Stylish and affordable hotels in London do exist, according to our editors, who have curated a list of chic crash pads that won’t break the bank. These elusive properties often hide in plain sight on leafy residential streets, offering a reception-less welcome to savvy travellers. Many are located in East London, where restaurant bills are lower and food standards higher, though some have clawed into more central spots.
Set behind a handsome facade in Earl’s Court, Templeton Garden Hotel is a refined retreat anchored by a leafy garden. Interiors by Thurstan Waterworth feature polished woods, soft terracottas, pinks, and textured fabrics, with artwork by local artist Bethany Holm and an oak leaf chandelier by Cox London. The 156 rooms and suites range from well-proportioned singles to a suite with private garden access. Food and drink are central, with Pip’s café serving coffee and pastries, Pippin’s restaurant offering British seasonal dishes, and Sprout bar crafting cocktails from London market ingredients.
The supremely elegant Ellen is tucked away in a side-street townhouse, the former home of stage actress Dame Ellen Terry. It blends old and new with spacious bedrooms, immaculate bathrooms, and plush beds. Downstairs, a wood-panelled bar and the Lacquer Room restaurant, helmed by Singaporean chef Eugene Lam, serve pan-Asian food including manila clams with sake and butter, and Wagyu beef sukiyaki.
In Belgravia, a reasonably priced townhouse hotel offers a polished farmhouse design with comfortable rooms upholstered to the nines, thick curtains, pastel wallpaper, and heavy throws. The Buttery serves shakshuka drizzled in thick yoghurt with divine dukkah. Meanwhile, The Lost Poet on Portobello in Notting Hill is a hotel-rental hybrid with four immaculately designed rooms and a small check-in desk, letting guests explore the area’s thrumming restaurants and bars.
