Hotels

The 6 Best Hotels in Westminster

Where royal pageantry, Division Bells and quiet courtyards meet: Westminster's hotels run from family-owned grande dames to spy-tinged boltholes.

In short: our top picks are The Goring, Conrad London St. James and Hotel 41. 6 places in total, chosen on merit, with the full reasoning below.

Westminster is the bit of London where the postcards actually happen, and you pay for the privilege of waking up near them. The smart move here is to choose your patch: the hushed enclaves around Buckingham Palace Gardens for old-money calm, or the busier streets towards Victoria if you want the station on your doorstep. This is grown-up territory, light on party hotels and heavy on proper service, the kind of place where a doorman remembers your name by day two. Book for the location and the quiet luxury, not for a rooftop scene.

Place Area Price
The Goring Westminster ££££
Conrad London St. James Westminster ££££
Hotel 41 Westminster ££££
The Guardsman Westminster £££
St. Ermin's Hotel, Autograph Collection Westminster £££
The Resident Victoria Westminster ££
  1. Editor’s choice

    The Goring

    • Westminster
    • ££££

    Why we pick itLondon's last family-owned five-star, with a Michelin-starred Dining Room, a famous afternoon tea and rooms overlooking its own private garden.

    5-star hotel

  2. Conrad London St. James

    • Westminster
    • ££££

    Why we pick itA polished modern five-star set in former Queen Anne's Chambers, with the Blue Boar pub and bar and a few minutes' walk to Westminster Abbey.

    5-star hotel

  3. Hotel 41

    • Westminster
    • ££££

    Why we pick itA Forbes Five-Star bolthole of black-and-white rooms and a clubby guests-only lounge, steps from Buckingham Palace and Victoria station.

    5-star boutique hotel

  4. The Guardsman

    • Westminster
    • £££

    Why we pick itA purpose-built bolthole on a quiet side street near Buckingham Gate, run like a private members' club with discreet, personal service.

    5-star boutique hotel

  5. St. Ermin's Hotel, Autograph Collection

    • Westminster
    • £££

    Why we pick itReached up a tree-lined courtyard, this grand Victorian hotel trades on real Cold War spy history, an ornate lobby and a rooftop beehive terrace.

    4-star hotel

  6. The Resident Victoria

    • Westminster
    • ££

    Why we pick itSmart, well-priced rooms with a clever mini-kitchen and Nespresso machine, tucked on Palace Place just a few minutes from Buckingham Palace.

    boutique aparthotel

Before you book

St James’s Park and Victoria stations put you on the District, Circle and Victoria lines, with Victoria also handling the Gatwick Express. The area suits couples, theatre-goers and anyone visiting the Abbey or the parks; it goes quiet at night, so foodies may want to walk over to St James’s or Pimlico. Book well ahead for Trooping the Colour and State Opening dates, when rooms with garden or palace aspects vanish first.

Common questions

What are the top picks in this guide?

The Goring is our editor's choice: London's last family-owned five-star, with a Michelin-starred Dining Room, a famous afternoon tea and rooms overlooking its own private garden. The Goring, Conrad London St. James and Hotel 41 lead the guide, with 6 places in total, all chosen on merit.

How does Lamplit London choose its recommendations?

Every place is chosen on merit, after first-hand visits where possible, with no pay-for-placement. Read our full method at https://www.lamplitlondon.com/how-we-choose/.