Where to stay | London

 I have just returned from an amazing time in London. I can’t get over all the hotels I got to visit and experience on this trip. Someone recently was asking me why I saw so many hotels and what that had to do with being a travel advisor. I love answering this question, because choosing the right hotel for the right client is so important.

Where to stay in London

Normally, after you have gotten to your destination you head to your hotel. It is typically the first thing you really experience in a new city. And if that first impression isn’t up to your standard it can make or break your trip. It either makes you feel at home, peaceful and excited about the start of your adventure. It can put you in a really foul mood really quick. So my job as an advisor, is to make sure you are comfortable and excited as soon as you get to a hotel. So that it starts your vacation off on the right foot. Having the chance to visit hotels in a specific destination means I have first hand knowledge of what my clients will experience. It lets me meet the hotel reps I will be communicating with beforehand. This is import so that you feel welcomed as soon as you arrive. For London, that meant staying in 3 hotels and visiting another 6 properties.

So here are 5 of my favorite hotels from my trip.

The Kensington

I have had clients stay here before and will continue to send clients to The Kensington. Located on a quiet street in South Kensington, this is a Doyle Collection property. It reflects a traditional english style with a little twist. It is close to Victoria and Albert museum and Kensington Palace. Also, it’s near the Natural History Museum, Royal Albert hall and Hyde park it is a great location. The staff are superb and the the room was gorgeously decorated (the claw foot tub was a dream) I can’t wait to stay there again.

The Ned

The Ned has one of the more interesting buildings and backgrounds of any hotel in London. Located in the City, it is a former bank that has been turned into a hotel. The lobby has been transformed into 8 different restaurants as well as the front desk. The rooms are all decorated in the 1920s style to reflect the building history. It also features members only amenities like the rooftop bar/restaurant and the bottom floor bar that was once the bank vault. It is a super special property that offers a unique experience perfect for business travelers, couples, and friend getaways.

London Edition

Part of the Edition collection of hotels, the London Edition is located in Soho/Fitzrovia area of town. This is a great location if shopping and entertainment are on your to do lists. The hotel mixes classic British design with modern luxurious fixtures. The lobby is large with plenty of spaces to hang out and have a cocktail or you can head into Berner’s Tavern for a delicious meal. Each room features oak walls, plush bedding and is made to feel like you are on a yacht instead of in a hotel in the middle of London. And the smell they pump through the hotel is a perfect mix of musk, citrus and floral that I could not stop raving about. Weird I know, but when a hotel utilizes all five of your senses I take notice.

The Goring

Sometimes referred to as the Queen’s hotel, The Goring has hosted the royal family over the years, most recently (and famously) as the hotel Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge stayed in the night before she wed Prince William. Located just a 5 minute walk to Buckingham palace in Victoria, it is the hotel to stay in if you want to feel like royalty. I had the chance to be treated to an afternoon tea at the Goring and it was the best tea I have had in London by far. The decor is traditional, British design and the staff are helpful and knowledgeable about anything you may need or want during your stay.

Vintry and Mercer

For a smaller boutique hotel feel, Vintry and Mercer is a brand new property located in City just steps away from St. Paul’s. It is down a quiet street, away from the hustle and bustle and features modern comfy decor. The property has a bar and two restaurants, including the roof top restaurant, Mercer Roof Terrace (the view from the roof was spectacular). Since this is such a newer and smaller property, the staff makes an effort to know each guest and anticipate their needs.