I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: if you’re looking for a swanky bed to rest your head for the night, London is a pretty great place to be. Certainly not lacking in the fancy hotel department; lavish locales are constantly setting up shop in the capital. And as wonderful as that may be (she says with the halfhearted conviction of someone who can barely afford a night in a Travelodge), it sure does make it difficult to know which of them are actually worthy of the eye-watering price-tag that comes attached to them.
But luckily for us, the lovely lot over at travel publication, Travel + Leisurehave done the hard work for us. They’ve scoured the length and breadth of the entire planet to uncover the world’s best new hotels. And guess what? Two luxury London spots have managed to nab themselves a comfortable spot on the ‘It List’.
Credit: @theemorylondon via Instagram
What’s the ‘It List’, I hear you ask? Allow me to explain. 64 Travel-Faced were sent out to new or recently renovated hotels across a whopping 44 countriesmaking sure that absolutely no stone (or bedsheet) was left unturned. After checking in and checking out the various properties across the globe, the experts were able to create the ‘It List’ of the 100 best new hotels in the world.
Properties were analysed based on various factors including room quality, location, service, food, value for money, design, accessibility and sustainability; ensuring that those that made the final cut truly aligned with Travel + Leisure’s ‘core values’. The ‘It List’ features fancy hotels from Mexico and Massachusetts to Madrid and the Maldives. But we all know that the most important entries on that coveted ‘It List’ are the ones here in our lovely capital city. So, those are the ones I’ll be waxing lyrical about for the next few minutes. You’re very welcome.
The Emory, Belgravia
Credit: @theemorylondon via Instagram
The Emory is proudly perched in boujie Belgravia, having swung open its doors back in July 2024. Considering that it was created by the same team that are behind the luxury likes of Claridges and The Connaughtit comes as no surprise that The Emory nabbed itself a seat at the table. A self-proclaimed ‘modern masterpiece’, The Emory boasts 61 gorgeous rooms – each of which ranges in size from 600 to 3000 square-feet and many of which offer sweeping views across Hyde Park from huge floor-to-ceiling windows.
The Emory’s impressive offering also features a rooftop bar, a private cigar lounge, complimentary airport transfers, and a members club that sprawls across four floors. Oh, and not forgetting the ground-floor restaurant, ABC Kitchenthat happens to be the first UK outpost of esteemed chef, Jean-George Vongerichten. If all that has convinced you to pay The Emory a visit, rooms start from £1110. Blimey.
Mandarin Oriental, Mayfair
Credit: @mo_mayfair via Instagram
The second London hotel to make Travel + Leisure’s ‘It List’ was Mandarin Oriental Mayfair. The second of its kind in London (the other being in Knightsbridge, naturally), the Mayfair outpost opened in June last year and oozes opulence and luxury. Boasting eight storeys of pure gorgeousness, Mandarin Oriental Mayfair has 50 guestrooms, 77 apartmentsa subterranean spa, and a big old swimming pool (82 feet long, to be exact).
Also home to its own restaurants (one of which boasts a shiny Michelin Star), Mandarin Oriental Mayfair is where you’ll find modern Japanese restaurant, Akira Backand Korean Chef’s Table spot, Dosa by Akira Back. Prices for a night’s stay at Mandarin Oriental Mayfair start from £893.
You can peruse Travel + Leisure’s full list of the world’s best new hotels here.
