Hotels
The 6 Best Hotels in Islington
Georgian townhouses, a playful design hotel and proper Upper Street locals: where to sleep in the London village that does food, theatre and antiques better than most.
In short: our top picks are The Zetter Clerkenwell, nhow London and Hilton London Angel Islington. 6 places in total, chosen on merit, with the full reasoning below.
Islington rewards people who want a neighbourhood rather than a postcode to brag about. You are a short walk from the Almeida and Sadler’s Wells, the antiques of Camden Passage, and one of the densest stretches of good restaurants in the city, all without the West End mark-up. The best beds here split cleanly: characterful Georgian boutiques and a design hotel near the Angel, then dependable, well-run rooms for people who would rather spend their money on dinner. Pick by how much theatre you want from the building itself.
| Place | Area | Price |
|---|---|---|
| The Zetter Clerkenwell | Islington | £££ |
| nhow London | Islington | £££ |
| Hilton London Angel Islington | Islington | £££ |
| Citadines Islington London | Islington | ££ |
| DoubleTree by Hilton London Angel Kings Cross | Islington | £££ |
| Premier Inn London Angel Islington | Islington | ££ |
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Editor’s choice
The Zetter Clerkenwell
Why we pick itA Georgian townhouse on a quiet cobbled square, with thirteen individually styled rooms and an award-winning cocktail Parlour that locals treat as their own.
boutique hotel
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nhow London
Why we pick itA playful design hotel where every floor riffs on London icons, from a Big Ben rocket to graffiti walls, with 190 rooms minutes from the Angel and Old Street.
design hotel
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Hilton London Angel Islington
Why we pick itRight on Upper Street with light, generous rooms and the Halo bar and restaurant downstairs, five minutes from Angel tube and the pick of Islington's dining.
4-star hotel
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Citadines Islington London
Why we pick itStudios and one-bed apartments with proper kitchens inside a converted 1907 Royal Mail sorting office, ideal for families or longer stays around Islington Square.
aparthotel
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DoubleTree by Hilton London Angel Kings Cross
Why we pick itA dependable upmarket-chain base on Pentonville Road with a Marco Pierre White steakhouse off the lobby, walking distance to both Angel and King's Cross.
4-star hotel
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Premier Inn London Angel Islington
Why we pick itClean, quiet, well-priced rooms tucked just behind Upper Street by the N1 Centre, putting Camden Passage and Angel tube on your doorstep for very little.
budget-chic hotel
Before you book
Angel on the Northern line and King’s Cross St Pancras put you on the Underground and Eurostar quickly, so this is a sensible base for both city breaks and onward travel. Foodies and theatregoers suit the Upper Street and St John’s Square options, while families and budget-minded visitors do well at the Citadines apartments or the Premier Inn. Book the Zetter’s cocktail lounge and any Almeida show well ahead, as both fill fast at weekends.
Common questions
What are the top picks in this guide?
The Zetter Clerkenwell is our editor's choice: A Georgian townhouse on a quiet cobbled square, with thirteen individually styled rooms and an award-winning cocktail Parlour that locals treat as their own. The Zetter Clerkenwell, nhow London and Hilton London Angel Islington 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/.
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