Claridge's

Claridge’s London – Is It Really One of the Best Hotels in London?

There are luxury hotels, there are five-star hotels… and then there’s Claridge’s.

Sitting proudly on Brook Street in the heart of Mayfair, Claridge’s is one of those rare London hotels that has become almost as famous as the city itself. It’s glamorous without desperately trying to be glamorous, traditional without feeling stuck in the past, and luxurious in that wonderfully British way where nobody needs to shout about it.

And yes — it really is that good.

The City Lynx Verdict

If you're searching for one of the best luxury hotels in London, Claridge’s deserves to be very near the top of the list.

This isn't necessarily the hotel for somebody who wants futuristic interiors, DJs in the lobby and neon lights around the swimming pool. Claridge’s does things differently.

Think Art Deco glamour, immaculate service, beautiful flowers, polished marble, grand pianos, Champagne and the feeling that somebody considerably more important than you might walk through the door at any moment.

That's part of the fun.

Claridge’s describes itself as an Art Deco jewel combining grand English style with timeless glamour, and for once the marketing department isn't exaggerating.

A Proper London Institution

Claridge’s story stretches back more than two centuries. Its origins date to 1812, when the site began life as two terraced houses operated by hotelier James Mivart. William and Marianne Claridge later took over, and by the Victorian era the hotel was already attracting some seriously prestigious visitors — including Queen Victoria and Empress Eugénie of France.

Today it remains one of London's great luxury institutions.

Walk through the doors and there's an immediate sense of occasion. The hotel manages the difficult trick of feeling incredibly grand while still being somewhere you'd actually want to sit down and spend a few hours.

That's harder to achieve than it sounds.

The Rooms – Classic London Luxury Done Properly

Claridge’s doesn't really do "ordinary" bedrooms.

Its rooms and suites combine the hotel's Victorian and Art Deco heritage with individually commissioned furniture and interiors created by leading designers.

Some of the larger signature suites go considerably further.

The Georgian Suite, for example, covers around 210 square metres and includes two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a separate dining room, fully equipped kitchen and even its own Steinberg baby grand piano.

Because apparently a kettle and a packet of biscuits weren't quite going to cut it.

But the real appeal isn't simply having an enormous room.

It's the detail.

Claridge’s feels carefully put together rather than mass-produced. Furniture, lighting, fabrics and artwork combine to give the rooms personality — something surprisingly easy to lose in large luxury hotels.

Afternoon Tea at Claridge’s

Even if you're not staying overnight, there's a very good reason to visit.

Afternoon Tea at Claridge’s.

Served in The Foyer & Reading Room, this is one of those classic London experiences that tourists put on their bucket lists and Londoners secretly enjoy just as much.

The setting does much of the work: original Art Deco mirrors, a striking Chihuly sculpture overhead and music from the grand piano create exactly the atmosphere you'd hope for from Claridge’s.

Expect the full works — tea, finger sandwiches, beautifully made pastries and the sort of service that makes an afternoon eating tiny cakes feel like an important event.

Is it cheap?

Of course not.

You're in Claridge’s.

Eating at Claridge’s

The hotel's food offering goes well beyond afternoon tea.

Claridge’s Restaurant serves contemporary interpretations of British flavours across breakfast, lunch and dinner, while Claridge’s ArtSpace Café provides something a little more relaxed, including crêpes and the hotel's famously polished cakes and pastries.

There's now even a dedicated Claridge’s Bakery, led by internationally acclaimed baker Richard Hart, bringing another distinctly British element to the hotel's food offering.

In other words, you don't necessarily need a room key to get a taste of Claridge’s.

Then There Are the Bars…

This might actually be our favourite bit.

Claridge’s Bar is exactly what you'd imagine a Mayfair hotel bar should look and feel like — Champagne, cocktails, beautiful Art Deco-inspired interiors and absolutely no sense that anybody is in a hurry.

But City Lynx explorers should also know about The Fumoir.

Smaller, darker and considerably more secretive, it's one of the hotel's genuine hidden gems. Claridge’s describes it as somewhere for everything from a pre-dinner aperitif to an intimate nightcap, with a cocktail heritage stretching back decades.

If the main hotel is where you want to be seen, The Fumoir feels like somewhere you disappear to afterwards.

Very City Lynx.

Claridge’s Spa

Hidden beneath all that Mayfair glamour is another reason Claridge’s competes with London's very best hotels.

Claridge’s Spa combines Japanese-inspired healing traditions with modern wellness treatments, while hotel stays include access to the spa, swimming pool and sauna.

It's contemporary, calm and deliberately different from the historic grandeur upstairs.

Spend the morning exploring London, disappear into the spa for the afternoon and emerge several hours later wondering why normal life can't involve more bathrobes.

And the Location?

Excellent.

Claridge’s sits on Brook Street in Mayfair, putting you within easy reach of Bond Street, Oxford Street, Regent Street and some of London's best restaurants, bars and luxury shopping.

You're also perfectly positioned for exploring Mayfair itself.

And that's important because Claridge’s isn't simply a luxury hotel that happens to be in London.

It feels unmistakably London.

Is Claridge’s Worth Staying At?

If your budget allows it, absolutely.

There are newer hotels. There are hotels with taller buildings, larger spas and more outrageous suites.

But very few possess the character of Claridge’s.

You're paying for more than a bedroom. You're buying into a little slice of old-school London glamour — the history, the Art Deco interiors, the service, the afternoon tea, the cocktails and that unmistakable Mayfair atmosphere.

For anniversaries, romantic weekends, milestone birthdays or simply a spectacular London stay, Claridge’s remains extremely difficult to beat.

City Lynx Quick Guide

Best for: Iconic five-star London luxury
City Lynx pick: A Mayfair room or one of the signature suites
Location: Brook Street, Mayfair, London
Hotel style: Art Deco glamour meets classic English luxury
Rooms: Individually designed luxury rooms and spectacular suites
Dining: Claridge’s Restaurant, The Foyer & Reading Room and ArtSpace Café
Don't miss: Afternoon Tea at Claridge’s
Hidden gem: The Fumoir
Drinks: Claridge’s Bar for Champagne and cocktails
Wellness: Claridge’s Spa, swimming pool and sauna
Nearby: Bond Street, Oxford Street, Regent Street and central Mayfair
Best for couples: Excellent
Best for special occasions: Outstanding
Price level: £££££
City Lynx tip: Even if an overnight stay stretches the budget, book afternoon tea or stop for a cocktail. You can experience some of the Claridge’s magic without checking into a suite.

City Lynx Rating: 9.7/10

The vibe: Old-school London glamour with modern five-star polish.

Claridge’s isn't simply somewhere to sleep in London. It's part hotel, part institution and part theatre.

And sometimes, when you're doing London properly, that's exactly what you want.