room has a selection of original prints, books and paintings.

The glamorous hotel restaurant has a crowd-pleasing menu that uses the best of British ingredients, including a traditional Sunday roast and the famous build-your-own sundae selection. Tucked away behind a red velvet curtain (and perfect to hideaway in if you need a moment to yourself), the speakeasy-style bar Le Magritte serves classic and signature cocktails, such as the rum-based Anything Goes and Volare, made with rose-infused gin and vermouth. There is also the Gatsby Room, a relaxed, intimate spot to enjoy an award-winning afternoon tea, accompanied by live music from the in-house pianist, and a terrace for al fresco drinks, lunches and suppers throughout the year surrounded by lush greenery. Three private dining rooms, with 1920s-inspired interiors by the world-renowned designer Thierry Despont, offer numerous options for family celebrations and corporate events.

Last but not least, the spa is small but perfectly formed – and one of London’s best-kept secrets. Whether you are looking for a particular treatment or a rejuvenating day of pure indulgence, the menu of massages and facials has been curated to calm the mind and soothe the soul. A haven in which to totally unwind, it also has a private hammam, steam room, sauna, ice bar and gym.

Doubles from £600 +44 (0)20 7499 1001; thebeaumont.com

Bulgari Hotel London

Perfectly positioned between Hyde Park and Sloane Street, Bulgari Hotel London is the ultimate city escape. The hotel pays tribute to Bulgari’s silversmith origins and Britain’s noble manufacturing traditions with an understated, elegant design concept with silver forming the underlying theme. Generously proportioned rooms and suites are combined with unrivalled facilities, including The Bulgari Spa’s 25-metre swimming pool and 12 single treatment rooms. Located over two floors, the spa offers a selection of the most advanced beauty and health-enhancing treatments, in addition to its pioneering Workshop Gymnasium with on-site personal training team. Guests can also enjoy spending time in the luxurious 47-seat private cinema room, which offers an exclusively curated library of more than 200 new and classic films, or visit the hotel’s Edward Sahakian Cigar Shop & Sampling Lounge, where rare and vintage cigars can be sampled and purchased. The Bulgari Lounge offers all-day dining in the comfort and glamour of an Italian-style living room. Guests can indulge in afternoon tea, crafted to savour the richness of Italian flavours.

Doubles from £690 +44 (0)20 7151 1010; bulgarihotels.com

The spa at Bulgari Hotel London

Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane

Mayfair has its fair share of five-star hotels. However, Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane stands out from the crowd with its Art Deco elegance, vibrant interiors and all-round excellence. Opened in 1970, this big hitter is the most established Four Seasons in Europe but shows no sign of slowing down, celebrating its 55th anniversary this year. The 196 recently renovated rooms and suites add further sparkle, from the beautifully-appointed Executive Conservatories to the Hyde Park Suite, with sweeping views of Hyde Park. The beds are quite possibly the comfiest in London. When it comes to dining, chef Yannick Alléno has brought his modern French cuisine to the Michelin-star Pavyllon London, producing highly crafted and innovative plates – book a table at the counter to experience serious culinary theatre. Bar Antoine serves up superb cocktails, and has a terrace for alfresco dining. Just don’t miss the jaw-dropping tenth floor spa – a serene lesson in oak and stone – with nine glass-walled treatment rooms plus delicious relaxation pods. The service is faultless and the best of the city is right on your doorstep.

Doubles from £800, room only +44 (0)20 7499 0888; fourseasons.com

Hotel Café Royal

A Regent Street landmark for over 160 years, this iconic hotel has welcomed the likes of Oscar Wilde, David Bowie, and Winston Churchill. A grand Murano glass chandelier sets an opulent tone in the lobby, leading to elegant interiors and the reimagined Café Royal Grill – a refined all-day café-restaurant fusing French culinary flair with the best of British ingredients. Rooms and suites offer calm luxury with English oak panelling and marble bathrooms. The iconic Dome Penthouse Suite features two terraces with panoramic London views, a Ming green bathtub, and three spacious bedrooms. Equally sanctuary-like is the underground Akasha spa which offers a full range of wellness experiences – from Watsu treatments to fitness consultations. Culinary highlights include chef Alex Dilling’s two Michelin-starred restaurant, where modern French tasting menus take centre stage, and Albert Adrià’s Cakes & Bubbles, known for its irresistible desserts and pastries. With its rich history and modern elegance, the hotel remains a sanctuary of style and indulgence in the heart of London.

Doubles from £795 +44 (0)20 7406 3333; hotelcaferoyal.com

Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park

The celebrated Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group is a byword for luxury and outstanding service. This original London outpost is no exception. Interior designer Joyce Wang cited the beauty of Hyde Park, the hotel’s royal heritage and the glamour of the early 20th-century’s golden age of travel as her inspiration. The Art Deco influenced bedrooms are sanctuaries of calm, with bespoke furniture, curated artwork and Volakas marble bathrooms. For dining, there’s two Michelin-star Dinner by Heston Blumenthal, The Rosebery for all-day dining and The Aubrey, an exceptional Japanese izakaya restaurant. Hyde Park Garden, a seasonal opening for the summer, is the latest addition, with a menu designed by the team behind Dinner by Heston Blumenthal. Then there’s the Mandarin Bar, one of London’s favourite nightspots. Spa offerings include facials in partnership with Oskia, holistic health workshops and nutritional consultations with Clinique La Prairie, and the BodySpace Momentum Studio. Fans should check out Mandarin Oriental Mayfair, which opened last year (p84).

Doubles from £900 +44 (0)20 7235 2000; mandarinoriental.com

The Milestone Hotel & Residences

What a fantastic location this red-brick Victorian hotel has, right opposite Kensington Palace. Rooms are classic and elegant; suites are truly unique. They include The Ruhlmann in black and chrome, inspired by French designer Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann; the handsome Hermès with its custom furniture and green colour scheme; and the Noel Coward, which nods to Art Deco. Staff can organise tailored shopping tours in Knightsbridge or a fabulous picnic hamper to take to Kensington Gardens but for a culture fix, there are blockbuster museums and the Royal Albert Hall on the doorstep too. After a day out exploring, head back for nourishing spa treatments and a swim in the pool at the recently revamped Wellness Club. British fare is the focus at Cheneston’s Restaurant (if you’re feeling hungry, go for the eight-course tasting menu) while the redesigned Stables Bar & Hideaway, with its wood-panelled walls, racing green leather banquettes and brass lamps, is the place for imaginatively crafted cocktails. Afternoon tea in the Park Lounge is also a must.

Doubles from £545 +44 (0)20 7917 1000; milestonehotel.com

One Aldwych

Housed in a beautiful heritage building, once home to The Morning Post newspaper, One Aldwych is brilliantly positioned on the edge of bustling Covent Garden. London’s first luxury hotel to achieve B Corp status, the contemporary yet soothing suites and rooms come with sweeping views of the cityscape below. Signature restaurant Indigo from Executive Chef Dominic Teague celebrates British producers in seasonal delicious dishes, such as Cornish lamb for two or monkfish wrapped in seaweed. The Lobby Bar, with its extensive list of the coolest craft cocktails, is an institution; the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory-themed afternoon tea is huge fun for all ages, featuring snozzberry jam and chocolate swudge milkshake. The concierge has the inside track on everything from the best brunch spots and hottest theatre tickets to must-visit exhibitions. Upon return, settle down in the library with its comfortable sofas and beautiful books. And, for pampering – whether a refreshing swim, a pick-me-up facial or an invigorating massage – you can while away a few hours in the deeply cosseting health club and spa.

Doubles from £800 +44 (0)20 7300 1000; onealdwych.com

Rosewood London

With its winning combination of English heritage and contemporary sophistication, Rosewood London sits firmly in the highest echelons of the capital’s luxury hotels. The Grade II-listed Belle Époque building has the feel of a stylish London residence; guests enter a grand, wrought-iron-gated former carriage arch, leading to the hotel’s historic central courtyard with its majestic stone façades – featuring a beautiful terrace which delivers pop-up experiences that rotate throughout the year – while the Grand Pavonazzo marble staircase soars to a dizzying 166ft cupola. Inside, the hotel is the work of two designers: Tony Chi created the 263 glamorous rooms and 45 suites, splendid Rose Bronze Gallery entrance and the jewel box Mirror Room, which serves an innovative Art Afternoon Tea. Meanwhile, Martin Brudnizki designed both Holborn Dining Room – a British brasserie with a trendy gin bar – and the popular Scarfes Bar, its walls decorated with paintings by satirical artist Gerald Scarfe. Don’t miss Holborn Dining Room’s Pie Room, run by Head Pie Maker Nokx Majozi. Suites come with a dedicated butler, and service is faultless.

Doubles from £750 +44 (0)20 7781 8888; rosewoodhotels.com

Shangri-La The Shard

For the most outstanding cityscape views of London, this hotel wins hands-down. Starting on level 34, it spans 18 floors of the Italian architect Renzo Piano-designed The Shard, which is close to Tower Bridge. Suites have floor-to-ceiling windows so you can see landmarks such as St Paul’s Cathedral from your bed. GŌNG bar – the highest hotel cocktail bar in the capital – is the place for sundowners and late-night digestifs, with the surrounding skyscrapers lit up and twinkling below. And, when you’re in the infinity Sky Pool, part of the wellness offering that also includes Elemis facials and massages, a sauna and gym, it can feel like swimming laps among the clouds. Don’t miss dinner at Asian fusion restaurant TĪNG or ground floor Bar 31, where local craft beers on tap can be paired with bites made using fresh seasonal ingredients sourced from nearby Borough Market. Stroll along the Thames to St Paul’s Cathedral, Tate Modern and the National Theatre, or venture further into the West End for shopping and a theatre show – knowing that bird’s eye vistas await on your return.

Doubles from £700; +44 (0)20 7234 8000; shangri-la.com

The Westin London City

The Westin London City, part of the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio, is beautifully situated along the banks of the Thames, overlooking Shakespeare’s Globe and Tate Modern. A contemporary five-star retreat, this sophisticated hotel is rooted in wellbeing. There are 226 elegantly designed, light-filled guest rooms, suites, and residences, each featuring the signature Heavenly® Bed as part of the Sleep Well programme. The suites have views of St Paul’s Cathedral. Dining can be enjoyed in Hithe + Seek, a stylish bar and kitchen with panoramic river views. Meanwhile, Mosaic, the all-day dining restaurant, offers sustainably sourced dishes, blending the Eat Well menu and delicious elegantly-presented comfort food. This means guests looking for either a health-centric menu or soul-stirring food are sorted. The Heavenly Spa by Westin has Germaine de Capuccini, Aromatherapy Associates, and OTO Wellbeing products. Guests can also enjoy a 12m pool, sauna, steam room, experience shower, ice fountain and the WestinWORKOUT® Fitness Studio which is fully equipped for an energising Move Well experience.

Doubles from £375 +44 (0)20 3146 2690; westinlondoncity.com